Baby #2: 20 weeks (June 25, 2014) & 21 weeks (July 2, 2014)

I have been really slacking on writing my weekly posts, so I missed 20 weeks, but got 21 weeks! 

Photo thoughts: No one is mistaking I’m pregnant these days! Getting big!

Size of baby: A Pomegranate! 10.5inches long and 12.7 oz. Baby continues to gulp down amniotic fluid and practice breathing motions and its taste buds are working!

Cravings/Aversions:  Everything sounds good. Trying to be better about eating healthy because I’ve been in a convience rut…just wanting food NOW instead of taking the time to prepare a full meal. LOOOVING caprese salads lately though...

What I'm loving: FULL ON kicks. As in – baby is a trapeze artist flipping around in there. Grant can feel the movements from the outside. Still trying to get Edrie to feel them.

What I'm anticipating the most: Seeing our kids interact. Been thinking more and more about their relationship and how exciting that is going to be to see. Edrie is sooo excited to be a big sister and I can’t wait to see her in that role and how our family evolves with more than one kid to focus on.

Missing anything? Still feeling like it’d be nice to fit into my clothes. I might need to make an underwear/bra/top shopping trip soon. Almost all of my t-shirts are only long enough to cover my belly button and my strapless bra cuts off my circulation. I pulled out a few pairs of underwear that seemed so huge from when I was prego with E and put them on. It was like breathing a sigh of relief.. apparently I was squeezing into my non prego pairs a bit too long.

Worries: Feeling pretty confident everything will be ok. Still a bit concerned about how I will do working up until the end as it is already a bit rough after my stretch. Just sore tailbone, swollen feet, etc. Trying to dispel all my worries about pre-term labor…they are mostly in the back of my mind and I haven’t had much pain from my surgery site so I’m hoping it will hold strong and not give me any troubles.

Differences between pregnancies: Feeling baby’s BIG kicks. Edrie’s placenta was anterior so I don’t think I ever felt her in the way I feel this baby. Its so much more pronounced. I LOVE IT.

How I'm feeling: No big complaints. I wish I was more active – feel a bit lazy lately and I think that is mostly due to how busy we are and me not taking the time to walk/run. Maybe a change is in order soon.

Sleep: Continue to sleep well. Tonight I feel asleep putting E down and now its 3am and I can’t fall back to sleep. Most nights I have no issues though!

Movement: Like I said – its awesome. Baby is such a mover and shaker we saw full on flips when we had our ultrasound last week. Can’t wait for Edrie to feel some!

The Bump: My belly button is almost flush…I think I am still in denial that I am pregnant sometimes. I felt so weird when I was big in the beginning I still have a hard time getting over that and feeling ‘legit’. Probably also due to my major distraction from the pregnancy (i.e. Edrie and house)

Milestones: Tastebuds !! Getting SO BIG!

Names: Thought I should mention some names we are considering. So far our top girl names are Aela (pronounced A-la) and Miri. I love them both but thing that Aela sounds better when paired with Edrie. I might play with the spelling so it makes more sense. Grant likes Miri better but likes them both. For boys we are pretty stumped and our choices change often. Current top runners are Alden and Cohen. We would like to use the middle name of Eugene for a boy but no real middle name thoughts for girls.

Best Moment of the Week: Having Grant feel baby move. That is always so special. He is not one to get too attached before baby comes, but I’ve noticed a general difference in his acknowledgement of the pregnancy lately…must be how big I’m getting. More belly touches, more comments on his ‘pregnant wife’ etc.

Ultrasound: We had our 20 week ultrasound last week and it was SO MUCH FUN to see the baby. It feels like it didn’t even happen. Everything in life feels like that lately – maybe that is a message that I need to slow down. Anyway… Baby was an acrobat and was folded in half tucked REALLY low most of the time. I remember Edrie’s 20 week ultrasound being difficult too. I had to move in all sorts of different ways for the sonographer to see the different organs and he never was able to determine sex. Things were exactly the same for this babe… I think my babies like to sit low and breech. Everything looked good, but we have to go back next week to try to get a few more views of the heart and kidneys. She tried to check sex just for the chart and to be sure the anatomy looked good, but she couldn’t even see that! I was tempted to find out what we are having, but I guess it doesn’t matter!

