Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

Third Trimester Update

Published January 10, 2014 20 Comments

It has come to my attention that some of you might be interested in a baby update so I thought I’d share a bit about my pregnancy so far. Let’s start with a picture. As you can see, I’m growing quite a bit! Here’s a picture from the beginning of my second trimester as compared to the beginning of my third trimester. I’m actually 29 weeks today, but I thought it was good to compare the beginning trimester pictures.

2nd & 3rd Trimester Pictures

I feel like I’m growing daily, and my preschoolers comment on it frequently, so it must be true! My doctor is very pleased with how well I and the baby are doing. The baby has been active with flips and kicks and turns since Week 19 on the dot. It was Week 22 before Andy felt the kicks I’d been feeling, but now we both enjoy watching and feeling the baby move. Still, I wonder why babies are most active at night?

I haven’t had any cravings to report. I still love my chocolate but that is nothing new! I have found myself drinking lots more plain water – and it tastes good to me. Since I had to force myself to drink water pre-pregnancy, this is a good change!

Since I’ve reached the third trimester, we’re starting the final count downs to my due date of March 27th. It’s amazing how quickly pregnancy goes! I have been thankful that my energy has stayed high throughout this pregnancy because I still have lots to do.

I had my third trimester blood work  along with my glucose test at my doctor’s appointment last Friday. Lovely! I’ve also been bumped from 3 week appointments to 2 week appointments. Andy and I also took our Childbirth class at the hospital last Saturday so we can check that off the list.

We were blessed with several boxes of hand-me-down baby clothes from one of my preschool families. I spent Christmas break washing all of those clothes and sorting them by sizes. Baby clothes are so cute when they are small! In addition to that, our families gave us lots of adorable baby clothes for Christmas. Andy and I spent time looking at strollers and car seats over break. It’s a little overwhelming to read all the reviews but I think we’ve finally settled on the Chicco car seat.

I’m working on getting the baby’s room organized. It’s Andy’s job to get the crib set up (another thoughtful hand-me down from another friend). I’m still stockpiling diapers and other household necessities for when the baby arrives. Of course, we’ve been trying to get what extra sleep we can, although the baby doesn’t always allow me to do that, it seems!

Well, that is an update on my life as we wait for our baby. Less than 3 months to go, and I’m sure it will continue to hurry by! Any advice for me in the final trimester? Any things I should add to my baby to-do list?

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  1. Bethany says

    If you have a baby book you should bring it with you to the hospital. Mine had a spot for Leah's footprint so when they stamped up her feet for the birth certificate I had them do another into my baby book. Once less thing I had to try to do at home... I also brought with some snacks because the hospital food didn't always get me through to the next meal. (And Tom didn't mind having things to snack on either.) You are looking great!
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Thanks, Bethany! And, oh, good point about the baby book! I was planning on doing a Shutterfly book, but I'll have to get an extra footprint for keepsake. Our hospital has snack rooms available for the parents, and 24 hour meals for Mom. Plus, Dad gets several meal vouchers, too, so that is nice to know. I'll probably still pack a couple things because I'd rather be prepared - especially for Andy's sake!
      Reply

  2. Lori says

    One thing I learned about shots was that as soon as they receive them, massage the spot to "work it in." That keeps the spot from getting feverish and sore. Also, it helped my babes when I nursed them immediately after receiving the oral immunizations. Maybe it helped to have something in their tummy when the med was being digested. You're going to do great. You're a wise woman with lots of wise women around you. Learn what you can and weigh all the advice you receive with a grain of salt!
    Reply

  3. Jolene says

    As your nurse mother-in-law, I already bought you some infant Tylenol and a Johns Hopkins Hospital First Aid Book for Infants and Children. Also, a rectal thermometer, baby clippers, A&D ointment and Desitin. All this was to be wrapped up for your first baby shower! I only tell you this so that you don't go out and buy yourself. Also, a few more surprises. I know you like practical gifts so.... Can't wait!!
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Awww, thanks! I should known you'd have us covered in these practical health areas! I'll be very surprised at the shower. I promise!
      Reply

  4. Lisa says

    Thanks for the update Kristen! You look great!! Can't wait to meet your little one. I agree you should have the camera ready and take lots of pictures (that's no surprise coming from me though!) Relax and try to take everything in as much as possible. Your story will be your own special story, and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else. No matter how much you prepare, there will be things you never thought of. So just go with your gut and enjoy the journey. It will all work out. It's amazing how quickly you learn all about this little person and exactly what they need!
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Thanks, Lisa! We can't wait for you to meet him, either! You've done a great job taking pictures of Kylie and I hope to document our baby's growth just as nicely. I'll do my best on relaxing and taking it one day at a time. You'll remind me of that again when I need you to, right?
      Reply

