Introducing.... REID JOHNSTEN LANEY

On the night of December 8, 2012... I started having a ton of contractions, but for me, that is truly nothing new. I didn't think anything of it, and because it was a Saturday night, I went ahead and took a terbutaline pill to help stop the contractions... but they didn't stop. I took a sleeping pill and started to doze off when I felt a pop and a gush.... I realized that my water had broken and I calmly woke Cal up and went down the hall to tell my mom. We got to the hospital at around 11:30 and because Reid was still in the breech position, he was here by 1:38 on December 9, 2012 via C-section.

 He is perfect and handsome...

 weighed 8 lbs and 11.7 oz

 and 20 3/4 inches long.

 His brother and sister are obsessed with him....

 mainly sister.... who thinks he is her baby doll.

Jack gets kisses on and off all day!

...And I do believe this is my favorite photo of all time! :)

38 weeks

38 weeks pregnant with Reid

37 weeks and 4 days pregnant with Jack and Lucy (delivered the next day)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: 19 inches from head to heel — and weighs around 6 lbs- size of a cantaloupe

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 30 lbs

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Name: Reid Johnsten Laney
Reid is my maiden name and Johnsten is a nod to Cal's late grandfather John Hozie Turner and his late Uncle Johnny. Also... Johnsten means "God's gracious gift" and I could not say it any better! :)

Movement: I feel him moving all of the time! There are no longer flips, I can feel him pushing and turning and I can almost discern what body part I am feeling. We have been trying and trying to get him to flip out of the breech position. I have laid upside down on ironing boards and stood on my head, but the boy will not move! I really think he is too big at this point!

Sleep: Sleep is still better with sleeping aids :)

What I miss: um... still miss WINE!!! (and being able to pop up off of the couch and bed easily)

Cravings: I have been ravenously hungry lately. I think I have eaten more Mexican and every kind of dip in the world during this pregnancy.

Symptoms: still have tons of braxton hicks... they are really starting to get uncomfortable... but there is no pattern to them and they aren't changing anything, so I am not worried with them!

Best Moment this month: I am just so grateful to have made it a few days longer than I did with the twins. I had them at 37 weeks and 5 days. They were full term and healthy, but I know that the longer he stays in there the better! :)

34 weeks!

This pregnancy is seriously 

34 weeks with Reid

34 weeks with the twins

 flying by! It seemed that the pregnancy with the twins drug on for ages and ages. I am sure it was bc I was immobile and stuck in a hospital room day in and day out... and I am super active this time with TWO 2 yr old toddlers! ha! The twins are really keeping me busy these days, from stomach bugs to the croup to viral colds... they have been a barrel of fun (not so much) ha! They are well now... praise God! I am almost 36 weeks now as I am finally posting this update. They and I have been sick for 2 weeks straight... it has been a ROUGH couple of weeks! I am getting ready for the end of the pregnancy now! ha! Although... I do know that this will be the easiest it will ever be to have 3 kids... one still safe and sound on the inside! LOL!
I had to run in to the emergency room the week I turned 34 weeks.... I had the stomach flu and had to get fluids because dehydration was causing hard, steady contractions. The IV fluids helped calm things down and we came on home. Cal had it too... while we were in the ER... no FUN! Bless his heart, he got up the next morning and fed the twins breakfast, etc... he is such a trooper.

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How Far Along: 34 weeks

 

Size of baby:  18 inches from head to heel —  and weighs around 5 lbs- size of a cantaloupe

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 25lbs

 

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses

 

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Name: Reid Johnsten Laney
Reid is my maiden name and Johnsten is a nod to Cal's late grandfather John Hozie Turner and his late Uncle Johnny. Also... Johnsten means "God's gracious gift" and I could not say it any better! :)

 

Movement: I feel him moving all of the time! There are no longer flips, I can feel him pushing and turning and I can almost discern what body part I am feeling.

