Finally. . .

After a number of very bizarre dreams, I have had a true pregnancy dream. (I think this was encouraged by the first baby of the count being born.)

I had given birth, to I think a girl, and we were already home from the hospital. The majority of the dream was the repetitive act of nursing. Each nursing episode was separated by a short lapse in dream sequence time that was equal to two "real time" hours. Thankfully it wasn't stressful, almost soothing and relaxing. Which I taking as a good sign since getting back into the act of nursing is one of the things I'm necessarily looking forward to.

Baby kicks

As soon as week 18 started, so did the perpetual kicking!

Baby Nate-dogg

A few hours before Prince George was born to Kate and William, my friend Becky had a little prince of her own. Nathan Prince Hopkins was born at 4:07 am at 7 lbs, 13 oz. he is named for great-grandfathers on his dads side. And I think the Prince is the perfect name to commemorate such a wonderful birthdate: July 22, 2013.
Picture to upload once I'm back from vacation.

Contagious Dreams

Jackson over heard Ross telling me about his baby dream and the next morning Jackson told me he had one too. The baby was a boy, which we didn't know before he was born. That's all. .  . I couldn't get any other details. But I thought it interesting that my kids are also having baby dreams.

June belly shot

This is mid-June, so around 13 weeks. Not the best shot of the belly, but a start in the recording of growth. And as a reminder to all, I gain my baby weight towards the end. So when I post mid-July it might not look all that different. I expect the September shot to really show progress.

Dream #2

I have been having a lack of baby dreams. Though when I do dream, I am pregnant and in current time, but nothing else.

Ross informed me this morning that he had a baby dream. From what I understand (since I didn't have the dream myself) the baby had been born. He doesn't know if it was a boy or girl, nor did it have a name. However, Ross was feeding the baby fist full of under-cooked meat. And apparently I was not okay with this. 

Ross would also talk to the baby. "Hi baby, do you love Daddy?"  

And the baby would reply, clear as day, "Yes, I do love Daddy."

Well, such a momentous milestone had to be shared so Ross called for me to check it out and all the baby would do for me when I arrived is goo like a baby and barf.  "Sure, Ross . . ."

Then he tried again to talk to the baby. "Hi!"

Baby says, "Hi!"

"CLARE!!!!!"

I come again but this time the baby just coos and poops. 

Poor Ross. I don't believe him, and the baby isn't cooperating to prove it. And all I do is roll my eyes at him. Poor, poor, Ross. 

Sleep, no sleep

I found it interesting that this time around, I slept very well the first 2 months. Had quite a hard time sleeping for about 2 weeks in month 3, and now am back to solid sleep with a few wake ups for nature's call.

Also, I've only had one pregnancy dream thus far. And it wasn't even mine! It was a pregnancy dream about my SIL's pregnancy. That's a new one for me. Don't remember much of the details. There's time yet for some fun, crazy, preggo dreams. . .

The Belly

I am at 16 weeks, and the belly is starting to show. It showed a little earlier because of a misplaced spare tire that was not attended to. . . so in my opinion I'm showing a little more than I normally would be. However, I'm doing my best to avoid maternity clothes just yet.

Baby is now the size of an avocado. The kids love these food comparisons. Last week Natalie announced, "My baby is the size of an apple." Notice she didn't say Mommy's baby, or our baby. . .

I will put up a belly shot from June and July soon. I'm having a harder time getting to the blog, and also playing catch up from May and June information that I so diligently recorded for pregnancies 1 & 2.

Baby Count

Before we found out #3 was coming, I knew of three babies arriving soon. In August (due the 16th, my brother's birthday), my friend Becky is expecting her second. Prediction is a boy. Then in October there are two on their way: my sister-in-law's and my cousin's. We have found out that my SIL is having a girl. I was very excited for both of them, and especially pleased that my holding on to all my maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby items was not for naught. My cousin already had two kiddos and had items of her own (plus lived states away), but this was my SIL's first baby and I was looking forward to having a little cousin wearing some of our kids' clothes. I washed the Baby Bjorn again, the cover for the high chair, went though my tubs of boy clothes, and sent my maternity clothes over to her to go through.

Then before I could go through our tubs of girl clothes. . . .baby count grew to 4. Ours.

I had to retract our previous offer of baby clothes and items . . . but since this was their first, they were interested in creating their own environment for their future child. Very understandable, and very helpful for us.

I have since learned of three other babies due in November, and another in December like us.

Baby count is up to 8. So far, 2 boys and 1 girl accounted for. The end of 2013 is going to be packed with little ones.

A change in perspective

I find it interesting that 5 months ago, Ross and I saw a future path for our lives and then with two little blue lines we end up having baby on the brain. . . .constantly. Our new view is less concrete but a little more exciting with the unknown and the idea of another little one to love.

Bunk beds?

The evening of my 12 week appointment, Ross and I decided to share the news with the kids. I know Ross had been dying to for quite a while, but I really needed to get past the 12 week/possible miscarry mark.

Ross told the kids that Mommy has a baby in her belly and their eyes just about popped out of their little heads.

Natalie started to squeal (she was already over the moon that her Aunt Emily is expecting in October, a little girl) and clap her hands. Jackson was all questions.

Natalie mentioned that we needed to bring up the high chair, it's in the basement, I know right where it is, and we need to get the baby a lovey, they have them at target, and clothes too, and . . . .

We told the kids that there's the possibility, if we stay in our current house, that they might have to share a room for a little while, or one of them might have to share with the baby. Jackson immediately, excitedly, brought up the concept of bunk beds. His dream might finally come true (he's wanted them since good friends of ours got some last year). To this, Natalie responded with a serious, "nah, I think I'll keep my own bed."

The kids also decided that our baby and Aunt Emily's baby could be friends. We blew their mind again when we said they'd be cousins!

"If our baby is a boy, it could marry Aunt Emily's baby!" Um. . . No. . . .