Pregnancy, The Third Trimester Part 3

As with every stage of pregnancy, it’s a mixed bag of emotions and feelings. I want time to hurry up and slow down all at once. Physically, I want to be done, I’m in a lot of pain most the time. Emotionally, I’m good with being pregnant awhile longer, especially since this is most likely the last time I will be. I'm not 100% sure I'm done, but Richard says no more. 

Even with all the change ahead, I’m feeling pretty at peace with it, which is saying a lot for me since I tend to prefer to know exactly how things are going to play out. I don’t know a lot of much right now, actually. We have so much to do – we’re rearranging 3 rooms in the house, Trying to transition Charleston off the pacifier & start thinking about potty training … life is changing all at once. Charleston has taught me so much about learning to go with the flow and here we already, learning that lesson again as Emersyn is making her way into our world. A lot is going to change in the next couple of months and I have to keep reminding myself that it will all work out one way or another.

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The sickness I felt in the first trimester lingered a few weeks into my 2nd, so I was hopeful that I would continue to feel great a few weeks into my 3rd trimester. I was wrong. At around 26/27 weeks I started getting sharp pains in my back! Stronger then normal. I think she is sitting on my sciatic nerve and it doesn’t feel great. It’s hard to walk sometimes. When putting pressure on my right leg while walking, a sharp shooting pain will almost bring me to my knees. It’s intense! It’s worse some days than others and I’m hopeful that she will move off my nerve and this won’t continue for the rest of my pregnancy- REALLY hopeful. Ha!

Also starting to get pain in my pelvic floor. Carrying around an extra 20 lbs is doing a number on my pelvis. My legs go numb around my hips every night and she loves to keep me up at night doing gymnastics in my uterus. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for every little ache and pain. I know how blessed I am to be able to experience pregnancy, so I try to remember that when I’m laying in pain on my couch. It’s weird how much you can love someone who is causing you such discomfort. Ha!

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Charleston is going to be such a great big sister. She loves giving Emersyn kisses every night! She blows raspberries. It's too funny! I think she might be a little confused when the baby is no longer in my tummy but actually here. I'm sure she will catch on quick. 

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Made it through the SECOND TRIMESTER!

Im not going to lie, my second trimester was not any easier then my first. The nausea finally stopped! Which is a huge relief... how does anyone function with all that! whew! Hunger seems to come and go. Some days im hungry and some days Im not. Most days I have no appetite for anything.. but whats new from previous pregnancies. These girls don't like food! Like the other 2, shes likes her sugar and chocolate. I have eaten more sugar this time around. Since having an anterior placenta I don't feel her that often, so I eat a handful of sour gummy bears - and shes all over the place! I've decided if thats how im going to get my kick counts in this pregnancy then i'm not going to complain. I mean we all know my candy addiction is REAL anyways!

I did have a scare the beginning of the trimester, because some of my blood came back abnormal. I was not going to worry about it, bc it always comes back with abnormalities.. but this was with one of the genetic testing. The spina bifida one - the levels came back high. I went and saw a maternal specialist. Something I had to do by myself, and after Payton - this is never an appointment you should do by yourself. Thankfully everything came back out. My levels were one point over the failing point. But the doctors still want to treat me as if im high risk and keeping an eye on everything. So for the remaining of the pregnancy I will see the doctor ever 2 weeks. Every 4 weeks will be a normal check up and every 2 weeks I will have an ultra sound to make sure she is growing on schedule.

I feel like Emersyn looks so much like Payton too. She's is roughly about 2lbs, so a little smaller then the girls at this point. We will see how much she grows... and me... in the next few weeks.

Baby Carbonaro #3 is a.....

We normally do a gender reveal get together when we find out.. but this year we are getting into the holiday season, so we opted out on it. We have known for a few days, but could not come up with a cute way to announce it. I mean you know I cant just say hey were having a ..... I have to do something cute and creative! 

Well we had an extra pumpkin at my mother n laws and we wanted to carve it with Charleston anyways - so I took advantage of it and used it to announce our gender! 

Now if you think I had a hard time trying to decide how to do the gender reveal you should of seen us trying to pick a name! Of course every name I liked, Richard did not. He likes the generic boring names (sorry not sorry), but I like something unique and personality. I mean my name is Bjana. lol. Finally we narrowed down a name.. 

