Coverup: Emerson Fry | Hat: Freya | Sandals: Sam Edelman
Hello 3rd Trimester! I wish I could say, “I can’t believe it!” but honestly, I very much can. I found out I was pregnant with baby 4 at only 3 weeks so this is has felt like a long pregnancy! And the 3rd trimester fatigue set in about 5 weeks early so I’m very eager for May to come along!
With baby 4, not only does my body know what to do, but my body is very tired from carrying babies, ha. And from chasing cute kiddos. My toddler is very interested in turning on all our light switches and loves to be carried around the house to do so. My other two still need help with shoes and carseats and activities, so while I would love some extra time to sit on my behind, that’s not always an option!
I’ll be honest with you. Pregnancy is hard. I’m so tired and uncomfortable already and the heartburn is consistent. The heavy varicose veins that line my legs can be painful at times and the muscles at the top of my rib cage feel like they are splitting apart. My skin is so itchy and my face just looks weathered. McKenna asked me what all of the cracks were on my face, ha. Ohhh motherhood. So pretty sometimes ;)
I suffered a bit of depression in my last pregnancy and I’ve noticed I’m much more elated and eager in this one. Isn’t it interesting how different they all can be? Maybe it’s because I know I’m done after this? I keep getting asked if I plan on having more kids and the answer is a hard no, but I guess after you have 4, people wouldn’t be surprised if you then had 5 or 6. But I just know I’m done. I’m so excited for our family unit and to move into this next phase of parenthood. I also think my body desperately needs a break!
For a while I thought this baby wasn’t going to be as active as his siblings. He didn’t move around as much as the others did earlier on, but boy is he catching up. At this rate, he may be our wildest one! He is especially active as I get ready for bed and at about 5 am. Lovely. If you’ve been along on this journey for a while, you know I have quite the crew of energetic and wild children and early risers. I guess this wouldn’t be surprising at all, would it? He’ll fit right in.
I’ve already ordered some matching swimsuits for all the kids and I’m getting organized with our baby things again. It feels like yesterday that we were preparing for Jack!
I don’t know how in the loop you are with the nursing shortage, but there is a good chance I may not be able to be induced this time around. I had Charlie naturally and then I was induced with McKenna and Jack. There have been a lot of issues with hospitals being overrun and a shortage of nurses, but hopefully by May, some of this will change! Right now we are hopeful I can be induced at 39 weeks again (due to my history/trauma and the fact that we have no family here), but I could easily be doing the whole natural labor thing again and that’s okay. Just a little bit more to plan for. It was very exciting with Charlie and we’ll have a game plan for childcare whenever this happens. I’m just so grateful that third trimester is here and we will get to meet our little guy soon!
Until then, I’ll be wearing for the first time ever, a belly band- to help with the varicose veins and pressure. I don’t feel like I’m much bigger than I’ve been in previous pregnancies, but the aches and pains are definitely more intense and in the occasional picture, I look like I’m due tomorrow, ha! I have a feeling though, with plans picking up this Spring, this trimester will move along pretty fast. At least I’m hopeful! There is so much to look forward to.
So here’s to the next 12 weeks! Here’s to a healthy pregnancy and baby. We can’t wait to meet you, Baby D.
