Baby 2 – Peanut Smiles

William Gregory’s Birth Story

February 28, 2015June 19, 2017 peanutsmiles

Dear little buddy,

The guessing games and mind tricks are over, you are here! And you are the perfect little baby; so similar to your sister yet so different. As I mentioned in my 39 Week post, I was thinking you were going to arrive in a similar way to Lexi via induction, but you’ve showed us you’re your own little person.

After going to my 39 week appointment, having my membranes stripped and getting the direction to keep walking; I headed to Target to get a couple of things and then to Costco before heading home to work for the rest of the afternoon. During both trips I was experiencing contractions but nothing painful or different from the last week or so. I came home and started working, yet making an effort to move around the house as much as possible. Contractions continued, but again I didn’t think anything of it. Around 2, I started timing them just to see IF there was any regularity to them. To me they felt very sporadic. Much to my surprise, they were coming every 10-12 min or so. Although surprised, it never crossed my mind that this was the very beginning stages of labor for us. As the day progressed they slowly got stronger. By 6:00, I told Daddy I was about 70% sure we would have a baby by this time tomorrow. I felt like I was in labor but didn’t want to get myself too excited only to be deflated, again. Daddy said OK, what’s the plan, do we need to go now? I hadn’t really thought about it, but knew we didn’t need to leave at this moment.

I texted Grandma B to be on ‘watch’. Daddy and I started picking up the house and cleaning so we would have a clean house to come home to if this was the real deal and to help me keep my mind on something. Daddy helped me time contractions during this process. Whenever I felt one, he had me yell out ‘Tippy-toe’ (A Seinfeld reference; you’ll learn that your Daddy is a BIG fan.) Again, to my surprise, contractions were coming every 5 minutes and the pain level was about a 2/10. If we hadn’t timed them, I would have guessed they were coming every 10 minutes. This is the moment that I really let myself believe that I might actually be in labor and it wasn’t a false alarm.

Around 7:00, I called the Dr to let them know I thought I was in labor. They agreed that it sounded like I was and told me to hang out at home for a bit longer, but don’t wait until I’m in a lot of pain to come in as Baby #2 can come a lot faster. I was excited by this thought, but was still pretty nervous that everything could fall apart and I would be going to work tomorrow. After getting off the phone with the Dr. I called Grandma and told her to head over so she could watch Lexi.

The Wild were playing that night and Daddy really wanted to watch the game. So he watched the first period while I continued to clean to stay on my feet and keep my mind pre-occupied. Contractions had grown stronger but I was still able to concentrate on whatever I was doing and didn’t need to stop to breath through anything. By 8:45 Grandma arrived and contractions were increasing in intensity and thought it was time to head in. Lexi was off-the-walls excited to see/play with Grandma and couldn’t wait to get rid of us. In fact, she told us to leave several times.

On the car ride over, we started timing contractions again and they were coming about every 3 minutes. They were painful (3/10) but I could continue to walk and talk through them. The car ride was a little surreal. There was a level of excitement of this is ‘IT’. This is what it feels like to go into labor naturally. For whatever reason, the car ride to the hospital had some kind of significant meaning to me as it somehow represented the notion of going into labor. Whenever I thought about how you were going to arrive, the ride to the hospital was what I would always visualize. Kind of strange, but true. So to be in the car with Daddy and making our 5-mile trip to the hospital was fairly monumental for me.

Once we were all set up in the triage room for our hour progression wait, we turned on the Wild game to help pass the time. Again, contractions continued to get stronger throughout that hour and by the end, I needed to stop and breath through them. The only tolerable position for me was to stand and while a contraction would come, I would need to bend over and brace myself on the side of the bed. After our hour wait, I was still dilated to a 4, but was much softer. Thankfully, they decided to admit me even though I hadn’t technically made any progress, but could clearly tell I was in labor and things had intensified since we had come in. It was such a relief to know we were going to have you! I told Daddy if they didn’t admit me, we were just going to go downstairs and hang out in the lobby because there was no way I was leaving. Getting admitted also meant I could get that epidural I was thinking about with every contraction.