Baby #2: 18 weeks (June 11, 2014) & 19 weeks (June 18, 2014)

I didn't get a chance to write a post for 18 weeks, but I did (remarkably) take pictures! (pregnant with Edrie at 18 weeks)

 

Photo thoughts: If this is what 19 weeks looks like… what is 38 weeks going to look like? I feel good, but am slightly concerned about the belly size. (ALTHOUGH, I’m over being TOLD, “you’re bigger than my friend who is due next week” as if that is something you should ever say to anyone… )I do like how all three of us are in this picture though.

Size of baby: A mango! 6 in, 8.5 oz

 Cravings/Aversions:  Been really into fresh fruit still and loving deli sandwiches… I know those are supposed to be off the list, but I feel ok about eating lunch meat when I can just as easily get sick from spinach or a food cart. Otherwise, LOVING the small sips of Grant’s beer I take here and there. Really looking forward to a cold one when this kid is on the other side!

What I'm loving: More discussions in public about the baby and feeling more and more ‘legit’ in my pregnancy. I was big so early I felt weird, but now I’m feeling like I can own it.

What I'm anticipating the most: Nesting in our new house (fingers crossed!!!) Really starting to think about what I want to gather and get and take out for this baby. Its all going to be a cluster in the last few weeks of the pregnancy, but I feel ok with that. I’ll be less ok if we aren’t back in the house…

Missing anything? Fitting in clothes. Feeling like much of what I put on these days is tight in the wrong places. My hips/butt must be enlarging because even some of my yoga pants feel uncomfortable in the butt. Often, I feel like symptoms like this kind of evolve so maybe it will improve??

Worries: 20 week ultrasound coming up and I’m really nervous they will find something. The last thing we need right now is a pregnancy complication. Beyond that I am REALLY looking forward to seeing the baby again.

Differences between pregnancies: Working. When I was pregnant with Edrie we moved early in my second trimester from the Midwest so I didn’t work at this point or further. (And I didn’t have to go back to work until she was 6 months old…) I’m starting to feel the strain after work. My tailbone is SO SORE by the end of my two-day stretch that I can barely sit down and my feet have been very sore. I also think I need to purchase come compression socks to help with my lower leg edema. They are all normal complaints of pregnancy, but just not something I am familiar with because I took it so easy with E. I think I need to do better with self-care…resting at work between pt cares, putting my feet up a bit in the middle of the night to  help with the edema, icing my feet/tailbone between shifts and after, buying the socks. I’m hoping if I work at it a bit I can feel better. I felt pretty rough after just one night this week and it made me start to worry I wouldn’t be able to work all the way through. That would be quite the kink…(edrie at 19 weeks)

How I'm feeling: Really good. Other than the things I feel during/after work I’m mostly just big. Some general exhaustion, heartburn, etc, but mostly just big and good.

Sleep: No real issues. My carpal tunnel has been better the past few weeks so I think I’m sleeping better. I also have that pillow when I need it.

Movement: Kicks are getting MUCH bigger. I’ve felt a few on the outside so I’m just holding my breath until Edrie and Grant feel one. Edrie is going to be so excited when that happens!

The Bump: Just big. Okay with it, but pretty big. People are mostly really gracious and don’t say much about it, but I get the occasional person who likes to scoff and be amazed I’m not having twins. I’ll be interested to see how much weight I’ve gained since my last appointment.  

Milestones: Getting coated in vernix and growing hair! Baby is mostly proportional and has all its parts..now just needs to GROW and develop all those parts!

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling baby kicks from the outside of my belly. Pretty amazing to have a human being growing inside of you!

 

Baby #2: 17 weeks (June 4, 2014)

 

 

Size of baby: An Onion! 5 ounces… I feel like we are really having a growth spurt lately

Cravings/Aversions:  Nothing is really bothering me or not. I guess I’m craving more greasy/bad for you food than anything else, but still eating and enjoying lots of healthy stuff too. I did notice that potato chips do not sit well and at this time with Edrie I had wicked heartburn, which hasn’t shown up yet. Maybe this baby will be a baldy!

