Monday, September 3, 2018

35 weeks || littlest brother bump update

i've gotta get another bump update in before it's too late. i've been meaning to for about 5 weeks, and if i wait another 5, chances are i'd be too late!
the last update i did was at 23 weeks. over 10 weeks ago!
TIME.FLIES.
so here's a quick little recap/summary from what the last several weeks have been for us.
how far along? 35 weeks + 4 day

total weight gain: 30 lbs

baby is the size of a: pineapple

maternity clothes? pretty much the same outfit day after day over here. my favorite maternity full panel denim shorts, paired with a gap maternity tank (the most comfy ever!). i try and think of some other pieces to wear to mix it up, but this is what i tend to go back to day after day. and i'm fine with it, because i am allll for comfort at this point!

stretch marks? just those leftover from my previous two pregnancies. i haven't noticed new ones yet, but we will see! my skin has been itchy lately so i am moisturizing at least twice a day!

sleep: snuggle me up in my pregnancy pillow, turn the diffuser on with some of my most favorite oils inside, most nights a quick calf massage with my favorite essential oil lotion mix (for those calf cramps) and i am out in no time!

best moment as of late: baby's movements are so big and so obvious, it makes me just so happy every time i feel him. i'm expecting him to be another long little babe just like his brother and sister were/are! i feel him pushing way down into my hips and all at the same time i can feel his long little legs up at the top of my uterus by my ribs. my favorite is when i can feel with my hands on the outside a little nob, which i can only assume is either a knee or heal :) he has been in the perfect position for delivery (head down, back to my left side), and we pray he continues to stay that way the next weeks to come before he's born! i'm savoring these last weeks, yet so anxious to hold him for the first time. it's such a sweet time over here :)

excited for: getting the nursery finished up! we had chosen furniture that then happen to be backordered, and it finally got here last week!! now it's time to hustle and get all the things in their place and the final touches before this sweet boy joins us. a little bit of stress and a whole lotta excitement! i've been washing all the sweet baby things (in dreft- the best smelling laundry detergent EVER!) 

current symptoms: gosh, other than my braxton hicks contractions increasing, not a whole lot here! i'm thankful for that. i do get tired and uncomfortable at times, but at this point in pregnancy with tanner i was uncomfortable from swelling as well as carpal tunnel. i'm so happy that neither of those are bothering me at this point this time! i still go into the chiropractor (and have been for months) about every 2ish weeks for an adjustment. it's key for me to manage sciatic pain as well as help my body + baby prep for labor/delivery.

midwife update: i go in next on wednesday this week. i'll be 35 weeks + 6 days. almost 36 weeks! baby's heartbeat has been sounding so great and strong at all the previous appointments we've had. and he's growing as expected. i measure right on track to my corresponding week. we're starting to do some prep for him before he comes, i've stopped taking my fish oil supplements (still taking my prenatal, iron, vitamin d, and calcium) and have added in an herbal gentle birth formula. at 35 weeks, my midwife always has me begin this as it's meant to start toning my uterus in preparation for labor + delivery. a few weeks ago, i also had to go in for a morning fasting glucose test as i didn't quite pass my initial glucose test. thankful to say that all is good and my blood sugars were right in range from the fasting draw!

miss anything? right now, no. i love pregnancy. and as it's going to be over for me in just a handful of weeks, i am cherishing this time. i know i will miss being pregnant once i no longer am.

movement: oh yes :) sometimes i think he's been my most active baby, but then not so much. i'd say he moves about as much as tanner did while in my belly. my boys seem to be a little busier and have more wiggles than harper did. typical ;)

food cravings/aversions: meh.. any cravings that were on before have now faded off. right now i just go with what is currently sounding good, which can depend on the day or time of day. we'll be going to the fair in the next week or two, so i'm sure i'll find plenty that sounds good while we're there ;)

gender? sweetest little boy :)

looking forward to: repetitive to up above, but every prenatal appointment, getting the nursery done, and enjoying these weeks! i have so much excitement for having baby three at the birthing inn again, just like his siblings. and hope that he too can be born in the same room as harper + tanner were. praying that all stays well with baby and i where i can have the birth that i have hopes for.

how i'm preparing: we've still got a name to decide on! brandon and i are torn between two. two that we both love, but we each love one a little more.


P H O T O  D U M P
Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Harper MonaƩ || FOUR YEARS

oh my harper girl. 
you are four. 
FOUR!! 
i don’t know how it can be. it gets me feeling all the emotions of you not being my little tiny baby anymore, yet at the same time i just love how you have grown into the sweet girl you are! it brings me so much joy and happiness to have your sweet soul with me everyday. you are so fun and my little bff. 
always by my side. always wanting to be involved with what I’m doing. you are such a little mama yourself. you are my right hand girl and i just know you always will be as we're raising your little brothers too. they are so lucky to have a big sis like you!
tanner is rarely out of your sight. and you're always talking about all the ways you're going to help me take care of your new little brother once he arrives.
i CANNOT wait to see how you fall in love with him.
i am cherishing these precious days, my sweet girl.
couldn't love you any more.
-xoxo, love your mama
Harper girl, 
Happy 4th Birthday!  To think you're 4 already is just crazy to me.  I look back at pictures when you were first born, and I can’t believe we’re already to this age.  You are such a beautiful little girl full of love, compassion, and sweetness… just like your Mom!  You are an amazing sister to your brother Tanner and I can’t wait to see you love & care for your new little brother in a few months. 
I pray that your life will be filled with happiness and that Jesus directs your path. Rely on Him and He will be with you always.  I love you more than words can say, and you will always be my little girl! 
Daddy loves you!  Happy Birthday Harper!
♡♡♡♡♡

last year:: THREE YEARS

Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Tanner Ross || TWO YEARS

tanner. tanner. oh my tanner boy!!
you are TWO!
i still feel like i can just blink and be back to your newborn days. it has flown by. and time is such a thief in taking your baby-ness away. not an ounce of baby left in you.
such a toddler you have suddenly turned into. and i am LOVING it! you are so so much fun these days and your little (BIG) personality is just erupting! 
you are silly. determined. smart. intuitive. compassionate. such a stinker. and yet the silliest boy i know.
your love for your daddy has just exploded lately and you are his biggest fan. every second he is around you, if you aren't up in his arms, then you're his little shadow trotting right behind him. doing everything he does. you want to be just like him.
it is the sweetest thing and makes your mama's heart so happy to see you have such a desire for your dad.
i love every ounce of you. my boy.
what a fun year it has been and i can't wait to see what more comes this next year as you become a big brother! you have grown in so many ways, and already taught me so many things.
you have blessed our family by being the perfect piece to our little family's puzzle.
love you tanner boy!!
-xoxo, mama
Tanner, 
Another year with you in our lives and now you're two!  It’s been such an amazing year and I’m so thankful I get to be your Dad.  You’re such a strong-willed, feisty boy, yet so sweet and loving at the same time.  It’s so fun to see you grow each day. 
As of late, you're all about me, which I hope will always be the case!  You will always be my best friend and I can’t wait to see what this next year brings for us.  You can always count on me.    
I love you more than anything and your Mom and I pray for your protection & guidance in your life daily.  We love you so much! 
Happy 2nd Birthday Tanner Ross! 
Love, Dad

♡♡♡♡♡


last year:: ONE YEAR

Xoxo
-Brittney

follow along on instagram @brittneyhjelseth