As soon as we arrived in our room they ordered the epidural. I was relieved I didn’t need to wait another hour to get it as that is what I remember them telling me with Lexi. You need to get a bag of fluid in, which takes about an hour, before they can administer the epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived in our room around 10:30 pm and I sat on the edge of the bed curled over thinking it was going to be a quick and easy process like it was with Lexi. Wrong-OH! First of all, I do not remember any pain when they numbed the area and I definitely had that this time. Second, when she put in the catheter she hit a blood vessel so there was a lot of blood, not that I could see it, but apparently it wasn’t a good thing. So she tried again with no success. She proceeded to try three new locations requiring numbing in 3 different areas, hitting my bone several times and was a very painful experience. It ended up taking an hour for her to actually get the epidural in and working. Throughout this entire process, I was having contractions every 2 minutes, was forced to remain sitting on the edge of the bed with my back curved over and neck down. The contractions were fairly strong at this point and required 100% focus and lots of breathing to get through each one. This process was pretty terrible and I was pretty frustrated. Thankfully, Daddy was there holding my hand to help me get through it and try and keep me as relaxed. There were several times where he thought I was going to break one of his fingers. During the last 15 minutes, I was on edge with the anesthesiologist and was about ready to request someone else to come as she clearly couldn’t do it. Later Daddy made comments about how we clearly got the ‘C’ team on this as she didn’t look like she knew what she was doing. He even asked her if some of the products were child-proof as she seemed like she had never opened them before.

Nonetheless, by 11:30 it finally worked and I had some relief. At this point, I had only progressed to a 5. This amazes me. I for sure felt like she was going to check me and i was going to be like a 7. For as often as the contractions were coming and how strong they felt, it seems crazy to think that my body was only half way to where it needed to be to deliver you. By midnight, the nurse suggested getting a little rest. Daddy was pretty tired so he lied down for a little. I sent my work an email to let them know I was in labor, made some notes about labor thus far and closed my eyes to get what little rest I could.

Around 1:30 I started feeling a lot of pressure that was boarder-line uncomfortable/painful. I was thinking that the medication for the epidural was running out. I paged the nurse to let her know. She checked me quick and said I was a 7 with a bulging bag of waters. Either my water was going to break pretty quickly or the Dr. would break it when she arrived, which should be in about 30 minutes.

The pain and pressure continued to build and it felt like I had to go number 2 really bad. At 2:15, I paged the nurses again and said the pain and pressure was getting pretty bad. The Dr. came in, broke my water and said she would be back in 10-15 minutes to deliver. Having the water break is such an unusual sensation. It is warm and feels like you’re peeing your pants, but an entire bucket in a couple of seconds. For me, it decreased the pain of two contractions but then the pain for the next one was stronger than before my water broke.

At 2:25 the nurses and the doctor came in and set up shop. There was a nurse for me, the doctor and a nurse for you. I was surprised at how few people were in the room; with Lexi it felt like there were about 10 nurses in there. During my first contraction of pushing, they informed me that I had turned you from face up to face down. The second contraction pushed you further down the birth canal and the third contraction, you were out. Despite having the epidural, I felt a lot of pain. I even remember screaming a little during that last push to get your head out and saying it hurts! As soon as your head came out, there was instant relief and the rest of your body squiggled it’s way out without any pushing.

Once you were out, Daddy announced, “It’s a William” and had one of the biggest and proudest smiles on his face I have ever seen. The nurse wiped you off quickly and put you on my chest while Daddy cut your umbilical cord. I looked down at you and put my arms around you and all I could think about were how purple your hands were. I gave you a kiss on the top of your head and immediately started referring to you as ‘buddy’. However, your purple fingers really concerned me, the nurse agreed and quickly took you away to give you a more thorough check.

Birth Stats:

- Name: William Gregory Sampson (the 6th William Sampson and named after both of your Grandpas)

Born: February 25, 2015 at 2:37 a.m.

Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz.

Height: 19.5 inches (although, I don’t think this is right as 4 days later you were 20.5″ at the doctor)

Apgar scores: 8 & 9

While the Dr. cleaned me up, I laid there in disbelief that it only took 3 contractions to get you out, that we had a SON and I had been complaining and contemplating an induction day earlier that morning. Very surreal for me. Another side effect of birth for me was having some really intense shakes. My whole body was shaking uncontrollably for nearly two hours after. I got the chills on and off and was a little nervous holding you as my arms were shaking so bad.

After all of the nurses left and we were waiting for my epidural to wear off, it was such a couple of peaceful hours. Because it was so early in the morning we weren’t distracted by calling or texting friends and family to announce your arrival. Daddy and I were just able to cuddle you, nurse you and enjoy the little miracle that you are. I loved watching daddy snuggle you and love you. Throughout the pregnancy he was fairly indifferent to you inside the belly, but the moment he set eyes on you, I could see the bond he felt towards you and the deep love that had grown in a matter of seconds. Words really can’t describe how wonderful it was to watch Daddy fall in love with you.

Finally, around 5:30 a.m. the epidural had worn off and we were brought to the postpartum room. We asked the nurses to leave us alone for several hours so we could get some rest. So there you have it little bud, this is how you arrived into this crazy world we live in. We love you so much and are so excited to watch you grow into a happy baby, curious toddler, inquisitive boy and handsome man.

Let the fun begin!

Love, Your Mama

Side notes for mommy:

- I had one small tare and they even questioned if it needed a stitch, but ultimately decided to give me one.

After talking with the doctor about the epidural and why I felt so much pain this time. They explained that the epidural usually numbs the pain of the contraction but doesn’t diminish the pressure to help with the pushing and that I probably had a really good epidural the first time around and this one was more normal. I would much rather have preferred the no pain route!

Bill got queasy several times during the pushing process and needed to sit down. He said there was lots of blood and other things coming out of me, which was not the case with Lexi. It was funny to hear him tell me this later because I had no idea he was sitting down. Also, I think this was because with Lexi, my water was broken at 8:00 am so there was several hours for everything to come out, where this time it was only a couple minutes and I wasn’t able to stand up and let gravity due its thing.

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 39 Weeks

February 24, 2015March 14, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear little baby,

I’m not sure if it is you or my body, but this past week, has been such a tease. I’ve been having contractions on a regular basis, but nothing consistent. They’ll appear for 30-60 minutes and then disappear for a couple of hours and then decide to show up again and then go away. Mentally it is draining as I think–oh maybe this is it–and then am deflated. I’m trying not to analyze every potential sign, but man it is hard not to.

I’ve also been praying to help relinquish control and just let you do your thing and arrive when you are supposed to–it is easier said than done. Overall, the pelvic pressure has dissipated a bit–which kind of makes me feel like I’m moving in the opposite direction.

Otherwise the week was pretty low key. There were a few flair ups at work but for the most part it was fairly calm. On Friday, my boss officially took me off of all projects and is just having me work on some things for when I return from maternity. Sunday, we made a turkey and Grandma and Grandpa came over but I think that was about it.

I also had my weekly Dr. appointment. I have gained 21 lbs so far–not to bad, and very surprising considering 10 of those lbs were put on in the first trimester. Everything else looks good. Your heart rate was around 155–so a little on the higher side again. I was dilated to a 3+ and the cervix has continued to soften–all good signs. I had my membranes stripped and was given direction to walk, walk and walk so more. So we’ll see what I’m able to do being trapped inside with the cold weather and what I can do at work. We also talked a lot about induction and if we should do it this Friday or wait until my due date next Tuesday. I’m a little torn. I really want to go naturally and have that experience of not being induced, but I’m also anxious to meet you and am fearful of you being a really big baby and needing a C-section to deliver, just because I wanted to experience going into labor naturally. If we schedule Friday and get bumped we’ll have a really good chance of getting in on Tuesday. If we wait until Tuesday and get bumped, we’ll have to wait until Friday, 11 days from now. 11 Days seems unfathomable. I’m sure I would go before then but the idea of waiting another 11 days seems like torture. After talking to Daddy, the plan is to put our name down on the list for Tuesday and then check in on Thursday afternoon to see what the wait list is like for Friday and if the list is really long, I’ll put my name down knowing I won’t get in and should for sure be set for Tuesday. I feel good about this plan and feel more confident that I’ll go into labor on my own before next Tuesday.

