Baby #3: 27 weeks

4.8.14: Twenty-Seven weeks. Woah. This was the first week I actually had to look up and see how far along I am, because I couldn't remember. Time is seriously flying and I feel like I just wrote my last weekly post yesterday.





Oh, belly button.



Is this the third trimester? Or is that next week? I'll say next week to be sure, but either way I am sort of in shock to be this far along right now. I have a feeling the onset of spring weather (!!) with temps above 30 degrees might make the rest of this pregnancy fly by even more, if that is possible. Have I ever mentioned this winter was the longest, most brutal EVER? And that sunshine and lack of winter coats is the BEST?

I'm still feeling really good overall. I feel pregnant for sure and can tell I'm slowing down a little bit with my energy levels. I had to nap not once but twice last week in the middle of the day because I was so exhausted by 2 pm--can't remember the last time I took a nap! It's also partly my own fault since I've been staying up too late at night, dorking around on the internet or being too lazy to get off the couch and go upstairs. Also I have exercised zero times in the past few weeks, I think. I'm blaming my love for nursery projects on this lack of true exercise because any spare energy or free time I have, I end up spending on a nursery project. Fine by me!

Big progress this week: Mom sent the finished Roman Shades for the nursery, I re-finished the wooden bench for the nursery, and logged a ton of hours on the crib. I guess I've only been working on the crib for a week now but it seems like an eternity. I'm definitely determined to knock out any and all nursery projects at lightning speed and get annoyed when things take me longer than expected. And this crib is a total PITA right now. But it's coming along, I suppose. 

Shades! Obsessed with this fabric


Bench: before and after

So glad I didn't just paint over the old paint on this one. Thankful that Tony could sand it down for me, we already had a nice dark stain so I used that, and then using the 'fancy' polyurethane we had left over from our back stairs made this look even nicer. It took 2 full coats of poly with a third on just the top (blech). It will be a perfect 'bookshelf' and lamp holder.

Oh, Saffron Thread colored paint. How I love you/hate the work you are taking to complete this crib for baby #3. I just want it to be done already!! Another full coat of yellow awaits and I'm still deciding about poly on top of that. Which means 2 coats of primer (long story, will be in the 'crib' post someday) and now 2-3 coats of yellow. Sigh. Also note all of the freaking curves on this baby--not the easiest to paint. But it's pretty and coming together how I hoped. Sloooowly.





I've also had a few days with true back pain, most likely due to said nursery projects, and feel like I really need to watch it. I'm very lucky to get through my pregnancies without serious pain and don't want to push the envelope now. I've had a few noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions already too, and cannot use my abs to sit up from a laying down position anymore. Yep, my body is changing! Still enjoying the changes for the most part and am embracing the new curves. I don't seem as fixated on food this week so maybe baby boy is showing me mercy and letting my appetite settle down a bit before another huge spurt.

My favorite belly picture from this pregnancy so far: an outtake. Un-staged hugs from big brother as I was trying to get a decent 'real camera' shot from Nate. This child is already so loved, and Truman is the sweetest. Cecelia is in the background whining to be held, btw. Real life!



I say that I feel 'good' because I am still really loving this phase of pregnancy. Little man is still incredibly active, I find myself worrying about the worst case scenarios MUCH less than pregnancies before, and truly soaking it all in (more on this shortly). Daydreaming about what our baby boy will look like, how his birthday will happen, and how our family will adjust to a newborn again are some of my favorite pass times. I'm still in awe with pregnancy as a whole. What a freaking miracle. What a privilege. What a ride. (note: I get really emotional in pregnancy).

I pulled out some of Truman's newborn and 0-3 month baby clothes this week, just to see if we have anything we can re-use. Oh my goodness, nostalgia-central and pure excitement followed the discovery of these babies. There were so many great things stored in those tiny tubs-o-memories....so glad I saved it all and can't wait to see baby 3 in his big brother's clothes. I also found a few really adorable 'summer weather' purchases for this babe at a big consignment sale, which makes it seem a lot more real, too. I set up the Mamaroo with the kids one night--it was super easy and they LOVE giving baby dolls and stuffed animals rides. Even just setting up a new/modern swing for this baby makes me feel a little emotional. This is really happening and we are getting ready!

