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12.31.2014

Baby R2: 16-18 weeks


As I mentioned in my last post, life has been absolutely insane, which means these posts have taken a backseat. {Sorry, R2 ... life will probably just be like that.} Since it's been pretty basic I'm just combining the past three weeks into one post. 

How far along: Sixteen-eighteen weeks!

How big is the baby: 
Sixteen weeks: Size of an avocado ... about 4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces. Legs are more developed and ears close to their final position.

Seventeen weeks: Weighs about 5 ounces, the size of a turnip, and about 5 inches long. Skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. Baby can move joins and sweat glands are starting to form. 

Eighteen weeks: Baby is about the size of a bell pepper - 5.5 inches from head to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. Busy flexing arms and legs. Blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and a protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around nerves. If baby is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If a boy, his genitals are noticeable now. 
Weight gain/loss: Up 9 pounds. Yikes. The doctors office says this is great, but that's six lbs. in three weeks AND I still didn't have a positive gain at this point in my pregnancy with Coop. I intend to get rid of most of the crap holiday food around the house and back on track for healthier eating this week, and have a prenatal workout DVD ordered.

Sleep: No complaints. Began using the body pillow last week and that helped. Hubby and I also rearranged our bedroom over the weekend and flipped the mattress, which was a big help as well. 

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I really can't think of anything specific. I like all food.

Gender: Still thinking girl. We refer to her as "Baby Margaret." Total steal from Daniel Tiger, and I also love that it annoys people who seem to think that's the worst name ever. LOL. But we are still planning to hold out until birth to know for sure.

Movement: Still feeling the butterflies/crampy-type sensations. I think I'm beginning to feel some more definite moves.

Worries: Nothing comes to mind! Last update I thought I was huge, but now comparing to my last pregnancy it seems the belly is basically the same.

The belly: Still rounding out. Getting too big for most of my "normal" clothes but still don't have enough of a gut to hold up maternity clothes. I've been wearing a size up (I kept quite a few of those clothes after I lost weight) and it's been about perfect.


--- I accidentally skipped my 16 week photo, so just 17 & 18 weeks below.






What I'm Loving: That it is beginning to look like more of a baby.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Acne. Heartburn. Headaches. 

Milestones: Nothing specific. 

What's different this time: Being pregnant over the holidays/having a bigger weight gain

What I'm looking forward to: I've been looking forward to Christmas break of course. 

Best moment of the week(s): Being off work for 2 weeks! I've been able to catch up on sleep and other tasks in life, as well as get some time to relax. 



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Life lately

Whew. Life has just been absolutely insane for the past month or so. In fact, this post has been sitting in my drafts for more than 2 weeks. Unbelievably, I've been off work since last Monday and life has just been absolutely insane with the time off. So now a little update, as promised, on where life is. 

  • When I started my job in July 2011, the goal was to raise money and get a new building built. The second week of December, I moved into the new building. So surreal. And still raising money :) I'm loving my new office and can't wait to have it "done."
  • Once I think I'm starting to get caught up, I get slammed again. Case in point - I still haven't written Cooper's 3 year update. His birthday was 11.23. Ouch. So I don't feel like a super horrible mom I'll probably post date it but still.
  • I had grand plans of doing some catch up a few weeks ago, but my dad had a tonsillectomy, among other procedures with the ENT, on Wednesday of last week. He was supposed to be home around 3 p.m. and ended up in the hospital until Friday. Essentially the stitches struck a vessel and had to be redone twice. No good. So my Wednesday and Thursday were spent in text message convos with the family, and evenings at the hospital, as I'm the only kid close by.
  • I definitely scaled back on my holiday baking this year, and it's OK. I did a couple batches of oreo balls and some covered pretzels. My nieces came one day last week and we did a big batch of sugar cookies, which we plan to make an annual tradition. 
  • Remember how I talked about being a mom failure? Well of the 10 days I have off work for Christmas break, my babysitter is closed 7 of them. Which I boil down to, essentially, a three day break. Thankfully I've been able to have a good time spent with Coop as well as get some work accomplished around the house. In fact, I'm about to pick back up on that soon! I've got a big brother room to prepare.