Thats all for now–lets meet soon little one.

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 38.5 Weeks Pregnancy Insomnia

February 19, 2015March 14, 2015 peanutsmiles

Little babes,

These last couple weeks before your arrival are a silent killer. The anticipation of your arrival is so exciting but so difficult. The notion that you can theoretically come at any point over a 6 week time period is hard. You don’t want to plan anything in case–but you also don’t want to just sit around and wait and drive yourself crazy.

My mobility at this point is pretty difficult. Standing up, walking, sleeping, sitting–there is no good position at this point. Lots of noises are made in any kind of transition.

Then tonight, I’m dealing with one of my first bouts of pregnancy insomnia. Thankfully, I haven’t dealt with this much–but it stinks. I just can’t sleep and what’s worse is knowing how tired I’m going to be at work tomorrow. Anyways, thought I would take advantage of the quietness of the house to capture of the non-stop thoughts about your arrival running through my head.

The constant change in how I’m feeling is so difficult. At one point, I’m so uncomfortable and feel so much pressure that I feel like your arrival could happen at any second. Then a couple hours later or maybe a day–I feel nothing as in I could be pregnant for another 2-3 months.

I also realize that I’m only 38 weeks pregnant and that I’m being inpatient and don’t have a right (on behalf of all overdue pregnant ladies) to feel this way. As of right now, I’m about 90% convinced that you will not arrive on your own and I’ll need to be induced. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’m about 50% OK with that. I had a great experience when I was induced with Lexi and really really want Dr. G to deliver you. The other 50% of me really wants to have that experience of going into labor naturally. In my mind, there is something fairly exhilarating about the adrenal rush that would come with that. Does my water break, timing contractions, determining when to call Grandma, determining when to go to the hospital–the unknown of that just seems a little exciting to me.

At the Dr. appointment earlier this week, I told Dr. G, I want to be induced on my due date (March 3rd) if you haven’t arrived by then. I’m torn on if I want to really do that or not. Part of my just wants to meet you and be done with it, and the other part wants to give you a couple more days to come on your own schedule. If you haven’t arrived by Friday, then I would be OK being induced. Regardless, I think I’m going to be done with work by my due date. I have some vacation that needs to get used and think I just want to be done. I’m going to take next Friday off and go to MOA to walk as it has been disgustingly cold here out (like -15 degrees with wind chills of -30, yuck!!) and have a fun family day by taking Lexi on a ride or two and seeing Lego land.

Come out soon sweet baby. Mama wants to meet you.

Love,

Mama

PS. Your big sister is excited to meet you as well. We were snuggling in bed the other night and she turns to me and declares, ‘Mama, I share girafee with sister’ which is her absolute favorite thing in the world and don’t believe she has gone a night without girafee for over a year and a half. You’re already so loved!

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 38 Weeks

February 17, 2015March 14, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

I’m sorry, but no more photos 😦 I took them, but hadn’t transferred them to the computer yet and you’re sister wiped them off my phone. I’m super bummed!

I’ve officially entered the mind games of pregnancy stage. After hearing I was 50% effaced and dilated to a 2 last week and a particularly challenging day with some contractions–I was convinced I wasn’t going to make it through this week. I felt like I could potentially go into labor at any moment.

