BOTW & 37 weeks

So, my best deal this week is NOT diapers or wipes :)  Last week Lucy and I needed some fresh air so we ran a few errands and stopped by the mall to take a look at the Gymboree clearance.  I had a 20% off coupon, but wasn't sure I'd find much.  I managed to find four shirts (some for Lucy/some for baby) & a zip up hooded sweatshirt.  My total was set to be $20 for all 5 items when I remembered that I had a $5 off rewards coupon in my email that I hadn't printed.  Shocker!  (I've been very forgetful lately...)  I asked the sales lady about it and she let me pull my email up on my phone and then typed in the code!

All in all my total was around $16 for all 5 items :)  Who says name brand kids clothes have to be expensive?

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Also last week we reached the 37 week mark.  The doctor checked me and called me 25% effaced with a closed cervix.  However, I had been checked at the hospital at 33 weeks and they called me "about a "1" then...so, since it doesn't really matter, I'm sticking with the "1" :) We are all still expecting a 9lb + baby...which, despite not looking forward to giving birth to a baby of that size, I personally find chubby babies are a bit cuter when born...of course, I might be a little partial :)

The consistent contractions I had been having seemed to have stopped the last few days--not sure if that's the "calm before the storm" or an indication that we are in for the long haul, but I'd prefer not to be having contractions unless they are serving a purpose.

Otherwise, I'm really trying to focus my energy on enjoying this last little bit of time just with Lucy.  As I told my husband last night, she'll never again be my "only child"....and this time is special.  I need to not wish it away out of physical discomfort, but treasure each day and moment that I can just focus on her.

36 weeks...& still here!

Oh I have a blog? It must have slipped my mind in between thoughts of “wait? Was that a real contraction?” & “better get all the bathroom cabinets re-organized before the baby comes…”

36 weeks. (well, in my opinion---there is some slight difference in due dates with my doctor—but their given date is two days later than mine…which doesn’t make a lick of difference.)

So here we are, theoretically 36 weeks pregnant. I’m up 24 pounds this pregnancy—and quite possibly half of that is really the baby. We had an ultrasound several days ago that revealed another big baby on the way (Lucy was 9lbs.) After measuring three times, we were put at a current estimated fetal weight of 7lbs 4 oz & 38 weeks and some odd days---about a month ahead at that point. Measurements were anywhere from 36 weeks and some odd days to 39 weeks and some odd days. Awesome. There’s also the possibility my cervix has further dilated, but we’ll wait for a doctor’s confirmation on that….and because I don’t have a scanner at the moment, here are some photos of our ultrasound photos. Yes, baby is chubby…& extremely squashed inside me. Both factor in to the cankle effect & the round face J

In other news,  I am UNCOMFORTABLE. There is no room left for this child and I have body parts in my ribs, stomach & further down. I wake up several times at night & rest a lot during the day (you know, when you can with a toddler) because I have a lot of contractions…whether or not they are “practice” doesn’t diminish how uncomfortable they seem to be. I’m slowly starting to swell, headaches have returned & I’m physically feeling D.O.N.E---however, I’d prefer baby hang out until the due date---for optimum health.

In the meantime, we are not ready for baby. The cradle, crib, swing, bouncy seat, etc remain to be set up & bags are not packed. I have, however, created detailed packing lists & a last minute checklist.  I’ve been nesting in other ways…like re-organizing our pantry with a shoe organizer we weren’t using, cleaning out my bathroom cabinets & of course washing every article of bedding that goes on our bed. It would be a travesty if baby arrived and I hadn’t washed our comforter J

This weekend we are working on cooking for our freezer.  Mostly meal components this time, with a few full meals ready to go.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it---but I know having a freezer full of food ready to go will be awesome in the next several weeks!

33 weeks

How is that even possible?

I'm having (another) baby next month!

In the past two weeks my nesting has definitely kicked in (added with the fact that I think the iron supplements might be helping my energy finally & I'm not working from home right now...)  I cleaned out our entire linen closet, re-organized our stockpile, made a note of what items I needed to start stocking back up on, etc...  I then moved onto the laundry room and did similar work on those shelfs, as well as asked my husband to move the washing machine so I could mop & scrub the sides of the machine clean.  Because, how on earth could I bring a baby home if the sides of my washing machine were not clean?!?!  :)

There are many more areas on my "to tackle" list...so stay tuned :)

As for me + baby....