What I'm loving: The big belly. Its seriously getting SO BIG. Having some growth spurts lately. Also had a few uncomfortable and emotional days making me realize I still have a long road!

What I'm anticipating the most: Summer pregnant!  No worries about sucking it in!! HA!

Missing anything? I’m over alcohol-its been so long I’m realizing I don’t even miss it anymore. I’m back to coffee daily… kind of wish I’d kick that habit.

Worries: Had a few days were I haven’t felt as many kicks and started to really worry, but I’ve always been happily surprised by a kick. When I check the heartrate with the Doppler its always right there. I’m doing that less and less – maybe every other week or so since I can feel baby.

Differences between pregnancies: Feeling good like I did with Edrie – just everything is happening sooner – bigger, carpal tunnel, etc. Glad to be avoiding the heart burn though!  Pregnant with Edrie at 17 weeks

How I'm feeling: Good, most days. I had one day last week where I felt like I remember feeling toward the end of my pregnancy with Edrie – like I couldn’t push my belly out of my lungs. Just really full and tight up high. Must have been a growth spurt day, because I’ve been feeling better. Days like that scare me because I still have 5 months! I’m also trying to start thinking about what we will need/want before baby comes and what the nursery will look like.

Sleep: Not actively or fully waking but I think my carpal tunnel is affecting me because my hands are numb in the morning and I don’t feel well rested. I bought a snoogle body pillow to help position myself a bit better and am going to try arnica cream and ice to see if they help.

Movement: Love feeling baby move and its still very obvious kicks! Helps me feel more connected and a good reminder of why I’m so big!   

The Bump: Still big and getting bigger. Its definitely firming up which I appreciate…not a big fan of huge, squishy belly. I’m full time in maternity clothes and loving that – they are so comfortable! Makes up for the discomfort that pregnancy brings!

Milestones: Turning cartilage into bone and starting to make sweat glands!

Best Moment of the Week: When Edrie asks to ‘cuddle with my baby’ its so cute. She wraps herself around my belly and talks about the baby and how she wishes it would come out. She is fully convinced it’s a girl… gonna be a bit of a turn around if it’s a boy!   

Baby #2: 16 weeks (May 28, 2014)

Size of baby: An Avocado! 4.5inches and 3.5 ounces! Getting bigger!

Cravings/Aversions:  I’m just really into food. I want to eat all day. Still figuring out what works for lunch and I NEED to work on making dinners more. The kitchen in this apartment sicks me out and doesn’t encourage cooking. Plus, we can’t grill here – we have to get food to grill at the house so we aren’t doing it very much.

What I'm loving: Feeling legitimately pregnant. I was so big so early I almost felt like I was faking it. Now it feels more warranted. I also love that Edrie totally gets this whole thing. She’s still wrapping her head around why baby can’t come out, but she totally gets that we are having a baby and that its already impacting her/our life.

What I'm anticipating the most: Getting to enjoy our new house with all FOUR of us. I can’t imagine how different it will feel to be in our house this time around. Its going to feel so clean. I never decorated or did much with Edrie on the floor because everything felt so impermanent and dirty. I think it will feel much more homey and CLEAN. Can’t wait.

Missing anything? Not really. Feeling good about coffee again so I can’t really complain.

Worries: Been more worried about something big and bad showing up at the 20 week ultrasound. Or something happening after that. I think that has a lot to do with my work – I just see all the possibilities and I know they are rare, but I don’t know what we will do if something happens to us. I already always feel like we are maxing out our stress level.

Differences between pregnancies: Just that I’m bigger than I was with her and its hard to think specifically about this babe. All day is all about Edrie so my evenings are the only times I have think on baby and half the time I’m too tired, other days I’m at work, and then there are the rare nights I spend searching double strollers, dreaming up a nursery. Pregnant with E at 16 weeks.

How I'm feeling: Good. Still having numb hands and night and they feel tight and puffy in the morning. I better start knitting for this kid or my hands will be incapable! My tailbone is really tender feeling – which is new for me. I was really emotional mid-week…ups and downs come out of the blue when I’m pregnant. I HATE thinking about having another c-section.  Just tired of surgeries. It will be my third abdominal surgery in 3 years and with more kids that number will just keep creeping up. I had an appointment and had the same conversation I’ve had with the OB before and she confirmed that if I go into labor and its quick and baby is ready to come out before they get set-up for a section she will deliver me, but there is no safe way to labor with that scar at the top of my uterus. I’ve seen what happens when a uterus ruptures and baby outcomes are not good. Mama outcomes are bad too. Just hard to think about surgery every time you want a baby. In general, my biggest risk from that scar is preterm labor and that really freaks me out more than the idea of a c-section. I just need to pray baby doesn’t realize the scar is there.

