Tag: pregnancy

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2–8 Weeks and Dr. Appointment

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

I’ve been looking forward to this moment for weeks. Today, we went to the doctor to get a little status update on how you’re doing in there. The doctor said everything looks fantastic!!! To hear those words and to see your little movements up on the screen was such a HUGE relief.

Unfortunately, your daddy wasn’t able to join us. Big Sissy came down with a summer fever yesterday and daddy had to stay home with her. However, technology came to the rescue as I was able to FaceTime Daddy while we were having the ultrasound and he was able to see you up on the screen and hear your little heart beat, a strong 160 beats a minute.

Back to the appointment, I had been anxiously awaiting this appointment, probably as most moms do, but I was much more worried this time around then I was with Lexi because the lack of pregnancy symptoms I was having. I was worried you didn’t really exist and my body was playing games with me, or something had gone wrong and I just hadn’t gotten to signs of that yet.

Everything during the appointment went really well. Some of your measurements were a little large so they potentially threw out an earlier due date, but for my sanity, I’m sticking with the later one of March 3rd. Other than some blood work and a couple reminders from the doctor about taking care of myself, everything looked great and we are due to arrive back in the middle of August!

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Take care little one!

Love, Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Finding out the news

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby #2,

First of all, we need to find a nickname for you so I don’t have to keep referring to you as Baby #2, it just sounds to statistical referring to a little person growing inside of me.

The news of your arrival was not what my pinterest-loving self imagined. I suspected that you may have been burrowing a new home for yourself for a couple of days, I had been feeling much crampier than usual and had a couple odd back pains that reminded me of your big sister’s pregnancy. For whatever reason, I woke up on a Saturday morning and decided, ‘I’m going to take a pregnancy test, just to see. It will probably be negative, but we’ll see.’ Less than a minute later, ‘pregnant’ shows up on the stick. I literally had a burst of 7 different emotions run through me, ‘I knew it, YEAH!!, uh-oh, is this real?, I need to tell Daddy, how am I going to tell him?

This is where a little better planning and timing on my behalf could have been useful. At the time, Daddy was in another room getting ready to leave in 15 minutes for a Bachelor party in Chicago for the weekend and Lexi and I were going to be heading up north for a couple of days.

Knowing we wouldn’t have any alone time for about a week, I decided I needed to tell him before he left. But how? I felt like I needed to do it in some creative way. I quickly ran downstairs, put some strawberries and blueberries into some tuberware containers and ran up to him with a huge smile on my face and said, ‘What’s your guess?’ And he responds, ‘No Thanks, I don’t want any.’ To which I respond, ‘No, what’s your guess?’ as I have a huge smile on my face and can’t look him in the eyes in fear he will see through me and my little game. Irritated, as I’m interrupting him from selecting which Cubs jersey to wear and he needs to leave shortly, he looks up and says, “I don’t get it.” So I spell it out a little more clearly, ‘What’s your guess, boy or girl?’ He looks down, chuckles a little and says, Girl, it is for sure a girl. He kisses me a couple times and continues on his way of getting ready.

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It was the most bizarre response and just awful planning on my behalf of dropping a huge bomb on dada like that before he has to get into a car with one of his closest friends for 6 hours and not be able to say anything. The next week proceeded on and we had less than 10 minutes of time together where we were alone and awake and hadn’t discussed the fact that I was pregnant and our lives were going to dramatically change. It was so strange to not have talked about it at all. It was as if we were watching the news and the reporter said, the world is going to end in 5 weeks, but please continue to operate as normal? What?!?! How the heck do to you hear news like that and then proceed as nothing has changed and not discuss it at all?? Once we did have a little bit of time, we were able to talk and discuss and everything has felt much more normal, but it really was strange to share the news and then literally not be able to talk about it for a week! I take full blame on it as it really was terrible timing and there was no reason I needed to or probably should have taken the test when I did.

And that is how Dada found out about your arrival.

Love, Mama

 

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2–6 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

Well we are 6 weeks into this gig and only have 32 to go! So far, you have given me very few reminders that you’re developing and growing all of these important things like your cheeks, chin, eyes, ears, kidney, liver and lungs.

