Pregnancy Saga Continues

It's been a long time since I've updated about what's been going on with our new little one. After switching doctors at 20 weeks we were finally feeling like we are with some one capable who cares about us and this baby. What's even better is that we finally got some answers with an ultrasound at 26 weeks. They discovered that I had what is called "low lying placenta". Without going into too much detail it's similar to (but isn't) placenta previa. I just had to continue to take it easy & hope that as the baby grew the placenta would pull up and out of the way otherwise I would end up with another c-section. As much as I didn't want another c-section we were so happy to have answers and were relieved that was all that it meant. After another ultrasound at 30 wks they found that the placenta had, in fact, moved & we were in the clear. We were so happy & what's more, it made a huge difference in how I felt. I am no longer having the pain & spotting. Hooray! All the ultrasounds I've had have made for good pictures of this little guy. Here are some from the 30 wk ultrasound. We can't wait to see what he will look like.

Unfortunately that wasn't the end of our adventures. It's been very interesting to see how every pregnancy is so different. I haven't really eaten or done anything different except the lack of exercise because of the bed rest, but I certainly have come out with different outcomes each time. With Jameson I gained 65 lbs. (I did get pre-eclamptic so I had tons of swelling) and with Alex I gained about 35 lbs. This time (with 4 wks to go) I have only gained about 15 lbs. It's so weird. Even though I'm so much smaller this pregnancy, at a doctors appointment 2 weeks ago (34wks) my blood pressure was really high. I had also started having a little swelling & a headache the day before & was feeling more mentally foggy than normal. As soon as the doctor came in she said she wasn't comfortable with all those things & she wanted me to head straight for the hospital. She was going to call and let them know I was coming. I had been starting to feel pretty awful that day, so I was glad she was being cautious. After spending about 3 hours being monitored in the hospital they determined that I was "ok" (right on the border), my bp started going down & they were comfortable letting me go home with orders to take it easier. It's been back to being down more for me, which once again is hard, but it's much better than being in the hospital. I now go in weekly & tend to teeter on the edge, but have been ok so far. Now we are playing the waiting game. I have 4 weeks to go & I honestly have never been so done being pregnant before. I'm just ready for this baby to be here, but I'm not the only one. The boys are so excited to meet their brother. They love to feel him kick & talk about what he will do & be like & how they will help & do things for him. They have also recently decided that they're going to call him "Boom Boom" (after the rhinoceros at the Out of Africa Park.) Alex is especially excited not to be the "little" brother. They boys love to "give hugs" to their brother aka my belly. It's so much fun to see how the boys react to all of this baby stuff. It makes them seem so much more grown up. Here are the boys with their brother.... and me.