Baby Butler #3 is 30 Weeks

Growth: I had an appointment on 12/5 and my midwife guessed around 2 lbs & 10 oz. Babycenter.com says “Your baby is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (about the size of a large cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will shrink as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision – which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)”

Weight/Baby Bump: I’ve gained about 19 lbs which puts me right on track for a 28-30 lb weight gain total. That’s about where I was with both other boys. I don’t obsess over it, but I do try to eat healthy to nourish my little fella…& I do eat some kind of sweet little treat every day too. I think Baby Beau just had a growth spurt though because I had some painful round ligament pain about a week ago and my belly definitely looked bigger the next day. I don’t think it was my imagination? Here are a few bump pics from the last month since I did a terrible job getting weekly updates posted.

24 weeks:

25 weeks:

27 weeks:

28 weeks:

29 weeks:

30 weeks:

 

I can’t eat too much at a time because my belly gets SO full very quickly, so I eat small meals often throughout the day. Focusing on plenty of protein, veggies, & good healthy fats.

Gender: Sweet little fella! Baby Beau.

Maternity Clothes: Wellllll, most of my stuff is packed up in boxes since we’ve been renting, so I feel like I wear the same few outfits all the time. Y’all, i’s amazing how LITTLE we actually need. (Most of us…myself included, even  have WAY too many clothes!) And not gonna lie, I’m kind of enjoying being a “minimalist.” But, I never look very cute, and I’m definitely going to have to dig some stuff out as it gets colder. For now I have two pairs of maternity jeans, two or three pairs of dress pants (that are still packed up right now), one pair of maternity tights, and one pair of maternity workout pants. I have a few tops that I alternate. I want to order more workout pants.

Sleep: I’m sleeping okay. I toss and turn from side to side a lot & my hips are kind of achy. I know they prefer for you to sleep on your left side because “because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ. Sleeping on the left side also improves circulation to the heart and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys” (babycenter.com), but I’m back and forth a good bit. I don’t worry about rolling to my back because I can barely breathe when I lay flat on my back. Sometimes I can feel my pelvis popping so I’ve been trying to go to the chiropractor to keep everything in line. I also try to drink 1/2 c of organic tart cherry juice before bed when I remember because it’s the most natural remedy I’ve found to help me regulate sleep.

I’ve also been waking up about 5:30 am every day. My boys sleep till 8:30 (sometimes even 9), so I would prefer to sleep a little later. But, I can’t really complain because I’m pretty certain it’s just an answered prayer. I have been praying the Lord would help me become an early riser so I can do my Bible study in the mornings before the boys get up.

Favorite foods: oatmeal (quick cooking oats) with some Snickerdoodle shake powder, hot chocolate protein shake, salads (the kind in the bags from the grocery store that come with toppings and dressing), boiled eggs, french onion soup, pancakes from Cracker Barrel, homemade chicken noodle soup with bone broth, Greek salad from Zoe’s (I love the potato salad in the bottom too!), apples (I haven’t been able to find any good ones since we moved away from Whole Foods/Earth Fare), cinnamon raisin Ezekiel toast with Greek yogurt and cinnamon mixed on top, scrambled eggs with ketchup/salsa/avocado, pecans.

Cravings: french onion soup, oranges, and shortbread cookies! Also, white chocolate peppermint (after sampling a little white chocolate peppermint pretzel at the store the other day). SUPER thankful the shakes made a comeback just in time, because otherwise I probably would have chosen an unhealthy option.

Movement: I mean….whoa. This little dude is hands down the strongest yet! Jonathan doesn’t really love to feel the movement, so I always ask random people to feel when he gets crazy. Sorry if you’re one of the lucky ones in the vicinity! Ha! I’m having Braxton Hicks like crazy too. Sometimes his movements take my breath away.

