June 22, 2014 - 19 Weeks

Maybe soon I'll actually post on the actual date (taken 6/22).

 

19 Weeks.  That means Friday is the ultra sound!  And so crazy to think that it's probably the last time we'll see baby until his/her birthday if everything goes normal.  We did have one extra ultra sound with Zoe, because the doctor was worried she was too small at one of our appointments - turned out she was right on track.  But we didn't complain about that extra sneak peak :)

I don't feel like I've grown too much from last week.  I'm sporting 100% maternity clothes now (except my scrub clothes - my t-shirts and gym shorts still fit).  I've started having Zoe point to my belly and say "baby" which she does willingly.  And it usually turns into her lifting my shirt and trying to poke my belly button because that's one of her favorite games :)

This girl loves to say "seese (cheese)!"  Thankfully it gets her to smile on queue.

Still craving all that is salt - McDonalds in particular.  Luckily, I don't indulge in that craving too often.  This week was horrible for working out, so I need to keep the fast food to a minimum.

Our anniversary was on Saturday!  6 years!  My mom made the trip over so that we could go out to dinner and not have to eat at super speeds to make sure we avoided an antsy toddler.  Mom and I also made the treck to IKEA to get what we both needed.  Check a few more things off this to do list.  And another visit to the splash park. This girl loves water!

No huge worries this week.  I did have some VERY minor spotting on Wednesday.  I had to travel to Chicago for work.  It was a LONG day.  Our flight left at 7:45 am and because of weather, we got stuck in Chicago.  We tried to get a rental, no luck - sold out.  We tried flights out of O'Hare - all cancelled as well.  So, we went back to the city and stayed the night.  Too bad it was already 10pm or we could have enjoyed some of it.  We got up the next day and headed back to the airport and thankfully left right on time.  Not fun traveling with no change of clothes though.  Oh well.  We survived!

Apparently with Zoe at this time, I had horrible hip pain while sleeping which I haven't experienced yet at all this time around.  I do miss non-side sleeping positions.  Similar symptom with Zoe - gagging.  I feel like my teeth must be rotting.  And I had a horrible time on our way to Chicago.  That is the closest I've ever come to puking on a plain.  We had out big ultra sound with Zoe at 19 weeks so this time around we have to wait one more week.

Movement is pretty consistent each day.  Not all day but at least a few times a day.  Which is always nice especially after the spotting.

Still hanging in there and just trying to enjoy the summer!  Things are going so fast!

June 8, 2014 - 17 Weeks

I feel like there was quite the jump from 16-17 weeks.

The doctors appointment went great on Friday.  I think I've gained around 9 lbs so far so very close to where I was at with Zoe.  I know it is what it is, but I just like to see where I'm at compared to with her.

The heart rate is in the 150s and sounded perfect!  I also scheduled the BIG ultra sound.  It's so crazy to know that will probably be the last time we'll see baby before he/she comes out.  And we are actually finding out the sex!  It makes it even more exciting :)  Then maybe I'll finally get moving on clearing out Zoe's new room and putting it together with the new stuff we've been accumulating.  I've bought a few things here and there already, and I mostly know exactly what else I need.  I'm still up in the air on what bedding I want, and if I want a chair in the room (I think it'll be too bare).  We also need to find a rug at some point.

I've been comparing these posts to my posts with Zoe and of course I didn't record the heart rate from my visit with her.  I just am trying to tell if I have any predictions...Part of me thinks girl because of how crappy I felt early on.  But then again there were a lot of other things that happened with Zoe that haven't happened this time.  So I basically still have no idea.  Everyone at daycare is thinking girl so that I can reuse all of Zoe's clothes.  They just think she has the cutest outfits.

This weekend was my sister's bridal shower.  It was jam packed with activities, but we had so much fun!  Friday we got in late because of horrible traffic.  Zoe was a champ though and fell asleep then woke up when we got home to have a drowsy bath (she was covered in sand from school or else we would have waited until Saturday) and then headed to bed.  We stayed up and chatted with my parents and got decorations ready for the shower. 