However, the following day–I felt great and felt like I wouldn’t go for another couple of weeks. The games your mind plays on you are tricky! The most exciting thing that happened this week was that I made it! Walking out of work on Friday, I was just ecstatic. I felt so relieved to have made it and to know that the next two weeks shouldn’t involve a lot of heavy lifting on my behalf. Granted there is still a lot of work to do, but I shouldn’t have to work in the evenings and I feel like all but one of my projects can move forward without me and the knowledge has been transferred. Wahoo!!!

Sub-consciously, I am thinking about your arrival constantly. I’m over-analyzing every movement, pain and feeling running through my body and it is kind of driving me a little crazy. In my head, I feel like there are two situations in which you will arrive.

1. I’m going to be induced. I think this situation is top of mind because that’s what happened with Lexi.

2. You are going to come really really fast. Like my water is going to break and I’m instantly going to be tons of pain and we’re not going to be able to wait for Grandma to get here or drop Lexi off anywhere and we’re just going to have to speed to the hospital.

Realistically, I know that your arrival will be very different than either of these scenarios, but these are the two that rise to the top as I constantly think about your arrival.

I’m also back to feeling more strongly that you are a boy. I’m just dying to find out. I can’t wait to find out how our family is about to change.

I had my weekly Dr appointment today and things look good. I’m dialated to about a 2.5 and about 60% effaced-so little progress but not a ton. Your heart rate was between 130 and 135. Overall, movement has decreased in frequency but is much stronger and you like to stretch out a out. I continue to get random spouts of numbness in my legs–Dr. G. confirmed you are very very low, which would explain those zingers.

I’m ready for you any time little nugs! Come out and meet your family.

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 37 Weeks

February 9, 2015March 14, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

You are officially full term, but I need you to continue to bake at the very least for the rest of the week! I feel like ‘The Belly’ or you got huge this week. I was wearing a sweatshirt and you looked massive under it–even Daddy commented on how the Belly looks bigger now than it ever did with Lexi. After looking at this week’s picture–I feel like I’m starting to get the basketball look and not so much the long round egg look.

I had my weekly Dr. appointment today and things are going really well. Your heart rate was between 130 and 135. I continue to have a ridiculous amount of of Braxton Hicks contractions–some of them are painful, but painful at the bottom of the belly so Dr. G thinks that is from my body preparing to deliver you–not any pre-labor signs. I’m dilated to a comfortable 2 cm and about 50% or more effaced–so the body is making progress.

I still feel good considering your about 7.5 lbs. and can come at any point. I’m sleeping pretty well–only have to get up once during the night to go to the bathroom and can fall back asleep, most of the time. Rolling over has become nearly impossible. I pretty much need to sit up to roll to the other side–and find myself holding onto the blankets to help pull myself up.

Your movements have changed dramatically over the past 2-3 weeks. Instead of kicks and rolls it is more of stretching and adjustments. Usually, I can identify your butt and legs–especially when they are stretching out and pushing on the top of my belly. Pelvic pressure has increased, most noticeably when I’m walking but it is still bearable.

The only food that I really want to eat right now is sweets–and have had more than my fair share. So much so that I gained 3 lbs this week, yikes! Overall, I’ve had very little heartburn throughout the entire pregnancy and even when I have had it, it has been pretty minimal and haven’t needed to take TUMS, definitely thankful on that side of things. I think my feet/legs are starting to swell a little or at least by the end of the day, my socks feel tight around my legs. I also feel like I’ve reached the point where my maternity pants are getting small and my shirts are too short.

Work continues to be insane–but I just need to make it to the end of this week and it should level out as I’ll have some replacements on site. The end is in sight and I couldn’t be more excited!

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 36 Weeks

February 3, 2015March 14, 2015 peanutsmiles

Little Babes,

We officially have 4 weeks or less until we meet face to face and I couldn’t be more excited. Will you have chunky little cheeks? Hair? A light complexion like mom? Or dark like Dad? Will you be tall like your sister? When will you arrive, how will you arrive? And of course will we be blessed with a son or a daughter? All of these questions are constantly running through my mind, mostly about when and how you will arrive, but the anticipation is exciting! And more than anything, we pray that you are a healthy little nugget!