Appointments: I had an appointment on 11/23, and from now on I go every 2 weeks….which means it’s gettin REAL, folks. My blood pressure was 106/63 and I’m measuring right on target. (It amazes me every time because I LOOK further along when I stand up.) Good strong heartbeat! I took my glucose test (I was reallly glad to see they removed the BVO and food dyes from the glucose drink!) and passed. I was honestly a little worried because my numbers were borderline with Kade, but my sugar was 125 and the cutoff is 140, so I was good. I had my iron checked and it was a 12, so good there. (I take Coreplex with Iron and also eat an iron-rich diet.) They also gave me the Rhogham. I truly feel like the Lord has delivered me from my fear of needles, but for some reason I got a little worked up for this one. I laid on my side to get the injection into my hip/hiney & I got super, super hot. I know my face was flushed and I could feel myself sweating. I didn’t think I was going to pass out (and I never have), but I did sit there for a few minutes afterwards to get myself together before standing up. I felt so ridiculous and I don’t even know why that happened. I decided to opt out of the DTap & flu shot.

I had another appointment on 12/5 (I started typing this a couple weeks ago, just now getting around to posting)and everything went great. Good strong heartbeat, great movement from the baby, and measuring right now. I actually weighed a pound less for some reason, but probably just because I hadn’t eaten lunch and just went to the bathroom. My blood pressure was 96/62. I asked if that was too low, but my BP typically runs a little low and I feel fine, so they weren’t worried about it. I am going to work on upping my fluids though and adding some Pink Himalayan salt to my food. (I’m in a habit of not ever salting anything, but I know that kind is good for you.) She also encouraged me to start wearing my support belt again because the way I carry these boys puts a lot of pressure on my lower abdomen/pelvis. She described it as a shelf without any support, which makes a lot of sense. I just got my super sexy support suspender belt back from Chels & I’m excited to start rockin it again. It does make a big difference!

Next appointment will be in a new building & our practice is combining with another. I am praying now that I will be able to be delivered by someone I know well and already have an established relationship with. I’m pretty open minded, but I definitely have my preferences.

Accomplishments: We chose a name! Beau Michael Butler. Beau means “handsome” and Michael means “"who is like God?" I have liked the name Beau since before we had Jase, and Michael is my dad/brother/nephew’s middle name. I am not necessarily naming him after my brother (although I do think it is a sweet way to honor him)…I honestly just like the name and the way it sounds with Beau. I was thinking it in my head for weeks but was scared to say anything to Jonathan or my parents because I didn’t know if they’d think it was weird. One day out of the blue when we were talking about names, Jonathan asked me if I wanted to name him Beau Michael. YEP! I was so excited to tell him that’s EXACTLY what I had been thinking. I asked my parents if that was okay with them too just to be respectful and they both said yes.

Best Pregnancy Moment This Month: Well, I DON’T love when people say things like “oh my gosh, how much longer? I bet you’re ready!” No, I actually have 2 more months and I feel fine. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone just complimented pregnant women, and instead of talking about how full my hands are going to be, talking about how blessed we are? Every time someone says “Wow, you’re really going to have your hands full!” I respond with “Yep, definitely, but my heart is even fuller.” Maybe cheesy, but I am just so thankful and I think it’s important for people to see that perspective. We did this on purpose.

But, every once in a while someone will be really sweet. I’ve run into a couple of sweet & encouraging ladies at the grocery store.

But hands down my favorite moment this month was one day when I was taking Jase to the church nursery and he said “Bye mom, be careful, love you Mom.” Then he ran back over and said “Hey mom, one more thing…” and hugged my leg and lifted my shirt to kiss my belly. I’m pretty sure I melted into a puddle. Hands down my favorite pregnancy moment. He also asks to pray for Baby Beau every night.