-Movement is slowing down and is much more purposeful (read: less kicking and more shifting from side to side...)
-Still having a lot of lower pressure and into my legs
-I move a LOT at night...can't seem to get comfortable (or warm enough?)...and when I do, I'm having to get up and go to the bathroom
-I have been craving milk like crazy.  I never...ever...drink milk.  But something about milk +graham crackers lately has really been hitting the spot.


I've expressed before my huge desire for wanting breastfeeding to actually work this time....or maybe I just really want to redeem the experience?  I'll be honest, when it was all said and done, I did not enjoy breastfeeding Lucy at all.  It was problematic, frustrating & not successful.  I've been reading some breastfeeding books I found at the library as well as talking with my doctor a lot---our hope is to curb the problems we had last time early on so that nursing CAN be successful this time!

"wow..you look....."

"Huge?"

:)

That was my response this past week as someone struggled with coming up with just the right thing to say to me in reference to my ever-expanding belly.

Yes folks, I'm huge. 

It's true.

And do you want to know a secret??? 

I LOVE it.

a HUGE belly means a growing baby....one that is set to appear in the next two months!

So here we are at 31 weeks (though I post these usually when the week is almost over...so really, I'll be nearly 32 weeks when you read this!)

Had a doctor's appointment this week and we are starting every other week appointments now!  I thought it was seriously last week when I just confirmed I was pregnant in the bathroom of a local Wal-Mart.

(True story...I had to go & figured I'd take advantage of my recent purchase of a HPT.)

Baby is measuring right on target.  Weight gain is up to 20lbs total...and I am SO okay with that!  My weight gain has been much more concentrated this pregnancy than with my last in which I felt like I gained all over.  I feel very heavy in the belly section...but not anywhere else...yet.

I don't have GD & when we mentioned the fact that I was having strong "practice" contractions seemingly all the time, our doctor gave us a checklist of what to watch for "just in case."

We ran a few baby errands this weekend & almost have all the items we need to welcome a baby home.  We started working on moving baby stuff back downstairs this weekend as well & I'm hoping to start washing up blankets & clothing in the next few weeks!

Our big challenge this week has been in searching for an adequate double stroller.  We know we'll need one & we very much want one (we use ours all the time now...and our daughter is not one that can be trusted to walk & hold hands :) 

Do you have a double stroller?  What kind?

30 weeks...

wow.  wow.  wow.

:)

We are 10 weeks away from the official due date, 6 weeks away from being full-term!

-I'm having lots of contractions (braxton-hicks I do believe) though they are getting stronger and tighter everyday!

-Had the 3 hour glucose tolerance test last week (assuming I passed since I haven't heard back from the doctor..)  Wasn't horrible---but my arm was sore and I crashed that afternoon!

-Feeling really sore already...bending over is hard to come by---and forget about tying my own shoes...

-working on rocking babies with Lucy (she's finally showing some interest in her baby dolls!)

We have LOTS to finish up the next few weeks before baby arrives.  I'd like to be "ready" with all the big things with a month or so left to wrap up details, rest & treasure our time as a family of just three.

28 (1/2) weeks....

So as this posts I'll actually be well on my way to 29 weeks....but here is my 28 week belly update!

28 weeks, wow!!!! We are officially 3 months away from meeting our new baby.

(side note: usually that sounds like a very short time considering how quickly this pregnancy has passed, but given the current cold my body is fighting...12 weeks sounds like a long time away!)

I am having Braxton-Hicks ALL. THE. TIME. Thankfully they don't hurt, but man it's such a different experience this time! My husband told me I was starting to waddle, and I'm afraid he's correct :)

We bought a "coming home outfit" for baby this past weekend & after picking up a few items here and there throughout pregnancy & stocking up on amazon diapers we almost have everything on my list of needs before baby! Setting up the nursery will commence in the next few weeks! It's our hope to have all "major" things done by 32ish weeks....