This morning we had your 36 week check up. It started with an ultrasound to check on your growth and ensure you were in fact head down. As of today, you’re measuring to be right around 7 lbs. with a heart rate between 135 and 145. The blood flow to your heart looks great and everything with your brain appears to be developing well. You are head down and like to keep your arms next to your face, but did cooperate and move them so we could get a little sneak peak of your chunky cheeks–and from the 3D pics, they look chunky! We were also able to see some hair on that head of yours.

Daddy and Lexi both came to the appointment this morning. Daddy was once again amazed at how much we’re able to look at with an ultra-sound and see you squirming around in there. Lexi, was a little less impressed. She knew right away that there was a baby on the screen, but was more interested in what the technician was doing to my belly and wanted to show the technician her belly.

After the ultra-sound we met with Dr. G and she did a quick test for Group B Strep and checked to see how things were progressing. I am dilated to 1 cm, and softening is starting to occur. This surprised me; I’m feeling pretty good and thought I would need to be more uncomfortable like I was with Lexi for any progression to begin. We also talked about how I likely won’t go past my due date if you haven’t arrived by then. Based on your current estimated size and typical growth patters, you would be 9 1/2 lbs! However, Lexi measured a little larger than you did at this same point, and ended up weighing 8 lbs when born so I still think it is all a guessing game at this point, BUT it does feel good to have an official ‘meet’ date in sight.

For whatever reason, this appointment made it feel a little more real for me in the fact that your Daddy and I will be meeting you soon. I still think we have several weeks, but it made me feel the pressure to get some things unloaded off my plate at work in case you do surprise us.

Outside of the Dr. appointment, things are going as expected. In general, I feel so much better than I did with Lexi at this point. I don’t have the itching–which is making sleep much better. I don’t have the pelvic pressure I did with her or the hip pain and feel less anxious for your arrival. There was so much unknown with her and I had never gone through labor or birth and I was constantly thinking about it. This time, I feel like I have a better idea what to expect–but still trying to embrace myself for a completely different experience. I’m also putting less pressure on myself to have everything at home be perfect. I’m not worried about what is in the hospital bag or forgetting something, or even having the car seat in the car. We only live 5 miles from the hospital, which is 1/4 of a mile away from Target–if we forget something, Daddy can easily go get something.

Work continues to be stressful as there is just so much going on and nobody to back me up at this point if you arrive. Additionally, it is just exhausting running from meetings all day and then coming home, making dinner, playing with Lexi, getting her ready for bed and then working for another several hours every night. There is no time to relax at all and just rest.

Until next week…

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 34 Weeks

January 20, 2015January 26, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

The bump continues to get bigger every week. I have a couple of defined stretch marks to the left of my belly button and it looks alike a couple developing on the right side. There are 3-4 lines on each side and make about 2 inches long. My belly button still remains an ‘innie’ although it is starting to appear flatter.

This past week was interesting. On Sunday, Daddy and I went to a movie for one of the first times in over a year. It was such a nice treat to 1.) see a movie and 2.) see it in a theater. Grandma B and Papa watched Lexi and after, Lexi and I sat in the hot tub. Papa was nice enough to turn the temp down so it was safe for me to go in. While I was in there, it felt great, but almost immediately after, I felt more pelvic pressure and a little pain every time I would put pressure onto a foot.

This pain continued throughout the week and had me a little concerned. Did my water break or get a really small leak? What was making me feel so crappy? Then on Tuesday, I had a couple of real, painful contractions, which had me very concerned. There were only a couple so I’ve coupled it up against dehydration and just trying to do too much. Mental note to myself that nothing at work is worth having you arrive early or put onto bed rest. Must take better care of myself.

Overall, work continues to be absolutely insane. Being down two-and-a-half people on our team of 4 is a killer. I’m working ~15 hours a day and working on a project that is pretty complex and brand new to me, so I’m a little worried I may be missing something or with the aggressive timelines may not meet the deadline. Hoping that everything falls into place and things settle down in the next two weeks when our new team members start.

