Pregnancy: 3rd Trimester

I really can’t believe that today marks 38 weeks and 4 days. Baby could basically arrive at any minute. My first 4 were all late though, so I keep thinking I have a “bonus week or 2” to get ready. I’ve had 2 babies born at 41 weeks and 2 babies born at 42 weeks. I would be super surprised if this little one arrived even a day early, but I should probably get a little more prepared vs banking on extra time! We are getting very excited and can’t wait to meet the new addition to our family. Here’s what’s been going on in the 3rd trimester: 

Feeling: The 3rd trimester is typically when my energy starts to drop. This time I still have energy but physically feel like my body is telling me to slow down. Bending down picking up toys, etc is getting harder and it’s been good having 2 extra helpers around (8 and 9 year old daughters). I’m thankfully no longer craving cigarettes. I honestly think it had to do with the iron deficiency because now that I focus a lot on iron it’s gone. So, if you’re ever pregnant and craving things that are not food, check your iron! Now… new odd craving (for me): Lucky Charms. If I could that’s what I would eat for all meals. Before this pregnancy I’m not sure I ever even bought Lucky Charms. My kids are pretty psyched that it’s a new pantry staple! 

Heart Burn has arrived. I had terrible heartburn with Maggie and Tommy who were both born with a FULL head of hair. I didn’t have it at all with Alex and Miles and they each had just bit of hair… this time I was heartburn free until now, so I am wondering if we’ll have another baby with hair or baldy. 

I wake up every night at 3AM on the dot and can’t fall back asleep for a while. Must be my body helping me prep for night time feedings again! 

Prepping the House & Family: Now that we are just a couple weeks from baby arriving, we’ve focused a lot of prepping the house and family. Since there’s a lot to do (and a lot of us) I’ve tried to be pretty organized about it. For example, last week all 6 people got haircuts and the week before that all 6 people went to the dentist: two things I know I’ll forget for the weeks right after baby. This week it’s all about prepping the house with bringing out the baby gear, washing baby clothes etc. Then I plan the last week to be “rest” (ha, we’ll see how that goes).

As far as prepping the kids, they are all super excited. They love guessing the day the baby will arrive, giving us tons of baby name ideas etc. One big thing I planned out over the last couple of weeks was a “special date” with each of the kids. I did this before Miles was born and it was a big hit with the girls. Alex picked “the mall” (a spot we never go!), Tommy picked the Nature Center, Maggie picked “just her and I” going to buy things we need for the new baby (which was funny because she thought of things we needed that I forgot) and Miles wanted a solo trip to Target to use the gift card he got from the Tooth Fairy in exchange for his pacifiers. Tom and I even had time to sneak in a few dates too, including Valentine’s Day dinner.

Essentials: I think the only “essentials” for the 3rd trimester are comfy clothes. I’ve tried a lot of maternity leggings over 5 pregnancies and finally found a favorite! I ordered them from Madewell right at the end of the my 1st trimester and could not believe how comfy they were and how nice they looked/ were holding up to washing. Then recently I got some items from Storq (a brand I had been wanting to try!) and realized the leggings were the same ones I was loving from Madewell… they are…. Madewell sells Storq (in case you love shopping Madewell). Along with Storq making the world’s most comfy leggings I will be adding their robe, nursing tanks and bras to my hospital bag. 

As for  hospital bag essentials, and getting ready to pack my bag, visit this post. I wrote it years ago, but used it for Tommy, Miles and will use it again this time.  Only additions: extra SD card for camera, more toiletries and pacifiers for baby. 

Entertaining: Still loving the faces of the people that ask if it’s “the 1st baby” and I answer, “nope, 5th”. While at Woodloch for a family getaway, we were at the indoor pool and as we walked by (me looking very pregnant in a swimsuit) I actually noticed someone pointing and counting out loud as each kid walked by with me in tow! 

My favorite comment from the kids so far…. Miles must be getting impatient to officially become a “big brother”. I think he thought when he got his “big brother” shirt months ago, the baby was arriving the next day. So he asked me “So WHEN is this baby going to be here” to which I answered “Well see how my belly keeps getting bigger and bigger? The baby is growing and once they are big enough, will arrive”. Miles looked at me in absolute horror and said “You ATE our baby?!”. I’m pretty sure he thinks we did get the baby back in Sept when we told him… I then ate it and now we’re waiting for me to let it out again!!

A Baby Shower! The big highlight of my 3rd trimester was a surprise baby shower from my family and friends. I was SO surprised and have never been surprised for a party ever. Also, being that this is a 5th baby, I never thought there would be a baby shower, so I was really, really surprised. My first (and only) baby shower was over a decade ago, so it was really so special. There were friends from town, high school, college and family, including Maggie & Alex. It was just a really special day and nice way to know that even though I am quite nervous to have a 5th baby, there are so many wonderful women in my life to help and support. The theme my friends  & cousin came up with was such a good idea for a 5th baby: instead of tons of typical baby shower gifts, each guest was to bring something that went with the holiday closest to their own birthday. If you read this blog, you know how much I love holidays, so it was the best kind of gifts to get! Some were baby related (holiday books, onesies, etc) and some were for the home (holiday decor, etc). It was really the perfect way to celebrate my last month of pregnancy ever.