Monday, August 1, 2011

10wks 4days and I am unfun.

How can something the size of a lime kick my butt so much?!

I have been the most un-fun aunt, mommy, wife, daughter and friend. Besides flying to New York, Texas, and back to Guam again, all I have done is eat, sleep, sleep, be nauseous, and lay around.

I barely have enough energy to scroll through FB on my phone.

But I did attempt a picture.


10 weeks, 4 days

Be honest, doesn't my belly look big?

I know I had a bigger belly to begin with than with any of my other pregnancies, but yowzers! So much for the "Your lower abdomen is probably just starting to protrude a bit now" that my WhatToExpect pregnancy app is telling me.

RANDOM PREGO THOUGHTS:

- I wonder how early this baby will arrive? I am due 2-22-12. Austin was 2 wks early, Noah 5 wks early, and Christian was 3 wks early.

- What I wish I could eat right now? A cold salad with thinly sliced ribeye steak (cooked medium, chilled) with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Mayo is gross. Mustard and jalapenos are yum.

- I wonder how different labor will be at 36 years old compared to 29 years old when Christian was born. Anyone want to chime in with their own experience?

- Two delivery options here in Guam. The one hospital where you don't ever want to go when you're sick but people say it's okay to have a baby there... and a birthing center that offers pain management (I guess it's wishful thinking to think that means epidural?). My ob/gyn delivers at both... I am leaning towards birthing center since it would be more comfortable for my boys, but man, I did love my epidural with Christian! Never had it with Austin and wanted it but didn't get it with Noah.

Even though I am on my laptop in bed, it's time for me to rest again. Bleh. We are still living in the hotel... 2 months and counting... but our household goods should arrive on island tonight. A week to clear customs and then we are outta here! I can't wait to be settled, have a kitchen, our own space, that beautiful view...

Hey all you older moms or those that have a big gap of years between your kids (like you Heather!), any advice to share?

28 comments:

KarenW said...

I was pregnant with Holly at age 35. It was much harder than Gabriel and Hannah. But labor and delivery was easier. I reduced my labor by 3 hours with each child. Gabriel was 9 hours, Hannah was 6 and Holly was 3. Always wonder what it would have been if we had another. . .

You look great!

rural momma said...

Can't help you with the pregancy after 30 adivce, but I wanted to say that you look great!! :o) I know you feel yukky, but that will pass. :o) Hang in there!! :O)

Tami said...

You are so beautiful! I love pregnancy pics!!! I had two children in my 20's, and I had four children in my 40's. I was 38 when I had my last baby. I had the tired-during-the-first-trimester thing, but I remember the second trimester being better on most everything. But my third trimester was plagued with high blood pressure. (I had that in 4 of the 6 pregnancies.) What I love is that I had more patience and knowledge for my last baby. I will say that we have spoiled him rotten, and we all love him to pieces. So be prepared for that. :-) There is 15 years difference between my oldest and youngest. They are great pals. Love ya!

Bonita said...

Marsha, you are so beautiful! I know you don't feel that way, but you're a knockout mommy!

I don't have any advice for you about having kids at older ages. I was 31 with my last one, but I felt a hundred.

Jen said...

There is 8 1/2 years between my second and third child, and there will be 11 1/2 between my oldest and the one I am expecting any day now. Honestly, it has been such a big help, having the older two! They adore their little sister and are excited about their new baby brother. Pregnancy just seems to get easier for me as I get older - I had maybe 2 days with more than a hint of queasiness this time around. My last labor was only about 4 hours (down from 14). We'll see how long this one takes!

Dawn Camp said...

Unfun, maybe, but adorable, definitely! What a cute dress. :)
I guess I count as one of those older moms since I had AMA (advanced maternal age) scrawled all over the charts for my last 3 babies (at 35, 37, and 39 years). Honestly, I didn't think delivery was any different than at 20. I would say my delivery at 37 years was possibly the best (and that's without that epidural, if it makes you feel better).
Will you find out if it's a boy or a girl?

Lesley Peck said...

You look BEAUTIFUL!!! I want to touch your belly. :)

I love the baby bump. Are you sure there's just one? LOL <3 ya!!

I've heard the more kids you have the faster the bump arrives. I don't know I only had 2 and never had a full-on baby bump. I was weird you could still see my waist. I just looked really fat. :( I was much bigger when I had Matthew than Gracie but I do think you show faster.

I was extremely tired when pregnant with Matthew. I slept all the time. And had these horrid hot flashes where I'd literally see lights and feel as if I were going to pass out. Gracie was a big help with that. Cold wash cloth and a bottle of water.