Other updates around you: sleep continues to be pretty good. I wake up around 4 to go to the bathroom. Just not feeling like I’m getting enough sleep. Your movement continues to be aggressive. Lots of stretching, hiccups and kicking of my internal organs verses the outside.

At the doctor’s appointment this morning, your heartbeat was the lowest it has ever been, 133–which has me leaning on the boy side of the gender again. The doctor also thought you were sleeping which may explain the lower heart rate. Everything else seems to be going well. I did have her check me to make sure you hadn’t dropped or any kind of progression had been made and she confirmed that everything looks as it should for 34 weeks. Weight gain is at 17 lbs.

I think that is it for now.

Love, Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 33 Weeks

January 13, 2015January 25, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear little babes,

Another week is checked off the list. I can’t decide if time is going fast or slow. It is hard to believe it is the middle of January and I only have to wait 7 or 8 weeks to meet you. It feels like the last 30 weeks or so have gone by in a flash, yet when I think about last June when we found out we were expecting you, it feels like another lifetime.

In general, work is insanely busy right now so I’m hoping these last few weeks feel like they go fast. I’m excited to meet you and see how you blend into our family.

This past week, the weirdness in my hands and feet has gotten more intense. They feel very dry regardless of how much lotion I put on and like they need to be massaged. However, after I’m done rubbing them, they don’t feel better. It is very much like restless leg syndrome in my feet. Wearing socks to bed helps–specifically, ones that have compressed arch supports. I remember this same thing with Lexi–which ended up turning into ICP, we’ll see if the same thing happens this time, or it is just a weird side effect of pregnancy.

Overall, I continue to feel pretty good and fairly comfortable. I still have a limited range of positions I can sit or lay at to feel like I can breath normally, which isn’t a big deal. Sleep is still going well. Eating is kind of up in the air. I do eat, but don’t have a large appetite and get full pretty quickly. For the most part, nothing gets my mouth watering–just eating out of necessity. Heartburn has been fairly minimal as well as general hip pain and swelling that I was experiencing last time.

I don’t have the time to analyze and day dream like I did with Lexi, which I think made those last 8 weeks with her go by slowly. I’m hoping these next 7 to 8 weeks will be quickly.

Overall, i feel like your movements have become much more intense over the last week or two. Kicks, rolls and you stretching out are much stronger and felt more intensely than they used to. I can now also identify different body parts. You’re head down and can tell the difference between your feet stretching out and your hands.

Until next week…

Love, Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 32 Weeks

January 6, 2015January 25, 2015 peanutsmiles

Sweet Little Baby,

I’m starting this weeks update with the same phrase as last weeks, ‘What a difference a couple of days can make.’ This week was definitely smoother than last and included ringing in the new year. The year we get to meet you! So exciting. Work was busy all week and it was so nice having New Years Day off. I was able to take down and pack away all of our Christmas decorations AND get your bedroom ready for you.

Earlier in the week, we moved Lexi to her new big girl bedroom and so far she is doing great. This also enabled me to move a couple things around in your room and get the newborn baby tubs out. Your clothes are folded in your drawers and hung in your closet and Lexi’s toys all have a home. Overall, I’m feeling much more prepared. I even feel that it won’t be a big deal to if the basement isn’t bedroom finished by the time you’re born–which is a huge mental shift for me in general, but especially from last week.

Onto your progress. I had a doctors appointment this morning and you continue to appear very healthy! Your heart rate is at 155–which is another checkmark on the ‘your a girl’ list. It isn’t always the case, but girls heart rates tend to be a little higher and you’ve consistently been in the 150-160 range, which from my understanding is on the higher side of the scale. Overall, I’m about 50/50 in thinking your a girl or a boy. Lexi continues to refer to you as her sister. Completely unprompted, she was talking about how she wants to share her new books with her sister. Her confidence in you being a girl is definitely impacting my perception.