You already feel so different than you’re big sister. I had nearly every pregnancy symptom in the book: nausea, exhaustion, food aversions, sore boobs and the need to pee every 5 minutes. This time, I’m a little tired and have taken a couple of naps here and there and am almost always hungry, pee a little more often then normal but that is about it. I know I should be grateful I don’t have those less desirable symptoms, but it made me feel like everything was OK in there. I’m definitely questioning your health on a daily basis. Another thing that is different this time around is I don’t have the burning need to tell others about you. I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t feel the symptoms of you and it isn’t always on my mind, I’ve already been through the drill or I’m questioning whether you’re going to stick around, but I’m much more content keeping this little secret to ourselves right now.

This week has also brought lots of craziness in the life side of things. It was the 4th of July weekend and we enjoyed a nice low-key weekend at home. I was also offered a new job at Best Buy. It has been an emotional roller coaster weighing the pros and cons of the new opportunity with my existing one. It hasn’t been an easy decision and pray that I’m making the right decision for my career and for you and our family.

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Lexi

Big Sister

peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

My sweet sweet girl, you are going to be a big sister! Congratulations!! As a big sister myself, it truly is an awesome thing and I’m so thrilled you will get to experience it too! It is so great to have another sibling to play and imagine, teach good and naughty things to, tease, stick up for, cheer on, share secrets, gang up on me and your dada, become friends and most importantly laugh with. The bond and friendship you have with your siblings is so strong, indescribable to anyone else and unique to you and I’m so excited that you will be able to experience that. Not only is having a sibling pretty awesome, being the oldest is pretty great. There is something so special about having another person that looks up to you as a person to learn from, admire and thinks you are so awesome, they want to do everything that you do. I’m sure you won’t always think it is so awesome, but it is a pretty big compliment that someone loves you so much that they want to be exactly like you.

I have a feeling you’re going to be a great big sister and helper to mama and dada. Your happy, easy-going personality already shows so many wonderful nurturing characteristics, I think you’re going to be a great big sis.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, the way I watch you play with your dolls has changed from ‘oh that’s so sweet’ to ‘an emotionally gushy, you’re going to be such a good big sister’. I just can’t get enough of watching you take care of your dolls by feeding them, walking them in your stroller or even the way you hold them on your shoulder and sway your hips back in forth trying to comfort them. You’re a natural sweet girl and I hope you love your new brother or sister opposed to being jealous of them.

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I’m so excited to watch you experience this large change to your life (by far the biggest one you’ve experience yet) as you mature from our baby to a big sister. You will be great my little love bug.

Love,

Mama

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Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

I have been trying to write this post since I saw that positive pregnancy test and have made excuse after excuse of not doing it as I wasn’t sure what to say to you for the first time. And I think it was/is such a struggle because I’m still in a state of shock. And I’m not sure why. You were planned and prayed for but at 14 weeks into this journey, it doesn’t feel like the reality has set in and that you will be joining us in 6 months. 90 percent of me am ecstatic, thankful and overjoyed to be on this journey again and giving Lexi and sibling and another little person for Daddy and I to love, chase after and add personality to our family. The other 10 percent of me is scared. Am I really ready for all of the changes my body will go through in the next year, challenges that will come from having two little people, sleep deprivation, breast feeding, things that I never experienced with your sister and can’t be prepared for, anxiety over you being healthy and how and when you will arrive and so much more. Am I really ready for this?

And the answer to that is no, of course not. How could I possibly prepare myself for such a dramatic change that has thousands of possible outcomes? There was no way I could prepare myself to understand how much I was going to love your big sister and I don’t think there is any way possible I can prepare to understand how much I am going to love you and love Lexi just as much, but it will happen.

So the reality is that I don’t think I will ever really be ‘ready’ for a change as large as you, especially all of the unexpected and unknowns. But regardless of what all of those unknowns are; I do know I am ready to love and snuggle you, listen to your sweet little noises, smell your innocence, feel your soft skin and be the best mama I can be to you.

Keep growing little munchkin. You are joining a wonderful family that will shower you with love and know we can’t wait to meet you in 6 months.