Sleep: No complaints!  

Movement: About halfway through this week I started feeling legitimate KICKS. They are not super often but they are unmistakable. I’ve been snacking on popscicles and frozen blueberries in bed at night and baby really starts getting going when the cold hits. So funny.  

The Bump: BIG and round. People at work just laugh at me. I must have the weakest abs in all of history. I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to work on that more after this baby is out

Milestones: Has finger and toenails! Is covered in lanugo and has tastebuds!!

Best Moment of the Week: Big kicks… keep ‘em coming babe!!  

Baby #2: 14 & 15 Weeks

 

I never got around to writing a post last week. But it was more of the same – gradual increase in size, gradually feeling less queasy and starting to feel some flutters! 

Photo thoughts: Continue to get bigger! Feeling more like I’m not totally HUGE for how far along I am, but maybe I’m kidding myself?

Size of baby: An Orange! About 4 inches crown to rump!

Cravings/Aversions: Feeling SO MUCH BETTER! No real issues with food. I’m eating more regularly and not as ravenously, coffee is back in the rotation full force. A barista asked me if I wanted my latte decaf…I scoffed. Baby can deal so mama can survive ;) I still love fruit, but no other big cravings.

 
What I'm loving: People asking more and more about baby – they must be confident I’m pregnant. Talking and thinking more about plans, names, nurseries, and deciding we won’t find out the sex. It feels good to have that decision made! Oh and I went maternity clothes shopping ALONE on Mother’s Day and it was SO nice. I got a good starter wardrobe that feels much better than I felt before. I got a pair of skinny jeans and a swim suit. I never had a swim suit when I was pregnant with Edrie, but I’m excited to feel covered up when I take E to the river and pool this year! I also snagged a few tanks and a skirt!

What I'm anticipating the most: HOLDING THIS KID! One of my best friends had her second last week and I’m dying seeing her as a mother of two. Can’t wait to be in that boat. I’m really excited to see Edrie as a big sister and to do the newborn thing again with Grant. The sleeplessness sucks, but the squishy newborn that has no real opinion will make up for it.

Missing anything? Just the drinking. Its so hard for me to not have A DRINK when we go out or when its been a long day. Everything else I don’t really ascribe to – I still eat lunch meat occasionally, still have coffee, etc, so its just alcohol. Soon I’ll miss being able to see my lower half, but that’s not yet an issue.

Worries: That we won’t be back in our house in time for baby or in time for us to feel settled before the baby comes. It would not be the end of the world, but it would make life less calm. This apartment is totally doable, but not ideal and making room for another living being would be difficult.

Differences between pregnancies: Feeling more and more like I remember being with Edrie. I feel great. I know it’s the second trimester and everyone feels good, but its good to feel good! (Pregnancy #1 14weeks/15weeks)

How I'm feeling: Really great. Huge, but otherwise good. And I feel like my face is already puffing out. SCARY. I’m also feeling like carpal tunnel is coming back. I had it bad with Edrie and it started by waking up in the middle of the night with numb hands. I had a few instances of that this week so I’m not looking forward to that.  

Sleep: Great… sleeping great during the day between shifts and when I flip back I sleep well at night. I took a nap while Edrie napped in the stroller today and it was seriously amazing. Just an hour makes such a difference.

Movement: DEFINITLY feeling little flutters. I have to be focusing and they are small, but there. SO FUN! Can not wait for G and E to feel them.

The Bump: Its starting to get firm on the bottom as my uterus grows out of the pelvis. Makes it feel less like chub and more like BABY!

 

both my babes...she is going to have a nice resting place the bigger I get!  

Milestones: Baby is breathing amniotic fluid in and out of his little lungs now! So mature of it!

