38 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 38 weeks

total weight gain: 35 pounds

maternity clothes: over it

signs of labor: dilated 2 cm, 40% effaced / irregular contractions becoming more frequent

This was my first week of maternity leave- yay! (...though technically I am still working on my stuff- just not my full-time job.) I was able to get some things done over the weekend- like pack my hospital bag, get the carseat in the car, finish the nursery- and do my taxes yesterday. I also squeezed in a couple fun things, like lunch & shopping with my sister and aunt on Tuesday, and then breakfast with a friend yesterday.

I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable, and Brandon has been sick with a nasty virus for the last 12 days or so... so while I'm ready to have this baby, I'm hoping it doesn't happen until Brandon is healthy, or at least on the mend! Today I went to the doctor and was dilated 2 cm (I was 1 cm for the last 2 weeks) and my fluid still looks good. I guess it could happen anytime!

In other exciting news, I was in the OC Register on Tuesday! Front page of the business section. I was interviewed and photographed for an article about subscription boxes... so my bridgeBOX was featured. Go figure this would all happen just as I'm about to have a baby and take a break, but still exciting nonetheless!

37 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 37 weeks

total weight gain: 35 pounds (i guess i made up for the weeks i didn't gain!)

maternity clothes: i feel like nothing fits anymore.

cravings: girl scout cookies

missing: sleeping on my back, wearing normal clothes, my feet...

Since I had low fluid with London, requiring me to be induced at 37 weeks, my doctor checked my level this week. I was so relieved to hear it was good (anything less than 5 would mean the baby was at risk; mine was 14!) I would love to go into labor on my own this time around, even though it's so unfamiliar and a little nerve-wracking. I'm still only dilated 1 cm but Dr. Flores told me that once he starts moving, things can happen quickly! Tomorrow is my last day of work, so I'm glad I was able to make it this far. 

This past weekend was my baby shower, thrown by my wonderful mother-in-law. My sister made the desserts (which I think contributed to my recent weight gain!) and it was a great day with family and friends. My mom was able to come, since Uncle Phil's funeral was the day before, so that was really nice.

I'm feeling tired these days, so I'm looking forward to starting maternity leave and being able to rest and prepare for the baby. There may not be too many more belly shots!

35 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 35 weeks (+2 days)

total weight gain: 30 pounds (yay for not gaining any weight over 2 weeks!)

maternity clothes: i feel like i just rotate the same 5 outfits...

cravings: a margarita! i told brandon once the baby is born, i want mexican food & a margarita from javier's!

missing: my regular clothes

This week I feel like I hit a wall. I've been so tired! Luckily I have a husband who has been doing extra things to help out (like picking up the kids from school, giving them baths, cooking, etc.) My plan is to work 2 more weeks, but it's starting to get harder. The baby is really low, so I feel a lot of pressure when I'm on my feet. Plus, he's really active, so his movements and kicks can be a bit painful at times (especially on my side!)

Tomorrow we are taking family maternity photos, and next weekend is my baby shower. I'm hoping I can just make it 3 more weeks, and then baby is welcome to come at any time!

33 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 33 weeks (+2 days)

total weight gain: 30 pounds (so much for only gaining 25 this pregnancy!)

maternity clothes: only maternity bottoms now... which consists of about 5 options. loose shirts are getting a bit short too.

cravings: chipotle! 

missing: being able to stand up without feeling the urge to pee every 5 minutes!

Today I had an appointment with the doctor & discovered my due date is actually 3/12, not 3/18. So I guess we are about a week closer to meeting this baby than we thought! (It also means I should probably rethink starting maternity on 3/2.) Baby B has been moving around like crazy and appears to be head-down (though that could still change at this point). Everything looks great so far (no signs of him coming yet) and I'm measuring right on track. Hopefully he'll stay put for about 5 more weeks. Since Hudson was born 5 days early and was 8 lb 5 oz, I'm nervous about how big this baby could be if he comes late!

31 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 31 weeks

total weight gain: 26 pounds

maternity clothes: yep

cravings: sweets... since we're trying to eat healthier now that the holidays & babymoon are over!

missing: sleeping comfortably (on my back) & being able to roll over without pain

Overall my pregnancy has been really easy, but a few weeks ago I started experiencing some pain like I did during my last pregnancy: hip/pelvic pain that is excruciating when I roll over in bed or sometimes when I first get up in the morning. It's been making it a bit harder to be on my feet, and sleeping is pretty tough some nights.

However, Brandon & I were able to get away last week for some rest & relaxation... and food! We flew up to St. Helena and spent 4 nights there (our longest trip ever without kids!) and we had a wonderful time exploring the area, eating delicious food, stopping at a few wineries (for the hubby, obviously), and just relaxing! After the craziness of the holidays and work, we needed the break, and I came back feeling better, physically & emotionally. I'll update pics from our trip soon.