Love,

Mama

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

16 Weeks Post-Partum

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It’s just over 16 weeks since sweet little Lexi made her way into this world and our life has changed in the best possible way. My body on the other hand…not so much. Actually, it isn’t that bad and I really have nothing to complain about.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I told myself I didn’t want to gain more than the recommended 30 lbs., but was prepared to gain twice that. I’ve struggled with weight my whole life. I’m not large, but not skinny, so I figured I was going to gain more than I wanted. To my sweet surprise, I only gained 25 lbs. I’m not sure how much I had lost when I left the hospital, but I’m guessing it was just over 10 lbs. At one week post-partum, my smallest pair of maternity pants were too large and at 10 days, I was able to button pre-pregnancy pants. There is no way I could have worn them, but I could button them. By two and a half weeks I could somewhat comfortably wear two different pairs of pre-pregnancy pants. They fit pretty good when I was standing, but if I sat down I needed to pull them over my mommy pouch and they would fall pretty low in the back which wasn’t a pretty sight for anyone. Additionally, a majority of my shirts didn’t fit well because my boobs were so much bigger and therefore the shirts were too short, which again didn’t help with the plumbers crack issues I had going on.

Around the 1 month mark, I was only up 3 lbs, which I was ecstatic about. Not only had I pretty much lost all of the weight, I did it through Christmas and had eaten anything I wanted. I assumed it would take me 9 months to loose the baby weight and didn’t think I would be able to fit into any of my jeans again, so to say I was happy was a complete understatement.

Fast forward to 16 weeks and I’m 8 lbs. under pre-preggo weight. I have continued to eat whatever I want, occasionally walk for exercise and continue to shed pounds. Breastfeeding is truly an amazing thing! Its going to suck going back. Regardless of the the number on the scale, my body is most definitely different. My stomach is much softer than it was before and I have what I refer to as the lovely inner tube around my waist. No matter what I wear I always have small love handles and a little pouch in front, which makes low-rise jeans pretty much impossible to wear. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find a couple pairs of mid-rise jeans which I don’t think look too much like the traditional ‘mom’ jeans.

After I got the A-O-K to resume exercise I went to several yoga classes, which felt fantastic. With the exception of a couple pregnancy walks, I hadn’t done ANY physical activity in over 12 months, so my first workouts kicked my arse. As I continued to work out and push myself more, I started to notice a decrease in my milk supply so I’ve stayed clear of intense workouts and stuck to stroller walks, which I am more than happy with. Once the trails are clear of all the snow and puddles, I do plan to do some short 3-5 mile runs.

As far as food goes, I haven’t noticed a huge difference in my appetite  but have noticed a difference in my cravings. They are so much stronger than when I was pregnant. I’ll get something (candy, ice cream, cookies, really any kind of sweet treat) in my mind and it won’t leave until its been fulfilled. I also feel that if I don’t eat some ‘fatty’ foods, my milk decreases. Whether thats really true, I’m not so sure. I know two different people who were encouraged to gain weight post-partum to help with their milk supply. Part of me wonders if I’m just telling myself the milk is decreasing to help justify the unhealthy (but delicious) food I continue to eat.

Stretch marks. I thought I had made it through the pregnancy with out them, but a few tiny lines showed up to the left of my belly button. I didn’t notice them until a couple weeks after baby, so I’m not sure when they showed up–probably near the end, but I could never see them since my belly was so large. The linea nigra never showed up on me so nothing to report there.

I think thats all there is to report as of now. I’m so thankful I’ve had such an easy recovery and know I won’t be this lucky if there is a next time.

Kristin

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

39 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Bump,

You are proving to be quite the trickster. We had a nice relaxing weekend at home and we were sure you were going to arrive. I even had a couple of minor false labor signs. My  contractions have increased in intensity but aren’t painful or distract me enough to stop whatever activity I’m engaged in. There were several times throughout the weekend where contractions were 7-8 minutes apart for over an hour, but never got closer and would dissipate over the next hour.

The itching continues and has become pretty bothersome. Last night I couldn’t sleep at all! I maybe got three hours of sleep. I even considered putting mittens on to prevent me from itching. Daddy has been sleeping in a twin bed in our bedroom with earmuffs on since 36 weeks because the scratching is so loud. He says I sounds like a raccoon digging through the garbage. I also noticed a new little rash on my belly near one of my freckles .

Overall, I’m feeling a little frustrated and I know I shouldn’t because I haven’t even reached my due date yet, but so many people told me you were going to arrive early it got in my head and now that you’re not its disappointing. Additionally, I feel like I keep having these signs that labor is going to start and then it doesn’t and it is another let down.

Tomorrow, we have another appointment with Dr. G so we’ll get the results back on the blood work they did last week, see if I’ve progressed and if not maybe talk about an induction date. I really want you to be healthy, but also come soon and naturally so I don’t have to be induced. Please be good to your mom!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

38 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Bump,

Today we had your 38-week appointment and it went relatively well. The itchiness in my feet, hands and all over my body continued and intensified over the past two weeks. Originally, I thought it was a result of dry stretching skin, but it has been getting worse. Daddy said I was itching my body throughout the nights so Dr. G had me come in early in to have some blood work drawn and sent out for a very rare but potential liver complication. If I do have the liver complication, I’ll be induced immediately.