  • I'm also extremely behind with my pregnancy updates and will probably just combine the last three weeks into one post. I had a check-up yesterday and told them I basically feel like I'm just cruising along, as I'm now 18 weeks ... which is basically how it usually goes at this point. Hard to believe I'm almost halfway there. 
  • Happy New Year!

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12.26.2014

Our 2014 Christmas Card

Now that I think they have all been received in the mail, I'm ready to show off our 2014 Christmas Card. {Yes, I am behind on everything this year. Expect more of an explanation in a "Life Lately" post coming soon.}

I used Treat and was again so impressed by the efficiency and quality of the cards. We had such a great family photo session earlier this year so I definitely wanted to show those off and our cards were perfect for that!
















I considered including Baby R2 on the "With Love" line, but I get weird about things like that so just included the three of us.

Treat also has an option to include your return address, so I took advantage of that. In the future, I should probably just elect to input all the addresses and have Treat mail for me, but right now, I still prefer to at least hand-write the addresses when I can.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Pretty sure it may just go up in a frame on the gallery wall.

Special thanks to Treat.com for providing a credit toward my purchase! However, I'm totally in love with these products and the ability to design a personal card from my jammies!

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12.12.2014

Baby R2: 15 weeks!

Caught up! Well, OK, I'm a few days behind (Tuesday is my change day again this pregnancy) but from here on out it should be pretty current.

How far along: Fifteen weeks.

How big is the baby: Baby R2 is the size of an apple. He/she now measures roughly 4 inches crown to rump and weighs in at approximately 2.5 ounces. Legs are growing longer than arms now, and he/she can move all those tiny joints and limbs. Eyelids are still fused shut, but he/she can sense light and would likely move away from the beam if I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy.

Weight gain/loss: Up 3 lbs. I've got to stop all the snacking/laziness!

Sleep: Getting better. I still have nights that I wake up and it takes forever to go back to sleep, but I've been getting some really solid nights as well, which is great.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I HAD to get bagels for my breakfasts the other day and they are really good. I did one of the Greek yogurt-type cream cheese spreads and it's absolutely delicious. Nothing else comes to mind. I've eaten out way too much in the past week and have to get that in check.

Gender: Still thinking girl. Already getting comments of "I hope you'll get your girl." Which annoys me, I would be just as thrilled (and complete) with another boy!

Movement: Still feeling the butterflies/crampy-type sensations.

Worries: That I'm going to be as big as a boat!

The belly: Looking more and more like a baby and less like a beer gut. LOL. I call this the "muffin top" stage of pregnancy - where I am too big for a lot of my regular clothes, but maternity clothes are too big. So I'm pulling out some of the clothes I got too small for and that's working well right now.

 
 



What I'm Loving: That it is beginning to look like more of a baby.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Acne. Heartburn.

Milestones: Another baby doctor appointment. Everything looks good. The scale was WAY off, but I was wearing jeans and boots, so I'm not going to stress over it (It showed like a 6 lb. gain and I'm only up 3)

What's different this time: Just that I'm a lot bigger, I think

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas break! LOL I need some time to sit and relax.

Best moment of the week: Decorating the house for Christmas. Cooper loves it, which is both a blessing and a curse!

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12.09.2014

Baby R2: 14 Weeks!

Written 12.2.14

How far along: Fourteen weeks. Officially in the second trimester.

How big is the baby: Size of a lemon! Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee and possibly suck his/her thumb. Baby can grasp and is beginning to stretch Measures about 3.5 inches from head to bottom and weighs about 1.5 ounces.

Weight gain/loss: Up 2 lbs. Which would likely be the case even if I weren't perggo with all the Thanksgiving food!

Sleep: Comes and goes. I wake up almost every night around 3-4 a.m. needing to pee and with a dry mouth, and it takes awhile to get back to sleep. I've been staying up until 10 a few nights lately, so that's definitely a plus.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific right now. My SIL made a sweet potato dish topped with brown sugar and walnuts last week and I was really loving it so she let me keep the leftovers. It's much easier to tell you what doesn't sound good than what I want.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born (much to the dismay of 90 percent of the people we know.) Right now I'm leaning toward girl.

Movement: More "pressure" than actually movement I would say.

