9 Weeks Pregnant

So excited to be starting these weekly posts! My due date is August 1st, which is a Friday. I LOVED having a Friday due date with Britt and am glad this one is a Friday too…makes the weekly posts more fun to write when they are on a Friday for some reason 😉

Nickname: Each baby we use a nickname to refer to them throughout the pregnancy. Mostly, I just have the nickname for blogging reasons. It’s annoying to write he or she, him or her, etc over and over and I don’t like to refer to the baby as “it” all the time either. We called Kye “Clover” because my due date (March 12th) was near St Patrick’s Day. We called Britt “Blitzen” because my due date (Dec 9th) was kinda close to Christmas. Um. This baby isn’t due near any major holiday!!!

At first we thought it’d be fun to let the kids (meaning Kye) come up with a nickname. So we asked them in the car the other day and Kye said “Kayter.” Like Gator but with a “K.” We tried to get him to come up with another idea but he was stuck on Kayter. Just like he insisted on calling Britt “Isis” my entire pregnancy! Where does he come up with this stuff?

Zach’s birthday is August 7th and he made the suggestion to call this baby Leo because it will be his or her horoscope sign. How random is that knowledge? I actually had NEVER looked up my kids horoscope signs before? I checked into it and Leo is from July 23rd through August 22nd. Since I typically go early with my babies (Kye was a week early, Britt was three days early) I assume this baby will have a July birthday but I like that either way it will most likely be a Leo, regardless of birth month.  

I like that it’s a short nickname. Easy to spell and type (Blitzen always gave me trouble haha) and spellcheck won’t keep trying to correct it! I know it could be a real name…but people thought Clover and Blitzen were real names too. So who cares haha either way I KNOW I’ll have to correct people. And it also sounds more masculine than feminine…but Clover was more feminine to me and Blitzen was masculine so that is fine with me too. Plus I like that Zach thought of it and that it is meaningful to him since this baby will share that horoscope sign with his or her daddy! So, for now at least, Leo it is 😉

Baby Growth: This week the baby is about an inch long and is the size of a grape. Leo’s little tail is gone and he or she has all his or her limbs! And even little teeth are beginning to form! It is SO amazing to me how something so tiny can have SO MUCH power over my entire body!!!

My Symptoms: As I mentioned in my 8 week post I came down with some hardcore sickness. I took Tylenol to help with the fever but my cough got so bad. My ribs and stomach even ached from coughing so much. I could hear it settling in my lungs and read that bronchitis and pneumonia are super serious when pregnant so I decided to go to the walk-in clinic Monday (the 23rd) morning. 

Zach was working so I had both kids with me up there and I waited TWO HOURS for a room. Thankfully Casey came and took the kids home with her. My main concern was my chest, I was already on antibiotic for what we thought was strep throat. When they came in to check me though they did a flu test and it came back positive for Type A. I was shocked but assume it is probably what Kye had as well and that it just appeared to be a throat infection. 

I literally BROKE DOWN. I could barely talk from all the coughing and I was crying so hard. I was scared for my baby. Frustrated to be sick for Christmas. Heartbroken that I couldn’t give Kye and Britt an awesome Christmas. And just TIRED of being sick. At that point I’d already been sick for 6 days. 

The doctor told me that I needed to take Tamiflu (prescription they have for the flu) and to notify my midwife about it right away. They confirmed that I needed to take it, even though it might not help me since I’d been sick for so long. What is ironic is I actually planned to get the flu shot! They don’t let you do it until the second trimester though! Oh well!

I do NOT like to take meds while pregnant. Hello, I do natural childbirth for a reason!!! But I was miserable and at some point needing to take the meds for my health, and the babies health, overrode my desire not to take anything. I was told to continue to finish out the penicillin and to take the Tamiflu. I took Tylenol to keep my fever down and I took one dose of Robitussin at night right before bed to help my cough. I also used a little Vicks Rub on my chest and neck before bed each night so I could fall asleep. 