Saturday we got to meet our new nephew Ben.  Precious!  I can't believe Zoe was ever that tiny.  She was in complete awe of the "Baby" and did really well.  She wanted to be very close while we held him, but she wasn't by any means super jealous.  She got to touch his little feet and hands and even gave him a kiss before we left. 

After Zoe's nap, my mom, Jodi, Zoe, and I headed to Meijer Gardens to check out the kids area.  Zoe had a blast.  We stopped at the water features first and she did not want to leave.  She just sobbed and sobbed.  When we got to the next stop, she finally dried her tears.  Later, we made it to the giant rock querry (aka sand box) and she was in heaven there too.  It was getting close to closing time so we enticed her away with one more stop at the water.  Again, she sobbed when we left the sand...and again when we left the water.  At least we know she had fun :)  Picture overload…

That night we went out to dinner with some of my dad's side to see my uncle while he was in town.  Zoe stayed up too late again but was a champ.

Staying up way too late.

Sunday was the shower and Zoe came for a little bit before going over to Nana's.  The shower was perfect...the food was so good and it was so nice to see everyone that we don't get to see very often.  That afternoon we just relaxed out on the patio until it was time for dinner and to head home.

Showing Aunt Jodi and Poppa her drawings.

It was busy but fun!  I can't wait for CO in a few weeks :)

June 15, 2014 - 18 Weeks

It's so crazy to me to think that in TWO weeks, we'll know the gender of this baby!  Or could know depending on how we decide to find out ourselves.  I just can't wrap my head around the fact that time is just flying by so fast and we are almost halfway there.

I've been feeling great this week.  Tired from so much running around last weekend, but oh well.  I always seem to be tired even when I'm not pregnant :) 

My appetite has slowed down as well.  I still need a morning and afternoon snack, but they can be smaller and I don't have to go crazy and eat after dinner usually.

I'm definitely starting to show even more.  I've even been wearing some of my maternity tops.  I know with Zoe, I didn't bust those out until after my 20 week appointment so we're a little early this time around.  But I guess it's my second pregnancy so I expect to be bigger a little faster.  Aaron says he thought my baby belly looked cute (unsolicited) so I guess I'm good with it as long as it still looks "cute" and not "huge" :)

No real worries either.  I know, I know.  Who is this person typing?  I sometimes feel so bad that I haven't had any real time to sit and think about and embrace this pregnancy this time around.  With work and vacations and running around after Zoe, I have minimal time every day and by then, I pretty much crash on the couch and watch TV or read.

We did find a rug online last night for Zoe's room which was the major thing we needed.  So that's been ordered.  My mom is in town next weekend to babysit so we can go out for our anniversary and we plan to go to IKEA before she leaves so she can get a few supplies as well.  Then we should have the dresser and bookshelf.  Other than that, I have the vision planned, it's just a matter of putting it all together :)  I'm excited to make it girly since I never really got around to putting much pink in the nursery.  I have to live up the pink while I still am the one picking out the decor :)

Here's the rug we went with.

My parents are coming in August to help move a few of the heavier pieces out of the guest room and then I will be able to finish everything off.  I've made a list of everything we need to finish Zoe's new room, the nursery, and then a few baby gear items we'll need this time around.  Whew...it sounds like a lot!  It really shouldn't be too bad since I have 5 months to spread it out.

Father's Day was jam packed with going downtown to the River Walk and riding bikes.  Zoe had so much fun seeing the water the whole time.  We attempted to go to the new splash park but the water turned off as soon as we got there and wasn't working so we gave up and went back to the fountains.  She really could care less as you can see from her face.  Water is water to this girl :)

June 1, 2014 - 16 weeks

This week has been a whirlwind.  With the holiday and work meetings and trainings, it went so fast.  Which was nice, but I'm ready to come up for air any time now.  

My Old Navy packages came this week and I love the clothes I found.  I ordered one pair of pants which I might return (I HATE shopping for maternity pants).  I found the perfect pair at Gap while I was in CA and love them so much I want the other color, but of course they are back ordered until July.  I'm not sure if it's worth it to wait that long.  I might go to the mall in the next few weeks to see what I can find.

