22 weeks

Status: 22w2d

Taken yesterday....

23 weeks!!

Status: 23w1d

Your view....

My view...

Like an old lady....

Status: 21w5d

Every night when I go to take my vitamins, I feel like an old lady. And when I hit 35 weeks there will be even more!

Birth Art

Status: 21w5d

Yesterday the kids decided they wanted to do some art, and when the water colors came out I decided to join in. It was one of those "moments". My paintings ended up being birth art, and I LOVE them!

"Exhale"

"Just Be"

"Peace"

"Turn In"

21 weeks

Status: 21w0d

Pic of the week (at work)!

It's not a dinosaur, but it IS a.....

Status: 20w6d

Today we (Joel, Eli, and Talia, along with our friend/birth photographer Kim) went to See Baby for our anatomy scan. We also had the excitement of finding out whether Little Foot is a boy or a girl! This is the first time I have invited anyone other than Joel to an anatomy scan, and it sure made for some memorable moments!

So, here's a few peaks at our Little Foot....

This one is a straight - on of the face.

You can see the belly and a hand in this one...

And of course, what you really came for.....

And if you weren't sure what you are looking at.....

Eli was excited about another brother, but Talia.....well, Talia burst into big huge tears. She cried and cried for over 10 min. Eli tried to console her by telling her, "G-d wanted us to have another brother." It was really sweet.

After the scan, I sat down with Dr. Bootstaylor and he gave me a really awesome fetal anatomy lesson via the pictures they got. The placenta is down and in the back, the cord is inserted directly in the center of the placenta and has three vessels, and all kinds of other things. LF is measuring in the upper 90% for head size and tummy size, but upper 60's for femur length. Is anyone shocked that he's short? Overall, he looks perfect. I can't wait to meet him in another 20 weeks!

20 weeks!

Status: 20 weeks (+6 days - it didn't publish the day I wrote it for some reason)

Twenty weeks. 2-0. I can't believe we've reached this point. Although nothing big happens, it's a bit of a milestone. From this point on, if I was to go into labor they would try to stop it. Anything that happens would be a birth, and not a miscarriage. It's kind of a big deal, at least to me. 

On a happier note, today's picture!

Whoa, baby!

Status: 19w3d

Just two days ago I took my weekly picture....

Then this morning I woke up to THIS....

Pardon the messy room, but holy growth spurt! It's typical for me to experience a growth spurt around 20 weeks, but wow!!!

Last week of my teens!

Status: 19w2d

Almost to the 20s - I can't believe it!  Here's some views of the bump this week....

Side view...

My view....

Going "Facebook" Public

Status: 18w5d

Happy Thanksgiving!!! It's my favorite holiday of the whole year, and there's a little something extra to be thankful for this year - our Little Foot! For #30daysofthankful, I have been posting pictures on Facebook of people, experiences, memories, etc that I am thankful for having. I decided to finally "come out" about this pregnancy on the last day of the month, as the newest thing I am thankful for. Here is the announcement I made today - 3 days till we go public!

Caught ya!

Status: 18w3d

Today I had my 18 week visit with the midwives - I saw Debbie today. We spent most of the visit talking about work. She was happy with my self-care for my fall yesterday. BP and all that was good...weight.....a little more than we'd like, but it is what it is.

And of course.....catching the baby to get a listen! Just like my others, this one is a mover and a shaker!

We all fall down....

Status: 18w2d

I made it this long without doing it... Which might be a record for me.... I fell. I slipped on a puddle of water superbly placed just outside my car door in the garage. Luckily, I landed on my left hip and leg where I am plenty padded.... But it HURT.  :(

I went back to the chiropractor - where I had been just 2 hour prior - and got readjusted. Little Foot was super active during my adjustment! I also had to put all my regular plans for the day on hold due to cramping and tried to take it easy. Reuben and Talia blessed me by taking naps, which was very helpful.

