38 weeks — and it’s finally close enough for us to do the gender guessing game you all have been begging for. So, if you want to play along, leave a comment with your gender guess. I’ll be revealing the answer after the baby is born!
Highlights
I had another OB appointment and ultrasound on Thursday. Baby got another 8 out of 8 score and everything looks great! I’ve definitely dropped even more (though you can’t tell from my picture!) and I doubt I’ll drop anymore before the birth considering the pelvic pressure I’m experiencing!
Notable
I’m having more contractions this week — which I’m all, “Bring ‘em on!” Because it seems like all the contractions I have in the weeks leading up to the birth really have helped my births be so much faster and easier in the past.
I’m officially on Maternity Leave as of this weekend! The plan is for me to be on leave through the end of May.
I’ve never, ever had a Maternity Leave before (in fact, I’ve always been back to work within 24-36 hours of my births — something I do not recommend), so I’m not even sure how to do it, but I’m excited to have this opportunity to rest, recuperate, savor my babies, and just take time to recover slowly.
(In case you’re wondering, I’ll still be online a little bit — I’ll be around on instagram and I’ll be writing a few content posts on the blog each week. We also have quite a few content posts pre-scheduled — some from me and some that are guest posts. But the plan is for me to only work around 2 hours/day max — as I have time and energy — versus my usual 8+ hours/day.)
Okay, there’s my update for this week! What’s your gender guess? I can’t wait to hear — you’ve got a 50% chance of being right. 😉
By the way, a lot of people have been asking for pictures from previous pregnancies. I have almost zero of them because I rarely took photos back then and, if I did, I was rarely in them. But I did dig up this one from Kaitlynn’s pregnancy. I was 38 weeks here.
The girls learned how to cut Jesse’s hair this week — and ended up doing a GREAT job on it!
(Kathrynne — 2 1/2 — holding Kaitlynn when she was a brand-new baby.)
(Kathrynne — 4 1/2 — holding Silas the week he was born.)
Just shy of 11 years ago, I had a 4-year-old, 23-month-old, and a newborn. Jesse was just starting his law firm. I was working full-time from home. And life was overwhelming.
I loved being a mom, don’t get me wrong, but it was a LOT of work. Someone constantly needed me for something. I never got even close to enough sleep. I was hopelessly behind on laundry. There were always messes. And did I mention being tired?!
Fast forward to today when these three are now 15, almost 13, and almost 11 — and y’all, all those hard early years of motherhood have paid off in huge dividends.
These three need almost zero help from me… in fact, they are now the ones helping me! They’ve been doing a lot of the cooking, cleaning, and dishes + taking care of all their virtual schoolwork, changing diapers, feeding bottles, loving on Champ, and even staying up at night or getting up in the morning to take care of him so I can get enough sleep.
Not only are they huge helps and contributors to our family, but they are SO fun to hang out with! I can’t get enough of their sarcasm, humor, deep thoughts, great questions, and honest assessments of life.
Also, getting to watch your babes all grown up and taking care of another tiny human with such love and tenderness just might be one of the most rewarding things ever as a mom.
Mamas of littles: I know the days are long and the nights are short right now. It’s exhausting and you might sometimes wonder if it’s really worth all the effort and sacrifice.
I’m here to tell that it is EVERY BIT WORTH IT. Don’t give up!
Vanessa says
A boy is my guess.May God bless you and your family I am a long time follower.You have blessed me and my family.Thank you for all you do.
Lisette says
I am team pink! but more importantly, prayers for a quick, smooth and safe delivery!
Julie says
I can’t believe you are only two weeks away!!! I have enjoyed following your pregnancy. and the pics you have posted today of your little girls with their big blue eyes are beautiful. I’m guessing BOY so that you have 2 of each.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Suzanne says
Girl
Tammy says
If you take the pic of Kathrynne holding Silas and duplicate/copy it and then crop the new pic to lower the top down to just below his chin you get a very strong love bond of 4 hands…infant, older sibling’s two hands and a daddy (?) hand with the older siblings arm on the left to naturally frame the pic. Seeing that “accidental” image as I was scrolling spoke very strongly to me. Love… pride… nutured… nuturing… caring… belonging… loved… held… wanted… 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for sharing that!