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling baby move has been so great. I haven’t felt as connected to baby because I’m more distracted and don’t have as much time to dream, but the flutters remind me someone is in there. I like the reminder!!

Baby #2: 13 weeks

 

Photo thoughts: Don’t think I’m getting any smaller!!

Size of baby: A peach!

Cravings/Aversions: Feeling better, maybe?? The last few days I haven’t been as senstitive to what I eat and haven’t felt as crappy after eating. I am still liking more fresh food. In fact, someone had a jamba juice at work this week and I can’t stop thinking about it. Getting one tomorrow! Coffee still sounds gross.

 
What I'm loving: Talking more about baby and plans. Thinking about whether we want to find out the sex. Edrie giving baby hugs. Its feeling more real.

What I'm anticipating the most: 2^nd trimester! A real baby bump and getting some clothes soon so I don’t feel so frumpy!

Missing anything? I would love a good cocktail or blended margarita. As soon as this kid is out I think I’m getting a blended margarita with chips and guac!

Worries: Being a NICU nurse, I think I fear the worse. I keep thinking that now in development is when the intestines move from outside the body to inside and I just really want them to end up inside! A little nervous our house won’t be done in time, but I am trying to remember that the nursery doesn’t have to be perfect and that all babies really need is a boob and clean diapers with a few blankets.

Differences between pregnancies: Still bigger and can’t believe how much more challenging pregnancy is with a kid to take care of. I’m so big that a woman in the elevator at work told me she knew the baby was a boy and when I responded I’m only 12 weeks she laughed and then her and a friend got off and I could hear them talking about how huge I was for 12 weeks. Granted… I’m EXTRA big after a 12 hour night shift… for those that don’t know…working at night makes people bloat. I get so bloated and gross by the time I’m going home.

How I'm feeling: Better. Loving the reassurance of the Doppler to check on baby whenever I want.

Sleep: Maybe not as exhausted, but I still want as much sleep as possible.

Movement: Thinking I might be feeling something, but not totally sure. I’ve been trying to carefully assess, but when I stop to do that I feel nothing so hard to say.

The Bump: Thinking I’m going to go shopping this week… my poor husband is not a fan of that idea.

Milestones: 2^nd trimester!! That’s such a huge milestone!!

Best Moment of the Week: Getting back into prenatal yoga! I went most of my pregnancy with Edrie to this great class at Matt Dishman Community Center and the same teacher still teaches so I went back this week and loved it. I need to get a sitter lined up so I can keep going because it starts before Grant gets home.

Baby #2: 12 weeks

 

  

Photo thoughts: Still looking big and generally feel a bit frumpy and embarrassed. I like having a baby bump, but this early it just makes me feel like I wasn’t thin to begin with. Hoping things even out.

Size of baby: A plum! Since we saw baby this week I know that he was specifically 6cm from crown to rump – about 2.3 inches! It is so crazy, because if you look at the ultrasound pictures it looks so much bigger than that! We could count fingers and see it moving all over. It continues to work on finishing forming all its major body systems and has lots of reflexes developing this week.

Cravings/Aversions: Still into most of the same things. I can eat anything, but nothing really sounds good. Big meals usually make me feel pukey after, but I’m so hungry I usually want to eat a lot.  The main gist: I’m mostly into fresh fruit and am generally famished all day.

What I'm loving: Loved getting to see that baby had all four limbs, is growing on schedule and everything appears healthy at this point. I think it looks just like Edrie did at 12 weeks, which is fun to think about.  I am also obsessed with using the Doppler at home. Lainey sent me hers to borrow and its really addicting… The first time I used it I took a video… HR 158-160s and when we had our ultrasound it was at 150.

What I'm anticipating the most: Moving into the second trimester – hoping for less emotional, exhausted, urpy days. And feeling a bit more like I can tackle all that is required of me while we remodel our house and live in this tiny place!

Missing anything? My energy and coffee. I wonder if coffee will honestly ever taste good again. I’ve tried to force it down a few times for the caffeine and had very little success.