Zoe's flower girl dress also came.  So cute!  I think it should be perfect…not too poofy or scratchy but still white and dressy.  Now we just have to try and find some cute sandals to go with it.

Zoe always longingly stares through the fence at our neighbors when we are all outside.  They have two little ones, and I think she really wants to play.  It's usually always time for bed, or we are headed out or they are so she really never gets to play.  This weekend though it worked out for a little bit and they all came over and could play for a while.  Zoe thinks Liam is hilarious.  And she actually did well sharing and didn't scream when they were playing her toys.  I was very impressed!

We had a pretty low key weekend.  We have so much going on in June and July (all amazing stuff) that it's nice to just relax at home before things get insane.

Still feeling good over here.  I could tell I over did it yesterday walking so much.  I was exhausted by the end of the day.  I tried laying low today as much as I could.

My cravings are moving more towards fruit again.  I went shopping yesterday and bought everything I saw….it just all looked so good and now everything is finally ripe and in season.  

I swear I felt movement early on like I said, which now has me freaking out because I don't really feel anything consistent and haven't felt anything in a while that I've noticed.  I'm sure everything is fine.  I'm only 16 weeks so I don't expect any crazy movement.  I have my next appointment this coming week so thankfully I don't have to wait to long for my worries to be put to rest.

After solo parenting this morning while Aaron was running a race, I have a new found respect for pregnant moms with toddlers.  I have no idea how I could be a stay at home mom and be pregnant.  I am exhausted.  Thankfully she took an amazing 3 hour nap, but still.  I don't know how I'd keep up every day!

OH MY GOSH!  Poking my belly button is SO funny :)  AHHH!!!

May 25, 2014 - 15 weeks

Things just seem to be moving so fast!  15 weeks!  I organized my maternity pants this week and again, why did I wait so long?  They are so much more comfy.  I'm starting to feel less pudgy and more of a legit belly.  Not huge, but at least more babylike and less blah.  Thank you to Steph and Kate for letting me borrow some clothes!  It was a tight squeeze to get everything home, but I have a few new things to add to the wardrobe this time around.  Old Navy also had a sale so I scored a few new tops which I shouldn't need for a little while but will be nice to have.

The weather has been amazing this week, which means we've been outside every day after work.  I have to peel Zoe off her slide to get her in for dinner.  Which then involves a meltdown when we are inside because she's so hungry.  Ah, the joys of a toddler ;)

Have I mentioned that I swear I've felt little baby taps here and there?  It started just after 12 weeks.  I know they say you know more of what to look for in later pregnancies.  They aren't consistent by any means and it's only every few days, but it's nice to have that reassurance and to take a moment to step back and enjoy this pregnancy instead of running around chasing his/her big sister every hour she's awake.

After leaving CA and seeing how amazing of a sleeper Miss Harper is becoming, I can't help but be nervous how baby #2 will be.  Zoe had colic and reflux and was quite crabby her first 2-3 months of life (we still loved every minute), but she always slept at night, always.  It took some time to get her to the 7:30pm bedtime we wanted, but we got there before I went back to work.  What if this baby is so the opposite?  I won't have much time to nap this time around since I'll have Zoe.  I'm just so fearful of being a zombie.  I know no matter how the baby is, it will pass.  We'll work through it eventually whether it takes a few weeks or a few months, or a year.  I just hope this baby is blessed with Zoe's love for sleep :)

It's crazy to think that in just a little under 2 weeks and I have my 17 week appointment already.  I'm guessing we'll schedule the anatomy scan then too.  So excited!!!

My parents came out this weekend.  I know it wasn't relaxing really at all for them, but they were such a huge help.  I can't thank them enough.  Saturday, mom, Zoe and I went and got the flowers for landscaping while dad and Aaron washed, waxed, and cleaned the inside of my car.  Then mom and I planted the front yard while dad and Aaron ran to Home Depot.  We went out to eat Saturday and got ice cream.  We even got to eat a good meal rather than a toddler friendly place.  A huge thanks to my dad for taking Zoe for a walk when he and she were finished eating so the rest of us could finish up.  After Zoe went to bed, we had a fire in the back yard.  Sunday, we went to church and mom and I finished planting while the boys went to the Tigers game.  Zoe got to lounge in her pool after her nap.  We finished off their time here, with an excellent dinner and then said goodbye so they could make it home.  My poor parents had to landscape at their house all day Monday so they had no time to rest. 

