A 4th reason to catch up:

Yes, it's true!  We discovered on July 4th weekend (very early on) that we are expecting our 4th little bundle of joy!  While we have always thought 4 was a great number, the Lord's timing was a tiny bit sooner than we expected.  We couldn't be more excited!  Abby will be just past 18 months when little peanut is born in early March. 


After filling in family and some friends, we announced our pregnancy to the rest of our friends via Facebook using a puzzle sequence of my profile pictures: 

First:

Then:

and finally, 

Fun, huh?

Announcing the arrival of...

Abigail Grace McDonald!


(ok, so, we've already announced it, but read on, there are pictures attached!!)

One morning, bright dark and early, Scott and I traveled to a local hospital to induce labor on our 3rd child. After going in the wrong doors and the back-way through the ER to be admitted, we came to a labor/delivery room to prepare. We discovered I was already in labor! (Funny, you'd think I'd know it after two other labors/births)

We were so excited to finally reach the day when we'd meet and hold our sweet girl! The nurse looked at me while we were sitting there doing the prerequisite paperwork and asked if my other two kids were red-heads also. (? Maybe the room's lighting was bringing out the 40-or-so red hairs I have mixed in with blonde, brown, and, yes, white.) We began preparations and got settled. We saw my doctor, whom I really like! (Have I mentioned that before?) Pitocin was administered to speed things along. By 10:30 am and at least 5 hrs of close contractions, I inquired about when an epidural would be advisable. I wasn't miserable, but I knew things were progressing. I had experienced two perfect epidurals before, but my only concern was that I'd had friends whose epidurals had worn off when labor stalled. (I was told that doesn't happen.)

The epidural was administered by a funny but strange anesthesiologist. I loved being able to relax. Sweet girl was not "descending" quickly, and when epidural wore off (yup, wore off), I got an additional dose of a different med, which was VERY effective for a good while.

About the time that wore off (12 hours of labor at this point- come on sweet girl!), the L/D wing was bustling with lots and lots of deliveries, and we were getting excitedly anxious because we knew ours was imminent. My doctor, nurse, and the student nurse were occupied by lots of calls and a delivery next door, so when I knew it was time to deliver, imagine the conversation as I'm repeatedly saying "I have to push" and Scott's saying "Please don't push. It's just me in here. PLEASE."

Our doc made it just in time and it was only a moment before we beheld Abby with our own eyes for the first time! Praise the Lord! The pain wasn't all that bad, and there's something about birth that makes the recollection go away. Sweet Abby was 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 in long with an arrival time after 6 pm.

Wanna see our little Blessing #3?

Not much crying at first, until...

...cleanup made her mad. But not for long.

Quiet bonding with Mama. Tongue out over and over again. Silly cute little thing.

Goofy and somewhat disheveled big sis and big bro in their apropos attire.

Caleb immediately wanted to hold her, but the first thing he said after climbing up on the bed with me was... "How'd she get out of there anyway?"

Sweet big brother

Anna was apprehensive at first, so Mimi helped calm her.

Then she "sort-of" held her... for about 3 seconds.

Getting a checkup in the nursery

Sweet sleeping babe in her clear plastic hospital nursery crib

Going home outfit

Not liking being dressed in going home outfit

snuggly warm and ready to go home!

Mark this date...

Monday is the day! Most of you will be reading this on Monday, so expect forthcoming news of baby Abby's arrival!

Either Scott or I will be offering occasional updates via Twitter (you can see my account updates at the right of this page) and Facebook (which receives my Twitter updates).

We are scheduled to start the induction process at 6am, so pray for a quick and easy and healthy delivery! :)

The next blog post that appears should have a picture of our sweet girl! You might even get a sneak peek at her via pictures posted on Twitter if you're watching!

We're excited and eager and anxious and relieved that the day is here. Thanks for checking in with us!

Abby-less Abby Update

It's T-minus-a-day-and-a-little-more until the official induction time for baby Abby. Yesterday's doctor appointment showed she was healthy, I'm measuring more than 42 weeks along -- even though I'm just 39 weeks, and for those of you who are pregnancy familiar, we're at 2.5 cm.

The only negative was my doctor having to issue a strong caveat that I'm jeopardizing my own health if I don't confine myself to the couch or bed at this point. Ah, good ol' Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. I thought I'd left you behind after the last two pregnancies. Decided to make a last ditch effort to appear this time around, did you? So, while I'm not in severe danger due to high blood pressure, I very well could reach that point if I don't submit to the order of bed rest.

Now to avoid cabin fever and stir-craziness while awaiting the arrival of our sweet girl! I've already cleared out my massive Unread Items list on my Google Reader, made a couple of blog posts, and played numerous games of electronic Sudoku. Perhaps I'll drive my Facebook friends crazy with notifications from all the random quizzes I can take... just kidding.

Or not.

BabyAbby is...

the size of a...

Not one of those "personal size" ones, mind you! We're talking the full-sized variety
.

Ahem... the kind that, were you to strap one to your midsection, would make getting up and down off a couch quite the side-show. Bending over to help a three-year-old becomes a barrel of laughs... for bystanders. :)




I quickly reached the point a few weeks ago where I was sure I'd be pregnant forever. I would have jumped at the opportunity to safely induce labor early -- a week or two early . I'm past all that now... I'm seriously eager to meet our baby girl, but I'm content in knowing that the Lord has ordained the day she'll be born, either on her own, or on the 24th of this month, when we're scheduled to be induced just few days early!

I'm content to let our little "bun" cook as long as the doctor will allow her to, and that will likely be until that Monday, due to her size as estimated by ultrasound (at 38 weeks, already 7.5 pounds!) and due to the fact that my pregnancy related hypertension has shown up this pregnancy like it did with the other two (but to a lesser degree).

Given that fact, here is where I'll be for much of the next 8 days...

(not actually my couch in this photo)

per doctor's orders.

I'll keep you informed!

Hoffs Drawlar

For those of you who continue (like us) to be lost when it comes to LOST, this title's for you!

(unscramble the title and it spells "Flash Forward")

Thanks for tolerating all of the flashbacks as I attempt to get caught up to the present!

It's time for an Abby update!

Last week's doctor appointment began with the doc (whom I LOVE, have I mentioned that already?) asking how things were going, measuring me, and saying "Oh, you poor thing" with a smile. Now, most of you know I've been measuring ahead of schedule because of the more than generous-sized "swimming pool" I've provided for Abby somehow. (extra amniotic fluid)

She confirmed that I'm still measuring full-term, but she made the comment that I'm not gaining size any longer, because it appears Abby has dropped. (aka, moved downward in preparation for birth, usually happens in the last few weeks or so) It also appears that for the time being, at least, Abby is now situated properly: head down! Before we all celebrate, realize that she still has plenty of room to move around and flip again if she's feeling ornery.

I'm scheduled for a 36 wk ultrasound in a week and a half, so we'll know more by then. Just wanted to flash forward and give you an update!

Now back to your regularly scheduled flashbacks... :)

Can you believe?

AAaaaaaaagh. Take a look at the baby ticker above... Can you believe it's just about 6 weeks (or less!) until Abby is here?!?!?! I'm just sayin'...

BabyAbby is a ....

Honeydew Melon by now!

If you read my last Abby post, you'll remember that she still has an above-average amount of space in which to flip, turn, and perform other feats of strength and acrobatics. I'll find out next week (34 weeks) if she is still Breech (head-up vertically instead of head-down and in ready position).

You can pray that she'll flip, if you're so inclined! I have several friends who are experts at having C-sections, but having not had one myself, I'd much rather stick with what I know... Sooooo, the plan is that if she hasn't flipped by 37 weeks, we may attempt an ECV, or external cephalic version, which involves manipulating the baby's position from outside the belly. (I hear it's not that comfortable, but that it's more successful if this is a 2nd or 3rd, etc., pregnancy.) If it works, they'll induce me immediately so she doesn't have time to get ornery and go breech again. That's why I'd be thankful for a little intercession on our behalf!

Here's what the baby development site had to add about our little Honeydew:
Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

BabyAbby is a ....

Squash! (Gourd?) (Squashed?)We're smack-dab in the middle of month 7, and according to TheBump.com's How Big Is Baby list, Abby's:

energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

I notice her reacting with movement to sounds like the vacuum, loud drumbeats (though loud music in general makes her really still), and to sounds like water in the shower/at Anna's bathtime. She likes to kick a lot just as I'm setting down to sleep, but she doesn't wake me up during the middle of the night yet (but my shifting hips do!)

My most recent doctor appointment yielded some interesting conversation: Didn't I measure (fundal height -- aka measuring tape on belly) ahead of schedule with Caleb and Anna? Yes, about 3 wks ahead with each of them. Hmm.... (what does that "Hmm" mean?) We'll have to keep an eye on you. How far ahead am I measuring? 8 weeks ahead... at 28 weeks, you're measuring like you would with 4 weeks left. Huh.

That took me by surprise, since of all my pregnancies, this one is the one that I've gained the least personal weight with, and surprisingly enough, I don't always feel pregnant... even now!

Before you moms start throwing stuff at me in protest,

I definitely have days that I feel slow and heavy, and I'm tired almost every day, but there are some days where I have decent energy, little swelling, and aside from Abby's movements, I feel pretty good and think I can do more than I should physically. :)

So what does measuring big mean, then?
Right now, nothing. I do have a slightly larger than average amount of amniotic fluid (only slightly), which would cause my size. We noticed that when we attempted a 3D sonogram Wednesday. I say attempted because Abby was either deeply asleep or very stubborn and wouldn't turn from facing my spine to be seen. We'll try again Monday.

I'll keep you updated, and only the Lord knows when Abby's birthday will be, but I don't expect that it will be much (if at all) sooner than her August 28th-ish due date!

BabyAbby is an ....

Eggplant! :)


Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

I can't believe we're at the 6 month mark! I guess I've been so busy that the time has really flown. As I'm nearing the 3rd trimester, I notice that I'm slowing down a little bit physically. The fatigue is beginning to return, but otherwise, I feel great! Abby loves to kick right now, and her jabs are not uncomfortable yet. :)

BabyAbby is a ....

papayaWatch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. That little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

The site that posts these cute comparisons starts grouping them monthly instead of weekly at this point. I guess that's because sizes really begin to vary at this point. The doctor said last week that Abby is measuring 58th percentile at this point, so I guess find the mid-point above and add a tiny bit! :)

I'm still feeling pretty good. Maternity clothes have definitely taken over, as rubber-banding my jeans is no longer comfortable. We can occasionally feel Abby kick from outside my belly, but the kids haven't had the chance to feel it yet.

BabyGirlMac is now a...

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

(Supposedly all of the length measurements are now head-to-toe instead of head-to-rump from this week on. )

Our doctor (whom I LOVE, by the way) said everything looks healthy at this point. SweetBabyGirl is measuring 58th percentile for this point in development. She has been kicking up a storm lately, and three nights ago, Scott was able to feel her kick for the first time!

True confessions: I'm having a little difficulty processing that it's Sweet Girl instead of Sweet Boy, even though I knew my intuition could have been way off. Maybe if I say it enough it'll sink in. Don't get me wrong; I'm not disappointed! Caleb and Anna both had guessed it was a boy, and Caleb was more than a little disappointed. I think, though, that the main reason was because he had hoped to get bunkbeds if it was a boy!

(Little does he know that the ones I used to have growing up are at Mimi and Pawpaw's, just waiting for a certain someone's May birthday to come around!)

Any time we say something about having a baby girl, Anna is superquick to point out that we're wrong and she's "a BIG goor" now. I think we've sufficiently corrected this misunderstanding, but I fully expect to have to repeat it at least a dozen more times. :)

Well...

All we could see was...











some sugar and some spice and everything nice!!

BabyMac is...

a canteloupe and is halfway here! (give or take a few days) We're at week 20, and the sonogram takes place on Wednesday! Stay tuned for the official news, and in the meantime, register your guess in the poll on the right.

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

Thus the upcoming sonogram...let's hope BabyMac isn't modest!

TieBreaker for my TieBreaker

I just think it's funny that currently the poll has registered 7 votes:

3 think BabyMac is a girl
3 think BabyMac is a boy
1 can't decide.

It's okay to break the tie, people! :) BabyMac is the epitome of a tiebreaker!

BabyMac is a...

mango by now...

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

You didn't forget that we won't find out for another week and a half, did you? :) I like these measurements. Mind you, they're measuring Crown-to-Rump (that's top of head to bottom of bottom), so leg length is not included. That's half a foot and half a pound!

Don't forget to vote in the boy/girl poll on the right! ----------------->

BabyMac Update

We're having.............

a sweet potato!

No, we don't know what we're having yet. Any guesses? Answer the poll on the right!

Actually, I came across a cute site that lists baby's developmental stages by week in comparison to common fruits and vegetables to help make things easier to picture. Sweet, huh? Look for more updates each Friday!

The big day for finding out McBoy or McGirl will be April 15 (tax day). The poll will be open until that morning, then stay tuned for an announcement!!