He or She... what will you be?

Lately, not unlike most expectant mothers I'm sure, I have seen pink and blue colors all around me, just teasing me! Knowing that I am so anxious to find out what our future holds....

 

...will we be welcoming our third son into our family, or will we be welcoming a daughter?

Shades of pink and blue are all around me... I'm sure it is just my eyes catching it... and as soon as we find out the gender I will only see that color, lol!

I went researching online for cute ways to announce the gender to everyone... only to find that there were really only TWO ideas offered.... :/ really people?

There are people (or their children) standing by cardboard boxes filled with either pink or blue balloons waiting to float out..... or they just use FOOD!

Now I'm not saying they weren't cute or clever idea's.... they're just overdone....

Cute, simple look for Gender reveal parties...

With either pink or blue dyed cake inside...

 

Or extremely, extravegant cakes....

With all sorts of different pins, bows, or mustaches.... to show your vote...

 

I think having a "gender revealing" party is a little much, too focused on the gender and not the child... And as for my family and friends "wearing their vote"...... I think it would be A LITTLE one-sided.... :)

Daniel and I are very excited for this newest addition to our family. We are also very excited to be finding out what this addition will be... And as soon as we know, you'll know, too!

Until then... you know as much as we do...

It's 50~50

My handsome boys...

16 weeks...

     Today I am 16 weeks along. It's exciting to be nearing the "best stages of pregnancy!" I'm soooo wishing this morning sickness would take-a-hike already.... I'm not suffering so much at night anymore; it's just mainly in the mornings now...
     There's has still only been a 2-3 pound weight gain so far, for the whole 4 months... very cool!
     So far, this pregnancy has been smooth. The other day I started feeling some pain in my lower back and some mild cramping. So today I went in to see my doctor for a "peace-of-mind" visit to hear my babys heartbeat, again! There is no other sound more beautiful, comforting, and inspiring than the sound of your babys heartbeat.... especially when you've been psyching yourself out!
     Daniel and I are very excited for my next appointment on the 30th! Can't wait for the gender reveal!!

    

14 weeks...

     Today I am 14 weeks along! I am so happy to be in my 2nd trimester... now hopefully my morning sickness will start to fade away!
     I went in for my doctor appointment, and it started off great-  I weighed 4 lbs LESS than my last appointment (3 weeks ago). That's always a bonus!
     Then He got out the Doppler so I could hear the heartbeat for the first time!! It was taking a while (maybe not, it just felt like a long time!) and I started getting really nervous, I mean, really started to think he wouldn't find a heartbeat... until the thumping started. The gast beating of the tiny, tender heart inside of me. I started crying. I was such a beautiful relief!And it wasn't until someone handed me tissues that I realized what a fuss I was making!
     After the heartbeat, he got out his measuring tape.... and I measured at 18 WEEKS?! I'm only 14 weeks... that a whole month difference. He asked how much my biggest baby weighed... I said 8 lbs, 5 oz. (which was Aiden. Logan was 8 lbs, 1oz.) And his expression was, "Oh that's not that bad.."
Anyway, the rest of the visit went fine, and He scheduled me to come back in 3 weeks for an ultrasound.
      I am very, very nervous for that ultrasound. It's supposed to be exciting, a "gender revealing moment," but I can't help but think that I am measuring big because of a condition I had with Logan called, "Polyhydramnios." It means to have too much Amniotic fluid. It only occurs in 1- 2% of all pregnant women. It also can cause neurological abnormalities to the baby...

Polyhydramnios:

In most cases, the exact cause cannot be identified. A single case of polyhydramnios may have one or more causes. Few cases are associated with fetal anomalies that impair the ability of the fetus to swallow (the fetus normally swallows the amniotic fluid). These anomalies include:

• gastrointestinal abnormalities such as esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, facial cleft, neck masses, and tracheoesophageal fistula
• chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome and Edwards syndrome (which is itself often associated with GI abnormalities)
• neurological abnormalities such as anencephaly, which impair the swallowing reflex.

Diagnosis:

During the pregnancy, certain clinical signs may suggest polyhydramnios. In the mother, the physician may observe increased abdominal size out of proportion for her weight gain and gestation age, uterine size that outpaces gestational age. When examining the fetus, faint fetal heart sounds are also an important clinical sign of this condition.
Fetuses with polyhydramnios are at risk for a number of other problems including cord prolapse, placental abruption, premature birth and perinatal death.

    I know that all I can do, all that Daniel and I can do is pray and remember to put our faith in Heavenly Father. I know that this baby is a blessing and is already a beautiful addition to our family. Daniel and I have always, and always will be so grateful for the children we have been blessed with. We will continue to pray and hope for the best.

First Ultrasound for Baby!

Yesterday I went in for my first ultrasound for this pregnancy! You can barely see our little baby ( just two - three inches long so far!)

10 weeks 3 days

      As you can see (or maybe not) there is only ONE baby growing (yay!)...... unfortunately, it isn't the ONLY thing growing inside my tummy...
       During the ultrasound, my doctor found that along with a healthy growing baby, I also have a Fibroid Tumor growing in my uterus.
       A Fibroid is a "leiomyoma tumor" that originates from the uterus. Fibroids are fairly common (more common in women 35- 45 yrs old- ouch! I'm only 25!) But it's NOT good to have one while you're pregnant. Having a Fibroid while you're pregnant can cause many complications including: miscarriage, bleeding, premature labor, or interference with the position of the fetus...
       It's not easy to hear that there's a problem or that this pregnancy is risky, but Daniel and I have faith and know that Heavenly Father is with us and is blessing us and this baby.
       My next appointment is just 3 weeks away on October 4th. I am grateful that we'll be monitoring this pregnancy and the tumor closely!

{almost} 10 weeks...

So far, this pregnancy is JUST like the other two... my Morning Sickness kicked in right on schedule (around 7 weeks) and it's consistant: EVERY SINGLE morning as soon as I wake up! Fortunately, thanks to Zofran,  I am not suffering too much!
I'm trying to remember when it ended with both Aiden and Logan... I think around week 16 or 17.... So hopefully only a few weeks left of sickness!
The boys, Aiden especially have been so used to the idea of another sibling (Since Dan and I have been open with them about our plan for over a year now..) that He is referring to the baby's room and my belly as his baby brother, Declan!
    "I'll put this in Declan's room... how is Declan doing in your belly?".... And when I ask Aiden what he thinks this baby will be, He answers like it's already decided: "It's a boy, mom!"
BTW, Daniel and I have decided on the names:

Boy: Declan Paul Phillips

Girl: Emory Joleen Phillips

 

So far everything has been smooth, and we are very excited for this next tuesday, Sept 11th, for Baby #3's first ultrasound!! Yay!