Two more weeks and Aunt Jodi will be in MI for her wedding shower!  I can't believe the wedding is in less than 2 months now!  I'm so excited for our trip to CO and family time.  I hate how spread out we all are now, so it'll be so nice to have a week together.

May 18, 2014 - 14 weeks

The numbers seem to be creeping up so fast!  14 weeks!  I'm writing this a tad late since I was in CA on the actual day.  We had so much fun.  And it again makes me realize just how much I miss being closer to my BFF.  It's so crazy how you can meet someone on the first day of kindergarten 26ish years ago.  How 2 (1/2) babies later and an entire continent between us and yet she's still my go to.  She's my best friend.  And when we see each other, it's like I just saw her yesterday.  Can you tell I miss her already?  And her sweet baby, Harper.  Adorable!  I'm so glad that I'm 14 weeks pregnant because I have major baby fever after leaving.

Zoe was hilarious and actually not so interested in FaceTiming with me while I was gone.  Now I know how her grandparents feel!  The only time she was still was when she was eating her snack or when she was taking a bath :)  Getting a running hug and kiss when I got home made up for it. It's amazing how much she learned while I was gone.  She can now form short sentences or at least put two words together (that I understand - she talks in long gibberish sentences but I have no idea what any of it means), she has new words.  I was gone for four days! 

I'm feeling much better and don't need to eat nearly as much/often.  I do still gag while brushing my teeth.

All of my main worries now just deal with something happening to my babies AFTER they are born.  Weird I know.  It just seems like I've read a lot of blogs lately or heard a lot of stories where something tragic happens or the baby is born with a horrible, incurable disease.  I know what will be will be, and I can't keep them in a bubble.  But as a mom, it's so hard to know that you can't protect them from everything.  But enough of the sad....

I'm thinking that this week will be the week to bust out the maternity pants.  The bella band is just getting so tight and uncomfortable.

My parents are coming out next weekend to help with yard work and planting.  The weather is finally turning around and it's supposed to be gorgeous.  I can't wait to be outside all weekend (I'm sure Zoe will enjoy it equally as much).

May 11, 2014 - 13 Weeks

The appointment went perfect!  Heart rate is at 160 which seems a little lower than what I remember from Zoe, but I'd have to check my posts to actually remember what it was. 

I've gained 4-5 pounds already which seems like a lot considering how far I feel I have to go.  But I guess I'm 13 weeks so more than a fourth of the way there.  Although, I know I'll really pack on the pounds when I get to the end.  I can't worry about it though.  It will come off eventually.

Still feeling wierdly pudgy most of the time.  I'm scouring my wardrobe for dresses with leggings, maxi dresses, etc. so that I don't have to wear jeans.  They just are so uncomfortable.  The bella band helps but still not great.

It's so hard to believe that my second Mother's Day is already here.  We went to GR for the weekend.  Aaron ran a race on Saturday - mom, Zoe and I went down to watch/walk around.  Saturday night we had dinner with Aaron's and my parents.  Such a great weekend. 

In less than one week, I'll be on a plane to go visit my BFF and her little one.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I'll miss my little family like crazy, but it will be nice to have a few days to get away and see my BFF and her new little family.  I can't wait!!

May 4, 2014 - 12 weeks

I'm so happy the weather is getting nicer.  We were able to spend time outside this weekend and go for a family bike ride.  Zoe LOVED it.  I was riding behind them and the trail we were on was pretty hilly.  I just kept hearing her squeal "WHEE."  Seeing her excitement and hearing her joy really can make the most boring things enjoyable.  I love it.

Starting to feel huge over here.  Not pregnant looking huge but that pudgy, in between phase where you just feel "thick" and not quite yet pregnant.  My regular pants aren't comfortable but I don't feel like I'm big enough to wear my pregnancy clothes yet.  We went shopping on Saturday after dinner and I was just in a funk. 