Sleep continues to be pretty good. I usually need to get up once a night to go to the bathroom, but on the nights that I’m able to make it through the whole night are glorious. No complaints in the heartburn department. Occasionally, I’ll have a little bit, but remember it being much more frequent and intense with Lexi. My fingers have started to swell. I removed one of my wedding rings, but am still able to wear the engagement/wedding so nothing too bad on that side of things. Energy hasn’t been too bad this week either, but that could also be a result of going into work later than normal as it was a holiday week so I was getting more sleep. Shortness of breath continues–most suprisenly when I’m just sitting. I’m pretty sure you are sitting much higher than Lexi was as I don’t have the hip pain or pelvic pressure I did with her. Overall, I feel pretty comfortable and am not impatient to meet you. I’m sure this will all change over the next 4 weeks. Mostly, i’m intrigued by how you’re going to arrive. Are you going to be breech and require a planned C-section, will ICP develop again and require an induction, which may or may not require a C-section, will you come early, or late, will I be at work? Will my water break first or will I start having contractions. Will you come fast and not enable an epidural? Will I be able to deliver at Maple Grove or need to go to another hospital, will Dr. G be able to deliver you? Will you come in the middle of the night, what will we do with Lexi? Really the scenarios are endless and it feels like they are always running through my head.

One other small note–I’ve had a couple of evenings where it feels like my feet almost have restless leg syndrome. They feel really dry (even if I have just put lotion on them) and feel like they need to be messaged. The feeling intensifies at night. I also vaguely remember this feeling building before the itching came with Lexi. Not to say the itching is coming, but just documenting for my own sake for potential future needs. Dr. G suggested wearing compression suggested wearing compression socks at night, so I’ll give that a try and see if it does anything for me.

One more two-week appointment and then on to our weekly appointments!

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 31 Weeks

December 30, 2014January 5, 2015 peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

What a difference a week can make! Last week I was all cool, calm and collected–this week, I’m a ball of nerves. I feel like there is so much to do before you arrive and I’m not ready at all! The biggest thing on the to-do list is getting the basement bedroom done so we can get our bedroom and the rest of the house ready for you to arrive. Lexi has some fairly large toys and I want them to go into the basement to help make things less cluttered, but that can’t happen until the building materials are out of the way. I also want to get Lexi’s room complete and move her from her crib into a big-girl bed. Some serious nesting going on here!

This week, I’ve also had a sudden shift in your gender. Up until this last week, I’ve been 99% confident that you are a boy. Then this week, I had a couple slight thoughts that you might be a girl and those inclinations have only continued to grow. I’m about 80% sure you’re a boy and 20% you could be a girl. Cousin Addie predicted you are a girl and has a pretty good track record on gender predictions. Lexi also talks about her sister on a regular basis without any prompting from us. For example today, we were looking at books and she gathers them all up and walks away and tells me she shares books with sister. Daddy also thinks you’re a girl. I looked at some belly pictures of me with Lexi and I would say that I’m carrying you the same way I carried her. Low and very egg shaped.

My hormones got the best of me this week. Overall, I’m a lot less patient while I’m pregnant and unfortunately I think Lexi gets the raw end of the deal–at least more so than anyone else. I just don’t have the energy to be firm with her and end up giving in to her requests more often than I should–especially when she puts up a stink. Which has only taught her to do it more often to get what she wants. The worst two situations are getting her to go to the bathroom and put her boots and jacket on. After an epic 45 minute battle of getting boots and jacket on–I was completely beat. Plus, I had just hosted Christmas for Daddy’s family the day before and was exhausted. I get home and Daddy asks me how I was, and I just burst into tears. I felt stretched to the brim in everything going on in life. I was thinking about two strangers that died in a car accident the day before (I know, odd considering I didn’t see it or know these people, but just kept feeling bad for their families and thinking what if that would have been myself and Lexi in that car or Daddy). I degress…. overall, physically I’m feeling pretty good. Emotionally, I’m feeling a bit stretched.

Hoping this next week levels out.

Love,

Mama