Worries: Nothing.

The belly: Definitely beginning to show. I should do like a 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. comparison shot some day! And you could definitely see my little turkey belly on Thanksgiving!

 
 



What I'm Loving: Sharing the news! We posted on FB and IG on Thursday, and I love all the sweet comments and love Baby R2 is already getting.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Acne. Heartburn. I got a horrible cold sore on my chin this week (probably more due to the stress of the holidays than the baby) but it still stinks.

Milestones: Feeling the baby move and spreading the news!

What's different this time: I'm starting to show, and don't think it was this obvious until about 17-18 weeks last time.

What I'm looking forward to: I have a dr. apt this week and can't wait to hear the little heartbeat! We are planning to take C with us so maybe that will help make being a big brother more real for him?  

Best moment of the week: The holiday. I got to spend so much time with family friends and had all that food available ... basically a pregnant woman's dream, right?

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Baby R2: 13 Weeks!

Written 11.25.14

How far along: Thirteen weeks. Finishing up the trimester, depending on what books you believe (I tend to feel "safe" at 13 weeks, but prefer to consider 14 weeks as second trimester only because of the mental part of it!)

How big is the baby: Baby is the length of a pea pod - about 3 inches long - and weighs nearly an ounce. Fingerprints have formed on the tiny fingertips, and veins and organs are clearly visible through his/her still-thin skin. If a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries!

Weight gain/loss: Up 1 lb. Considering the amount of fast food, pizza and desserts I had over the weekend AND a potluck at work yesterday, I'm surprised it wasn't worse. I'm not going to complain about 1 lb. of weight loss overall being 13 weeks pregnant.

Sleep: Comes and goes. I wake up almost every night around 3-4 a.m. needing to pee and with a dry mouth, and it takes awhile to get back to sleep. I've been staying up until 10 a few nights lately, so that's definitely a plus.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I'm not really liking bacon (too salty?) but love sausage. The other day I thought of the meal my parents always used to make for my birthday (pork tenderloin with a tomato gravy) and I want it NOW! Loving veggies and anything carb-laden.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born (much to the dismay of 90 percent of the people we know.) Right now I'm leaning toward girl.

Movement: Actually not much in the past week, but I'm not really concerned at all.

Worries: Nothing.

The belly: Definitely beginning to show. 
 
 



What I'm Loving: Sharing the news!

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Acne. Heartburn (which sometimes wakes/keeps me up at night!)

Milestones: Feeling the baby move and spreading the news!

What's different this time: Nothing specific comes to mind!

What I'm looking forward to: Thanksgiving.

Best moment of the week: Celebrating Cooper's birthday and becoming a mom. It's still so crazy to think that I'm going to have two!

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12.08.2014

Baby R2: 12 Weeks

Written 11.19.14

How far along: Twelve weeks. Getting ready to finish out that first trimester - EEK!

How big is the baby: The size of a lime. The most dramatic development for the week is reflexes, as baby's fingers begin to open and close, mouth makes sucking movements and toes curl, etc. Crown to rump, baby is about 2 inches long and weighs half an ounce.

Weight gain/loss: Amazingly still 0.

Sleep: It had gotten quite a bit better, but last night I woke up around 2 p.m. and absolutely could not get back to sleep. I'm exhausted all the time, and ended up taking a nap Saturday afternoon, as well as Monday when I was off work due to snow.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Strawberry Pop Tarts, chocolate milk. I'm really craving Mexican and glad we will get some this weekend for C's birthday. Last night I really wanted a brownie sundae but we didn't have brownie mix or ice cream at the house so I was SOL.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. Right now I'm leaning toward girl.

Movement: Beginning to feel some "rolling" as I call it and I love it!

Worries: Nothing. RE: last week's worries, I'm just going to wait and see, there's no need in worrying about something six months away.

The belly: Poochy and growing "up" as I call it, but still in all my regular clothes and not showing (at least I don't think I am!)

 
(Skipped this week's photo)

What I'm Loving: Being pregnant. And that I've gotten the opportunity to take a few good naps.  

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Acne.

Milestones: Feeling the baby move and spreading the news!

What's different this time: I feel so much more tired!

What I'm looking forward to: Making it "social media official" next week!

