To the surprise of many, we are ecstatic to share that we will be adding another Barrett Baby to the world in September!!!! John and I couldn't be more thrilled that this is God's plan for us and our family.
We found out the good news early on a Saturday morning (January 16 to be exact). I woke up about 6:00 full of random thoughts, including one about my period. Realizing I hadn't gotten my period like usual, I got up, took a pregnancy test and laid it on the counter. After going back to bed I told John what I did and suggested he be the one to read the results. With both previous pregnancies, I was the one to read them and be the first to know. If this test was positive, he would be the first to know. He liked the idea and after giving him a disclaimer to not "mess with me" about the results, he went in and read the test. He calmly came back to bed, kissed my forehead and said "congratulations, you're pregnant....we're having a baby." A few minutes later, John was back to sleep. But there was no way I was going back to sleep. I had a million thoughts running through my mind....from bedroom logistics, to furniture, car seats, is our vehicle going to be big enough?, calling the doctor, etc. etc.
After everyone else woke up and we all got some breakfast, John & I called/Skyped our parents and family pretty much immediately to tell them the news; and they were shocked! Just at Christmas we were telling everyone that we thought we were pretty much finished having children and that we were good with two (knowing the whole time it could happen at any point). :) Our family is beyond excited for us and can't wait to welcome baby #3 into the world with us!
We originally thought we would wait to tell Mellany that we were having a baby until after the first doctor's appointment. But after a quick trip to KC where she was telling everyone that she was having a baby sister, we decided to go ahead and giver her the good news. She responded in typical Mellany fashion with an ecstatic (and jumping up and down) "Hooray, I can't wait to have a baby sister! I'm so excited" After explaining to her several times that she could be having a baby brother as well, she finally understands and is really excited for either gender. Johnny doesn't really have any idea what's coming; we have talked with him several times about mommy having a baby in her belly and that he's going to be a big brother, but I'm sure he doesn't fully comprehend what is going to be happening. He does love to look at babies and be around them, give them toys and what not, so we will just say that he is super excited too!
As with Mellany and Johnny's pregnancy, I'll be keeping a log of everything that happens along the way!
5 weeks
How far along: 5 Weeks
Symptoms: Exhaustion, Nausea
Maternity Clothes: None
Sleep: Sleeping is ok. I'm tossing and turning some through the night but nothing unbearable.
Movement: None--but I can't wait to start feeling this little peanut....it's hands down one of my favorite parts of pregnancy
Food cravings: Apples, Tuna casserole
Aversions: None
Labor signs: No
Best moment: John telling me that we were having a baby. I took the test and sat it on the counter while the 3 minutes passed. After the time was up I asked him if he would want to go read it...so he did. I think he really liked the idea of being the first to know.
Emotions: I am a moody, moody lady....and for really no reason at all. I cry easily, get angry and frustrated and the drop of a hat....it is horrible! It is definitely not my favorite thing in the world, or John's.
What I miss: Not having to take a nap in the middle of the day....I'm just so tired!
What I'm looking forward to: The first doctor appointment on February 23. These first appointments always seem so far away!
What I'm most nervous about: Nothing yet. Just praying for a healthy baby and easy pregnancy.
8 Weeks
How far along: 8 Weeks
Symptoms: Exhaustion, Nausea, Vomiting once....I did get the stomach flu this past week, which was awful added to pregnancy; thankfully it was short-lived.
Maternity Clothes: Embarrassingly enough, yes.....I had a conference at church this past weekend and we were sitting all night Friday night and all day Saturday. I wore my normal jeans Friday night and was in serious pain by the time it was over....so for Saturday, I busted out the maternity pants. I guess the third time around your body really "knows" what its doing. The baby belly is starting to make a presence.
Sleep: Sleeping great (even in the middle of the day)
Movement: None
Food cravings: Taco Salad, Ramen Noodles, Poptarts
Aversions: Johnny's dirty diapers....first time ever I've had to have John come in and change one for me.
Labor signs: No
Best moment: Officially telling Mellany that we were having a baby. We were going to wait until after the first doctor appointment. But somehow we think she figured it out and was actually telling people that she was going to have a baby sister. So, we figured we should go ahead and tell here that we are having a baby, but we don't know if it is a brother or sister. She still insists she's having a sister, but is excited nonetheless.
Emotions: Still all over the board. My emotions in this pregnancy are by far worse than with the other two.
What I miss: Having energy. I am thankfully still making it to the gym to at least get a little bit of weightlifting, running, walking....whatever I feel like doing that day. It definitely helps maintain my energy levels.
What I'm looking forward to: I'm still looking forward to our first dr appointment. Just a few more weeks!
What I'm most nervous about: Nothing yet. Just praying for a healthy baby and easy pregnancy.
9 Week Dr. Appt:
Weight Gain: No change
Dilated: No
Effaced: No
Blood Pressure: 102/60....Off to a great start as usual
Heartbeat: We only got to see a heartbeat this week versus hearing it. But it looked strong!