Kye and Britt made these signs for me! Kye told Casey he wanted to do his backwards but it says “Get Better” and when Casey asked Britt what she wanted to say she just kept saying “Cake! Cake!” So hilarious haha

I had been sick pretty much since we had gotten back from NYC. I am SO thankful that Zach and I got majority of our gifts wrapped prior to leaving for our trip. I literally couldn’t do anything. Zach came home from work right when I called him and told him I had the flu. He came home and finished up all the wrapping we had left and cleaned the house for me. I had been putting off all my last minute Christmas stuff just hoping each day that I’d feel better. I’m so thankful for him and for Casey! She also helped clean up and between the two of them I was WELL cared for 🙂

The stack of gifts Zach wrapped!

I had to skip out on the Christmas festivities on the 23rd but the morning of the 24th I was able to function and enjoy the day! I just finished my antibiotic yesterday (Dec 27th) and still have a lingering bit of a cough but am sleeping MUCH better and more able to notice my pregnancy symptoms!

This pregnancy so far eating has been tough. I’m never hungry. Nothing sounds yummy. Not even Christmas Cookies which I usually chow DOWN on (I have eaten ONE! Only one!). I am drinking a LOTTTT of water. And I drink a meal replacement shake each morning for breakfast. I force myself to eat a little something for lunch and dinner but I’m thankful for this chill time where Zach is home and that he enjoys preparing meals. I literally gagged making the kids lunch the other day. 

Up until this week I didn’t have any “morning sickness.” I felt like it must be the meal replacement shakes and that I drink it within 20 minutes of waking up. But these past few days I feel sick all day, even after drinking the shake. Zach and I both fell asleep on the couch last night watching tv and I woke up to come to bed and literally did a mad dash for the toilet, thinking I’d puke. 

My boobs still aren’t tender at all which is so shocking to me! I am still having random back pains but I am  being so lazy that they aren’t too often right now! I also am sitting on the toilet, a LOT. My stomach is super messed up all the time and it’s awful. Usually Zach never says anything about the bathroom stinking but I have to make sure to run the fan right now haha. Maybe it’s from the antibiotics in my system?

With both prior pregnancies I was an emotional roller coaster at this week, but I don’t feel that way this time? I’m too lazy and tired and sick feeling to have much emotions!!!

Weight: I haven’t weighed myself but at the walk-in clinic I was down several pounds, even fully dressed with shoes. I def feel less bloated and like my clothes are fitting better.

Gender: As usual, we will NOT be finding out the sex! We already have one of each so this baby has ZERO pressure. Poor baby #4 will have some mega pressure 😉 This time around I didn’t do any tricks to try to get a boy or a girl either. Personally, I’d prefer it to be a girl because I like the idea of Britt having a sister close to her age. Zach would rather it be a boy because he wants Kye to have a brother and needs a break from the “girl drama” haha. We, obviously, will be overjoyed either way!

Maternity Clothes: While I haven’t gotten any down from the attic, I am being mindful when I go shopping about what I buy. I liked to wear non-maternity clothes while pregnant with Britt so I try to buy things that will fit me throughout the pregnancy. I’m pretty pumped b/c I have all of my maternity clothes, some of Crissy’s, all of Robyn’s, and all of my friend Aundrea’s! My attic is CRAMMED with maternity stuff so I should be good to go this pregnancy!

Movement: Too early! But I cannot WAIT to feel it! Best feeling in the WORLD!

Sleep: Ugh I love to sleep. I’m still sleeping on my stomach and am comfortable that way for now. I was uncomfortable for a little bit a few weeks ago but I can fall asleep QUICKLY now. And I’m sleeping very deep which is nice. No funky dreams, yet, but I’m sure they will come. I am waking in the night to pee usually once. I am very very very lazy. I have no energy. No motivation. Basically I’d sleep all day if I could!

Cravings: Blech. Food is gross. I do crave water which is a good thing! And for awhile there I was wanting some hot chocolate every night before bed. As far as food cravings, the only thing I ever really “crave” so far has been waffles. 