The regular Dr. appointment went well. I lost a pound, my belly is measuring right on track and I’m dilated to a tight 2 cm. Not as much progress as I was hoping, but better then none. Dr. G noticed you have dropped and are sitting much lower, which is also a good sign. I’ve noticed too as you frequently push on some nerves that cause a numbness in my legs for a brief moment.

I had my membranes stripped (I think) to potentially help progress labor. You had been inactive all morning, so we did a non-stress test. I sat in a chair and had two little bands around my belly, one to monitor contractions and one to monitor your movement. It looked like you were sleeping since you weren’t moving around a ton, but still enough to “pass” the test. Once we got home, I took advantage of my free afternoon and decorated the Christmas tree and put up some of the other decorations. As I was putting the decorations up, my contractions were much more frequent, but they still didn’t hurt and would dissipate when I relaxed.

This past week was also Thanksgiving. We spent the morning relaxing and taking some photos of the bump. Then we headed over to Great-Grandma and Grandpa S’s for dinner. On Friday, I did a little shopping with Grandma B while Daddy spent some time with Grandpa S and Great-Grandpa S and then we went to go see the movie Lincoln. We figured it might be the last time we get to see a movie for a while. Saturday was a very relaxing day. We watched several movies and hung out at home most of the day. On Sunday we went over to Grandma and Grandpa B’s for a second Thanksgiving. So crazy to think that next year, you’ll be able to enjoy some of it!

And the weekend prior, we went to child-birthing classes. Originally, Daddy and I were dreading them since they was so long, but both of us were pleasantly surprised with how nice the class was. They really focused on different pain management techniques such as different positions to get through a contraction, how Daddy can help me manage the pain and how to address each of our fears. And it really didn’t feel as long as it was. Overall, I feel much more prepared and a lot less anxious for labor.

Overall, I feel pretty ready for your arrival. Car seat is in the car, bag is packed, shower items are returned—now we just need you to jump start the labor process so we can meet you and find out if you’re a boy or a girl! I still feel pretty strongly that you’re a boy—I even had a dream about it, but I have had a couple of pings that you could be a girl. Daddy still thinks you’re a girl.

Come soon!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

37 weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Bump,

This is your “official” nickname as of lately. Daddy has transitioned from calling you Lil’ Peanut to ‘Bump’ as you continue to grow to be a bigger and bigger bump on my stomach.

This week I’ve noticed a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions. It is hard to track how far apart they are as all of the sudden I notice the tightness and then its gone. I never notice when it starts or ends. I’m also having a hard time getting through the day without some kind of little nap, usually when I get home from work. I also get exhausted doing regular activities like grocery shopping. Tonight I noticed some cramping, which can be a sign of labor, but it went away once I switched positions. My skin has also been very itchy this week. I usually put lotion on every morning and night but it still has me scratching mid day. I’m excited to go to the Dr. again tomorrow. I hope that I’ve progressed more. I feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollar coster this week. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel or mentally prepare for your arrival. I know you could come at any point so I have to be ready, BUT you could still take a whole 4 weeks to arrive so I need to be prepared for the waiting game.

I also get emotional thinking about things. On the way home from the grocery store today, I teared up thinking that its not going to be just your dad and I anymore. Don’t get me wrong, we’re very excited for you to join us, but we’ve got a little routine going and it works for us and we’re happy and in a couple of days/weeks that is going to change forever and I just don’t know if I’m ready for that. I’m also really really scared for labor. I was laying on the couch and started feeling very crampy and thought ‘this could be it’ and I was more terrified than I thought. I just know there is going to be so much pain and I’m nervous I’m not going to be able to handle it.

Other things to note… as of 36 weeks, I’ve gained 25 lbs and am hoping to stay right there. No noticeable stretch marks yet, but that could always change. My belly button has remained an innie but it is definitely different. The skin on the top sticks out more so sometimes it looks like my belly button has popped but it hasn’t. I still have heart burn but it isn’t nearly as bad as it used to. My feet and hands continue to swell and it hurts to type and write sometimes. Restless leg syndrome is still going strong, but it is only in my feet. They feel itchy like they are very dry and can’t stay moist and just need to be touched. Pelvic pressure is pretty strong. Sometimes it feels like my south side is going to explode like a firework. It makes crossing my legs or even shifting positions in a chair difficult.

