Week 25

So, today I'm 25 weeks pregnant. With the twins, I'd already been on bed rest one full week by now! Thank you LORD that's not in the picture this time. However, I'm still uncomfortable, lazy, and growing by the minute. I really just don't understand those women who stay skinny everywhere save for their little bellies, run marathons, eat salads, etc. I'm not complaining - I could be in way worse shape, but seriously...sometimes I feel like my body is rejecting pregnancy. I have stopped all cardio activity and started pre natal yoga which really seems to be helping. But, I pee every 30 minutes, and today especially, my stomach is an endless pit! Hopefully, that means baby P is growing and not my butt. However, I'm sure it's both. On the bright side, I've got some great boobs; have an excuse for almost anything I don't want to do (i.e. cook, clean, carry objects, go upstairs, etc.); and get to feel this active life inside my tummy kicking around all the time. I should probably start referring to him as his name...Payson. Yep, that's what we've picked (unless he comes out and looks like something totally different). No middle name yet - searching for a "K".

In other news, the P's start KINDERGARTEN in ONE week! Unbelievable, really. It will be bittersweet, I know. I will miss them and worry about them, but they will be learning and growing so much and I will get lots of rest and lots of baby-prep done! I always thought when they started school, I'd get a part time job. That may be delayed for about 5 years.

**We painted Payson's room (just this one wall) in random blue, brown, and orange stripes. I LOVE it!

That Girl...

While playing the Wii, Piper messes up, throws her head back and exclaims, "Dammit!". Porter and I both look at her and Porter says, "Piper said 'Dummit'" She corrects him, "No, I said 'Dammit'". I don't think she thought she did anything wrong. This is the problem. So, I explained we don't say that and next time would be trouble. When I tell Tyler the story later, I of course get all the blame. Well, at least it took her 5 years:)

Rest - UGH!

So, after 15 weeks preggo, the sickness subsided and I felt semi-normal. I even went back to the gym. However now at 22 weeks, after a fun beach weekend, kickboxing Monday, and walking yesterday, I felt awful! I even had a few braxton hicks contractions which scared me to death because at this point with the twins, I started having them and never stopped and was put on strict bed rest for 11 weeks! So, immediately, all that fear came to me - fear for this baby, fear for my 2 kids who would like to have their mama not in bed all day, and for me - I feel like I missed out on a "normal" pregnancy last time and was so looking forward to it this time. So, all afternoon and evening I laid on the couch and guzzled water and decided to take it easy even if I feel good. As a wise friend said "It's frustrating how little I can do while pregnant", but I will do what it takes to care for this little one to stay put for 40 weeks (18 left!) and to care for my other two by staying OFF bed rest. I have the rest of my life to be active, but I have 4 more months to incubate this baby boy, so that is my focus. Besides, once again, God is at it getting me to "be still and know"...something I obviously never learn, but am always challenged to do. Thank you, friends, who prayed for me in my fear, and praise God who, for today, has made me and baby feel good, but even if tomorrow is bad again, His grace is sufficient.

Padre and My Peeps...

We've vacationed a bit with this group of best friends before, but this was by far the best yet! Awesome condos on the beach at South Padre, pool (although it felt more like a hot tub - didn't stop us) and yummy meals prepared by Chef Kip! We LOVE these people and are blessed to do life and vacation with them. Once again...the laughter was indescribable. This baby got quite shaken, but maybe my abs got strengthened in the process:) We hardly heard from the SEVEN kids because they were entertaining themselves, watching movies, swimming, and playing in the sand. Now back home with great memories, tan skin all refreshed from salt water, and 4 people in our house instead of 13. A little sad, but looking forward to next time.

Summer!

I LOVED last summer in Kansas. We had crazy mild temps, went to Mexico, ate outside everyday, camped, traveled, etc. But...this summer is really stacking up and I'm so glad. It's really making this pregnancy fly by and in my opinion, that's a good thing:) We just got back from a spur of the moment trip to the lake with our Austin college buds and some a little further away that we probably hadn't seen since college. Out of the 4 couples, EVERY woman was at a different stage of pregnancy. But with 8 adults, 5 kids, and 3 dogs running around a lake cabin, we all managed. The house and the company were LOVELY! We had a blast...swimming, eating, riding jet skis, laughing, and relaxing. Now, we have TWO days back home before we're up and at 'em again with our Dallas buds at a South Padre beach condo. We've been planning it for a while and it's finally here - yay!!! We have some amazing friends and I do not take it for granted. God is sweetly gracious to allow them in our lives!

20/20

20 weeks preggo with number three! That means I'm HALF WAY THERE! Baby is moving and active, I'm not sick, and until early evening when I crash on the couch every night, I have some pretty good energy. Even going to the gym (although my weight gain thus far doesn't reflect that!). I'm blaming it on the heat and humidity making me swell. Ha. Piper is coming along nicely accepting the idea of a baby BOY. We even made our first baby purchase...bedding! So cute, too. We were going to make it because I hadn't seen any that I loved. I had colors in my mind...brown, blue, and orange. But - we found a clearance floor model (last one!) that was perfect, so we grabbed it up. Still contemplating that name. So far, our top two are Phoenix and Payson with middle name as possibly Kyler? Trying to stick with "PK". We'll see what he actually ends up with! Until then, I leave some belly pics. I was so enthusiastic with them last pregnancy. Not so much this time. Below is 21 weeks with the twins and then 20 weeks today...

21 weeks pg with twins:

20 weeks pg with #3

Out-numbered...

We knew either way, girls or boys were going to be out-numbered in this house. The question answered yesterday was which one? Well, boys win. This baby is an active, healthy, baby boy! We ALL packed into the sonogram room and saw baby on the screen. Porter was excited at the news and said he knew it was a boy all along (although he would have been just as excited for a girl). Piper, however, is still in a bit of depression. She really had her heart set on a girl and afterwards if we would try to explain and console her, she just said "I don't want to talk about this right now". I know she will be a great big sister, though, and love this baby as soon as he is born. We got a cute little profile pic on the sono and in comparison to P & P at this same age, he is Porter's third twin - identical this time. So, now the hard part is here...a NAME! We had a girl name ready and a few boy names we were playing around with, but now that he is a sure thing, I want to LOVE his name we pick and I'm not there yet with any we have on the short list. We may just have to stray from "P"??!! Who knows. Feel free to offer your suggestions. We need them! Name or not, we are praising God for this healthy little life and overjoyed and still in shock that he is in there:)