31 Weeks with Baby #2

March 27, 2016

How far along? 31 weeks
Stretch marks? yes, the belly has just grown too big too fast this time around
Sleep: sleep is rough, meaning it doesn't happen much or for very long.  I'm exhausted all the time, but my hips and back hurt way too much at night to actually be able to fall asleep and stay asleep for very long.
Exercise: BarreAmped 1-2x a week, Knocked Up Fitness Prenatal Sculpt 3-4x a week, walking a few miles a day
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): Hmmm, it's getting to the point where everything is pretty routine and normal.  Nothing exciting happens or anything that can really be constituted as "the best."  Which I supposed is a good thing.  After the rocky start with pregnancies this past year and even the first few months with baby sister and the hemorrhage, I'm happy with uneventful.
Movement: always kicking and rolling in there.  As long as she moves head down, I'll be good.  I could always tell with Charlee where her feet and butt/back were, this one who knows.  Sometimes I think she's finally head down, but then sometimes she feels transverse again.
Food cravings: sugar.  I'm back to my sweet tooth.  I have been able to think of nothing else besides Culver's custard (and I've been eating frosting out of the can)
Anything making you queasy or sick:not really
 Have you started to show yet: The belly is getting bigger
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are starting up again
Symptoms: hip pain at night, sciatic, back pain at night, feet hurt, the nerve pain under my ribs is coming back, the waddle
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: This past week has been exhausting, mostly because I am just so darn uncomfortable (and the fact that I don't sleep much anyore).  As we inch closer and closer to May 29th, I realize how *not* ready I am to be a mom of two little girls, mentally and emotionally.  We've wanted this for two years now, but it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that it is actually happening.  It took us so long to get to the point of excitement with baby sister due to the miscarriages prior that I feel like we were robbed this pregnancy.  And I still feel terribly guilty about that.  Guilty that this little peanut isn't getting all the love and attention that Charlee got long before she was born.  There will be no baby shower, no gender reveal, no big celebration to welcome her.  She at least has a new nursery that has alleviated some of my guilt, but all of the clothes and diapers are all from Charlee.  This poor child gets nothing that is just hers. So I guess "moody" would be the name of the game this week?


Dear baby sister,

Despite my guilt trip above, we are so very excited for you to join our family!  We have so much to do (and buy) to get ready for your arrival, but you already have a special place in our family.  You may not have a name yet, but hopefully by the time you get here, you will.

Charlee loves to talk about you.  She peruses the Target baby aisle and picks out little clothes and shoes for you.  "This is for baby sister!" You are very little in her eyes so anything that is too small for her is for baby sister.  I think you will just adore her.  (but I hope you don't inherit her sassiness and ability to whine and cry.  Mama needs a break from that).

You've been moving a ton.  You love to kick and move early in the morning and at night. You like Charlee's music and move when she is clapping along (or when she starts screaming like when she sees the bus coming down the street (from excitement not terror) but I think you are more mad that she is screaming, not necessarily enjoying it.  It hurts my ears too.)

I'm so curious as to who you will look like.  Charlee looked just like Daddy when she was born.  There was no mistaking paternity.  I wonder if you will look like her or if you will look more like me.  Will you have lots of hair like Charlee?  Will I get a blonde haired blue eyed little girl this time?

9 more weeks to go (or 10 if you are like your big sister).  I'm content with 7-9 weeks to go, but just don't come too early and don't stay in too long.  :)

Love,
mommy

Charlee got a doggie for Easter from Aunt Brittany and Uncle Dan, so doggie (aka Dr. Anna if you ask her what her doggie's name is) had to be in the pictures too.

30 Weeks with Baby #2

March 20, 2016

How far along? 30 weeks
Stretch marks? sigh, yes
Sleep: sleep is such a joke now.  I can never fall asleep and then I'm up at least 4 times a night to try to flip over (which is also laughable)
Exercise: BarreAmped 1-2x a week, Knocked Up Fitness Prenatal Sculpt 3-4x a week, walking a few miles a day
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): I generally enjoy pregnancy, I really do, but I think I have just been so uncomfortable this past week that I'm drawing a blank on the "best" moment.  Honestly, things are pretty par for the course and there's not much new.  She's moving around a ton, Charlee is coming around to having a sister and talks about her a lot.
Movement: Lots of movement all the time now.  I think she has flipped a few times and could possibly be laying sideways.  As long as she's head down in the next 6 weeks, I don't care.
Food cravings: nothing, but I seriously need to get this eating under control.  The weight gain is getting ridiculous
Anything making you queasy or sick:not really
 Have you started to show yet: big belly, which is now starting to show in my face :(
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs: none
Symptoms: hip pain, my feet always hurt, back pain, weight gain, nerve separation causing numbness on my belly, and a slew of other symptoms that I really don't want to talk about
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Super emotional this past week.  I'm not happy with my weight gain and how I look.  I know I shouldn't care because in just two months, the baby will be here and I can start working on my new normal, but the number on the scale and how my clothes are starting to fit are not enjoyable. I don't mind the big belly at all, it's the puffy face, bigger arms, butt and thighs that I could do without.


Dear baby sister,

I tend to forget all of the unpleasant things about pregnancy.  After Charlee, I always thought about how much I loved it and couldn't wait to be pregnant again.  I do generally enjoy it and would do it all over again.  However, now looking back as am I experiencing all of the aches and pains with you (and you have been a sassy one putting us through the ringer with the hemorrhage, being breech, just dealing with recurrent miscarriage before you), that I am remembering all of the not so fun stuff with Charlee.  The hip pain, the back pain, the feeling huge, gaining weight in my face, the number on the scale, etc.  It's hard to get past some of the yucky stuff sometimes. 
But then I wash and fold all of Charlee's old clothes that you will soon wear and I can't believe how teeny tiny you will be.  How you'll snuggle in my arms to fall asleep.  The way your daddy will hold you and talk to you.  And getting to see Charlee become a big sister.  It makes all of the weight gain and aches and pains worth it.  (But in all seriousness, I better lose the weight fast because you and I are going to be out walking all the time.)
It's hard to believe that you will be here soon!  Although I'm still betting that you will be at least a week late like your sister.

