The Final and Third Trimester: Joys, Struggles, and Surprises

Welcome back Dear readers!

It’s been a minute since my last post—life has a sneaky way of getting busier, especially when you're growing a tiny human!

Now that I’m officially in the third trimester, it’s like the final lap of a marathon, complete with a unique blend of challenges and joys I didn’t quite expect.

The Reality of the Third Trimester

Celebrating Growth

As we eagerly await the arrival of our baby girl, we're bubbling with love and excitement. The anticipation of meeting her is like the best kind of countdown, and it’s been an incredible reminder of my lifelong dream to have children. This whole experience has only reaffirmed that I was meant to be a mom.

One of the highlights? Watching my baby bump grow and feeling our little one’s movements almost all the time. Her kicks and wiggles bring a special kind of joy, even if they sometimes poke my ribs with the enthusiasm of a toddler at a candy store. Seeing her grow and feeling her presence is simply amazing.

Fatigue and Physical Struggles

But let’s not sugarcoat it—the third trimester also comes with its share of “fun” challenges.

The extreme fatigue has turned even the simplest tasks into Herculean feats. Add in tachycardia, a stomach rash, and migraines from medication, and you have a recipe for feeling less than glamorous.

The pain in my hips while sleeping, courtesy of the hormone relaxin, has been particularly disruptive. Despite its soothing name, relaxin doesn’t exactly make me feel chill. It’s like the universe’s joke on expecting mothers—“Let’s call it relaxin, but let’s make sure she doesn’t get any actual relaxation.”These lovely symptoms have made me a bit more emotional, but with Sami’s steadfast support and love, I’m finding my way back to calm and confidence.

Preparation and Progress

Amidst these hurdles, I’ve been diving into a birth course, The Birth Box by Poppy Child, which has been a real game-changer. This preparation is helping me feel more ready for the big day, even with all the physical bumps along the way.

We’re also incredibly close to hitting our financial goal for the hospital, which feels like a massive win and brings a sense of relief.

Finding a New Gynecologist

In our last blogpost, we happily shared that we've found the perfect gynecologist. This joy ended rather abruptly after our first visit unfortunately...

Once again, this lead to our gynecologist search to be, shall we say, an adventure with another dramatic turn. Finding a new one this late in the pregnancy hasn’t been the smoothest ride, so we decided to settle on the hospital’s doctor, who unfortunately doesn’t speak English.

To bridge the gap, we translated our birth plan into Spanish, and Sami is learning all he can about our birth preferences. He’s determined to minimize translation drama during labor, which is a huge relief.

Knowing Sami is so invested in understanding every detail makes me feel incredibly supported and calm.

We’re delighted that most of our birth plan has been embraced by the hospital. The only hiccup is that cord blood banking isn’t available, but we’re choosing to focus on the positives and are excitedly anticipating our little Chiquitita’s debut.

The Final Countdown: Preparing for Baby’s Arrival

As we near the finish line, our focus is shifting to getting everything ready for the baby’s arrival. We’re deep into the baby gear checklist and postpartum essentials. From tiny clothes to the must-have baby items, each purchase feels like a step closer to welcoming our new family member.

However, the embarrassing truth is, we haven’t even managed to fully unpack after moving to Sami’s family’s place over a month ago. Clearly, we’re experts in the fine art of procrastination and chaos.

Now, as we scramble to prepare for the baby, every unorganized box and misplaced item feels like a personal challenge. Deep-cleaning the house and organizing everything? More like an Olympic sport at this point. With fatigue setting in, it’s a juggling act worthy of a circus. Yet, amidst the pandemonium, there’s a glimmer of anticipation and joy that makes it all worthwhile.

After all, who needs a perfectly organized home when you have the excitement of a new baby on the way?

Honest Reflections

As I eagerly await the arrival of our baby girl, I’m overflowing with love and excitement. The thought of finally meeting her is a source of pure joy and wonder.

However, let’s keep it real for a moment… 

While my heart is set on our baby, I can’t say I’m exactly enjoying the pregnancy experience. The physical and mental challenges have been nothing short of an extreme sport.

Yet, despite the endless discomfort and fatigue, it’s all undeniably worth it, and without a doubt something we're planning on going through again.

The love I already feel for our daughter makes every struggle seem like a mere speed bump on the road to motherhood. I can’t wait to meet her, get to know her, and teach her all about life’s wonders. This journey, with its rollercoaster of ups and downs, is a testament to the unconditional love and dedication I have for her. It reaffirms that everything we’re going through is leading to a beautiful new chapter in our lives.

Looking Ahead

As we waltz into the final weeks of pregnancy, it’s time to wrap up preparations and savor these last moments before diving headfirst into the grand adventure of parenthood.

I’m incredibly grateful for this journey so far, with all its unexpected turns and curveballs. Each twist and turn, from the dizzying highs to the heart-wrenching lows, has made this experience uniquely ours and has deepened my appreciation for the miracle of bringing a new life into the world.

And let’s not forget, we’ve had the joy of celebrating not one, but two more pregnancies and two births! 

One of my dear friends recently announced her pregnancy, and just days later, my sister joined the party with her own exciting news. I’m thrilled to follow along on their unique journeys. 

My cousin welcomed her first child recently and generously shared her amazing birth story with me. And as if that wasn’t enough, our family dog decided to add a touch of chaos with her own little litter of seven puppies. 

We’re truly celebrating love, motherhood, and family life this year.

Join the Conversation!

As we round off this update for you, we want to invite you to spill the beans on your own third-trimester escapades or drop some words of encouragement. We'd love to hear from you, wonderful readers!

Your stories and support are like a warm hug in this rollercoaster ride we’re on.

If you’re feeling extra generous and want to sprinkle some more love our way, you can still donate via PayPal below or browse our work-in-progress Amazon baby registry here for the essentials we’re still hunting for.

Remember, all contributions that exceed our needs, will be donated to other families in need.

A huge thanks for your patience with this blog post and for all the amazing contributions—whether it’s cash, gifts, kind words, or just checking in to see how we’re faring. We’ve got some big plans on the horizon and can’t wait to fill you in on what’s next!

With love and anticipation

Melany