Worries: That something big will show up at the 20-week ultrasound. I also started to worry a bit about having another c-section. Sounds really unfun to have surgery again. Feels like its happened too much already in my life. I did talk about that with my doctor some this week. She said the decision is totally up to me, but that if something were to go wrong it would be life-threatening for me and the baby. We’ve had some kids in the unit with similar bad-outcomes and I know its not worth the risk. I spoke with her a bit about what would happen if I went into labor before the scheduled c-section. One of my biggest reassurances has been that she already dealt with my uterus in a very emergent situation and saved it so I want her in there again. No one else! She assured me she would come in, even if she wasn’t on-call to do my surgery. Her quote was, “You and Me, we’ve been through something. I’d like to see you through.” She said she would give me her cell when it got closer. Big sigh of relief.

Differences between pregnancies: Feel like I am saying the same thing as the last weeks, but mostly just BIGGER, more tired, and more urpy. The nausea is minimal compared to a few weeks ago and I’m hoping it will continue to dissipate, but the last few nights I’ve fallen asleep either sitting at the table after dinner(!) or as soon as I put Edrie down with my clothes still on. Did I mention she doesn’t nap most days? It feels like a marathon. I also continue to feel a bit less connected to this pregnancy – also something that is evolving and that I think is a result of two things: (1) having Edrie to take up most of my thinking space and time I don’t daydream and think as much about baby. The house reno is distracting too (2) After our loss I feel a little more vulnerable, like things are more likely to go bad. When I was pregnant with Edrie I felt so confident all would be fine. Edrie's pregnancy at 12 weeks

How I'm feeling: Reassured after another positive ultrasound – everything looked just as we’d expect at this stage and the doctor tried to help me look positively on my showing so early. She said my body just remembers – and that is a good thing because I had a smooth pregnancy last time.

Sleep: I want more. Night shift is the worst and I’m about to start a stretch of three in a row…

Movement: Anxiously anticipating! My doc said most of her second time moms start feeling flutters in the early weeks of the second trimester – so hopefully, soon!

The Bump: Definitely in need of some more summery clothes for the bump. It was in the 90s last week and I was at a loss when I had to attend a baby shower and a work function. I felt frumpy and underdressed at both. Excited for skirts and dresses and simple clothes this summer!

Milestones: Mini Human! It has basically all the structures and organs it needs – they just need to gain complexity and girth in the next 6 months. That blows my mind – 6 cm human!

Best Moment of the Week: Definitely the ultrasound – so fun to see baby. I can’t wait til our 20 week! Feels like a long time to wait to see baby again. I think we will try to get a sitter for Edrie so we can really focus!

these are the ultrasound pics from baby #2...

   

  

Check out Edrie's 12-week Ultrasound... don't they look similar??

This was my first try at the doppler and I found baby's heartbeat... amazing, huh?!?!

Baby #2: 11 weeks

 

Photo thoughts: belly looking a little less like complete bloat and maybe more uterus? Still pretty huge, considering! People at work are straight up asking if I’m pregnant – you have to be pretty confident to do that, right?

Size of baby: lemon! That is getting pretty big! Babe is pretty much fully formed – just lots of growing/fattening-up to happen. And it is already moving around in there! I can’t feel anything yet, but SO EXCITED for that to happen!

Cravings/Aversions: still pretty urpy – mostly wanting fresh fruit and bland food. Living on bagels and cream cheese and grapefruit. I still feel like I crave the food I ate as a kid (I did with Edrie, too) – ramen noodles, Mexican, bagels, gummy bears, fast food, etc. Trying not to be too hard on myself for my food choices, because the puky feeling is SO UNPLEASANT anything to make it disappear is worth it. Its weird – I constantly feel like I want greasy food from a restaurant but as soon as I eat it – I’m sick. Especially anything thick with garlic – YUCK that aftertaste will kill me!

What I'm loving: Love and embarrassed by my huge bump. I was similar with E, but its just like – WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? Hopefully I’m not huge as a house by the time its all said and done.

What I'm anticipating the most: Newborn baby snuggles – carrying babe in the moby and just living up that very mobile stage in the beginning when they are happy as long as they are with you.

Missing anything? Its been a stressful week – I REALLY could have used a drink. I did buy some ginger ale to help my tummy and that feels kind of special?

Worries: That everything is okay in there. With announcing everything, I always feel a twinge of…OH CRAP what if something bad happens? Very excited for our ultrasound next week to be sure babe is still well.

