Third Trimester Thoughts

I cannot believe our little man has arrived! He came unexpectedly (kind of) but I wouldn’t change having him here 2 weeks early for anything! I wanted to write the thoughts I had as my pregnancy was coming to an end. When I wrote my second trimester blog post I had a few pregnant mamas reach out saying they loved being able to relate to it, so I figured I should write a third trimester post in hopes I can do the same!

Baby Showers

This was one of the most amazing things about the third trimester! I was given the most BEAUTIFUL showers by the most wonderful people. Every single detail was a dream and everything I would have imagined it would be and more. I can’t believe how many friends and family came to celebrate us. Grady, Matt, and I have such a community around us and to say we feel so blessed is an absolute understatement. Sharing pictures from each other showers as words don’t even do it justice for them!

Baseball theme given by my sweet mom and her friends:

Boho/Woodsy theme given by my best friends:

Cyclebar shower for Baby Grady and Baby Oakley and was a “cutie” theme given by another bestie and coach:

A surprise shower given by my sweet baseball girlies this season:

And a shower given by my boss and more importantly friend:

To Do’s

Now onto the checklist. Ultimately I had a to do list that needed to be done before 38 weeks in case he came early, and thank goodness I had finished all of it since he did!

1. Packing our bags for the hospital was priority. Grady’s bag, my bag, and a few things for Matt since we didn’t know if he would be back in Dallas by then.
2. Install the car seat and practice taking it in and out of the car. I am so glad I did this as when it was time to take him home it made things a little easier. I do wish we had practiced using the straps and buckle with a stuffed animal to make sure we knew how to put him in effectively and easily before doing it in the hospital.
3. Deep clean the house. Shout out to my mom she came over and went to WORK making sure everything was cleaned from head to toe. Bathrooms, bedrooms, our kitchen and living room were absolutely spotless. Getting your house cleaned before baby is here should be a top priority whether its your mom or hiring someone! Coming home from the hospital was SO nice.
4. Bottles & breast pump parts cleaned and sterilized. I watched videos about how to use the breast pump most efficiently and am so glad I did! It made a difference for me when it came time to pump.
5. Set up all things baby that I thought would be used in the first month or so. His bassinet in our bedroom and a portable cart that we could store diaper changing necessities was the top of the list. This was so that we didn’t have to walk to the nursery in the middle of the night to change him. We set up the camera over his crib. I also had help (THANK YOU KAREN AND MOMMA) organizing the drawers of his dresser which doubles as his changing table in the nursery as well. This is so nice to have all the things I need within reach as you change him because Grady boy moves a lot. We also set up 1 swing for him, 1 play mat, and his boppy to rest him in. We have used all 3 often.
6. Finish baby laundry-I felt like this took a while so I am glad I started it when I did. I cleaned clothes, bibs, crib sheets, towels, baby wash cloths, and anything else I could throw in the wash I did.
7. Make gifts for nurses-This was the bottom of my list so my mom had to help me finish this quickly when I found out I was being admitted. I asked one of my nurse friends that works in a NICU for her favorite items she gets from moms. It was nothing extravagent, just a way to say thank you! Below is what I gave the nurses. I made 2 bags (1 for the night nurses and 1 for the day nurses). They all went to a room apparently where everyone can snack on them so in my opinion you can’t have too much! Also remember to give them to the nurses as soon as you are in your room!

Symptoms

Nervousness (but ultimately just anxious for him to get here). The thought that our baby would be here in just a couple months was the most exciting thing in the world. I felt prepared, had done a little homework about having a newborn and breastfeeding, and was just waiting for him to make his appearance. Everything got real when I decided to pack our bags around week 36. We would be going to the hospital so soon and I couldn’t wait to meet him.

Nausea-had it in the first trimester and yes it came back but not nearly as bad. I was explaining what nausea during pregnancy felt like to me to a friend. Just think of it as when you’re hungry for so long that you start to feel sick.

Tiredness-This was probably the most prevalent symptom. Around 3 o clock if I didn’t have everything done by the time mid afternoon rolled around, it wasn’t getting done! I was a couch potato and definitely took advantage of it while I had the chance.

Swollen face, hands, and feet-i look back on pictures and stories I made and you can really tell I had lots of fluid in my face and lips (which I wasn’t mad about). Walks got harder because I would swell if it was too hot outside.

Now That He’s Here

I can’t believe I am a mom now. The entire process from the start of pregnancy to the very end is truly a miracle and so beautiful. Matt and I feel so blessed by G and are learning more and more about him every day. We’re so excited to be parents and are soaking up all of this newborn stage. Here’s to a lot more momma and baby content in the coming months!

Photos by Audrie Dollins