At my 28 week appointment:

-I'm officially up 15 pounds this pregnancy. So excited with that number and expecting it to climb in the coming weeks :)

-Baby's heartrate was 160 (much higher than normal, but also taken after the glucose test)

-FAILED the 1 hour glucose test :( Will be re-scheduling the three hour tolerance test as I am scheduled to do that today and my body is fighting off a cold with such force, I need all the energy (read:food) I can get!

-Iron levels were low and I was instructed to begin a supplement (had the same problem with Lucy)

-Doctor insisted we know where we plan to deliver at the next appointment! :)

The office was so empty last Thursday that I got a chance to talk with our doctor about my concerns with breastfeeding this baby. We did not have a good experience nursing Lucy and I'm fearful this time might be much of the same.

Lucy was jaundice and just did not have the energy to nurse. They brought us a pump to use on Day #2 and started her on formula because she had become dehydrated. From then until 7 months when I "officially" quit we always had to supplement because my supply NEVER established...despite all the supplements, pumping, oatmeal, etc...

I would love to nurse baby #2 (if for nothing else who wants to pay for formula?!?!)---but my husband and I are also preparing ourselves should it not work this time.

Thankfully our doctor is amazingly encouraging and had some good tips/thoughts.

Guess we'll know in 12 weeks what works! :)

25 weeks

25 weeks....seriously?!?!?

Wow! This pregnancy is seriously flying by...and that realization is making me fret a little about all that we need to do before life changes in a big way!

A few highlights...

We are feeling movement all the time and SEEING it from the outside. Because of an anterior placenta this time around, we didn't start feeling movement until about 21 or 22 weeks...which the doctor warned us we probably wouldn't because of the placenta location.

But once we started feeling it, we felt it! Baby moves all. the. time. This kiddo is very active and I feel the baby move from one side of my belly to the other. (side note, it's getting really hard not to say he/she. :)

So yes, we know the gender...and no, we aren't planning on sharing until baby arrives. This wasn't the original plan....but we're kind of enjoying having a secret to ourselves.

Within the last few weeks my belly has really started sticking out there. My muscles are starting to hurt in both the belly and the back...in other words, I'm already feeling very pregnant which is not a good sign. :)

With this in mind, we're going to start tackling some big projects this weekend with the hopes that we'll be ready to go for baby before March even arrives...or that's the plan.

Oh and for comparison, me at 25 weeks with Lucy & 25 weeks with Baby #2

..obviously a bit bigger the second time around, but everyone says that's normal...and I didn't start out this pregnancy as tiny as I was when we found out we were expecting Lucy. :)

either way, I enjoy having a pregnant belly. :)

16 weeks, aka 4 months pregnant!

(so, the baby belly is come and go...but this week we're definitely noticing that it's starting to harden up, as in, take shape and not just look chubby all the time :)

Size of baby? Avocado

Total weight gain/loss? Zero pounds--as of my visit to urgent care a few days ago

Gender? Don't know & probably won't be finding out!

Maternity clothes? Yes! And LOVE them. God bless the inventor of stylish maternity clothes....and men's sweats that sneak out of my husband's drawer and into mine :)

Movement? Thought I might have felt something the other night laying in bed--but can't be sure

Sleep? Getting some finally

Symptoms? No nausea to note this week and the cramps have let up...just super sleepy....

What I miss? lifting Lucy without worrying about it giving me a side stitch

Cravings? Sweet tarts.

Best Moment this week? Realizing on the way to the library that I'm going to have TWO babies in a matter of months!

Looking forward to? Our trip to Florida!

15 weeks (a few days late...)

(I'll answer the survey questions next week---I think I'll do those every 4 weeks...and maybe I'll be able to get a belly picture again!)

So to mark the celebration of being 15 weeks along...cause I mean, it's like less than 1/3 of the way, right?? :) Anyways...we made a pit stop to the Doctor's after hours office last night because the cramping had increased and the OB on call thought it wise to see if I had an infection. A few abnormal cells--but nothing to indicate an infection. So, lots of fluids and lots of "takin' it easy" this weekend to see if the cramping reduces.