Best moment of the week: Getting to spend the entire day with my favorite little boy on Monday. He is so sweet to me when his daddy isn't around - ha! I also realize that come June, I may not be able to call him my favorite little boy anymore.

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12.07.2014

Baby R2: 11 weeks

Written 11.11.14

How far along: Eleven weeks! I measured 10 weeks 1 day at my u/s last week (according to my calculations I was 10 weeks, 2 days) so we are on course and sticking with June 2 as a due date!

How big is the baby: The size of a fig - a little over 1.5 inches. Hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear, and some bones are beginning to harden. Baby is already kicking and stretching, as well as hiccupping, but I still can't feel either.

Weight gain/loss: Still 0 overall. Thank goodness. But wondering if some of it is due to muscle loss from not working out? I've decided that growing a baby just really takes it out of me!

Sleep: Very broken. I try to limit my fluid intake in the evening to keep from having to get up to use the bathroom, but it doesn't work. And I typically fall asleep on the couch, which means I have to wake up to get to bed as well.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I'm wanting strawberry pop tarts, banana pepper rings and carbs. Anything with carbs.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. Honestly? I'm torn and kind of want to know. I've kept all of Cooper's things, but we are so screwed when it comes to clothes either way since he was a November baby. So I'd like to be able to go through and get rid of the items that clearly won't work and have some appropriate ones for R2. But hubby says no. Since I'll have a growth u/s around 37 or 38 weeks, I may talk hubs into finding out then :)

Movement: Nada

Worries: I've touched on how I was worried about the baby due to feeling so great. Dr. appt. last week confirmed everything is great! They said it could be anything - the fact I've been so active recently, am starting this pregnancy 20 lbs lighter, or even just that maybe it's a girl and my body handles her hormones better than it did Cooper's? Who knows. They say the baby is healthy and not to worry, so I won't.

The other worry ... and this is a big one ... is of a C-section. Since C came out 9 lbs. 13 ounces, they want to take more precautions this time (we were estimating him at more like 8 lbs.) So they are already preparing (I call it threatening) me with one. To clear the air, I'm not totally against C-sections, I know there are times they are medically necessary. But I feel like the "issues" C & I had were no different than what might have been if he were 7 lbs. So I'm not "sold" on doing a C-section for the convenience of it. After some protesting and tears - a girl has to make her stance known! - hubby told me to calm down and not worry about it until we have to. I have, of course, agreed to the 38ish week ultrasound. And at that point, I will let him handle everything because I will obviously be entirely too hormonal. The dr. says she's willing to let me push out again as long as she doesn't see any problems. I'm praying that if I don't have a choice - that if I do need one, it's because the baby is breach or some other issue. Typically if a woman has one big baby they are all big, but my doctor pointed out her first was 9 something and her other two were 7 something, so anything is possible.

The belly: Poochy at times, but I'm still wearing all of my regular clothes. I did dig out the belly band the other day just in case I need it. I wore hose yesterday (that I wore when I was 20 lbs heavier) and thought I was going to die!

 
(Photo from this week messed up!)
 

What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: Exhaustion.

Milestones: Telling family and close friends!

What's different this time: Not being as sick. Having to keep up with a toddler.

What I'm looking forward to: It's been so much fun telling family and close friends, I can't wait to share with the world!

Best moment of the week: The ultrasound. Hands down. Yanno how I said I was worried about the baby? When we walked in, I had this (totally irrational) thought that maybe I wasn't pregnant and they would laugh because there wasn't a baby in there. So once peanut popped up on the screen I was like "Oh good, there is a baby in there!" Haha!

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Baby R2: 10 weeks

Written 11.05.14

How far along: Ten weeks. A quarter of the way there (obviously the easiest quarter of pregnancy, however)

How big is the baby: A kumquat - a little over an inch long, crown to bottom, and weighing in at less than a quarter of an ounce. Baby is now considered a fetus and has completed the most critical portion of development. Tiny nails are forming on fingers, as well as toes and peach-fuzz hair growing on skin. Baby is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm! Baby's limbs can bend now.

