It's a girl! Or a boy!

 

I've had four dreams about the birth of our baby and in all but one of them, I wasn't even present for the delivery! I take that back, I suppose I would have had to be there, but I must have been out cold for the experience. I had no recollection of the births and just had to meet the baby for the first time when Jeff brought him or her in to see me hours, sometimes a day, later. Did we have a boy or a girl? What was the baby's name? I felt slighted about missing out and that everyone was in on our baby's birth story but me. All I had were the battle scars to prove that at some point in time, I was there!

 

I think my real-life fear of having my baby whisked away from me soon after our meeting snuck up on me some in those three dreams. I always love hearing the stories about Jeff bringing the baby out to meet our families while my body gets put back together in the OR, but part of me always wishes I could be there for that too. This time that part of things has been hitting me harder, one, because I know being reunited with our new baby and my family will take longer this time because of the added procedures I'll be having and two, because I will miss out on our three kids meeting for the very first time. I can't help but to cry as I write it. Knowing our girls will have that experience without me leaves me feeling misty. I'm already missing that part of history not being in my memory. One of the best things about Viviana's birth was witnessing Mirabella meeting her for the first time.

 



So, if anyone wants to come and video those first moments for me, let me know! I'm looking for one videographer and one photographer. Sound guy/music director optional. Who's in? I am only saying that partly in jest.

 

Update: I decided to change the plans and now the girls will be coming to the hospital later in the day so I can see them meeting the baby for the first time! I feel much, much better. I couldn't bear the thought of missing out on that first encounter and now I won't have to.

 

I think the three dreams that I wasn't there for the baby's birth was better than the one I was, however. I had the baby alone and finally when my family showed up - Jeff included - the baby and I seemed to be the last two things on people's minds! Jeff bypassed us to make the rounds, saying hello to everyone but us. His parents and my dad hadn't even arrived yet, so he was greeting aunts and people who may very well have been perfect strangers before he got to us. My mom arrived and started in on a laundry list of how bad of a day she had been having, never alluding to the fact I had just had her fifth grandchild. It was terrible! Wacky, demented dreams.

 

In two of my dreams we welcomed a girl and in two we welcomed a boy, and just like we will be in real life, both Jeff and I were as happy with having another girl as we were with having a boy. It sounds staged to say all we care about is that our baby is healthy, but it is positively the truth. The names in all of the dreams were the names we have had picked out for months too, so at least there was no added drama there. We have not been sharing the names we have picked with anyone - not even with Mirabella, Viviana or our parents - so please do us a favor and go ahead and act like you like the one we decided upon even if it doesn't do it for you! 

 

I have been asked frequently if I have any inclings as to what the gender of our baby is, and mostly, I do not. I go back and forth and change my mind often. But there are some things that make a case for one above the other.

 

 

My three pregnancies have all been considerably similar, mostly because as a whole, they have all been delightful, positive experiences. I didn't have morning sickness with any of them and I have had no major setbacks or ailments to contend with, other than the typical things that routinely go along with pregnancy. Sure, I have contended with the constant anxiety of wondering if everything is going well, swelling, being uncomfortable at various stages with back pain, butt pain, belly pain and boob pain, congestion, constipation, bloody noses, feeling like a kangaroo holding a couple dozen babies in a pooch, but all of these things have been tolerable and in my opinion, go along with the territory of being a mama carrying her offspring. I have been exceptionally fortunate.

 

Because of the pregnancies resembling each other so much, I could be led to think we are having another girl. Although it may just be that this is how my body handles pregnancy in general. My constant comsumption of sweets has me thinking girl too. I know that many moms of boys have a sweet tooth as well, but maybe I hear of it running more rampant when carrying girls. And to say my sweet tooth is out of hand, that, my friends, is an understatement (as if that has been kept secret, in this blog or otherwise).

 

Usually the appearance of carrying a basket/bowling (or in my case, beach) ball is more associated with having a boy, but I tend to think this is how I carried my girls, and again now. But yes, if this doesn't resemble a (fully inflated and extra large) ball of some sort, I don't know what would.