Surviving The First Trimester

You would think since this was my third time around, I would have this mastered...
Since week 4 (we found out I was pregnant at 2 weeks) my energy levels have just been pitiful. I've been so freaking tired that most days I had to physically force my legs to take steps. I was constantly fighting the urge to take naps and tried my best to take one during Charleston's afternoon naps. Some days it was during both naps. I usually collapsed into bed about 7pm, right after Charleston went down.
I have really felt like the worst mom ever these last few weeks. Charleston's has become so active and it takes more energy then I have to keep her entertained. I have found that I can be pretty creative while laying on the couch. I just hope I haven't ruined her life by letting her watch numerous Disney's movies while mommy grows a baby.
On top of the none existent energy levels, I've been nauseated enough for 10 pregnant women. I had basically no nausea with Payton or Charleston. And then with this one it just hit me like a bus. I could handle the "morning" sickness, but this has been an all day every day thing. Mixed with dizziness and headaches that don't help. There has been plenty of moments I have had to talk my self out of blowing chunks everywhere. I've only hurled a few times, the worse in Walmart parking lot.. with Richard yelling at me to not get any on him while I was trying to put Charleston in the cart before I got any on her.
Even with all of that chaos I don't think those are the worse symptoms of the first trimester.... poor Richard! One minute I could be on top of the world, happy as ever. And the next minute I could be holding back tears yelling at him for who knows what. Emotional highs and lows, plus an absurdly short fuse.. they never go well together. Luckily they still love me and know mommy is just going through the crazies and hope the worst has past.. as do I.

My bump showed up just as fast as the other two pregnancies, but not growing as fast. I have been reassured the baby is just fine, and is actually measuring a week bigger then what I am. We tried to find out the sex at week 12 like we did with the other two, but baby was not sitting in the right position. So for now, its still baby C and we should find out at the end of October.

It still amazes me how much is developed in the first trimester. Baby C is now fully formed. Baby C has arms, hands, fingers, feet, and toes. The brain, spinal cord and other tissue of the central nervous system is formed. All that and Baby is still only the size of a peapod.

Baby C has grown so much...

8Weeks 3Days

12Weeks 3Days

Family Photos

We were seriously due for some updated family photos, so we enlisted in our favorite photographer Kaity with VIDP. We decided to do these in Columbia at the state house so she did not have to travel. I had a hard time finding something to wear, bc I really loved the Vera Bradley dress Charleston has on and my shirt matched perfect. I really did not want Richard in orange, but the green in the dress instead. But of course I could not find it in his size...so to him we are in Clemson colors, but I don't think that way. lol. (least im trying not too).

Since Charleston had just turned ONE as well, we also took advantage and got some first birthday photos as well :)

Well... we also had another reason to do family photos..... 

Our family is growing by ANOTHER 2 feet!!!!! 

Letters to Charleston - 1 Year Old

To my beautiful daughter on her very first birthday!

I'll never forget the day your daddy went back to work after you were born, and I thought to myself, "Alright, Miss Charleston, you and I are in this together." I had no idea what I was doing and I had no idea what being a mother truly meant.
In a way, we both grew together over the past year. You learned, and I learned, but in many ways you taught me more then I taught you.

For the past year you've been my biggest worry and my biggest happiness. I stayed up at night researching things so I could always provide the best for you. We spent every day together - laughing, dancing, singing, and exploring this world. But with each new chapter we've opened together, I've somehow learned to love you more, and differently. I feel confident that as you continue to grow and learn, our bond will only strengthen as time and challenges try to tear it apart.

You were born in the era of social media, selfies, and hashtags. For me, my #CharlestonBjana was the best excuse to capture every moment since your birth and share it with so many who love you across the world. Your favorite thing in the whole world is face time. You love to face time Grandma Terri. You would sit there forever if she sang you Old McDonald. lol. And you also love face timing your cousins, Jonathan & Hunter.

You have grown so much this past month. Your pulling yourself up all by your self. You went from walking across furniture to walking on your own. Your still working on the whole balance thing, but your getting better each day.

The last few nights you have wanted me to rock you to sleep. Which Im ok with, bc Im sure those will be far in between here soon. You never really have been just a "snuggler," but Im happy to take them when you are. Your still sleeping through the night and waking up at 7am. Some mornings daddy or I will be up before you, which amazes me.

This past month we started the sink and swim lessons as well. Your so fascinated by water and your always ready to jump in.. I wanted to get you into the class that teaches you how to float if something should happen. Especially when so many family members have pools. You cry the whole time, but your doing so well. I think its mainly bc Im not in the pool with you or holding you. It makes me feel better that your not the only crier. About 90% of the kids are crying as soon as they get in the pool. But everyone progresses so fast and so well. Only being a year old, Im so proud how well your doing.

I still can't believe your a year old already. I look back at all your monthly pictures and see how much you have changed since day one. You have chunked out and slimmed out all at the same time. Your hair has lightened up and started to curl in the back. You def get all that from your daddy. Your personality is shinning through and your are such a giggle box! I love watching you grow and progress every day!

I love you to the moon and back!
Mommy

P.S. I finally finished your book from your birth! I have it displayed with Payton's Birth book as well! I wish you knew what it was like to have an older sister! Your one special girl to have a big sister watching over you while you grow.

Click here to view this photo book larger