I had some more spotting Friday.  The nurse said it was fine but I'll feel much better when I have my appointment next week.  I don't know why I worry.  I spotted so much worse with Zoe up until 20 weeks.  I guess maybe because this time it's just so inconsistent I expect it to be gone for good, then it comes back.  I don't know.  I'm sure everything is ok though.

I've actually been making it to the gym at least twice a week.  I really try for three, but we've been so busy lately.  I count the bike ride as a workout :)

April 27, 2014 - 11 weeks

I was able to tell my BFF this week!  It always feels so much better when I don't have to keep these secrets with her anymore.  We've been best friends since kindergarten so we tell each other everything, I mean EVERYTHING and along with Aaron she's usually the person I'm on the phone with the instant something happens.  So having to wait those 5 or 6 weeks is pure torture!  But the secrets out so I can finally talk about anything and everything with her.  AND I'll be going out to see her cute, little family in just TWO short weeks.  I can't wait to meet Miss Harper and squeeze those chubby those and cuddle that newborn smell.  If I weren't already pregnant, I'm sure I'd have instant baby fever the second I walk into their house :)

I'm definitely starting to feel MUCH better.  I'm trying to taper off eating and see if I'm still ok.  I usually leave a granola bar on the nightstand just in case.  Based on the scale at the gym, I've gained 2-3 pounds already.  I'm trying not to focus on the numbers this time around since I gained so much in water weight the last time around it wasn't even really all that accurate towards the end.

The bump is definitely starting to show I feel.  Again, bigger at the end of the day.  Thankfully, I only have four more work days where I have to come up with an outfit where you can't tell :)

Speaking of work, I told my boss this week.  Definitely earlier than planned, but we were talking about my tailored work arrangement which needs to be renewed next week and I decided to just tell him.  If something happened at this point, I'd probably tell him anyhow since I'd take time off work.  He was so excited for us and thought the age difference would be perfect.  Now I just have one more week and I can tell everyone else!

No real worries this week (yay!).  Although, I feel like I've been having braxton hicks contractions every once in a while.  They don't last long, but it seems like that's what they feel like.  I googled it (oh, Dr. Google) and it sounds like it can be common for people to notice them this early in their second pregnancies because your uterus is expanding to accommodate the baby growing and it can cause that "contraction" type feeling.  I try to just rest and drink extra water when I notice it.

Also, at 11 weeks, baby is the size of a lime.  Ummm…woah.  That seems HUGE compared to everything else thus far.

On a side note, Zoe is getting reaping the benefits of a younger sibling already and getting spoiled in the process.  Beeba decided that to "thank" us for producing her second grandchild, she'd get Zoe a cozi coop car.  Then she also "needed" a tricycle as well.  I have no doubt Zoe will love both.  Our neighbors have the car and Zoe was not happy when she had to get out (we're working on sharing - especially what's not ours).  And the bike will for sure be a hit.  She had a complete meltdown in REI when I made her get off the bike we rode around the store.

April 20, 2014 - 10 Weeks

We're getting there!  10 weeks....1/4 of the way done.  Putting it in those terms is a little scarey to think about...

The highlight of this week....finally telling our parents!  They were all so excited.  My parents took a while to figure out what her shirt said.  And it was horrible having to wait until Saturday morning when Aaron was back from his trip and Zoe was up.  My dad kept asking Friday night when we were going to have another.  I think I did a pretty good job lieing :)  Then we told Aaron's parents on Sunday - a little hurried since we had to wait for Zoe to get up from her nap and then needed to leave to get to his sides Easter party.  At my family's Easter, my uncle commented on if I was eating for two (ok, I had two small roll sandwiches) and my cousin said Zoe clearly needed a sibling since she was so obsessed with their "baby" as Zoe kept calling out.

It was a great weekend though.  Beeba, Nana, Zoe, and I went to the Meijer Gardens Saturday morning.  Zoe was more intrigued with the "wawa" (water) and plants but we had fun.  We'll definitely have to go back when it's warmer.  I had no idea they had so much outdoor space for kids.  Then we went to lunch at Panera before heading home for naptime.  My mom and I treated ourselves to a mani/pedi as well.  Sunday was FILLED with church, parties, and a little bit of relaxing while Zoe napped. 