 

Carrying baby #3 at 38 weeks 

(I even shrunk it to the smallest size to try and minimize the shock value. Not sure it worked.)

 



It is also thought that no morning sickness signals boy, but this has also not rung true in my case. So who the heck knows?!

 

 

The main reason I could be led to think we are having a boy is because it seems the majority of people tell me so (or want me to be!)! If I had a dollar for every person who told me I am carrying low or the way I am carrying definitely indicates a boy, I would have a whole lot more ice cream in my freezer. As I mentioned already, I tend to think the way I am carrying is much like I did with the girls, but I can see my bump (can I even still call it that in its colossal state?) becoming lower these last weeks. I kind of feel like that would be natural for a third pregnancy anyway (especially with a tummy this big) just based on looser skin and gravity! But, maybe there is something to it. Or maybe people are basing their decisions more on the ball thing, and by the photo above, they have a point. 

 

There have been a lot of hopes and prayers for us to have a boy also. When people see me toting two young daughters around, many are quick to say, "I'll be praying that this one's a boy for you!" after I tell them we don't know what we're having. Some have added that their prayers for a boy are geared toward Jeff, because surely it is the father who is hoping, wishing and praying for a boy. Mind you, these statements are usually made by people who have never met us!

 

One thing we are sure about: we are not crossing our fingers for a boy; having another girl would make our family feel just as perfectly complete. And no, we did not set into this pregnancy "trying for a boy". Heck, we didn't set into this pregnancy trying for anything! Boy or girl, we will welcome this baby with the widest of open arms and will be thrilled either way. Whole heartedly thrilled. Another girl would be spectacular because we already know the splendor that goes along with being parents of girls (and I promise you, the dad of those girls would echo these sentiments). But having a boy (hopefully a mama's boy, at that!) would shake things up and bring a whole new type of enchantment that we would love to experience.

 

It's a...

 

 

The mystery is magical! 

Our baby at 38 weeks

 

At 38 weeks, the baby weighs around 6.8 pounds and is over 19 1/2 inches long, about the length of a leek.

One week away!

As the caption underneath our baby's ultrasound photo states: our bundle in the oven is coming soon! By this time next week, we will have welcomed a new Jiovanazzo into our family.  

 



 

 

With Memorial weekend upon us, surely this week is going to speed by even faster than a typical one. I have crossed many things off of my to do list and have (tried my hardest) to let go of all the tasks that will be left behind. Time is a tickin' and ready or not, here baby comes next Friday!  

Doctor appointment: 38 weeks (and a letter to my family)

It was a full family affair early this morning as Jeff, Mirabella, Viviana and I went to my 38 week appointment, my last doctor appointment before our baby comes!

 

Vivi so kindly made sure to let Mirabella know that these appointments come complete with suckers from the nurses. Although she made sure to point out that these were not the really, really BIG suckers she had grown fond of during the two appointments prior.

 

 

The girls were able to hear the baby's heart beat and they thought that was really cool. Big smiles filled their faces.



 

From all indications, it looks as though I will make it to my scheduled c-section date of the 31st, next Friday. I was still not dilated and the baby seems content camping out. I have felt the most uncomfortable last night and today, but just in my stomach. The baby's position (butt sticking out on my left side and head down, lower on my right side) seems to be the culprit for that.

 

One thing that has not been making me uncomfortable lately is swelling. Strangely that has hardly been an issue for me this week! I'm not sure why, especially since with both girls the swelling was a big part of my last days of pregnancy, but I welcome its disappearance with open arms. I'm crediting the lack of swelling this week for my weight loss (yes, loss!) of 1 pound since my appointment last Friday! I think that brings me back to 39 pounds for total weight gain thus far. There is still a week left that can do some damage though, particularly since I plan on gorging and overindulging on all of the heavenly, scrumptious edibles I can get my hands on! I literally picked up three pints of ice cream today and I anticipate those getting me through the week a few days before I have to make another run. And I have no shame about that whatsoever. This is spectacular!