Love,
mommy

29 Weeks Baby #2

March 13, 2016

This is as good as it gets, folks.  Someone was in quite the mood so taking pictures (even though she said she would take 3 "smiley" pictures with me) was like pulling teeth.

How far along? 29 weeks
Stretch marks? sigh, yes
Sleep: waking up numerous times a night to try to flip over because my hips hurt so bad
Exercise: BarreAmped 1-2x a week, Knocked Up Fitness Prenatal Sculpt 3-4x a week, walking about 2 miles a day
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): We took Charlee to see Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on stage last weekend.  She LOVED it and sang along the whole time (money well spent).  Baby sister loved it too and kicked throughout the entire thing.
We got to see baby sister on the ultrasound again since she wasn't moving much at all (found out she was breech), but she's weighing in at roughly 3lbs and made up for her lack of movement by moving nonstop since!
Passed my glucose test!  High fives all around and ice cream for everyone! I was really nervous I wouldn't.
Movement: Ever since the day of non-movement she was been moving and grooving all the time.  Lots of big kicks and flips (ouch!) 
Food cravings: Nothing is appealing.  I eat because I know I have to, but then continue eating because I'm bored
Anything making you queasy or sick:just blah
 Have you started to show yet: very large
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs: braxton hicks are back
Symptoms: horrible hip and back pain at night.  It's hard to roll over or get out of bed because it hurts so much.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time:Other than feeling very large and in charge (it's ok, I know you all say I'm not big because you're very nice, but I know the truth: I'm big. I was big with Charlee, I'm big now and still growing), things have been pretty good.  Charlee has been talking up a storm and is just a big goofball.  I'm thankful for this extra time with her because she is so much fun right now (except when she's whiny or cranky). 


Dear baby sister,

You certainly like to keep us on our toes.  After an uneventful 28 week appointment and glucose test (which you could care less about because you were pretty quiet after I had to chug the orange drink), you decided to just hunker down and be completely still which freaked everyone out.  Literally no movements at all last Wednesday.  We went in for a quick ultrasound where we found your heartbeat right away and realized you were breech.  Thanks for that.  Right after that you were pissed and decided to flip over (which really hurt but you better be head down now!) and kick me repeatedly for the next three days.

You're starting to react to your big sister which is hilarious, mainly to her shrieking.  Charlee really likes to scream now just because, usually when she's excited, and you react by kicking.  You two will make quite the pair and give me a run for my money, that's for sure.

Love,
your mommy

28 Weeks Baby #2

March 6, 2016
(I hate this week's pictures, but someone was in a mood after her nap (and I'm just huge, so I don't really look good in anything)

 
How far along? 28 weeks
Stretch marks? sigh, yes
Sleep: not falling asleep until after 11pm, up every single day at 4am because my hips hurt so bad, and waking up 3-4 times to flip over
Exercise: BarreAmped 1-2x a week, Knocked Up Fitness Prenatal Sculpt 3-4x a week, trying to walk more now that isn't warming up
Weight Gain: 25+ lbs which I'm having a hard time trying to swallow that pill.
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): Charlee got to see her first show at the theater, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood!  Oh my gosh, she was so excited!  She sang to every single song and danced and clapped along.  Not going to lie, I teared up when the show started because she had the biggest smile on her face (damn pregnancy hormones). 
Movement: lots of movement at night. Baby sister really enjoyed Daniel Tiger too and kicked along to the whole thing
Food cravings: nothing really sounds all that appealing, but I still find enough to stuff in my face during the day which is why I gained 7lbs in the past 4 weeks :(
Anything making you queasy or sick:still nauseous every few days.  The past few days have started with toast because I can't force anything else down.
 Have you started to show yet: big belly.  As Charlee would say "Mommy, too big!"
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs: none, braxton hicks starting up again.  I get a 1-3 every night
Symptoms: nausea, awful nerve separation pain near my right ribs (read feels like someone lit my stomach on fire, but it's numb to the touch), back pain, hip pain at night and early morning
Belly Button in or out? in, but probably not for long. It's more just flat, not in or out.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: It seems like spring is here and we are all enjoying the warmer weather.  Charlee loves playing outside and going to the park.  She also knows that warmer weather means that baby sister will be here soon and come to the park with us.  She has also decided that she will ride in the bottom seat of the stroller and baby sister can be on the top.
Some days when I'm feeling particularly crappy or nauseous, I'm not the best person to be around.  My fuse gets very short and I feel like a horrible person and an awful mom.  I do a lot of apologizing and crying.


Dear baby sister,

It's so hard to believe that in less than 3 months, you will be here!  We talk about you a lot and all the things Charlee wants to do with you or give you.  You still don't have a name, but Charlee didn't either until she was born.

We were told to register at the hospital now, which is just crazy!  I'm not ready to register yet.  I know then next 12 weeks will fly by, but I think I need a little more time to get everything ready for you (and for me to adjust to the idea of having 2 little girls.  I might be stressing out just a little about how I'm going to juggle you and Charlee).

Your kicks are getting bigger and more powerful.  Your big sister hasn't felt you kick yet, but she's also a little impatient and won't wait for you to kick.  She just pushes on my stomach thinking it makes you kick.  I'm also starting to feel your hiccups more.  Hopefully you get them during the day and not at 4am every day like Charlee did.

Keep growing, little girl!  We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

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