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.