Weight gain/loss: 0 overall and no change since last week. Not complaining at all, since it's recommended to gain 3 lbs. the first trimester and I've not really exercised at all the past two weeks. BUT with Coop, I lost almost 10 lbs. and didn't have a positive gain until I was about 20 weeks. I keep reminding myself that this is a different pregnancy, I don't feel nearly as sick, and I'm also beginning this pregnancy about 20 lbs. lighter but I'm still freaking out a bit about how much I will gain. I gained 24 with C and would like to do the same with this baby. Definitely no more than 30 lbs.

Sleep: Exhausted and the time change/a toddler who is waking up at 6 a.m. daily doesn't help! I've fallen asleep on the couch while watching TV pretty much every night. I've also been waking up around 2 a.m. needing to pee and absolutely parched, and then it takes about an hour to get back to sleep :/

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing really specific right now. Turns out last week's breakfast aversion was due to the English muffins (bought a different brand) so I'm back to bacon-egg muffins in the mornings. I'm sick of salad for lunch but chalk that up to eating it pretty much every day for eight months. I'm trying to eat lots of smaller meals to keep the nausea at bay, so I've been bringing fruits and veggies to work. A fave this week is celery and multi-color peppers with light honey mustard. Yummy!

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. 

Movement: Nada

Worries: Mostly just that I'm not nearly as sick or symptomatic as last pregnancy. Again, I'm reminding myself that I'm a lot healthier (and less stressed) this time. I'll feel a lot better after tomorrow's ultrasound!

The belly: Poochy at times, but I'm still wearing all of my regular clothes.

 
 
 


What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: Exhaustion.

Milestones: We'll start telling family and close friends after tomorrow's ultrasound!

What's different this time: Not being as sick. Having to keep up with a toddler.

What I'm looking forward to: The ultrasound and finally letting the cat out of the bag. I feel like so many people are announcing they are expecting right now and it's so hard to act nonchalant. Especially since some people are announcing at only like 6 weeks. We won't make it "facebook official" until at least 13 weeks though - which falls the week of Thanksgiving, right after Coop's birthday :)

Best moment of the week: This morning we were talking and I had to lift up my shirt for something so I asked Coop what was in my belly. His reply? Baby .... BROTHER! I so want another boy so I hope he's right. I hear that kids often have an intuition, so fingers crossed!


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12.06.2014

Baby R2: Nine weeks

 Written 10.29.14

How far along: Nine weeks. Wowza! Time seems to really be flying.

How big is the baby: A grape! Now weighing a fraction of an ounce. She/he is beginning to look more human, and all the essential body parts are now accounted for. The embryonic "tail" is almost completely gone, and organs, muscles and nerves are kicking into gear. Now that baby's basic physiology is in place, he or she is poised for rapid weight gain.

Weight gain/loss: 0 overall and no change since last week.

Sleep: I feel like I'm pretty much always tired. Lots of falling asleep on the couch. Unfortunately I've been waking up between 2-3 a.m. every morning needing to pee and it takes about an hour to fall back to sleep :/

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I'm loving milk, hamburgers and anything carb-loaded! Last night we had chicken and I couldn't handle the raw meat. One day in the past week I took a drink of coffee and thought it tasted gross so I figured I may as well just give it up since it's not that great for me anyhow (although I certainly miss the caffeine!). I've been doing a fried egg with two pieces of bacon on an English muffin for breakfast since the beginning of the summer but I couldn't finish that the other day, so I'm transitioning to oatmeal. I read that protein really helps with the queasy feeling, so I'm trying to get a lot of that.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. 

Movement: Nada

Worries: Nothing really.

The belly: More of the same - not really showing but feeling very bloated. I'm starting to feel some stretching/tightening which I can only assume is the uterus growth.

 


What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: Mostly just exhaustion. Still having a little morning/all-day sickness but not near as bad as I remember with Coop. Oh! I've been meaning to mention for a few weeks, but I've got some acne ... this is kinda gross, but it's not my face (thank goodness) but my back! I'm wondering if it's because I've been running and sweating?

Milestones: Can't think of anything big!

What's different this time: Overall, I'm still feeling better. Having a toddler takes the whole exhaustion thing to a whole new level, sadly. When I fell asleep last night I missed out on taking him to bed and that makes me kinda sad.
I've also been a lot more active, but took a little break this week. I need to come up with some weight lifting that I can combine with treadmill time.