 

Sleep: Sleep is still better with sleeping aids :)

 

What I miss: um... still miss WINE!!! (and being able to pop up off of the couch and bed easily)

 

Cravings: I have been ravenously hungry lately. I have been craving a cupcake...but for some reason, I haven't gotten one. ha

 

Symptoms: still have tons of braxton hicks... they are really starting to get uncomfortable... but there is no pattern to them and they aren't changing anything, so I am not worried with them!  

 

Best Moment this month: the best moment was turning 34 weeks and knowing that I made it without a hospital stay! I was sent home from the hospital around this time when I was pregnant with the twins. Just knowing that he could come any day now and be perfectly fine is a HUGE comfort. I have been so worried this time because of the contractions and all of our fears last time. This pregnancy has been a complete blessing! Praise GOD! :)



32 weeks



30 weeks with twins

30 weeks with Reid



32 weeks with Twins

32 weeks with Reid



So... I am seeing by comparing 30 weeks to 32 weeks that A LOT happened this week. Reid must have taken a HUGE growth spurt! ha! It has been a good month other than having a ton of braxton hicks AGAIN! ugh! Although... when pregnant with the twins, the contractions never stopped... they do stop now! I will sometimes have them 5 minutes apart, and it scares the mess out of me... but they stop, so that is a good thing! I went in and got all checked out and now have the reassurance that the contractions are not changing my cervix at all and Reid is all safe and cozy in there growing! I would just love to make it to 38 weeks again or beyond! God has His hand on this pregnancy and I am resting in Him!

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How Far Along: 32 weeks

 

Size of baby:  16.7 inches from head to heel — the length of a large jicama and weighed 4 lbs and 6 oz at our last doctors visit

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 25lbs

 

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses

 

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Name: Reid Johnsten Laney
Reid is my maiden name and Johnsten is a nod to Cal's late grandfather John Hozie Turner and his late Uncle Johnny. Also... Johnsten means "God's gracious gift" and I could not say it any better! :)

 

Movement: I feel him moving all of the time! There are no longer flips, I can feel him pushing and turning and I can almost discern what body part I am feeling.

 

Sleep: Sleep is still better with sleeping aids :)

What I miss: um... still  miss WINE!!! (and being able to pop up off of the couch and bed easily)

 

Cravings: no cravings really at this point. I have been a little extra hungry between meals, but no craving.

 

Symptoms: still a few braxton hicks here and there, and sciatic nerve pain comes and goes. I have found it really helpful to soak in an epson salt bath every night. It really helps with the muscle pain. I have had to start taking some meds to calm down the contractions, but no dialation or change... so no bedrest 

 

Best Moment this month: I was so grateful this month to have the ability to throw my sweet babies a birthday party. I would have never been able to do something like that previously pregnant with the twins. It is nice to not be so limited this time around.

28 weeks



28 weeks with Reid



28 weeks (in a hospital room) with the twins

So.... WOW is about all I can say when looking at this comparison pic. No wonder I was already in the hospital in pre-term labor! wow! I am actually closer to 30 weeks at right now while typing this... I still feel good and I am still chasing the twins! LOL... that part is NOT fun... but it is SO much better than sitting on an IV drip of magnesium...ha!
I have started having some braxton hicks, and of course, when I do it terrifies the daylights out of me. I know that it is SO normal to have them and that I wouldn't even know I was having them if I had not been so riddled with them in my previous pregnancy. They don't hurt nor do I really feel anything... I just feel like I am doing a crunch and I can physically feel my belly get hard. I never have more than 3-4 an hour and that is at the most. I usually only have 1 or 2 a day. Such a blessing!


Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of baby:  15 inches from head to heel — the length of a butternut squash and weighs almost 2.5 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 15 lbs

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses and shirts still (only a few regular now) :)

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Name: Reid Johnsten Laney
Reid is my maiden name and Johnsten is a nod to Cal's late grandfather John Hozie Turner and his late Uncle Johnny. Also... Johnsten means "God's gracious gift" and I could not say it any better! :)

Movement: I feel him moving all of the time! There are no longer flips, I can feel him pushing and turning and I can almost discern what body part I am feeling.