With this past weekend being not high on rest, we all went into the week worn out and it's been downhill since. My husband stayed home to work on Thursday morning which allowed me to get some much needed rest and take away some of the cramps throughout my body.


I've been nauseous everyday this week...I really thought we were passed that and all of a sudden it's back and I've brought back the saltine's and pregnancy pops.

But, we're excited! We're talking about whether or not Baby #2's gender will be a suprise---right now we're leaning towards not finding out with this pregnancy...and that's made things a bit interesting to think/dream about! I can't believe in a matter of months (ok....like 5 months) we'll have a second little one to snuggle with! What a great unexpected blessing!

14 weeks...and some odd days

A little late getting a pregnancy update on here--a trip out of town Fri-Sunday put us a bit behind in every aspect of life it seems.

Baby #2 is 14 (almost 15 weeks) baked. We had an appointment last Thursday and were able to hear the heartbeat. The doctor was having a hard time finding it--but located it quick enough for us to hear it briefly--but we weren't able to get a heartrate because it was so difficult to locate. No weight gain yet, but the belly is starting to shape up (or maybe I'm just trying to convince myself that I look more pregnant than fat? hmmm.... :)

We're getting excited--I think the shock of "oh my goodness we're going to have two babies under the age of two!" has worn off a bit and we've moved on to talking about baby names, nursery ideas, and planning for a smooth transition.

Physically speaking I feel exhausted...still. I'm incredibly sore already. I had a lot of back pain and cramping throughout my first pregnancy and the pains seemed to have started sooner this time around. Partly that's due to obviously caring for a toddler right now--and partly due to the travelling in a car this weekend and sleeping arrangements. The nausea for the most part has disappeared---though I did manage to throw up a lot Friday night while out of town in a hotel room....but my husband and I are calling that a fluke and both praying that we're past at least one discomfort.

I'm hoping for the second trimester energy boost to show up any day now and we're going to try a back support belt that my doctor recommended.

Otherwise we're preparing for a big (big as in several years in the making!) trip to Florida in a few weeks, trying to get caught up on work for my job at home, working to keep up with one curious lil' gal, and learning a lot about parenting and discipline (but that's another blog post!)

12 weeks.

Pregnancy Highlights!

(saw this on other blogs and now I'm going for it!)



How far along?
12 weeks!



Size of Baby?
A plum




Total weight gain/loss?
zero so far!



Gender?
Don't know--but I did draw the "boy" duck at MOPS yesterday...



Maternity clothes?
Some Maternity t-shirts, maternity jeans, stretchy skirts/shorts



Movement?
Not yet feeling it...



Sleep?
Ok...getting up a few times at night.



Symptoms?
Still nauseous, exhausted, and started having horrible headaches this week :(




What I miss?
...Well, this week not getting to join in on a Martini Night get together :)




Cravings?
This week: BBQ chips and grilled hot dogs. all beef ones---does that make it better?





Best Moment this week?
Starting MOPS again, trips to the park with Lucy, cuddling on the couch with my older baby and watching Ice Age



What I'm looking forward to?
Our next appointment---to hear the heartbeat on the doppler!

"make" your own maternity wear!

Baby #2 is on their way and that means maternity clothes are slowly replacing my "normal wear" in my closet. With my daughter, my wardrobe was a lot of business maternity wear...which is cute and professional, but not really practical when I'm chasing her down and grabbing her hand before her finger officially goes into the electical outlet. :)

However, I am a sucker for comfy AND dressy attire. I love skirts paired with t-shirts and they are easy to stick a pair of leggings under in the winter time.

I had a few old dresses that didn't quite fit right in the chest after my first pregnancy and were in the "must sale" bag due to their immodest new nature.

But then I remembered stumbling on a blog that had converted a sundress into a maternity skirt (can't remember where now--but this was totally their idea!) Anyways, I took that idea and added my own spin to it!

I wish I had more photos of the progress, but this is what I've got.

I took sundresses and either cut (or used a seam ripper) to remove the zipper from the dress. I also took old stretchy tank tops that were too short and cut off the neck and arms. I pinned the shirt onto the skirt, right sides together. I sewed them together at the waist pulled the shirt right side out and voila! a skirt with a roll-top maternity panel!