Baby #3: 26 Weeks + Belly Progress

My camera's been hibernating lately.  I pulled it out for a 26 week belly photo to share with you all.

Here is the 16 week belly photo from this pregnancy (10 weeks ago):

April 21, 2011

And today at 26 weeks (in the same outfit):

June 29, 2011

And at 25 weeks with Sarah's pregnancy:

Announcing the Name of Baby #3

NORAH ELIZABETH

Finally!!!!

We've decided on a name for Baby #3.  I know, you've all been holding your collective breaths...and I'm sure I've thrown plenty of confusion into the mix by changing my mind every few days.  That's why I haven't updated the blog with any discussion of names...because I just could NOT decide!

I was originally thinking about Leah, and I even had both kids saying it for a week or so.  But then I googled the meaning of Leah.  And although I still think Leah is an incredibly beautiful name, I wasn't exactly thrilled with it's connotation: Weary.

I was also considering Ellie.  Such a cute name.  But I hesitated to make her first name Ellie, thinking she may want a more mature name in the future.

I started searching again...and I was able to meet 2 of the 3 criteria I was aiming for all along.  I was hoping for a name that 1)was in the Bible, 2)was a soft, sweet name...you know, not harsh or flashy, and 3)was 5 letters long.  I know, who picks a name by the number of letters?  I do.

And so, we have settled on...

Norah- means Light

Elizabeth (middle name)- Consecrated to God
We'll possibly be calling her Ellie, because I think it's just so darn cute.  And we'll shorten Elizabeth to Beth when we call her by her first and middle name.

So, from now on, we'll be referring to her as Norah Beth...unless of course "she" turns out to be a boy...

Baby #3: 25 weeks

Rutabaga

Baby Center says:
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.




Praying for:
Low Blood Pressure (124/80 today)
God's Revelation of a Name for Baby #3 (possible poll to come)

A Swagbucks First

I have never, ever won this much from a search, but I'll happily take it!!!

Baby #3: 24 weeks

How I'm feeling:  

More energetic and less hungry!  Let's see how long this lasts...

BabyCenter says:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Quote of the Day

As he emptied the dishwasher this morning...

Caleb:

"If someone has a knife, they want to cut you."

"If someone has a spoon and fork, they want to eat you."

Summery Welcome

My sister, Kristin, posted a crafty wreath on her blog a few weeks ago.  She offered to make me one, but I just could resist going out and buying my own supplies in two days flat.

And then, I copied her project, which she copied from someone else.  We'd have been in so much trouble in high school.  Copying is an automatic zero.  Thankfully, you are the only ones grading my work.

Here's the beautifully simple yarn and felt wreath on our front door.

Now, if I could only move this creative streak toward the mantle.  We've still got Easter going on up there...

Baby #3: Ultrasound

What?!?

I let Facebook get the upper hand!

I neglected to post the ultrasound photo and reveal baby #3's gender here on the good 'ole faithful blog.

I had a follow-up appointment last Thursday, June 2nd to take a closer peek at baby's personal parts.

I'm so sorry I didn't tell you.

According to the ultrasound tech, we are having another GIRL!!!

Name discussions are still underway.  Stay tuned...

Baby #3: 23 weeks

How I'm feeling: 
Froggy.  At least the baby is feeling froggy.  I'm feeling her move frequently...typically when I lay down to get some shut eye.  In other pregnancy news, I'm way excited about finding a new (to me) maternity swimsuit at the local resale shop.  A major score at $6!  And I've already used it 4 times in a week!  I could get excited about being in the water that much every week!  A girl's gotta do something to stay cool when it's over 100 degrees outside.


BabyCenter says:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Crafting with Caleb: Birdseed Cakes (FAIL)

I tried my best to follow the instructions given HERE.

I used Knox Gelatine.

I mixed the same amounts that were recommended.  

We saw the project through, but the birdseed cakes just wouldn't congeal.  

As soon as I tried holding them by the loop, they fell apart.  

I tried leaving them in the freezer for a few hours days, but nothing worked!

Caleb had fun making them either way.  

I tried just laying them on the concrete patio for the birds, but they attracted ants.  

Fire ants = trouble.

Caleb's forgotten about them by now, so they're off to the garbage.

Bunked

I'm contemplating the purchase of bunk beds in the near future.  Top bunk for Caleb, bottom bunk for Sarah.

Does anyone have any tips about bunk beds?

How about bunk beds that can be separated into twin beds later?

Wood vs. Metal?  Is this just preference or a durability issue?

Here is one I'm thinking looks pretty good and in price range:

White Wal-Mart Twin Size Bunk Bed

Oberon White Bunk Bed

Random Thoughts...

...that aren't so random to me!

• If every person in the world produces boogers, why are there not obvious boogers everywhere?
• My house is messier on the days that I forego the contacts or glasses.  I guess I just really can't see the mess.
• There is so much lint in my lint trap after only 4-5 loads of laundry (I know I'm supposed to empty it after each use).  Why do my clothes not just disappear?  I'm not saying I want them to, but why don't they?
• I have a love-hate relationship with Victoria's Secret.  I love the free panty coupons I get from time to time.  I love the $10 off any bra purchase that I receive in the mail.  I really do love my girly panties and my swimsuit from there.  BUT I hate the fact that just about every picture in the mailer catalog is airbrushed.  Trust me, the women of America would still envy those tiny little model bodies without the obvious fixes and enhancements.   So, stop it!

Baby #3: 22 weeks

I'm feeling:
Tired again.  Afternoon naps have made a comeback.  Coffee in moderation has become a daily vice.  Nesting has become a desire, but I'm waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl!!!

Baby Center says:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Wet T-Shirt :-)