What I'm looking forward to: My ultrasound next week! Also, Halloween on Friday - it will be the first time we take C trick or treating!

Best moment of the week: This past weekend was the first in awhile we haven't had multiple plans, so we stayed home and cleaned, and it felt great!

 


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Baby R2: Eight weeks

Written 10.22.14

How far along: Eight weeks.  

How big is the baby: A kidney bean, which I had in my taco salad last night :) Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from baby's hand and feet, eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes are extending from the throat and baby's "tail" is almost gone. In the brain, nerve cells are connecting with one another.

Weight gain/loss: 0 overall. Up 1 lb. since last week and I'm blaming camping. And the potluck at work yesterday :/

Sleep: Pretty decent, but I'm getting super tired again. Falling asleep on the couch a lot. Unfortunately still waking up in the middle of the night and tossing and turning most days - which I'm blaming on a stuffy house. Can't decide if I'm hot or cold!
Also, I pulled or popped something out of alignment in my neck/back while camping over the weekend and it still hasn't straightened out, which is a bit frustrating.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Milk. Hamburgers. Apples. Raw meat is pretty nasty right now so I'm pumped that hubs has been helping with cooking the meat for our meals lately.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. 

Movement: Nada

Worries: Nothing really.

The belly: More of the same - not really showing but feeling very bloated. I'm starting to feel some stretching/tightening which I can only assume is the uterus growth.

 


What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: Nothing too bad. The sickness comes and goes but was only bad a few days and isn't even an inconvenience now. Boobs still a little tender but not near as bad. I'd say exhaustion is the worst right now.  

Milestones: N/A

What's different this time: Overall I think I feel a lot better. I've worked really hard to get in shape this year and am hoping that translates into an easier pregnancy. I am continuing with the workouts as well, but it's a lot harder to recover after a run than it was a month or so ago!

What I'm looking forward to: The ultrasound! My dr. is super popular only sees "newbies" one day a week, so I can't get in until Nov. 6 - I'll be just over 10 weeks then! We're planning to keep the pregnancy a secret until then and I'm really excited to share the news with family and close friends. We'll wait to "tell the world" until I'm 13 weeks/after Cooper's birthday. (I'll be 13 weeks two days after his birthday, so we are thinking of doing a Thanksgiving reveal.)

Best moment of the week: Taking my little man camping. There was a sweet couple next to us and the wife was knitting sock caps, so we let them in on our secret and she made matching hats for Coop and No. 2.
We also did family photos on Sunday and that was fun - other than maternity pictures when I will be large & in charge, they are the last professional photos of us as a family of three!





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12.05.2014

Baby R2: Seven Weeks!

Written 10.15.14

How far along: Seven weeks. This is where I was when I learned I was preggo with Coop. 

How big is the baby: A blueberry. Hands and feet are emerging from baby's developing arms and legs. My uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks.

Weight gain/loss: -1. I'm still eating well and indulging quite a bit, but since morning/all day sickness has hit, I'm also eating smaller meals.

Sleep: OK. Waking up almost every night to pee though, and there's been a change in weather so I wake up feeling stuffy ... if I pull up the comforter I'm hot, but without it I'm cold.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: MILK. Gosh, I want to drink milk like none other. Especially if I have oreos to go with it :) And really, anything greasy or carbs. The other night my tummy was a bit unsettled so I had cereal while hubs did a hamburger and tots, and the tots seriously made my stomach turn.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. 

Movement: Nada

Worries: This is a long one. I had to have blood work last week to check my levels and had to go to a different site due to insurance. Since it was more convenient, we went to the hospital in the town where we live (I will deliver about 30 minutes north of us) and it was an ordeal. They didn't understand the order so said they would call the next day. I was told I would get a call on Monday from the dr office to schedule my next appointment. Tuesday came around and no call so naturally I began to worry. I called and they had the information but said the nurse would have to call me back. Yep, worried more. Thankfully, all the numbers looked great! And next time, I'll just make arrangements to go to the lab in the town where I will deliver since I'm told it's a much easier process.