I'm starting to feel less sick, but I'm not sure if that's because the "morning sickness" is going away or if I'm consciously eating more.  I have a bowl of cereal before bed which has greatly helped how I feel in the morning and then I snack all day and make sure I haven't something for the ride home just in case.  But smells....ugh.  They just are horrible.  Our house still smells "weird" to me and Aaron promises he doesn't smell it.  The fridge at work, the trash at home.  I literally have to stop breathing sometimes quickly while I'm doing stuff like opening the fridge or throwing something away.  Just breathing out of my mouth even makes me gag.  It's bad.

Again, I'm running out of flowy shirts.  Yesterday, I just said screw it and wore one or my regular sweaters.  It is what it is at this point.  I do need to bust out my bella bands soon though.  Some of my work pants have to be unbuttoned by the end of the day.

No huge worries right now.  Of course, I've spotted on and off since Saturday which made me wonder if telling our parents was a mistake.  But in the end, these are the people who would know if something bad happened anyhow so it's ok.  But it's been much lighter and less frequent than with Zoe so I'm trying not to think about it.

Aaron dislocated his shoulder on Saturday so things have been a little interesting.  I've been on making dinner, cleaning up, and 100% Zoe duty all week.  I'm exhausted by the time 7:30 hits.  He's doing what he can though.  It's just hard when Zoe's starving, she needs to eat, but all she wants is for ME to hold her until her dinner is ready.  And it's near impossible to cook her dinner and hold her at the same time.  Thankfully, yesterday has been the only really bad day.

April 13, 2014 - 9 Weeks

I can't believe it's nine weeks already!  Hopefully these next weeks go by fast just so that we can start telling everyone and not just family.  And then it can slow down a little :)

I really give credit to the mommas out there who endured horrible morning sickness in the first trimester, and extra credit to those who went through crazy sickness all throughout their pregnancy.  I am counting down the days until I hit the second trimester and can feel better.  Nothing sounds appetizing yet I'm starving which creates the whole nausea issue.  I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I hadn't eaten all day.  Then when I go downstairs in the morning and the house smells like last night's dinner, it takes everything in me not to throw up.  Mind you, Aaron can barely smell it.  Thank you pregnancy super smell.  So I know I shouldn't complain.  We are so blessed to be where we are.  And so many women have it so much worse.  But I'll probably keep complaining.

I'm starting to be able to stay up a little later.  I'm getting more energy, but now I'm feeling worse so I don't know which I'd prefer.

I still think I just look more "pregnant" in the late afternoon/at night.  Again, I have no idea how I'm going to hide this at work for much longer. 

I've still been sleeping awesome and Zoe isn't sick so I'm not hearing her wakeup either.  Thank you!

April 6, 2014 - 8 Weeks

I do not remember being this exhausted or feeling so blah all of the time.  And I don't want to complain, but I am SO tired.  Getting to the end of the work day has been a struggle.  Then I just want to curl up on the couch and go to bed for the night, but I put on a happy face and do my best to be "happy mommy" and read books, do puzzles, and play games.  I know this phase won't last forever and I'll get my energy back soon enough and Zoe probably won't even remember the few weeks where mommy was a blob on the couch without moving.  This growing a human thing is tough business.  Add in taking care of your first human who's now a moving toddler...no joke folks.

But enough of the complaining.

I'm managing to survive, but I feel like I am hungry literally 24/7.  I get done eating, and I need to eat again.  I'm trying to just make healthy choices.  But sometimes that donut at work is staring me in the face.  I had a small case of food poisoning this week.  So not fun when you are starving.  I basically lived on saltine crackers that day. 

The spotting came back again with some clotting.  See, I shouldn't have said anything in my last post.  The nurse didn't seem to be worried at this point.  She said baby is really starting to burrow in and it might continue to happen over the next few weeks.  It made me feel a little better.  Seeing baby today thought with a strong heartbeet in the 170s made me feel MUCH better.  And the spotting is gone again. 