Differences between pregnancies: I think I am more urpy this time and my exhaustion catches up with me more quickly – I think both may be a result of having a toddler whose needs come before my own. Its okay though – I still feel really good considering. Edrie's pregnancy at 11 weeks

How I'm feeling: Mostly excited and as if I am in denial about how BIG this is going to change my life!

Sleep: As long as Edrie sleeps – I sleep. But man she is struggling lately! My mom let me nap yesterday while she played with Edrie – I didn’t set an alarm thinking Id wake in a bit… THREE HOURS LATER! It felt so good and I must have needed it!

Movement:  Not yet!

The Bump: Can’t wait til its even bigger and hard and has a moving babe in there! I was at Target this morning and saw a really cute maternity dress – I refrained from buying it, but I am excited to be pregnant in summer again.

Milestones: FETUS! Our kid is no longer an embryo and has entered fetal stage of development! So advanced!!

Best Moment of the Week: Announcing the pregnancy to the world on FB and instagram! I’ve been wanting to do that for a few weeks, but we were being lazy about getting a good picture and being sure our whole family knew first. Within minutes I got several texts and tons of sweet comments online. It was a reassurance that this baby is very loved and our family is so lucky to have lots of support, near and far!

 

Baby #2: 9 & 10 weeks

 

   

I'm doing simple phone pics and posts just some day I look half-way put together each week. You can see that we rarely make our bed these days! I didn't write a post for 9 weeks, but had a pic.

Photo thoughts: That is one big 10-week belly. I’m embarrassed by how big I look. I know I got big early with Edrie and I don’t have the flattest non-pregnant belly ever, but still! Beyond being a little self-conscious, I am so excited to have another baby bump.

Size of baby: Prune! Baby is over an inch long and has working arm joints. Its so crazy that its kind of a complete little being already.  Just super tiny!

Cravings/Aversions: This whole pregnancy I’ve been craving fresh fruit. Cold grapes are one of my favorite things right now. Most food in general sounds gross, but once its in front of me I can eat it. Although, Mexican food has had extra appeal…I could eat guacamole all day long.  I was trying to give up coffee completely to avoid any chance of miscarriage, but night shift was really rough without it weeks 6-8 so I started buying it again. But it makes me want to puke. It sounds so gross. I feel like I’m force feeding myself when I’m sleepy at work. If you know me well, you know this is insane and totally unlike me. I usually want multiple lattes everyday!

What I'm loving: Edrie loving talking to and about baby. “Do you have a baby in your belly?” “Did the baby go pee or did you?” “HI BABY! I said hi to the baby and it said hi back!” “I felt the baby move!” “I want the baby to come out” She KILLS me with the constant dialogue and interest. She is really excited to be a big sister. Just this week, Grant also started taking more of an interest in the belly and baby.

What I'm anticipating the most: Getting back into our house and decorating TWO kids rooms. Spending the fall prepping for baby and having the holidays off with our family of FOUR!

Missing anything?:  Not really. The coffee thing was sad at first, but I think I feel better without it. Especially with already switching back and forth working nights, sometimes the high/low I can get from coffee adds to the crazy. I feel a bit more even right now. Definitely going to bed earlier and wishing my kid napped regularly though. I had a sip of Grant’s beer last weekend and it was soooo good. I hadn’t missed drinking until that moment!

Worries: Still worried about losing this baby. I think after a loss you will always feel a bit more guarded in pregnancy. I was only 5weeks 3 days when I lost our other baby, but it hit me hard. Its easy to think about how I’d be getting ready to have a baby in 8 weeks rather than 8 months if things hadn’t been different.

Differences between pregnancies: I’m bigger! I also have had harder time connecting to the baby and pregnancy. At this time with Edrie I was already convinced she was a boy and had all kinds of notes and posts written. With this baby I’ve found it harder to get bump pictures taken, write notes and just dream about what is to come. I think as we settle into our life (which has been kind of crazy) that will all get easier. Edrie's pregnancy at 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks.

How I'm feeling: Worried and excited. Worried because I’m already so invested and so are Grant and Edrie. We would all be hit hard if something happened to this baby. My friend, Lainey is going to let me borrow her Doppler – I think that will help give me some peace of mind.