 

Dear Family:

Please save your wide eyes and disapproving looks while you witness what is about to go down in the next eight days. Girls, when I grab ice cream from the freezer, please refrain from chanting your now habitual condemning phrases, "Maaahhhm, No more ice cream! You eat TOO MUCH ice cream! You're going to get a tummy ache! STOP EATING ALL THAT ICE CREAM!"

 

I have carried your child and sibling in my ever-expanding belly for a long, long time and have taken extra good care of him or her. Our baby has been getting suitable nutrition and that, coupled with the three supplements I take, have helped to ensure proper health and nourishment.

 

Further, as the mom of this child, I know more than anyone how he or she is happiest after I have inhaled a plate of enchiladas. The chips, salsa, rice and beans throw this kiddo into a tailspin, but it's the sour cream that is the icing on the cake. I don't even get the queso dip anymore because I'm afraid things might spiral out of control if the baby gets another taste. Pizza, nacho cheese Doritos, blueberry pancakes and mac and cheese bring on twirls from the womb. Decadent coffee shop (decaf) coffees are not only a special treat, but I believe they are essential to baby's well being at this point. The cheerleading that goes on inside tells me so; I may need to increase my intake to daily doses. Between the coffees, hot chocolates, blueberry lemonades, sparkling juices and waters, Arnie Palmers, root beers, limeades and grapefruit juices, I hardly miss the vodka (or Bailey's, where appropriate). OK, that's a lie. But, they have been nice distractions.

 

And the ice cream, oh, the ice cream...I can almost hear the applause from within me with each bite (especially during the brownie bites)! That oatmeal chocolate chip cookie I had two days ago (ahem, purchased and from what I could tell, encouraged by you, husband of mine) produced elation. The Oreo ice cream covered in hot fudge and crushed Oreos from Sebastian Joe's (thanks, Tarah!) induced jubilation and triggered moves like I've never felt. Dancing took place. Disco. I could feel it. How am I, loving mom of this little one, supposed to deprive our baby of this? I am certain he or she is having more just as much fun as I am!

 

Thank you for your patience, understanding and unconditional support (and depletion of your wallet as you foot the bill to my unabashedly indulgent - though temporary - life, Jeff) in regards to these matters in this last week of my pregnancy.

 

You guys rock.

 

Love,

The matriarch of your family

 

PS. After our baby is born and I continue to make many notable sacrifices as I nurse this child from my swollen, aching bosom, I would like an extension of all of the above. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

    

This is my last week of pregnancy and I am spoiling myself!

 

(Cue eye rolls from Jeff, Mirabella and Viviana)

Photos: 36 and 37 weeks

 

36 weeks

 

 

 

37 weeks

 

 

 

 

 

Doctor appointment: 37 weeks

Convinced our baby had dropped rapidly over the past week, when given the option to have my doctor do an exam yesterday, I was all over it. Much to my surprise, what I have been feeling did not so much match what my doctor felt. I was still not dilated and though he thought the baby's head was down, it was not very low yet.

My weight jumped six pounds in a week, already making this pregnancy a record setter of my three for weight gain. I would say with the swelling and fluid retention I'm accustomed to towards the very end of pregnancy, I probably have at least another ten pounds in store before delivery day.

Viviana sported a big grin - as she was sucking away on her watermelon lollipop from one of the nurses - when it came time to hear our baby's heartbeat, which captivated each of us.

Our time with Dr. Chow ended with him showing us a clip from a movie that had him cracking up recently: a clip from the movie She's Having a Baby when Kevin Bacon's character finds out his wife hasn't been taking her birth control pill for three months. Not wanting to miss out, Vivi watched attentively, especially at the end during the explosion! The appointment was more fun than eventful, but it went great which is always comforting. My last appointment will be next Thursday (Thursday, May 23rd).

Full term at 37 weeks!

 

At 37 weeks, our baby weighs an average of 6 1/3 pounds and measures slightly over 19 inches, about the length of a stalk of Swiss chard. 

 

 

The baby is now considered full term meaning that his or her lungs are most likely developed enough to adjust to life outside the womb. Hooray! It is unbelievable to me still how a full grown baby - even as big as I am - can be taking up residence inside my body. Such a miracle how our bodies can make that happen!  