Sleep: Sleep has changed a bit this month. Reid is sitting on and pushing on my bladder, so I have been getting up and running to the restroom every five seconds. ha! I started taking some unisom to help me sleep through the night, so I can be a good mommy to Jack and Lucy.

What I miss: um... WINE!!! (and being able to pop up off of the couch and bed easily)

Cravings: no cravings really at this point. I have been a little extra hungry between meals, but no craving.

Symptoms: still a few braxton hicks here and there, and sciatic nerve pain comes and goes. I have found it really helpful to soak in an epson salt bath every night. It really helps with the muscle pain.  

 

Best Moment this month: I have really enjoyed feeling Reid moving around where it no longer feels like flutters, it feels like a real person moving around. I can feel his little knees and booty moving around.. so fun! 





clarifications! :)

I have to back up and make several clarifications....
OK, so after I posted the previous post, I got so many emails, calls, texts, messages, etc from people that I didn't even know read this blog! I was humbled, but also a bit embarrased, so I must clarify a few things!
The main reason I wrote that post was to just vent and I have always felt like writing was like therapy for me! I just love to pour my feelings out on paper (or computer screen) LOL. I am so appreciative of all of your kind words! I feel so blessed to have such supportive friends and friends that aren't scared to tell me the truth about how they feel about themselves as well. I feel like every momma in the world has felt like this at one time or another. Even if it is isn't about weight... I am sure that we all feel unatractive and "momish" at one point or another.
I realized something after reflecting on the post and also other's messages to me concerning the post. I don't think that I clarified that I was not talking about being pregnant with Reid as a reason for having more weight on me than normal... I was talking more about the weight that I put on with the twins. I WANT my belly to grown now! Trust me!! LOL I just didn't want to sound like a whiny baby about being pregnant... because that is not at all what I meant!
Also.... my "come to Jesus" moment was when I recieved a letter from a friend that literally took my breath away. She let me know that she was, in fact, that girl that was trapped in the first picture....

The girl in the cute dress with the wine glass that is waiting desperately for this...

(waiting for the husband as well) and then all of a suddent it hit me like a brick right between the eyes... When I look in the eyes of that girl in the top picture, I remember.... I remember a pain so sharp it can't be described with words. It was a pain that I didn't really know how to process. The girl in that top picture was trying to imgine her life never carrying children or even knowing what pregnancy would be like. I was wrapping my brain around what it would be like to adopt and accept the fact that I would not carry my own children. There is really no telling what thoughts were going on in my brain behind that smile in that picture. So... NO, I don't miss that girl every day... I might miss the figure that was a bit better than the one I am sporting now... ha... but I do NOT miss that girl! I am SO proud and happy and humbled to be having another precious life and 2 sweet little stinkers that call me MOMMY! That is what I dreamed of! That is what that girl in that top picture wanted more than anything in the whole world!

 

OK... with that said... I will leave with a few pics of those little blessings/stinkers.

 

1st day of school!

1st boat ride!

The REAL me

This is me... this is the me that I see in my head when I think of myself...

(this pic was taken just months before I got pregnant with J and L)

 ...and then, I look into the mirror, and I see this...

(ok.... i am crying as I type this)