Babymoon

early morning flight

 convertible camaro... our car for the weekend!

pastries at tartine san francisco

sweet note & salted caramels from the wydown hotel

morning coffee at napa valley coffee roasters

cream puffs from the oxbow public market 

etude winery

delicous pork belly sandwich & fig shrub soda at the girl + the fig sonoma

beringer

designated driver

st clement

st clement

selfie before dinner at COOK st helena

lunch at cindy's backstreet cafe

french blue

such great breakfast... we went back for lunch!

mom drove out to spend the day with us

etude winery

the most amazing scallops at goose & gander

last stop at boonfly cafe before heading home

Brandon and I have been talking about a babymoon for a few months now, but between work & the kids, it just wasn't happening. So right before Christmas, he took it upon himself to just book it before it was too late! He booked a 4-night getaway, which is longer than we have ever been away from the kids (usually it's 1 or 2 nights) but since we won't be taking any trips for a while... and Grandma Joan was willing... we went for it! 

We caught an early flight on New Year's Day from Long Beach to Oakland. From there we scored a pretty sweet rental car (thanks to my hubby's negotiating skills), and stopped in San Francisco before heading up to St. Helena. Brandon found the cutest boutique hotel (the Wydown) in downtown St. Helena. It was totally our style and within walking distance to lots of great restaurants. Since I obviously can't do wine tasting, we made this trip all about the food (though we did make a few stops at wineries so Brandon could taste). Our favorite spots were Cindy's Backstreet Cafe, French Blue, Farmstead and Goose & Gander. One day we headed out to Sonoma and had lunch at The Girl + The Fig, which was also delish!

St. Helena is such a cute town, and the area is gorgeous (although it's super dry right now because of the drought). It was the perfect place to go and relax... and eat. But after 4 nights away, we were SO ready to come home and see our kids! We got to the airport, anxious to see them, only to discover we had a 4-hour flight delay. Cue the tears. That was the worst thing to hear. So we spent the next few hours hanging out in the Oakland airport, watching NFL playoffs and Keeping Up With The Kardashians... and finally we were on our 1-hour flight home. We finally made it home around 5:30pm to some pretty excited kids.

Thanks to Brandon for planning an amazing trip for us! And for the 5-pound weight gain!

28 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 28 weeks

total weight gain: 22 pounds

maternity clothes: yes (pants)... I think I have one pair of non-maternity pants that I can fit into.

movement: more & more each day... he's getting strong!

cravings: candy cane oreos

missing: being able to keep up at my normal pace. I'm getting bigger & a little more uncomfortable.

This week I had my glucose test, and the results came back normal- woohoo! Also, Brandon surprised me and booked us a babymoon to St. Helena! I won't be able to enjoy the wine, but what I can't drink, I'll make up for in good food! After a crazy several weeks of work, I'm looking forward to taking some time off and relaxing!

26 weeks // Baby #3

how far along: 26 weeks

total weight gain: 19 pounds (the sweets are catching up to me... I need to watch it!)

maternity clothes: yes (pants)

movement: he's been moving around more throughout the day, and a lot at night when i sit down to relax. his movements are getting pretty strong!

cravings: cereal

missing: wine or a nice glass of holiday bubbly! note to self: pack champagne in hospital bag

I'm still feeling really good, but I am definitely starting to get more tired. I'm sure the full-time job, side business (lots of Christmas card orders!) & 2 kids attribute to that! Oh, and we started potty-training London last week too. She's actually doing great & it hasn't been too hard... thank goodness! I think we learned from our mistakes last time. And honestly, London is like a teenager in a 2-year-old's body, so she was ready. 

Christmas is going to be here before we know it! Brandon put lights up on the house last week, and we set up the tree with the kids right after Thanksgiving. The weather has definitely cooled down this week, so it's feeling like the holidays around here!

Family Photos

A couple weeks ago we had a family session with Candace Rock Photography.  She sent me the photos yesterday & I can't get enough!! I love them, and how she captured the kids' personalities so well. Here are a few of my favorites.

23 weeks // Baby #3

I definitely had a growth spurt over the last few weeks! I've been extra hungry lately, and last weekend I really gave into some cravings with burgers, pizza & cookies! 

how far along: 23 weeks
total weight gain: 13-14 pounds
maternity clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity pants (a couple non-maternity that used to be big), but I haven't had to buy any tops yet. Thank goodness for so many loose fitting tops!
movement: mostly I feel him at night, when I finally sit still!
cravings: last week I was craving cheeseburgers... and I think that shows in my weight gain!
missing: being able to sit on the tub & bathe the kids without having to exhale 100 times. I'm definitely feeling more pregnant these days & getting tired easier than before.