What I Miss: Energy!!!

Best Moment of the Week: Telling Kye the news, announcing it to the family, and telling the world! It was SO hard to keep it a secret (especially from my friends!) so it’s great to be able to talk openly about it. And it’s especially awesome to be able to talk about it at home now that Kye knows. Zach and I can pray for the baby during our family prayer times rather than using “code” in our prayers haha. 

Kye is excited about it and says he wants it to be a sister and then the next baby can be a brother. Britt is also excited which surprised me at her young age! She says “take baby out!” when we talk about it 😉 She also told me that she has a baby in her belly! I am excited to see them both in the roles as older siblings. I KNOW Kye is gonna be a HUGE help! And Britt has been having plenty of practice with her baby dolls!

I have also enjoyed being LAZY this week. We have no post-holiday plans and just relax together! It’s awesome and exactly what I needed. I’m thankful to be on the mend from all this sickness junk (and thankful it skipped Britt and Zach!) and we had a wonderful Christmas!

Questions or Concerns: I’m nervous about all the meds in my system. I’m scared that it could have harmed the baby. I wish I could get another ultrasound NOW. 

The idea of having three kids is overwhelming for both Zach and I. Yes, we planned this. Yes, we want this. But we are both mega nervous about it too! I feel like EVERYONE has horror stories about how crazy life gets once you’re outnumbered and I’m nervous for it!

Surprisingly I am NOT nervous yet about delivery? I feel like the third one should totally just fall out right? I pushed for 3 hours with Kye but then only 20 min with Britt. Now that I’m feeling better I plan to get on the elliptical and start Bradley stuff!

I LOVE having Casey as a resource! Since it’s her first time being pregnant she has time to research every little thing and I LOVE that perspective. So much stuff changes and she is helping me stay on my toes! She mentioned to me that canned tuna should be heated before I eat it. Anyone else heard that??? For awhile I was craving peanut butter, tuna fish, and honey sandwiches (I know, it’s random, I love it) but I don’t like the idea of heating the tuna? Same thing with the chicken we use in chicken salad…since it’s canned it should be heated? I knew that about lunch meat but I’d never heard it about canned goods?

Robyn also mentioned she had all her family get the whooping cough vaccine when she had Cooper and that a doctor told her they won’t need to get it again to be around new babies. I would assume that’s right but wanna ask to make sure at my next appointment! 

Goals for Next Week: Continue to drink water constantly. Start on the elliptical and with Bradley workouts. Rest!

Belly Stickers: I really, really LOVE the belly stickers I have this pregnancy! I had to special order the ones with Britt b/c they weren’t nearly as common then and no one made ones for each week. The only ones I could find were for every 4th week or something like that. This time I found TONS of options for stickers and they were WAY cheaper!!! 

I really wanted something that stands out so I went simple! I ordered them from Pink Texas Designs and the set came with a sticker for each week and I love the variety of colors and designs! The seller was SO sweet when I mentioned my blog…she has given me an extra set to give away to one lucky reader!!! The giveaway set is also one sticker for each week AND is multicolored with a cute, chevron pattern! I will pick a winner on my 10 Weeks Pregnant post next week! To enter to win just leave me a comment on this post saying you want to be entered 🙂 

I should have also added a goal for next week…to get my spray tan on. Whew, I look SO SICK!

You can look back at what I had going on during this week of pregnancy with Britt here! I didn’t keep as good of track of my pregnancy with Kye (I just wasn’t an organized blogger yet haha) but here is a post I wrote around my 9th week!

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Emily Parker

Hey Y'all, I'm Emily! I'm a stay at home mom and consider parenting to be my passion. Disney is my happiest place and I love making memories as a family together. I'm a big believer in transparency and share all of my real-life moments as a mother of four.

My work has been featured on Love What Matters, Today Parenting and Babywise.Life. I'm also honored to be a member of the Babywise Friendly Blog Network.

You can read more about our family on my About Me page. Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

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