This has been a huge pill for me to swallow. I don't want this post to seem in any way vain or ungrateful, because believe me, I am so very grateful. I just miss that girl in the above picture... A LOT... every single day! I am trying my best to grab a hold of who I am now, and love that person... but it is SO hard. I am exactly what I aways said that I didn't want to be, but at the same time, I AM exactly what I always wanted to be. It is bittersweet. I now have those 2 babies that are so happy to be testing out their baby brother's new crib in the pic above. I am so blessed to have another precious life on the way. I always wanted to be a mother, but I had "rose colored glasses" about how all of that would look.
All of that said... I have MAJOR body image issues that I have GOT to hand over to God. I have no idea why I put on so much weight when I got pg with the twins... maybe it was the bed rest, the artificial hormones, or genetics (surely not from my mom, though). I don't know why, but I straight up... BLEW UP! I always wanted to be that cute energetic, skinny mom. Most of my friends are that mom that I always dreamed of being, and I, for some reason am not! I tried SO hard after I had the twins... but nothing happened. Even breastfeeding didn't do very much. I did lose 65 lbs.. but I still had about 30 that just wouldn't come off. I am glad it didn't now... because Reid was secretly on his way.
I have had so many comments lately about my size, and I am not even talking about people that knew that girl in the top picture... I'm talking strangers and people that I just met. I just have to vent and write some of these comments down... Here are a few things I have heard as of late....

"OH! you are only 26 weeks, I thought you were going to say you were due next month"
"Wow! My daughter in law is just as far as you, and you are twice her size"
"Every time I see you, you are fat!" (a family member)
"OH! I saw pics of you on FB and you used to be TINY!"
"Adair.. now, I don't think you should get any bigger than you are now!" (a family member)
"Adair.... are you SURE this isn't twins too... it sure looks like it!"
"Does your doctor say he is worried... like, are you measuring big?"
"When you are done having babies... no more balloon shape! (insert laughter)"
The list goes ON and ON....

I have been sincerely shocked by the things that people will say! I still want to be pretty, and I want my husband to think I am pretty just like every other woman in America, but it is like people think that because I am pregnant, I have lost all of the woman that is in me. I just want to scream, "I AM STILL ME" I still have feelings and I don't want to hear that you think I am big.

I know all of the excuses and facts..... I am showing early, because my stomach muscles were torn from stem to stern bc of the twins. I had not lost all of my baby weight, etc, etc.... But now, my goal is to just embrace who I am, thank God for what He has allowed my body to do (which is more than I thought it could do), and move on. Yes! I DO have plans to have that muscle repaired and work like mad to get back to the healthy size that I once knew... but now, my goals for doing that MUST be different. I only need to focus on HEALTH... throw the vanity out the window.... but this will be a lifetime goal. God will have to do this through me.

24 weeks

24 weeks pregnant with Reid

25/almost 26 weeks pregnant with the twins

I get chills when I think about where I was at this point in my pregnancy with Jack and Lucy... I started going in and out of the hospital at 23 weeks with the twins, so I do not have a belly picture for those few weeks. I am missing 23-26, and this is the only pic I have of me during that time... I was almost 26 weeks. I have no idea why Cal took a pic of me with that awful food... but this is the only pic I have! ha!

I had my glucose test yesterday and PASSED! yay!

I am actually 25 weeks at this moment while updating, and I just can't stop thanking God for such a smooth pregnancy thus far. We went to Mississippi and the Bahamas and KY lake this month... so it has been a super busy one! I am glad to be back home and here to stay probably until we move next summer. Reid will be here in about 3 and a half months in December, and then I do not see myself travelling with 2 yr old twins and a newborn by myself! ha! But you never know... I am crazy like that! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby:  11.81 inches from head to heel — the length of an ear of corn and about 1.32 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 15 lbs

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses and shirts still.

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Name:  Reid Johnsten Laney
Reid is my maiden name and Johnsten is a nod to Cal late grandfather John Hozie Turner and his late Uncle Johnny. Also... Johnsten means "God's gracious gift" and I could not say it any better! :)

Movement: I feel him moving all of the time! It really is a new thing for me... with all of the contractions and with how squished J and L were.. I didn't get to feel them very much. This is so surreal to feel every little move!

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good! I am just tired of sleeping on my side... i love my tummy or my back.

What I miss: um... WINE!!!

Cravings: I have been craving more sweets lately! I am never really a sweets craver, but I have been lately!

Symptoms: a little heart burn and some sciatic nerve pain. yuck! I have felt a very few braxton hicks, but wouldn't have recognized them if I had not had so many contractions for so many months before. 

