sprinkled.

My sweet and beautiful friends hosted the most special Sprinkle for me and Baby Bryant last night. They treated me to dinner at Vino and gave me a generous Visa gift card to spend on our newest babe. It was the best night—girl time (and a glass of wine) was just what this tired and very pregnant mama needed.

I am so grateful for each of these ladies (and the ones who weren't able to make it), who always know how to make me and my babies feel so loved and celebrated. They're simply the best friends a girl could ask for and I am thankful I get to do life, especially motherhood, with them. 

final weeks.

It's hard to believe we are only 4 weeks (and some change) away from meeting our little babe. I want to say that this pregnancy has flown by, but it really hasn't. Maybe it's because I have been trying to savor each day I am privileged to carry this sweet life—every last drop of it—since it will most likely be my last. 

We are, for the most part, ready to welcome this baby. The car seat isn't installed, my bags aren't packed, and the nursery isn't complete, but clothes have been washed and put away, diapers have been purchased, and all baby gear is pieced and put together. Now, it's just a waiting game. 

At my 34 week appointment, my doctor checked me since I have been having regular contractions, lightening, and some serious cervical pain. I was 1.5 centimeters dilated, 50% effaced. Does this mean much to me? Not really, since I was dilated 3 centimeters with Ann Bennett for a month. Yet, I made it to 40 weeks, 5 days. However, I have a slight instinct that I am not going to make it to my due date this go around. Only God knows! 

I have been asked quite a lot lately what the gender is. When I tell strangers that we don't know, they all assume girl by the way I'm carrying. My gut instinct says boy, but I did have my first baby dream a few nights ago and we were delighted by a sweet blonde hair, green-eyed baby girl. 

Some things that I want to remember about this pregnancy: 

My biggest cravings have been blackberries and peanut butter anything. Odd, seeing that I don't typically like (or eat) peanut butter. 

I have gained a whopping 40 pounds, and while I can see it everywhere, the weight gain is mainly in my hips, rear, and thighs. 

For some reason, I cannot stay off of my back while sleeping, so I am waking many times throughout the night to get in a more comfortable position for me and baby. I also wake every night around 2:00 a.m. to use the restroom. 

This baby is my most active, to date. Always moving, always poking, always kicking. I am going to miss this the most…

I had John snap a few pictures of me and the kids for memory's sake. 95% of them were out of focus, but I will still cherish them always, as they remind me that there is so much beauty in the imperfect. And that this life, that motherhood, is messy and blurred, but full of love, light, joy, and hope. 

My precious child, you are so adored and loved already. You are the missing piece to our puzzle. We cannot wait to meet you, to hold you, to shower you with hugs, kisses, and love. You are such a gift—more precious than jewels. We will see you soon!

watermelon.

In case you were wondering, this is what you'd look like if you swallowed a watermelon. 

35 weeks down, 5 (ish) weeks to go!

ab and her baby.

My girl is really into her "babies" lately. She loves them big. 

She is going to be the best big sister. 

halfway there.

We are halfway there with Number Three! This morning, Daddy, Brooks, and Ann Bennett joined me at my ultrasound appointment for the anatomy scan. We couldn't wait to lay eyes on the growing baby. Our little bean is not a bean anymore! 

I am so in love with that sweet profile. We are feeling especially grateful for good news all around and cannot wait to meet this precious life in 20 weeks!

abundantly.

18 weeks with Number Three. Sweet, sweet growing babe. God gives abundantly.

nursery dreaming.

The playroom and all of its belongings are officially settled into their new home—the upstairs den and guest bedroom. Every box is labeled, every toy is in place, and I am one happy, yet tired, mama. With the nursery being cleared out except for the crib and glider, I am now busy dreaming up inspiration for our newest blessing's nursery. 

Our plan is to rip up the carpet and put hardwoods down, so I really can't do too much at the moment. But, I have ordered a few things and I cannot wait for them to get here! The colors are white, gray, mustard, and green—and we will add some red to it if it is a girl. I feel like while planning Ann Bennett's nursery, I shifted more towards "girl", but with this nursery, I am leaning more towards "boy" vibes. Maybe it's an intuition? 

In other news, I felt Number Three kick for the first time on the 11th! I am super shocked since I am only 17 weeks and I have an anterior placenta again. But, there's no denying I have a little wiggleworm squirming around in there! It's the best feeling ever. I cannot wait for Brooks and AB to feel the kicks and jabs! 

right idea.

Houston, we have a crib. 

I spent the majority of the week cleaning out the playroom, moving the likes of it to the guest room and upstairs den, organizing, and purging. We still have lots to do and buy for Number Three, but right now, our sweet babe has a crib, a hand-me-down glider, and a couple of throw pillows.

This was taken during naptime right after I put the crib together by myself. I may or may not have realized, after being halfway finished, that I put two pieces on backwards. I had to take the entire thing apart and start over. I was also sweating.

I never sweat. 

Sybie had the right idea.

glimpse.

At my 12 week check-up, I was sent to Ultrasound after my appointment with Dr. Stradtman. I have another hematoma this go-around (I had one with Ann Bennett, as well) so she wanted to check to see if the clot has gotten bigger, smaller, or completely disappeared. I have not experienced any spotting or bleeding, so I was hopeful it had absorbed into my body. Unfortunately, it grew just a tad, which means no heavy lifting for me, but the good news is I was able to catch another glimpse of our healthy little bean!

Since this is most likely our last baby, I wanted to give a little update on my pregnancy, thus far. For Number Three's memory's sake and my own.

First, we are not finding out the gender again. It was the sweetest surprise with Ann Bennett and we want to relive that moment with this baby. At this point, I have absolutely no clue or inkling if I am carrying a boy or a girl.

My pregnancy symptoms have been the most similar to my pregnancy with Ann Bennett. From about weeks 7-9 I was ill, but never threw up (other than a bout with the stomach bug). I didn't have any specific food aversions, but no food during those 2 weeks sounded good to me.

I have been EXHAUSTED. Like, lay down on the couch at 1:00 p.m. and don't get up until after John gets home, tired.  I don't think the kids are to blame this time. I think it's from growing this baby! Not to mention, I have battled strep throat and the stomach bug twice during this pregnancy so far. Talk about a weakened immune system!

Thankfully, I have been able to keep up with my workout routine other than a few alterations, due to my hematoma. As of my 12 week appointment, I have not gained any weight, but that's sure to change soon!

Right now, I'm just trucking along feeling ever so thankful for this precious life. I'm eager to check in on the babe in four weeks!

number three.

My heart is absolutely bursting right now. We are expecting baby number three! We are so thankful for this precious life growing inside of me.

You are a miracle, my love. A true gift from God. 

I read this verse right after I read the positive pregnancy test. "He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit." And here he is, giving me life again, in a different sense of the word. God's words are so sweet and He continues to be gracious and gives abundantly!

I found out on October 11th at 4 weeks, 2 days. SUPER early. I first told the kids and then let them in on helping me tell John. While they were all outside playing, Brooks walked up to John to "tell him a secret," which he is really into these days. He proceeded to whisper into Daddy's ear that "there is a baby in Mommy's tummy." This was John's reaction:

Shocked? Yes. Confused? Yes. Excited? Questionable. 

No, he really was so excited. That is, once he processed what B was telling him and realized that it wasn't a joke. Why does he always think that I'm pranking him when I tell him that we are pregnant?!

We had to wait four weeks to get a confirmation from the doctor and got all the feels when we saw our Number Three for the first time. 

Right now, we are feeling beyond blessed and are patiently anticipating our June 18th due date! God is GOOD!