Sleep: As long as Edrie sleeps I’m sleeping great. Would love naps, but making do without. Earlier on I was having an AWFUL time sleeping between shifts at work, but this week was much better.

Movement: Not yet. Hoping I feel this babe earlier than I felt Edrie. She had an anterior placenta so it was always kind of hard to feel her. Hoping this babe is implanted somewhere else!

The Bump: Getting bigger and rounder. Using my bella band. Not always out of necessity, but it does increase comfort and helps me look like I have less of a muffin top.

Milestones: Inching closer and closer to the second trimester. Feel like I will be taking some deep breaths when I get there.

Best Moment of the Week: All the moments with Edrie loving the belly and baby. She kissed my belly yesterday and it was almost too much for this mama to take!

Our Family Is Growing!

We are very excited to share that we are expecting our second baby in November! Still doesn't feel real! Can't wait for Edrie to be a big sister and to see what it feels like to be a family of four! I'm so scared and so excited all at once!

This baby is very wanted and it has felt like a long time in the making. We decided to start trying for #2 last fall. We got pregnant immediately and were overjoyed. A week and a half later I got really sick and thought I had food poisoning. Turns out the pregnancy was ectopic - specifically, cornual ectopic and I was bleeding out. I finally realized something was very wrong when my hands and feet numb. Grant rushed me to the ER and I had emergency surgery. I was lucky to be alive - by the time I got to the ER my blood pressure was 67/unregisterable, I had an unregisterable temp, and thready peripheral pulses. I lost 2500ml of blood. When I woke up the doctor told me I was lucky to have my uterus, but that she had to take a small corner of it and my left fallopian tube. I was transfused with two units of packed red cells and able to go home the following day. We were so sad, but also felt very lucky to have capable surgeons who could save me. That all happened early October - I had to take 4 weeks leave from work and it really took me a minute to recover. Losing that much blood will seriously wear a person out! Because of the scar at the top of my uterus we were advised to wait a few months to try again. My doctor assured me that people are just as fertile with only 1 fallopian tube, but with my first two pregnancies we got pregnant on the first try and this time took us three. And we got pregnant on the right side. So who knows! We got a VERY faint positive test on March 2nd (12 days post ovulation). Having an ectopic pregnancy puts you at risk for having more so we were to call the doctor right away to confirm the pregnancy was in the uterus.

On March 10th (4w5d) we had an ultrasound and YAY! baby landed in the uterus.. it is just a ball of cells and all we could see was the sac, but we were glad that it was where it was supposed to be. Edrie came to the appointment and she kept asking "where is the baby?"

Then came the long wait to see if baby continued to grow and develop. On April 4th (8w2d) we had another ultrasound and our first appointment with the OB. Thankfully, there was a strong heartbeat, but only fuzzy pictures. They did an abdominal ultrasound so you couldn't see much! Our doctor is the one that did my emergency surgery in Oct. She was really great then and since we've never had an OB we just stuck with her. Because of the part of my uterus she had to remove and the fact that it is a pretty rare surgery, I will have to have a scheduled c-section with this baby. Something I'm really sad about and still coming to terms with, but I know it is what will be most likely to have us both healthy in the end. We talked a lot about that at our first appointment and when she typically schedules those deliveries (39weeks). She is really great and easy going though-she said if I want to wait til 40 we can and that she will let me decide as much as possible. 

Edrie has been really funny, especially since I started showing. She talks to the baby and constantly asks, "Is there a baby in your belly?" And for a few weeks if I burped or peed or did ANYTHING, she'd ask "was that you or the baby?" She loves to talk to the baby and will 'feed it' by holding food up to my belly button. "HI BABY" and then she will say in a very surprised voice "the baby said Hi back!" and also "the baby's moving, I can feel it" She is cracking me up and it is so fun! This is a little further apart than we had thought we'd have our kids, but it is super exciting to see the pregnancy through Edrie's eyes. In the last week or so she has taken a really big interest in little babies - wants to hold them, cuddle them, pat them. She is really good and gentle. I asked her today if she was interested because of our baby and she said yes, that she is practicing being a big sister! So funny! 

I'll try to start posting weekly posts...but we all know how good at that I am!!