So now, I'm sore, tired, and I just want to submerge myself in a hot bath.....

Little Foot hits Florida!

Status: 17w2d

Little Foot's first trip to Florida! 

Feeling good, but nervous being without a chiropractor for over a week. Last night I felt everything pop back into place just from a really good shift when I "rolled" over in bed. Sweet relief! I've pulled the rebozo out to wear on my hips in the evening and that had helped, too. Tomorrow is a surprise day for the kids at Legoland, so hopefully it won't be too rough!

Dino on the loose!

Status: 15 weeks 1 day

Well, it's out there! Yesterday Joel and the kids called all the aunts and uncles, and my grandma. Everyone is excited! 

Here is today's picture.... Sorry I'm so frumpy looking!

Hear baby, feel baby!

Status: 14 weeks 4 days

Yesterday I had an appointment with the midwives. I got to see Debbie this month. We had a nice visit, and discussed my ever-more-uncomfortable hips and pelvis. She suggested using my rebozo to support my hips. I found a video of how to do that this morning, and it has helped a ton! Walking, sitting, moving around - no problem!

BP and all that were perfect, and we FINALLY got to hear the baby!! I warned Debbie that it would probably only last a few seconds, as my kids tend to run fast a furiously away from dopplers. I was right. It lasted about 5 seconds, and then it was gone. Want to hear for yourself?

In other big news....I'm 99% sure I felt the baby move today! A couple weeks ago, I had felt fluttering here and there. I thought, "maybe?", but nothing else really specifically said "this is the baby!" This afternoon, I felt a distinct thud smack in the center of my belly. Pretty sure that was Little Foot using those little feet!

Cute little pumpkin!

Status: 13 weeks, 4 days

We got pumpkins for the front porch for the kids to decorate. Here is the one for Little Foot!

Bump Sighting

Status:  13 weeks, 2 days

It's been a loooong time since I've posted. Y'all should be used to that by now, since it's not our first rodeo together. :p I thought I'd offer you a pic of the current over-achieving bump. This was taken yesterday morning (since it's after midnight). Pardon the mess on my dresser.....

10 Week checkup

Status: 10w5d

I had a midwife appointment on Tuesday (10w3d). I met with Constance this time. It was a great appointment, lots of good chatting and all that. My belly is still overachieving, and measuring about 6 weeks ahead (we didn't actually measure, just going by where it should be and where it actually is). The midwife told me she was glad I had opted to do the ultrasound a few weeks ago, because she would definitely be questioning things otherwise! BP and everything else were good, but we weren't able to hear the baby due to him/her still being deep in my pelvis. Hopeful for next time!

Spilled the beans!

Status: 8w3d

For a few days now I've really felt like I wanted to tell the kids about Little Foot. So tonight, we finally did. I didn't do anything creative, I just sat down and told them - one by one. 

Eli (5) wanted to know if it was a boy or a girl and when it was coming. I told him I didn't know, and we expect him/her in the Spring, after Pesach. He took that all in.

When I told Talia (3), she threw her hands up in the air and yelled "Yay!!!" She's very excited, in case it wasn't obvious. 

Reuben (23 mon) is about as excited as you can be for an almost 2 year old. He seemed happy, and was excited to say "Big Brother."

Knowing my kids can't keep a secret, we called my parents and let them share the news. My mom pretty much already knew and was just waiting for confirmation. Both my parents were very happy, as expected. 

Let's See Baby!

Status: 7w5d

On Monday, at 7w2d, I went to See Baby for an ultrasound to make sure there was no cause for my "over eager" (that's what I'm calling it) uterus. 

There isn't. :) Just one perfectly healthy little baby in there with a HB of 166 bpm. It wasn't super loud, but this mama know just what that beautiful sound is - I only wish I could have recorded it for Joel to hear later. 