Debbie says
My guess would be a boy. Prayers for a healthy baby and easier delivery regardless of gender.
Guest says
This is personal so I completely understand if you don’t want to share. Thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. 😉 I’m curious how this pregnancy has been different mentally/emotionally without financial stress. My parents had me when they were in their early 20s and money was tight all through my childhood. My husband and I had our kids in our 30s, both worked, both make good incomes and though parenting has been hard in many ways, the financial side hasn’t been a challenge (thankfully) we’ve had to spend much time being concerned about. Sometimes I think we’ve worried about things that aren’t really important BECAUSE we weren’t worrying about serious things like finances. Anyway, I’m rambling now but if you ever feel like sharing, I’d love to hear if you feel there’s been a difference in your experience.
Crystal Paine says
Hmm, great question. I don’t think it’s really been that different mentally/emotionally… finances surrounding the birth/baby honestly wasn’t something I worried about with any of the pregnancies. We were actually blessed to have good insurance with all of them so the actual costs of the birth wasn’t a big financial drain. With Kathrynne, we didn’t have $$ to buy anything for her except for (I think) a pack of diapers and a blanket. But people were so generous and we didn’t end up needing to buy anything for her until she was 9 months old! We got to see God provide in some pretty amazing ways! Now, I know with Kaitlynn’s pregnancy, there was a LOT of uncertainty near the end because we knew Jesse’s job was in jeopardy and then my postpartum recovery period was when we really hit rock bottom in our marriage as a result of my fears over finances and him not having a job. But that was after I had already given birth.
I think the only thing that’s different with this pregnancy is it’s the first time I can truly take a maternity leave… because we just weren’t in a financial position for me to do so before and I didn’t have any help with running the business and we needed to weekly income from it to help pay our bills. We had a little more wiggle room with Silas, but I still was the only one running the business and I was the bread winner at that point, so the thought of taking a break from it just seemed like it might end up being a really unwise business decision in the long run. Looking back, I don’t know… but I do know that his birth (and the overwhelm I felt) pushed me to finally be ready to hire on help and that ended up really changing the business to be in a much, much stronger position today!
Bethany says
I think you are having a girl! The picture looks like you dropped, so I am thinking by end of week. 😅
Carolyn Biles says
There seems to be more baby girls now than boys. But I hope God gives you a bouncing baby boy! I enjoy your site. Take care of yourself & enjoy your beautiful family! God’s blessings.
Sandy says
It’s a boy!
Mariah says
Girl 🎀
Chris says
Guessing girl. Love seeing the pictures of your young kids. I remember when Kaitlynn and Silas were born. Hard to believe I have been following you that long. I think it is a testament to your writing. And I feel your genuine kindness also in what you write. And the deals, of course. So amazing that you are still making a full time income online and also have people working for you. I have enjoyed following your journey.
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for being such a longtime follower!
Connie says
A boy!
Charity Crawford says
Girk.
K says
I’m guessing BOY!
Lea says
I’ll also say a boy, so Silas (and Champ) can have a little brother.
Prayers and blessings to you in these last weeks of pregnancy – I remember my parents having to work together to haul me out of the car for my last appointment (I was having twins and made it to 38 weeks!). My belly was so big I just couldn’t get my feet under me to push myself up! I think I was more tired then than after delivery!
Lea
Need Anap says
My guess is boy! Praying for a healthy baby and safe delivery!!
Catt says
I’m guessing it’s a girl! I’m pretty sure Silas is wanting a little brother. Regardless, I pray that your little blessing is healthy and happy, and that your delivery is safe and easy. God bless you all!