  5. Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says

    You look great, you're glowing! I would say rest as much as you can and invest in a good baby care book, and read it now. That way when something weird happens, like orangish spots in the diaper (which is normal!!) you won't be as freaked out because you have already read about it. I like The Baby Book by Dr. Sears, it's so thorough. Watch lots of movies and rest as much as you can. I also loved the moby wrap for the first few months. A Mei Tai is a nice carrier as well.
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Aww, thanks, Kelly! I am working on the resting and reading baby books. I'll have to add the Baby Book to my list. I appreciate the time you took to leave the advice for me! Really.
      Reply

  6. Ewe says

    Get some infant Tylenol for their first shots day. Read about immunizations-I refused to let my baby get shots on the day they were born, but the nurse wanted to give baby Hepatitis B a few hours after he was born. I planned to wait until the 2 week appt. but ended up waiting until the 6 week appt. and our pediatrician said then that babies didn't need Hepatitis B if they had good prenatal care. I was so thankful that my mommy gut refused the hospital shots. Refusing hospital shots was quite a deal though-I had to sign that I refused and the dr. had to record me saying that I refused! Each state is different and they continually update requirements, so perhaps you won't have to deal with this, but try to be prepared. Also be sure to have your camera ready-charged up and with you almost all the time now. My first was early and came very quickly-which was a blessing but if I hadn't packed my bag early I wouldn't have been ready. You can get by at the hospital without other things and after the baby is born you can send Andy home to get things, but you want the camera for first pictures. This is also an excellent time to figure out a plan for how you will organize pictures on your computer-it will be amazing how many pictures you will take-will you organize by baby's age or month or what? Even if you don't sleep or nap, be sure to get off your feet and rest as much as possible-I didn't think I was overdoing it towards the end of my first but I ended up being put on a short modified bedrest. I did put my feet up then and was taken off of that after a week. I was never concerned about what baby wore home from the hospital as not many saw that. I did have a boy and a girl outfit ready for baptism day though. We never used the girl outfit, but I felt better being prepared!
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Great advice! My new camera came with a back-up battery, but I am already charging my battery more frequently! I don't want to miss out on any of those first picture moments! And I'll give it a couple more weeks before packing my bag, but it's a good point to still have it packed early. And I'll have to look into the shots, and buy some Tylenol. My sister is mailing over the family baptismal gown from Okinawa, so let's hope it gets here in time for baptism!
      Reply

      • Lisa says

        I packed my bag when labor started! Of course, I'm sure you'll be way more prepared than that. I had the best of intentions, but it kept getting put off. Plus, I'm sort of a wing it person anyway! I know that's not your style :)
        Reply

        • Kristen says

          That's funny, Lisa! You're right - I'm not a wing it person. Although, I'm already discovering that there is much to accomplish and the best of intentions happen to all of us! :-)
          Reply

  7. angela v. says

    My favorite gift received was a Moby wrap. I had never heard of one before but I can now not have imagined what I would have done without it. My son loved to be held constantly so this allowed me to keep him close while doing chores such as dishes, laundry and even grocery shopping! My advice, enjoy each moment as they all will pass quickly, good or bad. :)
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Great advice, Angela! I think I have a wrap similar to a Moby, as a hand-me-down from someone else. I'll need to check if that is what it is. I think the idea of baby carriers for daily life are wonderful! And I will try to enjoy each moment, as quickly as it goes and goes.
      Reply

      • Bethany Nummela-Hanel says

        TJ Maxx usually has some pretty good deals on Ergos, but it's hit or miss. See if Fort Wayne has a babywearing group. The Cincinnati one gave Mike and me the tip on our Ergo at a local business. We used the Moby for the first several months--usually the baby gets too heavy in jersey type wraps around 20 lbs. I love the cuddly-ness of the wrap; Mike likes the ease of the Ergo.
        Reply

        • Kristen says

          Hmm. I didn't know about Ergos at TJ Maxx. Thanks for the tip, Bethany! My sister-in-law likes to shop there, so I'll have her keep an eye open for those. Ebay is my next option! Liesl loves her Ergo because she and Jose both use it. But I can see what you mean about the first couple months with the wrap. I'm ready to go for that.
          Reply

  8. Bethany Nummela-Hanel says

    We have a Chicco and love it. However, I will say that I gladly put Lena in a wrap or our Ergo (soft structure carrier like the Baby Bjorns, but a little bit more kinder to a baby's developing body and tendency to overstimulation) so I don't have to carry the car seat. That sucker, plus the baby, is heavy.
    Reply

    • Kristen says

      I'm glad to know you love the Chicco. And I plan on carrying the baby quite a bit. I don't want to be one of those Moms with the baby in the carrier ALL THE TIME! In cold winter weather like this past week, yes. But all the time? No, thank you. I'm going to have to watch for a good deal on an Ergo.
      Reply

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