Zoe's "Big Sister" shirt arrived in the mail this week!  That's how we plan to share with our parents.  I can't wait to see how long it takes them to read her shirt and figure it out :)  We bought it on Etsy from Zoey's Attic.  Awesome customer service, super fast processing and delivery, and just great to work with.  I'll definitely be going back in the future.

Things were crazy busy last week with going to Grand Rapids for a birthday party and baby shower.  Zoe will have another cousin this summer!  She and Ida were so cute together and actually interacted this time around.  Zoe was great at sharing her toys which surprised me since everything is "MINE!" most of the time at home.

I definitely feel like I look pregnant already at the end of the workday.  This could prove to be tough keeping it a secret until 13 weeks...No matter what, I won't tell people, but I'm wondering if they'll start speculating.  There are only so many "flowy" shirts I own.  That and the fact that I eat all the time.  Oh well.

Still craving all things salt.  Lots of stuff just doesn't sound good at all.  I'll put something on our weekly menu because it's easy and then when we get to that night, I get queasy just looking at the word on the paper. 

Zoe is finally feeling better, knock on wood.  And of course I think I'm getting a cold.  Hopefully I don't give it to her since all colds seem to turn into sinus infections with her.  She's back to her regular old eating self.  She put down THREE pancakes and eggs the other night.  More than either Aaron or me.  I finally had to hide them because she kept pointing to them and saying "more."

All in all, I'm hanging in there.  The weeks seem to be going pretty fast this time around!

My next appointment is in 4 weeks!  Then we can finally tell everyone since that's right around 13 weeks.  Perfect timing!

March 30, 2014 - 7 Weeks

Wrote March 30, 2014

I'll be a little less formal this time around (hopefully this isn't the beginnings of our second born always getting "less").

I'm generally feeling "ok."  I looked back at my posts while pregnant with Zoe around this time, and I'm generally feeling the same.  The exhaustion has kicked in.  I'm trying to go to bed early (like 9).  This time around though, I have a toddler who sometimes has a different agenda in the middle of the night.  Add in the fact that she had a sinus infection that we let go way too far, and it's been a long week.  She's now just waking up and crying.  Which I don't know if she's gotten used to us running in the past week (we were trying to save her from coughing to the point of gagging) or if she's just going through one of her weird weeks again.  But I'd love a full night's sleep with no interruptions right about now.

I'm also absolutely starving all day.  I eat, and it seems like I'm starving just 10 minutes later.  cue everyone at work figuring out I'm pregnant before I actually announce it.  Again, I'm trying to make healthy choices by eating fruit and veggies and healthy crackers.  Interestingly, I'm craving salty food much more this time around as of now.  It'll be interesting to see if the different cravings mean different gender.

I don't have any real worries anymore now that we've seen the baby in the right place.  My main worries right now are all about what will happen when this baby is here - how will Zoe do, how will I take care of TWO little ones, how will work nights go now with two little ones.  But we'll figure it out just like we did the first time around.

I'm kind of excited to find out the gender this time around.  Although, I don't think it can top doing all that work and then hearing your baby cry, finding out the gender, and getting to hold that squishy person.  But Aaron was nice enough to let me have my way last time, that I figure I can try it his way this time :)

So far the main differences between this baby and Zoe, seem to be the type of food I'm craving as mentioned above and the lack of worry (or lack of time to worry).

I cannot wait to be able to tell people!  And now that this blog is public, I won't be able to post any of these updates until we start to tell everyone which is almost 6 weeks away.  That seems so far from now.  I told my sister already since I wanted to make sure that she was ok with the wedding dress.  She swore to secrecy.  We are telling family (and of course my BFF) around Easter...only 3 weeks.  Then we'll probably start to tell the rest of the world around 13 or 14 weeks when I'm out of the first trimester.  I hope this part goes by quickly.  I don't like keeping secrets.

Crazy Fast

Written March 29, 2014

All of the blood results have been great so far.  I had spotting for about a week and that's gone now too - which I probably should not have mentioned because now it will come back.  Our two ultra sounds we have had so far show the baby growing right on track (and in the right spot).  The tech even saw the heartbeat yesterday (the baby is too small right now for her to get a read to be able to let us hear it).