Beth L. says
I’m guessing it’s a boy! Either way, I’m praying for a safe and easy delivery for you.
Clare C. says
I know you’d be thrilled with either gender, but I remember my older son’s excitement when our youngest child was born and he finally had a brother to go along with his 2 sisters. So, for Silas’ sake, I am hoping for a boy. 🙂
Julie Swihart says
You look amazing! I’m guessing a boy.
Sarah says
Totally voting GIRL!
Brenda says
By the way you are carrying I’m betting you are having a girl. God bless you and your family I pray for an easy labor/delivery.
Crystal Paine says
I always carry my babies the same. 🙂 Or at least I think so because it looks/feels exactly the same to me!
Stephanie says
Praying for all of you, Crystal!!! This is such an exciting time!!!!💜💜💜
My guess is this angel is a boy simply based on how you were carrying your sweet baby girl years ago! FYI my boys are 9 years apart—I loved having extra help when my youngest was born!
Crystal Paine says
It’s interesting, because I think that I was carrying almost exactly the same (except this baby is lower than that baby)… I should try to re-stage that photo with a similar shirt and angle and see what everyone else thinks!
Wendi Bollinger says
I am gonna guess boy! Prayers for a safe & quick delivery! Love that you allow us a peak into your lives!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for your encouragement!
Patti Smith says
You look even prettier and younger now! Aging in reverse!!! So happy to hear everything is going so well for you and your family. Take Care and Prayers for you and yours!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you! I think I look pretty tired and worn down in that older picture and I was! (I was severely anemic and that was actually taken right before I left to get admitted to the hospital to be induced.) It’s crazy to think that was almost 13 years ago!
Diane says
My guess is a boy!
Tiffani Wilson says
Boy is my guess. 🙂
Very excited for you all!
Crystal Paine says
You’ve got a 50% chance of being right! 🙂
Jennifer says
Guessing a boy! Praying for a safe delivery.
Cheryl says
Wishing you and the family and the new little one (my guess, a boy) God’s blessings in the next few weeks! I have a Senior daughter who’ll be going away to college in the Fall and a soon to be Junior-son. I agree with you that yes sometimes it was hard when they were little but it is so worth it. As parents, we guide and lead and prepare them to be on their own, with God’s help and guidance. It is nice to see how your family is doing too. Take care!
Crystal Paine says
Such good words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
Denise says
Is Champ still with you guys? If so, I hope he is doing well. And if not I hope that you’re all doing okay with the ups and downs of fostering.
Crystal Paine says
YES! He’s doing so well and we just love him so much! He will likely be with us for at least a few more months — although you never know! (If you follow me on Instagram, I often share more pics/videos with him there!)
Kimberly M. Hutmacher says
I’m guessing that you’re having a girl! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
You’ve got a 50% chance of being right!
Joann says
I will say it’s a boy!
Leanne says
I’m guessing it’s a boy! You are carrying it so differently from the way that you carried Kathrynne. I love the pictures of your kids when they were younger. Am praying for a safe and easy delivery.
Crystal Paine says
I think I was carrying exactly the same, the angle is just different and you can’t see my legs in the picture so it looks like I was lower. The one difference would be that the baby I’m carrying now is is actually currently lower than it was in that old picture… because I actually was induced the next day (due to severe anemia issues!) and the baby was up high and it was a really hard birth because I wasn’t dilated at all, etc. I’m dilated already and the baby is really low (of course, that doesn’t mean a lot since I walked around with Silas at +3 station — almost crowning!!)
Heather says
I thought the exact same, haha!
Missy says
Girl! It looks like you’re carrying pretty high. 🙂
Toney Sanchez says
Girl
Susan Pflederer says
Based on the amount pink baby sale posts, I’m going to guess you’re having a girl
Crystal Paine says
Ha! I don’t pick or post the sale items or the pictures here for those — my team does and they don’t know what I’m having. So no hints there. 🙂