Best Moment this month: Snorkling, laying on the beach and enjoying life. I had a lot of moments on our recent vacation where I had to stop and reflect and just thank God over and over for allowing me the joy of pregnancy. Snorkling in the ocean during the same time in my pregnancy with the twins that I was being hooked up to IVs and monitors was a surreal and humbling feeling! I have nothing but gratitude!

20 weeks! Halfway there!!!

20 weeks pregnant with Reid!

20 weeks pregnant with Jack and Lucy!

So... now I can really tell which pregnancy picture is of me carrying twins vs a singleton! ha!
I still feel bigger than your avg 20 week pregnant person, but I have to remember how stretched my stomach was the 1st time.. and heck, it was just FIVE hot seconds ago that I was pregnant with J and L. ha! 
This pregnancy has been a breeze so far in comparison to my last. Taking care of the twins and feeling the yucky tiredness and other symptoms that go along with being pregnancy in general have not been all that fun, but I have no complaints! I am just so grateful for a healthy pregnancy this far and I am praying for only more health at this half way point. We had Reid's big 20 week scan and as the tech measured each little bone and brain measurements, etc... I just absolutely lost it, crying tears of joy as we saw our healthy baby boy squiggle and wiggle on the screen. Everything measured "perfectly" and we confirmed that he is still in fact a BOY! ha!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of baby:  1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana and about 10 1/2 ounces

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 10 lbs

Maternity Clothes: mostly all maternity... some regular dresses and shirts still.

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Movement: Cal got to feel Reid at 19 weeks- I feel him constantly! It is so different with just one baby! I can feel so much more!!! :) 

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good! I am just tired of sleeping on my side... i love my tummy or my back.

What I miss: um... WINE!!!

Cravings: I have been craving more sweets lately! I am never really a sweets craver, but I have been lately!  

Symptoms: no more throwing up at all! I have just been really tired and having a bit of heart burn.  

Best Moment this month: My favorite thing this month was watching Cal get to feel Reid! He didn't get to feel J and L much. I was contracting so much and they were so squished in there, they couldn't move much!

16 weeks



16 weeks pregnant with Reid

 Now.... I am starting to see a small difference between my pregnancy with J and L and this pregnancy... I was for sure a little "puffier" with J and L... but I am guessing since Jack and Lucy ripped my muscles wide open... I am just showing a tad more than your average 16 week pregnant person.. but that is A-Ok with me! At least the baby is growing healthy! :) 


16 weeks pregnant with Jack and Lucy

 We did find out some super exciting news this weekend! My next ultrasound at the Doctor's office isn't until August 6th, and I just simply could not handle waiting any longer before finding out the sex of this baby! I am AWFUL about things like this... and so is Cal... we can't hardly stand a wrapped present under the Christmas tree! ha! So, we went to a place here that you pay to get the ultrasound and immediately HE showed us that he is in fact a BOY!!!!! His name will be Reid but his full name will be announced later! :)

I am not sure if this is tacky or not.. but here is evidence of his "boy parts" ! ha

 ... and his cute little profile!

 Jack and Lucy did this little announcement for family and friends! Lucy looks like she is saying, "YAY, I'm still the only princess!!!"

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: just over 4 and a half inches long and about 3.5 ounces, the size of a avocado

Total Weight Gain/Loss: gained 2 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular.

Gender: It's a BOY!!!

Movement: I have felt him moving all around these past couple of weeks. He feels like he is doing a little dance in there! :)

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good! I am just tired of sleeping on my side... i love my tummy or my back.

What I miss: um... WINE!!! (and smoked salmon)

Cravings: I have craved pickles.. what?!? such a cliche'... but it is true! ha! I will literally stand at the refrigerator and drink the pickle juice.. it is like nectar! LOL

Symptoms: The throwing up really did stop around 12-13 weeks! I was so so so happy!! I don't           even feel pregnant right now, except for maybe being a little more tired than normal in the afternoons! The 107 degree heat isn't helping with that, though... ha 

Best Moment this month: watching the ultrasound and seeing him move all around, and of course,show us that he is in fact, a boy!