Hmmm, I'm guessing this little one will arrive 4 wks early :) I'd think you might be able to get an epidural at the birthing center. But do you have your babies fast? Cause my bff has 4 kids and she had her last one in like less than an hour. She was terrified she would have her in the car. ;) Go as early as possible! At the first twinge. And you *might* make it in time.

Don't you just love all my great (scary) stories? ;) I am praying you get settled soon and are able to eat your yummy salad. I've been thinking of you lots. {{hugs}}

oh and as for the years...Gracie was 5 years older and it was a bit difficult. Her being an only child for so long..but I think your boys will do great. They are old enough and will adjust well.

Love ya!!!

Jac said...

No advice on labour here- they've been scheduled c sections since the triplets and my failed vbac... but I did find recovery time got longer as I got older.

That being said, I was also a very, very boring mom for the 8-16 week period! You'll be back to normal before you know it! And your baby bump- is adorable! :)

I get asked if Im due "any day now" from about 7 months on... ha! I measure waaaay bigger than my tiny babies. :P

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

First of all, you look totally adorable!

No experience here in the 30-something pregnancies -- but I'd love to join the club. ;)

Susan said...

Oh look at you. So cute. With each baby the belly bump starts earlier. I had. All three of my girls after 30. You'll do fine. Your still young. Glad you found the energy to take a picture and document this occasion. Hey what if baby was born on 1-12-12. Or 2-12-12. Those would be cool birthday dates. How long does it take to mail something to Guam ? Cause you know Im going to want to send a baby gift!

Unknown said...

Marsha,
You look beautiful! I had no idea you were 36. You look like you're still in your 20s. Keep posting about your cute belly. I love it.

Amico Dio said...

eeeeeeee!!!! You are so doggone cute! I want to touch the baby belly! :)

You know my last little man kicked my bootay. My best advice is sleep: a lot! Being pregnant at 35 the one thing I wasn't prepared for was the label "high risk" and all of the tests and procedures associated with it. Maybe it will be better for you since you are in Guam. The labor was a nightmare but I had special circumstances. Otherwise I was much more prepared mentally.

The one thing about having a little bebe past your 20s is that I think you treasure the little things more. You may not have the energy to chase after them like you did with the older ones but you certainly won't take any moments for granted. That is what I love most about this go 'round.

Do you ever wonder if Christian already knows his new bubba or sister? I often wonder things like that. :)

Lorri said...

I had my last baby at 40 and there is 12 years between my oldest and youngest. The largest gap between any of my children is 5 years old.

I have to say that what was harder than labor was the pregnancy itself. At 28, I had so much more energy and time. I could sleep when I wanted and not worry about anyone else. At 40 I had had 3 other children who needed care and schooling. It was tough.

Having a 12 year old and a 10 year old is so helpful. And when the 2nd to youngest is 5, it makes a big difference than when it was the oldest who was 5. Just in terms of getting out of the house, everyone takes care of themselves and I have someone to hold the baby while I run to the bathroom. Everyone gets in the car and buckles in while I take care of the baby.

What is more difficult is having to tote the baby around to soccer practice and dance class, even if it is nap time. My 12 year old isn't quite confident enough to left alone with the baby.

Christine said...

I love your belly. Can't wait to rub it! :) You do look great. It's ok to just sleep and sleep and sleep. Remember all of advice we dole out? Sleep now because you won't be able to later. :) I think you'll do great and you have big boys to help you! Miss you bunches and bunches and bunches. I love you!

Gwen T said...

Well, I definitely qualify as an older mom since I'm pregnant and 39 currently, but since this means 8 kids in 14 years, I guess I haven't really had any big gaps. :)

However, being an older mom, I think I appreciate these moments even more - I certainly enjoyed my babies when I was in my 20s, but there's just a deeper sense of gratitude for these amazing blessings that God gives. It's also a huge difference to have the older kids - a blessing you're experiencing too! They get so excited about the baby coming and they are such a huge help when I get big and miserable toward the end of pregnancy. As well as helping a lot with the new baby.

Plus they say funny things to people in church - like with my last pregnancy my 8yo son told someone "When our new baby is born, we won't have to help Mom get up off the couch anymore!" :)

Btw, you look adorable!!

Stefanie said...

I saw on Jimmie's blog that you live on Guam so I had to stop by. We were there for three years.

Now I'm hungry for some red rice. Mmmm...

I had my kids at 29 and 36. The labor wasn't much different (woot for drugs!) but I was soooo much more tired and achey during my pregnancy. I was sick as a dog for the duration of both pregnancies, hooray for consistency.