 

Earlier this week my feet started to swell. Things aren't so bad in the mornings yet, but by the time the day is done, it looks like short sausages have replaced my toes! My ankles and legs are becoming thicker and I can feel a tingling and tightening sensation throughout my body, a hint of the swelling to come. My Braxton Hicks contractions have been stopping me in my tracks and I can now feel myself waddling from time to time. The baby feels like he or she has dropped significantly since my last appointment with my doctor. I am getting up three to five times a night to go to the bathroom and the four pillows I have strategically placed around me for comfort are producing little. Jeff can hardly fit in our bed anymore! My fuse has returned to its shortened state and I am getting weepy like I am in my first trimester again. Things are coming full circle and my body and mind are yelling at me sharply, reminding me by the minute that this baby will be here SOON!

 

And if I didn't have my body and mind to tell me that, I still have perfect strangers chiming in:

Liquor store check-out lady (as I make a beer and vodka run for my husband, feeling slightly inappropriate for even being there, let alone purchasing a case and a 1.75 liter!): "When are you due?"

Me: "May 31st, so finally right around the corner."

Liquor store check-out lady: "Honey, you done dropped so low you might as well say any day. You better be tellin' people ANY day'."

(I was just shy of three weeks from the 31st during this conversation, so technically almost a month away from my actual due date of June 6th. Seriously, almost a month before I am due I should be telling people any day this baby is coming? Don't get me wrong, some days I feel that way too lately, but it's kind of humorous when someone else - someone I don't even know besides that they have given my kids a sucker or two at check out time - wants to say it to me! However, I must add that this did not and does not offend me. Just comical.)

Liquor store check-out lady continues: "What are you having?"

Me: "I don't know. It's going to be a surprise. People have told me they think I'm carrying low, so maybe..."

Liquor store check-out lady: "It's a boy. Yep, it's a boy when you're carrying that low."

 

Thanks for the chat, check-out lady!

 

Over the past two weeks I have gotten a ton of relief from the bloody noses I was getting several times a day. My doctor made an appointment for me to see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist because of my ongoing congestion issues and, more troublesome for me, my ears that have been partially plugged for weeks (after a plane ride to Florida in the middle of April). The appointment was last week (Monday, May 6th) and ironically, my bloody noses went away a few days before that. I think I have only had two minor ones since and it was been splendid not having them to contend with every time I blow my nose.

 

I found out I have a deviated septum, which I did not know previously, and rhinitis of pregnancy, essentially congestion and stuffiness during pregnancy. I would not normally go to the doctor for these things, but my biggest concern was if I was going to have any permanent hearing loss since my ear problems had plagued me for such a long period. The answer was no. The Eustachian tube in the middle of my ear was weakened because of the rhinitis and the plane ride made things worse. There were no other issues in my ears and they should return to normal fairly soon after the baby is born. The rhinitis should go away also. I have already noticed improvement with each week, so neither of these issues has been too big of a deal lately.

 

So, those are my latest health and wellness updates! I have been hugely fortunate to have had such an enjoyable pregnancy with this third baby of ours. I have thoroughly cherished my time with the last bundle in my oven, even more so knowing this will indeed be the final time I will be with child in my stomach. Despite looking forward to moving freely again and being without the discomfort and ailments that go along with the last weeks of pregnancy, I am entirely going to miss being pregnant. I have loved it. Every single day of it. Even now. 

 

And oh, how I have adored all of the feasting! I have been a glutton without guilt. There are (unfortunately) not many times when you can be that in life and I have had one heck of a time! I may not be so happy about it when I am trying to shed those extra pounds in a few months, but remind me to read this post again. To the girl with the newborn, the one with the flabby belly and ultra-soft edges who can't seem to fit into a dog gone thing, I'd say, "You had a lot of fun packing on those pounds and it was well worth it! Give yourself some time. Grab yourself a pint of your favorite ice cream for old time's sake and get over it."

 

Jeff, Vivi and I will be back to see Dr. Chow tomorrow for my 37 week check and then I'll have only one more appointment left next week before our babe's arrival. I'm overwhelmed with anticipation!