**Our first doctor visit went great. I got some blood work done, a flu shot, an ultrasound and an internal exam. Dr. Sinnott said that my uterus felt a little bit large during the exam so while he was giving me the ultrasound on the hand-held machine he was actually looking for TWO babies! He found one pretty quickly and thought he saw another but wasn't sure if it was just some urine in my bladder. Because he wanted to be confident, we did an official ultrasound (no complaints here!). During the ultrasound he only saw one baby and was assured that what he was seeing really was my bladder. Baby looks great and we even got a few pics to hang on the fridge! We discussed genetic testing with Dr. Sinnott and my two previous pregnancies and he prescribed a baby aspirin for me to take to hopefully help keep my blood pressure down later in pregnancy. With no other questions we were on our way. I go back to the doctor in 4 weeks for a routine checkup.
10 Weeks
How far along: 10 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No change...even though I feel like I've gained about 15 pounds
Symptoms: Exhaustion and some nausea....which thankfully seems to be disappearing! The exhaustion isn't too bad on most days either but I still have those days where I cannot fight my closing eyelids.
Maternity Clothes: Pants when necessary
Sleep: Sleeping not so well...I'm up several times in the night to go to the bathroom. And then in between bathroom visits I just toss and turn even with the pregnancy pillow.
Movement: None
Food cravings: Taco Bell, Hostess cupcakes....I really don't understand these cravings.....I never eat these things (cupcakes, poptarts, ramen noodles...)...I never buy them, never eat them, I have no idea why I want them so badly!
Aversions: Peanut butter and jelly....I don't know how this happened....the kids eat PB&J all the time and usually I'm right there with them....but lately I don't want anything to do with it and can't even hardly be around it
Labor signs: No
Best moment: Seeing baby on the ultrasound at our first doctor appointment
Emotions: I'm still a hot mess.....I don't have the patience I did, I could cry at the drop off a hat, laugh at things you normally wouldn't find funny.....seriously a hot mess
What I miss: There's not really much that I'm missing right now. I'm getting some energy back so trips to the gym are getting back to normal, I've got a pretty good appetite....and I'm taking naps with my kiddos....life is pretty good!
What I'm looking forward to: 18/20 week ultrasound....I wanna see him/her and know that all organs, limbs etc. are there and healthy
What I'm most nervous about: Still not nervous about anything; just praying for a healthy little man or lady.
(11 Weeks)
12 Weeks
How far along: 12 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No change but I can feel it coming; this belly really is growing
Symptoms: Exhaustion, a little nausea and a random episode of vomiting
Maternity Clothes: Pants pretty much full time if I'm wearing jeans
Sleep: Sleeping pretty well over the past two weeks minus a wake-up or two to potty
Movement: None
Food cravings: Apples with caramel dip, Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches and curly fries
Aversions: None
Labor signs: No
Best moment: I don't know that there is a single moment that stands out over the past couple of weeks. I'm just really enjoying the baby conversations with Mellany, with John, with just about anyone who wants to have the conversation :)
Emotions: I think I might be coming back to normal....I'm not quite the emotional mess I was a couple weeks ago.
What I miss: There have been a couple of days where I miss being able to wear my favorite pair of jeans. As much as I hate to say it, I also am missing running. I make it about half a mile before it becomes clear I need to slow down and walk. I'm hoping I'll be able to get back up to at least a mile sometime soon. If not, that's ok too.
What I'm looking forward to: My 13 (almost 14) week doctor appointment!
What I'm most nervous about: The possibility of moving while pregnant (again). Yep, the conversation about a new position in a new location for John has been taking place for several weeks now. We are hoping to know some information soon and I have to admit the uncertainty makes me a little anxious.
13 Week Dr. Appt:
Weight Gain: -1
Dilated: No
Effaced: No
Blood Pressure: 112/70
Heartbeat: I actually got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!!! As with Mellany and Johnny's pregnancies, the sound is music to my ears! Heartbeat was around 140-145.
**The appointment was very routine: weight check, urine sample, blood pressure and a quick conversation with the nurse practitioner. Baby's heartbeat sounded great through the doppler and for that I'm (and John) so thankful! I go back in 5 weeks for our 18 week ultrasound, appointment and quad screen testing.
**The appointment was very routine: weight check, urine sample, blood pressure and a quick conversation with the nurse practitioner. Baby's heartbeat sounded great through the doppler and for that I'm (and John) so thankful! I go back in 5 weeks for our 18 week ultrasound, appointment and quad screen testing.
14 Weeks
How far along: 14 Weeks...2nd Trimester!!!
Symptoms: A little bit of exhaustion. The nausea has seemed to pass thank goodness! I get the occasional stomach ache if I've eaten more than I should.
Maternity Clothes: Jeans and I can now fit into a few tops
Sleep: Great!
Movement: None
Food cravings: No new cravings this week. Just really maintaining all the "old" ones :)
Aversions: Mustard.....John put mustard on his sandwich one day for lunch and I thought I was going to lose my breakfast.
Labor signs: No
Best moment: Hearing baby's heartbeat at my 13 week doctor appointment
Emotions: I've been pretty moody for no reason whatsoever other than my hormones are changing. I am very thankful for a laid back and forgiving husband. :)
What I miss: There's nothing I'm really missing right now. I'm feeling better so I'm doing much better at the gym and actually made it a mile running today...it felt so good and I'm very thankful for that!
What I'm looking forward to: The next doctor appointment where we will have an ultrasound to see baby, check out the organs and find out (hopefully) the gender of our little peanut!!
What I'm most nervous about: Possibility of moving and baby's ultrasound