July 4

Happy Fourth of July!

We went out with the Rays the night before the 4th for part of our 4th of July celebration...

I can barely hold the both of them now. Pictures like this are few and far between these days.

 nice finger, Lucy...

 These kids are obsessed with their Daddy! Lord, have mercy... I am just minced meat when he is around! ha

 We went to Regatta Boathouse... the kids loved feeding the ducks and the little water fountain outside of the book store. (Well, all of the kids except Lucy... she has a thing against water) ha

 Jack, Lucy, Caroline and Madeline

Jack has a "small" crush on Caroline... bahaha

12 weeks with Peanut

12 weeks with "peanut"

12 weeks with Jack and Lucy

I do realize that there is not much of a difference in these pics, BUT I am doing a "catch-up post" and when I do my 16 week pic comparison... I bet there will be a huge difference! ha! I am 15 weeks at this moment... but I am planning on doing a post like this every 4 weeks... so my next one will be at 16 weeks!
I ALWAYS wanted to do this blog post and I am thoroughly confused as to why I never did this when I was pg with Jack and Lucy??? I guess it was just such a crazy pregnancy? I don't know... so here goes!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 12 weeks

Size of baby: just over 2 inches long, the size of a lime

Total Weight Gain/Loss: haven't gained anything so far

Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular.

Gender: We hope to find out in a few weeks!

Movement: I have felt this "peanut" very early! I felt fluttering this week (12 weeks)

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good!

What I miss: um... WINE!!! (and smoked salmon) 

Cravings: strawberry yogurt and cherry berry chiller from Mcdonalds? (weird)

  Symptoms: I have had afternoon sickness from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. At around 4 in the afternoon, it is like an alarm clock... I start getting sick!  

Best Moment this month: feeling the baby move for the first time! It is a slight flutter and it is amazing!

***2 new posts below! ...

Summer Lovin!

Summer LOVIN, had me a blast, Summer LOVIN, happened so fast!

Lucy LOVEs her Ava-doggie! (and I think the feeling is mutual)

 Jack LOVEs hammin it up and being the head man in charge

 They both LOVE lots and lots of pool time...

 They LOVEpretending to go "nite-nite"

Like I said... Lucy LOVES her Ava-doggie, and if the feeling wasn't mutual; this, my friends, would not happen:

 They LOVE making tents with Nonna

 They LOVE hangin with their "Dadaddy"

 They do not LOVE being sick... we had 2 weeks of sickies at the beginning of June.

 They LOVE swingin with their SuSu:

Here are just a few of the things we are "lovin" this summer. Jack and Lucy are more like little people now than babies. They tell me what they want and don't want and I have to say that I LOVE that! It makes the guessing game much less intense. They are both so smart it almost scares me. I know that every parent thinks their kiddos are smart, but I freak out when my 19 month old tells me the name of every letter on the refrigerator and the sound it makes AND a word to accompany that letter. I SWEAR I haven't been drilling letter.. I take no credit. I think it has a ton to do with "Super Why" and the computer games that they play! haha!

Our family is having to do a ton of praying, trusting and holding our heads up right now during this point in our lives. We are in a place of "limbo". Cal is done with Fellowship at exactly this time next year. We are moving next June and we have no clue where we are moving. Weird, unsettling feeling. It has been hard on me more now than it would have been before children. Now, to have 2 children and another one on the way and to not know where I am moving these precious angels is taking a toll on me, but I have to remember that is just the "planner" in me rearing it's ugly head. The GREAT and MIGHTY planner has it all under control and that is where I choose to rest. That is also where I choose to rest when people ask me, "HOW are you going to do this?? 26 month old twins and a new baby??" I rest in Him and I know that He will provide. He will make a way! He will give us the strength! It is funny to pray for answers, when in actuality, what good will it do for me to "know" anything right now... God knows and that is all that matters.

My job right now is to cherish the moment!

^*Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6