My advice is to nap when you can and ask for help when you need it. You will need it. That was a bitter pill for me to swallow because I don't like asking for help but I wouldn't have survived if I hadn't. Hubby was deployed when I gave birth so it was a necessity or my sweet oldest would have starved and my house would have never gotten on packed. (Did I mention that I moved during that deployment too? LOL)

And now that I think about it, waking up with baby in the middle of the night was much harder to recover from the second time around. So remember those naps.

Melissa Stover said...

pregnancy #4 was my worst. i was sicker than the others, the labor was the worst and i was huge. HUGE.

all that said, i'm sure you'll do fantastic. i never had a baby early. lucky you.

Karin Katherine said...

Way to go calling out all the OLDER Moms Marsha! lol

Well, I'm probably your oldest friend! I had cutie pie at 37 and really it was all good. Don't worry about that part.

The exhaustion is really something you notice more because you have kids to school and do things for.

I am predicting a girl because you are so sick and tired. My girls KICKED MY BUTT in pregnancy...and continue to give me a run for my money! ha ha

Love ya,
K

Tracy said...

Cute Baby BUMP! :)

LilTanGurl said...

you're so cute! pregnancy looks fabulous on you! <3

ByHISgoodGrace said...

Hi Marsha, I'm thinking there's more than one in there?!? You look beautiful! I had my first one at 25 and Willow was just born last year when I was 35.5. Big difference was energy I guess. But, I think having the older boys 10, 8 at the time she was born, really was amazing. We all really love her together as a family. It's an awesome shared love. We had a couple of really rough years in between with three deaths in our family, so her new little life was definitely restorative joy for us. Of course because the boys are a little older, they want to help like crazy. It is awesome to have the extra hands to go grab a baggie for a bad diaper! or more wipes, or whatever you need. Thanks for posting the pic, it is awesome to be able to share in your "adventure."

Leanne said...

Ummm....Marshy, my first thought on seeing your belly bump was.....

TWINS??? I will freak out if that's the case....(sigh and scream and be so happy and envious!!)

And, I'm an "older mom" too. My hardest pregnancy was with the twins. Everything was magnified and I had horrendous morning (all day) sickness for the first time....but labor was a breeze. Really.

You are going to do awesome, no matter what you decide. I bet it is bewildering being somewhere you are unfamiliar with??

You will be so glad there is a large gap in age between your boys when they get a bit older because they can help with everything. Trust me on this one!! I bet your boys will be a huge help to you even now.

I love you and think about you all the time, for real!!

Dana said...

Labor wasn't any harder as I got older, but pregnancy sure was! Until my last one, but that had nothing to do with age. I lost a lot of flexibility in my hip after an infection and that is important somehow in having a baby. Micah's head got stuck and he just wasn't coming.

Virginia said...

Wow! So cute! I had my first at 26 and my last (?) at 36 so I hear you. I really did notice how tired I was, especially after not sleeping well toward the end. But the labor was MUCH easier. Maybe because I'd been through more hard times, that labor was a breeze?? :D Really, the last pregnancies were harder, but the labor was easier, so maybe that's my input. So excited for you! Love your blog!

GammySel said...

Sent you an email... Did you get it?
Angie
www.helpmeettosam.com

Amy said...

2/22! That's MY birthday!!!! I have always loved having a birthday on 2/22. My 2nd born has a birthday of 2/2. Funny, huh?

You are adorable! Your cute litte bump in that adorable dress makes me want to do it again! I am 36 right now, so I feel like I could maybe squeeze one more in.... I don't know. I have 3 boys, 8, 6, and 2.

I was very tired with that third one. I was just shy of turning 34 when he entered the world. It was definitely the hardest of the three pregnancies. I was VERY tired and SICK in the beginning. The last month or were hard as well. But, delivery (like everyone else is saying....) was much easier! And, it is AWESOME having older siblings around to help!

Hang in there! Enjoy this sweet chapter in your life. They go soooo quick!

Amy

Dana Wilson said...

Hi Marsha,
I agree that you look beautiful in that picture. Hang in there. I am an older mom and had my second at 37 as well. I can relate to feeling as big as a barn very soon into that pregnancy! :-) We have 3 1/2 years between our two and it has been great. They are still extremely close - due to God's mercy and homeschooling, I'm sure - and they are now 19 and 22.

May God bless and keep you during the rest of your pregnancy!

Dana

Sam said...

Hoping to know what pregnancy in 30's is like as well (will be 33 in Oct.). Are you carrying triplets? WOW!