I can tell you are getting more cramped, I can’t hunch over at all. Yesterday I was trying to write thank you notes and your legs were stuck under my ribs making things very uncomfortable. I also have a hard time driving because of this. My seat needs to be reclined a ways back. Even getting out of the car is work. I can’t just get out, I need to physically shift my body and then stand up with a little help from the wheel. It feels very mechanical and robotic. My lips are chapped. I have a hard time staying hydrated. My skin is itchy everywhere. Shaving has become difficult to nearly impossible. My belly is very firm and doesn’t move to see what I’m shaving. You continue to roll from one side to the other.  Laying on my back has become impossible as it is difficult to breath. We’re heading to the doctor this afternoon and I’m hoping she says I’m dialated to a 3 or 4 and 100% effaced and you could come at any time! Wishful thinking I’m sure, but one can hope right?

Looking forward to your arrival.

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

Showers and 36 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Lil’ Peanut

What an eventful weekend we had! It started off on Friday with our 36 week Dr. appointment. We had an ultrasound and were able to see you moving around. You continue to grow at a VERY healthy pace. Your head and abdomen are measuring at just over 38 weeks and your legs are at about 37 weeks. You are head down and have a very healthy range of amniotic fluid. As of right now, the ultrasound is measuring you to weigh 7.4 lbs. So you’re already an average size baby and still have four of weeks to go! You wiggled your toes for us and your hands were playing with your feet. We also got a couple of pictures of your face and it looks like you have some chubby cheeks!

After our ultrasound, we meet with Dr. G. and listened to your heartbeat, which was just between 135 and 144. She also did a pelvic exam to see if I was beginning to progress towards labor. I was dilated to 1 cm and was 50% effaced, which she was very happy about. Because you’re so big already, (your on schedule to be 10 lbs. if you arrive on or after your due date) she thinks you might arrive a little early. I also had my group B strep test and we’ll find out the results of that this week. If possible, I would really like to make it to Thanksgiving before you arrive (38 weeks), but as long as you’re healthy, we’re happy to meet you at any point.

Following your appointment, I finished your nursery by getting all the dots on the walls touched up and painted and ready for the weekend. Then, I headed over to Grandma B’s for your first shower of the weekend. It was very nice and you got some really great gifts. Then on Saturday, we were up early for another shower at our house, which was so much fun! The food was fantastic and it was fun to show the family your nursery and all the work we’ve done on the house. Finally, on Sunday I had a friend shower. There were fewer people so it was quiet but nice. The only pitfall of all the events was spilling a large glass of cherry pomegranate juice all over myself and the fridge 20 minutes before everyone arrived.

Also, two interesting stories about your cousin Addie. She has been 6 for 6 in guessing the correct sex of babies and she is pretty confident you’re a girl. She even made you her own card and bought you a special present, a headband and bow socks, so we’ll see if she is right. Also when she came the shower in she saw the Twins diaper cake Tara made and was so confused on why that would be there since she says you are a girl and baseball stuff is for boys. It was very cute!

I know that technically you can arrive at any point, but it just doesn’t seem possible right now. I’m not quite ready for you yet and in my mind that means that you can’t arrive. I know I’m foolish to think that, but that’s how I feel. We have another Dr. appointment in four days and child-birthing classes over the weekend. I feel like after that I’ll be ready.

Overall, I’m feeling pretty good. For whatever reason, I seem to be sleeping better this past week. I don’t wake up as often to go to the bathroom and my hips don’t seem to be bothering me as much. But, my skin continues to be very itchy everywhere. I bought a special lotion to help retain moisture and it helps a little. I continue to wear fleece socks to bed which also helps. In exchange for sleep this week, my pelvic pressure gets a little worse everyday. Depending on where you are sitting, it hurts more than other times. There have also been  a couple of times we’re you’re pushing on some nerve and it feels like my legs are going to give out. You continue to move around a lot. Not so much as kicks, but rolling from one side to another. My hands and legs are still pretty swollen so I don’t think that is going to go away, but it could be much worse. And even though, I’ve been sleeping fairly well, I am still very tired in the day and have a hard time staying hydrated. You’re sucking everything I’ve got!

Love, Mom