The belly: Still feeling bloated and like a pooch is beginning to emerge. This week's photos I took in the morning and it's not as bad so the rumors that it grows during the day are probably true!

 


What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: As I mentioned above, morning sickness has begun. My mom sent some banana bread home with me over the weekend and that really helps, so I think I'll begin making a batch every weekend or so to always have some around. It's something I can keep by the bed to eat immediately as well. I don't remember feeling this bad during my last pregnancy. The boob tenderness has begun as well.

Milestones: N/A

What's different this time: I'm a bit sicker I think.

What I'm looking forward to: Scheduling my ultrasound and first actual dr. visit!

Best moment of the week: This morning I walked into daycare and another mom was like hey! I had a dream about you last night. We were at a gathering and you were pregnant. Hopefully I covered well by joking "maybe soon" and about how they must have known I was preggo because I wasn't double fisting beers. LOL. Cooper calls her little boy his "best friend" so it will be really funny when we let the cat out of the bag.

 


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Baby R2: Six weeks

Written 10.8.14

How far along: Six weeks. June seems so long away.

How big is the baby: Size of a lentil. Funny, because we had chili last night and were remarking on how tiny that is!
Baby's nose, mouth and ears are beginning to take place.

Weight gain/loss: 0. Remarkable considering the diet has been all over the place.

Sleep: Really good. I'm actually getting in my 8 hours and sleeping like a rock.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I'm really wanting salty snacks - like the combos snacks, peanuts and chips/salsa.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. 

Movement: Nada

Worries: Still a bit worried about the antibiotic, etc. I'll likely worry about this until my first ultrasound.
I went in for my first appointment yesterday, which was so whack because I had to go to a different lab for the blood work due to insurance so it seemed like a total waste of time. The NP/her nurse both pushed the fact that since Coop was a big baby (9 lbs. 13 oz.) they would be monitoring me late in the pregnancy to make sure I didn't have another toddler. This worries me because the problems Cooper had (cord wrapped around neck, breathing meconium) had NOTHING to do with his size, and my tearing was minimal. So I'm not really comfortable with the idea of being induced early just because I have an 8 lb. baby. I expressed all of this to hubby and we are in agreement that we will fight that if we have to as my due date approaches. Hopefully my doctor will have a different mindset as well.

The belly: Still feeling bloated and like a pooch is beginning to emerge.

 
What I'm Loving: Being pregnant.  

Symptoms: I still can't think of one thing. It's weird, other than the positive test and poochiness, I don't feel pregnant at all!

Milestones: N/A

What's different this time: Again, just knowing that I am pregnant.

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the call on Monday about my blood work and scheduling my ultrasound.

Best moment of the week: Running a 5K in 24:07. Hubby says no more races until after the baby is born. Running is allowed but he wants me to take it easy, which means not pushing for those times. There are a couple 5Ks coming up in the next month, so I'm going to try and talk him into doing them and promise to keep it at a comfortable pace (because honestly, I didn't really feel like I was pushing it on Saturday.)


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12.04.2014

Baby R2: Five weeks

Written 10.1.14

Still processing all of this. We are pregnant!

Last pregnancy I did long, wordy updates but am going to use the "form" I've seen other blogging mamas do this time around.

How far along: Five weeks. Still sooooo early.

How big is the baby: Size of a sesame seed but growing at a fast pace! The embryo is made up of three layers and resembles a tadpole.

Weight gain/loss: I'm using today as my beginning weight. I have stopped tracking in MFP so I really have no idea what/how much I'm consuming every day but didn't want to obsess over it.

Sleep: Already waking up to pee in the middle of the night! I've also been battling a nasty cold/sinus infection/earache (more on that below) so that's really disrupted sleep too.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing really right now. Just enjoying because I know it will hit in a few weeks.

Gender: We'll find out when he/she is born. I think we would both be thrilled either way, but I'm leaning toward/preferring boy while hubs is the opposite.

Movement: Nada

Worries: Whether my sickness is impacting. I didn't think there was a chance of getting preggo this month but clearly {and thankfully!} God had a different plan. So R2 has had some Nyquil and codeine cough syrup. My ears began to really hurt earlier this week so this morning I went to the doctor and they are getting infected so I'm on an antibiotic that's supposed to be safe, but I'm still not 100% comfortable with it.