We go back in two weeks for our first "official" OB appointment and ultra sound where we should see a much bigger baby and a more official due date.

I am so so relieved. 

It's crazy how much less time I have to think about everything this time around.  With Zoe, I was CONSTANTLY worried even though we had weekly appointments.  This time I'm so busy thinking about work and spending as much quality time with Zoe before she goes to bed and then I'm exhausted so I go to bed around 9 that I just have no time to worry (which is nice for this worrier).

But I am excited.  So so so excited.  We are so blessed to get to experience this all over again.  I can't wait to start planning Zoe's new room.  Aaron (and supposably Zoe wants to know too) is winning out this time around and we are finding out the gender, so we'll do a few minor changes to the nursery just so this baby gets his/her own things.  And hopefully the only really new things we'll have to buy are strollers that can now fit two little ones.  Although those babies are not cheap.  I thought our single stroller was a lot! 

Mother's Day

It's so hard to believe that my second Mother's Day is already here.  Last year was a bit of a whirlwind with a weekend full of parties and a little girl with her first cold.  After having an 6 month who had slept through the night for a while, staying up all night with a poor little girl who couldn't breathe was rough.  I wasn't seasoned anymore.

I've said it a million times, but being a mom is truly such a tough job.  But it's so much more rewarding then any performance review or bonus at work. 

Hearing Zoe talk to her animals and baby over the monitor in the morning...

Walking into her room and seeing that HUGE smile just for me and her popping up with her arms outstretched....

Finally getting kisses when we ask (even if they are open mouthed and slobbery)...

Putting her to bed at night and having her say "night night" and wave bye bye through her crib slats well after the door is shut...

She's amazing.  I had no idea what to expect when I was pregnant.  And things are definitely different since having her.  But wow, they've changed for the better.  I never imagined the sheer magnitude of love I'd feel instantaneously.  And somehow, it keeps growing and growing which I never thought possible.

I'm so thankful for this little girl who made me a momma.  Even when she tries my patience, I wouldn't trade her for anything :) :)

Ramblings

Written March 28, 2014

I took a test on a whim.  After all of my usual spotting, I thought for sure it would be negative and we'd go on with life.  But I guess deep down I knew that it just might be positive.  I've just felt...off.  The cheapo test I bought a while ago for when we'd actually be trying this summer was positive.  And of course I was out of the good ones so I had to make a run to the pharmacy.  Which is exactly what happened when I found out we were pregnant with Zoe :)  And then I try to force myself to go to the bathroom again to test.  That expensive test?  Positive too.  Ready or not....here we go again!

I have so many emotions swirling around in my brain.  I hate that our experience in 2011 has tainted my excitement.  I hate that I have to wait for blood results and ultrasounds to make sure everything is ok before I can really embrace this baby.

But I knew that once I got the ok from the doctor, the excitement would bubble over.  This was definitely not in our plan (at least not for a few more months), but obviously God had something different in store for us :)

Thankfully, my sister was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and could care less about the bridesmaid dress and was just down right excited for us (and happy that she now has an excuse to come home for Christmas this year :) ).  Davids Bridal is exchanging the dress at no cost so we are good to go.  Thank you stars for aligning!   

But how will Zoe take this?  Right now, the wheel of fortune as my doctor calls it puts my due date at November 16ish.  Which means Zoe will be JUST over 2 years old.  Right now, everything is all about "MINE!" and she gets very, very jealous if I even attempt to hold another child (as in I have to try to hold the other child PLUS her).  But how fun is going to be for them to grow up close in age?  They will LOVE LOVE each other.  I just know it.

And of course I have a million and one other worries surrrounding some of the hiccups I had the first time around.  

BUT...there is a tiny, squishy, newborn smelling baby in our future.  I get to snuggle that stinker tight and this time, I know exactly how fast it goes.  So I'll be sure to hold on extra tight.  Because before we know it, this baby who's just a twinkle in my eye right now will soon enough be a crazy, loveable toddler.