While I was there, I had my homebirth consult with Dr. Bootstaylor, who will be OFFICIALLY providing backup services for our birth! I'm so excited to have this as an option this time, and I'm still wrapping my brain around it being possible. He ordered my labs for me, and said he'd see me when I decided to come back! 

I'm tired.

Status: 6w4d

Well that's probably the understatement of the century. I am EXHAUSTED. And to top it all off I have pregnancy insomnia, although not as bad as last round. No matter how tired I am, I am up past 1 AM every night. The combo is killing me. I guess part of pregnancy amnesia is forgetting how bad this part was. Although last time, both my kids still napped. This time, I have one short napper, one transitioning out of naps, and one that doesn't nap. To say there is a lot of tv watching at our house would be lying. It's ALL that's happening. Homeschool is bare minimum, but we are trudging along. 

Now, where's my pillow?

The first checkup!

Status 6w4d

First off, since it's after midnight.....

Happy 5th Birthday 

Big Brother

Eli!!!

Now that that's taken care of, moving on to the point of this post. Yesterday, I had my first appointment with one of the midwives who will be caring for us during this pregnancy. We have chosen to work with a new set of midwives this time - Debbie Schneider and Constance Conn of Dawning Life Midwifery. 

I saw Debbie yesterday, along with Ashley (one of the apprentices). We had a two hour visit, during which we reviewed my history, current health status, concerns, work/life habits, etc. You name it, we probably touched on it. They also did the usual urine and BP check - I need to drink more water, but my BP was good. 

Then, Debbie felt my belly. She told me that there shouldn't be anything for her to palpate since I was only 6w3d, but then she paused. She could feel my uterus. She pushed on it a few times and asked if I felt what she was pushing on. I said, "yes." She pushed on it some more and asked if I could feel her pushing in my cervix. I said, "Yes." She said my uterus felt about 12 weeks, and asked me if I was sure about my dates. I think I said, "Please don't say that! I'm definitely sure." She reassured me that it was not uncommon for moms on their 4th + pregnancy to have an over-eager uterus, and told me everything would probably even out by 20 weeks. 

Later on this evening, I got a little panicky, and started to feel unsettled. I decided I wanted a second opinion, so I emailed my back-up doctor, Dr. Bootstaylor (I have used him with all my kids, except Eli). 

I also emailed Debbie and told her how I was feeling, and she suggested that I go in for an ultrasound for reassurance. I asked her to send the referral, and I would sleep on it. I'll keep you updated about what I decide to do!

Overall, we had a great appointment. Debbie and I had a brief discussion about my fear of another unassisted birth. She suggested that if I felt like I needed someone at my house earlier than was typical, that would be something they could accommodate. So that's something I will have to think about. My next midwife appointment is September 30th. 

Peace, love, and happy gestating!

Feeling Large and Not So In Charge

Status: 6w2d 

I have nothing to wear. Clothes that fit last week, no longer fit. Normally I would just go into my maternity clothes, but they are all at someone's house. Sigh..... Guess I'll be hitting up some consignment stores this week...

This pregnancy is kicking my butt - lots of insomnia combined with exhaustion. It's a great combination. Not! I've also read that with a 4th baby you might look pregnant sooner, but this is ridiculous!

A Little Foot (or two)

B"H

It's been a (relatively) long time since I've started a blog like this. On August 11, 2014, we discovered we have been blessed with the gift of a fourth child. We are so excited, and feeling so blessed. It has been a difficult (almost) two years since Reuben was born, and we are finally ready to take that next step. This is likely the last time we will welcome a new life into our family, so it is a bit bittersweet. We hope to be able to really make this a beautiful and peaceful pregnancy and birth. Our "Little Foot" (named for The Land Before Time character, since Reuben is into dinosaurs right now), is expected in late Spring, near his/her big sister's 4th birthday. 

The blog was named for one of the kids' favorite Shabbos songs - "There's a Dinosaur Knocking at My Door."

We haven't really told anyone about the news yet, and haven't decided when we will be sharing with everyone.