I think we are set for long sleeved/footed sleepers and onesies from the Truman-baby-days;) First borns have a lot of clothes from multiple baby showers, I guess!


My favorite 0-3 month sleeper of his. How??? Time! Slow down!


Third babies deserve new things, too!




Superficially: My belly is still crazy-round, belly button is long gone, and no stretch marks have yet to grace my bump. I really hope I don't get my first stretchies on this third pregnancy--haven't thought too much about it this time, actually, figuring maybe I just don't get them despite rapid growth? Again, THANKS MOM! I love my bump and just realized I can no longer see my feet when I look down. That seems like a milestone in itself, somehow. I was feeling like my belly looked small until we took a few 'real camera' shots last night. Now I feel bigger than ever;) Baby is now two pounds, which also seems impossible but it makes sense since he is packing it on right now.

A belly shot that isn't a selfie! Nate tells me 'don't stick your belly out like that.' Hahahahaha. As if I could even attempt to stick it out or suck it in at this point! He said the positioning of my arms made it more pronounced and then said, 'I forgot how bossy you are with these pictures.' Work with me on finding a flattering angle for all appendages, Nathan. Geesh.



Best quote from Nate this week: 'That's insane (referring to my visible belly punches happening in the evenings). There is a human being inside of you right now.' Ha, yep! So freaking weird. 

Comparing pregnancies: With Truman's pregnancy I was *finally* starting to show and was all overwhelmed with crossing into the third trimester. I deemed myself in the third trimester at the 27 week mark both times before, actually, but I just can't claim it yet! Apparently I was still running on the treadmill three days per week at this time with Truman, too. Good for you, Julia of yesteryear. Yawn. The Julia of four years later is way too tired to think about running. Then there was Cecelia's pregnancy, when I was still a bit anxious and using the doppler every now and then (haven't in months this time), just got the worst comment about having a fat face from a stranger, and was having light bulb moments about nearing the end of pregnancy. I've definitely had a few of those 'holy crap, I'm going to have a baby in a few months' moments this week, too! Something about this point in pregnancy always gets me.

Let's observe a classic belly shot comparison, shall we? At 27 weeks each time: Holy carrying differently. And BIGGER/pointier this time around for sure. Nate thinks I look the same with Cecelia as right now and I totally disagree.


As I've been writing this post, I realized something important: I just feel so much more relaxed this time around. My third baby hasn't caused any extra stress or deviated from a text book pregnancy so far. YES, this could change, but it's worth noting for now so don't jinx me, blogging gods!

Truman's pregnancy=fear of the unknown, no clue what to expect as a first time pregnant lady. Then a scary 3rd trimester with bed rest, Pre-E, and a marathon induction.

Cecelia's pregnancy=fear of miscarriage after experiencing one just prior, a scary 1st trimester with bleeding and an OB that said 'I've never seen a bleed this big turn out okay in the end'. Then general anxiety about having Pre-E again, another bleeding scare, another loss, etc. I really struggled to keep my mindset positive with Cecelia's pregnancy after having a lot of 'complications' before.

This pregnancy? Not sure what my 'thing' is going to be this time around to keep it from being a text book pregnancy. Maybe just having this baby as a 'surprise' without any trying, no two week wait, no anticipation for a positive test can be enough? Seeing that positive test at 5 weeks and not knowing how far along I was until 3 weeks later, at the 8 week mark gets my vote for 'crazy thing about my third pregnancy'. No other weird stuff needed, okay baby? Please?

I feel like I can enjoy this time around a little bit more than the others. I'm soaking it in, especially since this is very VERY likely my final pregnancy. I'm incredibly thankful for that peace of mind and hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the butt with some abnormal happening with this pregnancy. But one thing that I've learned through these pregnancy journeys? It's out of my control anyway. We will handle whatever comes to us the best we possibly can, so we might as well enjoy the present moment to the fullest!

Right guys?


Right girl?


Yep. Life is pretty good at 27 weeks over here.