Work Outs: I am officially at 47 workouts, so I have about more 53 more workouts to hit my goal of 100 before baby. I don’t like to set goals and not achieve them, but this is one time I’m not totally stressing because I know for sure I’ve hit way more than 100 workouts total the whole pregnancy (I just started counting late). Still going for it though! I want to make as many of them YOGA as possible, and I’m also counting walks. We joined an awesome gym called OneLife when we were staying in Cumming, and it was AMAZING. We went all the time! We are at a new gym now, and the classes aren’t quite as good I don’t think, so I’ve been lifting light weight, rowing, and walking on the treadmill. I may try swimming if I can find a maternity bathing suit somewhere because this gym has an indoor pool. I really enjoy working out when I’m pregnant because it gives me a great energy boost, helps me sleep better, helps my mood, and helps me stay in shape to keep up with the other Butler boys.

Goals: YOGA. More stretching. More regular chiropractor visits. More water. Start praying specifically through some of the prayers written in Supernatural Childbirth. Continue to pray for his development and birth (love the book Expecting: Praying for Your Child's Development- Body & Soul.)

Thoughts: Hitting week 30 always makes it feel so REAL and so CLOSE! Maybe because we are in single digits of weeks away till we meet our new blessing. I cannot believe we are only 9 weeks away…I feel like it has FLOWN by! I’m totally enjoying it and soaking up time with my babies, so no rush though. I think I’m one of the few who doesn’t feel miserable and desperate to get the baby out towards the end of pregnancy.

I have turned into an introvert! I think it’s just a pregnancy thing for me, but I turn into an anti-social homebody later in pregnancy. (Maybe it’s a form of nesting?) I literally have to pump myself up to talk on the phone or be around others. (Once I do, I always enjoy it though.) I know that sounds kinda weird (and hopefully not too rude), and it’s a little bit embarrassing even admitting that, but it’s the truth. I am honestly having a hard time even texting people back right now. Even social media feels “too social” for me and I think I spend about 10-15 minutes total a day on it. Actually, I would LOVE to just get off of it all together but it’s not a great time to do that, so I just hop on, comment on a few things I see, and post pics or quotes. So if you’re my friend, please know it’s me, not you…and thank you for loving me through it! I genuinely mean that.

And God has a sense of humor too, because as much as I would prefer to keep to myself right now, I have never in my life had more strangers talk to me! It’s the boys- they spark conversation wherever we go. Kade is so friendly that he smiles at everyone, and lots of people want to know what this next baby is. I love to see everyone’s response when I tell them I’m having my 3rd boy!

My scalp is SO dry! I need to do a coconut oil treatment. I got some new shampoo and conditioner that is pretty chemical-free/non-toxic, so I’m not sure if it’s that or if it’s the pregnancy hormones, but it is crazy dry.

I’m always exhausted by the time I put the boys down for the night. I have really wanted to blog & read more, respond to more emails, and work our business a bit more than I have been… but by the time I take care of what I need to get done in a day, I’m just wiped. That means there are some things I’m having to put on the back burner that I’d rather not, but I know to listen to my body. I’m not sure if I feel more tired because I’m chasing two little ones now instead of just one…or if it’s because I’m a little older (31, still young, but older than before) this pregnancy…but I could really use a nap every single day. Idon’t get to take one as often as I’d like, but it makes such a difference when I do.

My lower back (left side specifically, more of my upper glute) has been hurting since the end of September. I have never had back pain with pregnancy, but it is annoying. Kade really just started walking really well within the last couple of weeks, so I still carry him a lot & I’m wondering if that’s it? I’m not sure if I tweaked something or if it’s just this big ole belly. The chiropractor has told me both times my sacrum feels a little twisted which is probably the issue (and I would guess is happening while I’m sleeping).

Starting to think through some of the logistics of life with 3 littles. Whew! God is faithful and I have no doubt we’ll be leaning on Him to help us navigate the waters. Isn’t that exactly what He wants, too? Pure dependence on Him?

I truly LOVE being pregnant, and I know it is a tremendous blessing & responsibility.  I am so thankful for this sweet baby and cannot wait to see the man he grows into. I can’t wait to meet him and be his mama!

Comparison:

Jase: 

Kade:

Beau: