Traves is Back to Work...well kind of.

Traves and I have heard on several occasions that the transition from two kids to three is the hardest.  Now we understand why even those who are trying for a girl or boy, whichever they don't have yet, give up after the third child. 

Traves's first day back went really well for me at home with all three kids.  Our schedule has been crazy.  Toby slept in until noon and Teagan slept most of the afternoon.  Today was another story.  Tia was up all night.  I get didn't get to bed until 6 am this morning.  Poor Traves, stayed and worked from home all morning while watching the kids so that I could get some sleep.

I was hoping to get a nap this afternoon while Toby was at preschool, but Tia and Teagan's naps only overlapped by 30 minutes.  I did sleep during that time, but was really hoping for more.

I am feeling energizing by my workouts.  Traves has been watching the kids in the evening long enough for me to get in 30 minutes on the elipical.  Some well needed destress time.  How did you cope with this transition???

Finally Home From Hospital With New Baby

The long awaited arrival is finally here.  She was born very quickly after the doctor broke my water...less than one and half hours.  I am very grateful for short labors.  She was my largest baby so far at 8 pounds 5 ounces.  She and I are both doing very well.

I had forgotten how hard the first night at home is.  Everything goes so well when there is always a nurse around to help.  Taking care of a newborn is hard enough; breastfeeding a newborn is even more challenging.  It does get easier with each child since I am more experienced, but there is always a learning curve with each new baby.

One more week with my wonderful husband at home.  He learns more and gains more at home responsibilities with each baby.  He is a great help.  I wonder how long it will take for the kids and I to get into a good routine after Traves goes back to work.  Once that is figured out, it will ne time to figure out how to git some regular exercise onto my daily routine to get in shape.

Waiting For Labor to Begin

I hate waiting for labor to begin.  With all three pregnancies I have been dilated at least 3 cm at least a week before labor.  With my first the doctor broke my water to help get labor started all most a week past my due date.  I was dilated to 5 cm for several weeks before.  Labor contractions began about four hours later and my son was born about five hours after the contractions started.  I did not have any drug to induce the contractions or an epidural.
My second labor started on its own at 38 and 1/2 weeks.  I was already dilated to 3 cm for several days before it started and it lasted less than four hours.  I delivered in triage after only being at the hospital for 15 minutes.  I changed into the hospital gown and got on the bed for the nurse to check me.  She was asking if I wanted medication as she was checking and before I could answer she said, "never mind, you are already at 9 cm."  I could not wait any longer.  I had to push.  Two or three pushes later the nurser was holding the baby.  I am glad that there were no rooms available at my doctor's office at the time or I would have delivered in the doctor's office.
Now I am 39 weeks along with my third pregnancy and waiting and wondering if today is the day.  I have had some cramping and contractions with little or no pain, but no real signs of labor.  I was dilated between 3 and 4 cm at my last doctor's appointment.  I can't sleep well and the only thing I can think about is when is this baby coming.  My stomach feels so big it could explode.  The doctors are estimating that she will be between 7 and 8 lbs, but she feels huge to me.  My first was 8 pounds 2 ounces and my second was tiny  only 5 pounds 13 ounces.  I think that this baby is going to be really long.  She has already dropped and her bottom is still in my ribs.
Here are my questions:  How did you cope with the last few weeks of pregnancy?? and What was your first sign that labor was beginning?