The belly: Feeling bloated. Hubs said he thought it looked a little poochy when taking my pic. Meanie. I hear that happens with second pregnancies, we shall see!

 
 
What I'm Loving: Being pregnant. My June baby. Not having to work summer hours next year.

Symptoms: Surprisingly few. None of the real breast tenderness I had last time. Mostly headaches, fatigue and the bloated feeling.

Milestones: N/A

What's different this time: Knowing at 5 weeks! LOL. I was just over 7 weeks when I found out with Coop so it's a strange feeling this time around.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling better. And the first ultrasound, which we will schedule next week.

Best moment of the week: Finding out and having those wonderful positive pregnancy tests.
 

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Sept. 25, 2014

written 9.25.14

Pregnant! It's weird, I'm still in shock, but so grateful and at peace.

It wasn't "supposed" to happen this month. I wanted it to but just didn't think it would due to timing and being a bit off, but it did!

In fact, I thought the chances were so small I indulged in a bit too much wine last Friday (whoops!) and have also been taking Nyquil and all sorts of other medicine for the nasty cold I've had over the last week. Praying my peanut (which is now the size of a poppy seed, by the way) is OK, but I'm not too concerned.

I woke up Tuesday, the day I was supposed to get my period, still feeling horrible and considering going to the doctor that day. But I just felt like maybe I should test. I totally expected a big fat negative like I got last month (when I was testing like crazy due to being five days late) so I was SHOCKED when I saw that faint line. A line is a line, right?

Same thing on Wednesday morning, so I decided to do the digital test today. I knew in my heart but hubby still didn't believe it I knew, so I told him that he could be the one to look at the test.

Pregnant! A June baby. Another smushy little blessing to love and care for.


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12.03.2014

Baby R2 details :)

Yay! We are pregnant with Baby No. 2!!! I thought I would do a little background post with a lot of the questions I've gotten. I've actually been doing weekly updates since I found out, which I'll be posting over the next week - I have no idea if anyone cares to read them, but I like to have them for myself.

When did you find out? Sept. 24. I really didn't think I was preggo due to the timing of things and we had both been sick, so after a let down the prior month I wasn't even planning to test. But I was this.close to calling the doctor to get in for my little cocktail of shots to help the allergies subside and figured since there was a teensy tiny chance, I may as well take a test. I was shocked when there was a faint line, and it took 3 tests, over 3 days, for it to sink in.
How did you tell hubby?

I went to Walmart over lunch and bought cinnamon rolls, planning to do the whole "bun in the oven" thing. But then he made me mad so I just let it slip like "I can't believe you are being such an ass to your pregnant wife." Then he was like "huh" and I showed him the test ... he was kinda in disbelief as well until we took the digital test.


  Was it planned?
 Yes. I really wanted our kids to have a 3.5 year age difference and they will be within a couple weeks of that if I make it to my due date!

When did you tell your family and friends?
 We waited until my first u/s (10 weeks, 2 days) and told the grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends all that weekend. We bought a shirt for Cooper that says "Big Brothers Rock" and had him wear it. My parents just smiled and said "uh oh" ... and we had to kinda explain it to my in-laws. My MIL had just had surgery the previous night. We told our work at 13 weeks and put on FB/IG on Thanksgiving.



 

 
What were their reactions?
No one was too surprised as they knew that we wanted another, but they were all shocked we kept it a secret for so long!

 Will you find out the sex?
95% sure we won't. We loved being surprised with Cooper. 
 
 Which sex would you prefer?
 I would really, really love another boy, but my gut feeling is that this one is a girl. While a girl terrifies me, the more I think about it, I really am getting excited about having a little girl, even though I can't tie bows. 

Do you have names picked out?

We have two girl names that we love, and can't really agree on a boy name. The other one we like for C I now hate, so it's a big debate. 


 How are you feeling?
Really, really good. I was nauseous a few weeks and get headaches. Exhaustion has been the worst symptom but it's starting to let up. 

 Due date?
June 2. And likely not a day over.  


Anything else? I'm sure my weekly updates will clear up a lot of questions, too!

 

 


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