28 Weeks Preggers with Lincoln!

I cannot believe that we are already in the third trimester with Lincoln!!! 

I had my first doctor’s appointment in a LONG TIME (7 weeks) on Thursday and it was so nice to hear the heartbeat. I mean this guy moves a TON so I knew that all was okay but still nice to hear!Next appointment will be in three weeks. 

So this is where things are standing currently… figured I would do a “traditional” update and see where I am comparing with my last few pregnancies…

Total Weight Gain/Measurements: 20 Lbs which is where I normally am at this point

Maternity Clothes: of course and probably about to go up a pant size, as with other pregnancies

Stretch Marks: Not yet… I had really thought that I was going to get them super early on this pregnancy since one popped up on my FINAL day of pregnancy with Gibson… Just figured that would start a trend but I guess that isn’t the case.

Sleep: HORRIBLE. That doesn’t allow for much actual sleep time. At home I do a bit better. I’m also a little more comfortable thanks to my new Snoogle and I think that I am going to start bringing it on the road… Might as well if it will help me to sleep better.

Miss anything: Wine and Sushi

Movements: ALL the time. Right before bed seems to be the most active time.

Cravings? Yogurt, plums, and granola top the list and I no longer have an aversion to fruit snacks… so those are back in the mix

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions any time I don’t’ have enough water or if my bladder is too full. Major back pains if I’m on my feet a lot during the day. I think that is what is contributing to my hard time sleeping too.

Belly Button in or out?? Still an Innie at this point and no Line Negra

Wedding rings? On… I don’t tend to swell too much

Mood: Okay… I find myself in a funk sometimes but I think that is less pregnancy related and more to do with trying to find the time to “do it all.” I know that it is an unobtainable goal you… there is no such thing as work life balance! Also, being a parent of a pre-teen is HARD!  

Looking forward to??? Starting to take it a little easier… I’ve decided that this will be my last International Trip with the Secretary of Defense. The time zone changes are really rough on my body and that combined with the fact that the next trip that we are looking to do was a TWO week one about a month out from my due date… It is going to be super hard to miss that final international trip but I cannot take the risk of having Lincoln, early, on an airplane or in a third world country. Should he come a month early in the U.S. we would be okay with modern medicine… over the Atlantic… not so many guarantees. 

I still have three domestic trips which will take me up until the end of November though so Lincoln will still get some additional miles under his belt… Just not on the E4B or C-17.

Highlight of the week… SOOOOO… When I was this far along with Hunter I was getting ready for my bestie Holly’s wedding shower! At this stage with Gibson… Getting ready for her Baby shower for her little boy Ethan… and now this week she has welcomed her SECOND child! A beautiful little girl Ella!

Wishing that she was here in Virginia and not California!!!

Baby Park at 21 Weeks & a Name!

Cannot believe that we are already halfway through this pregnancy!

We hit that 21 week mark last Saturday and I am shocked! This pregnancy is just flying by thanks to keeping busy with the other three kiddos that we already have AND all of the work trips.

This week we had an ultrasound appointment and an appointment with my AMAZING doctor, James Kacedan! It was so great to see our little man, to hear his heartbeat, and to know that all is tracking perfectly. My doctor says that I'm his easiest patient and that I can have as many babies as I want... no thanks! I'm thinking this might be it...

Excited to also say that we have a name for the little guy and just to warn you please love it or hate it...

Lincoln Thomas Park

Yes... Lincoln Park... but NOT like the band... and yes, I know that there is a band...

How did we come up with the name??? Honestly... Etsy! I was on a work trip and signed onto the website to find a gift for a friend who is having a little guy and saw the below photo and thought.. WOW I love that name!

Via

The middle name, Thomas, is after Matt's father.

We are very excited to welcome little Lincoln in January of next year... just stick in that belly for, at LEAST, 17 more weeks!

Park Party of SIX... at week 17!

It has been FOREVER since I have done a blog post and we have had some big changes in the Park household!

Yup, family of six and at this point I'm already 17 Weeks... just a little shy of the half way mark! I cannot believe how fast time has been flying. Probably due to the fact that we have a busy household with three kids already and I've continued to keep busy at work... no let up in the travel department.


Here are a few things about this forth pregnancy:

• I HATE GUSHERS and other fruit snacks. When I bite into a pack all I can taste are the chemicals and after eating them I have an aftertaste that lasts for hours. This is a crazy development for me because I typically can down an entire box in under 10 minutes... no, that is not an exaggeration and not something that I'm proud of.
• I always forget how the first trimester really kicks you in the butt! My energy has only increased in the last two weeks. For that first trimester I was going to sleep the second I got the boys down to bed at 7:30... I mean Emma was tucking ME into bed! 
• I don't have any food aversions but food in general has been making me feel sick until about the last week or so... Cooking dinner was like torture. I was only making things that could be made in about 15 minutes max. 
• The bump popped out SUPER early (I mean this is number 4) so everyone at work was able to tell before the end of the first trimester. A number of people were betting on twins... nope just one! 
• Sad to say I have been horrible about documenting things this pregnancy.... no weekly photos and blog posts. 
• We learned super early on, from a blood test, that we are going to welcome another little man into the family. Apparently that is all the Park men are capable of producing :-) I'm happy about it though! 
• I think that we are settled on a name... but going to wait to share until we do so with Matt's parents, in person, at the end of the month. 
• The boys are SUPER excited and ask if the baby can come out now, on a daily basis. In fact Gibson and Hunter called me out at about week 8... Gibson came up to me, touched my belly, and said, "mommy you belly is big." Hunter heard that exchange and looked at me with the biggest smile and exclaimed, "Mommy do you have a BABY in there?"... Well yes I do! Cannot get anything past these boys. 
• Emma is happy that she is going to remain the only girl for now. Princess of the house!