32.5 Weeks with Baby O #2

I know, I know. I haven't written in a long while. We have been busy! Hospital work, photography is nearing the end of a busy season, Nathan was traveling a lot for work (which meant extra work for this pregnant mama with a 2 year old!) This is going to be a tough time this year I think. Two days from now last year, my sweet Doodad passed away from pancreatic cancer. It's  hard to celebrate the holidays knowing that. It hasn't really hit me yet, and as it always does, it hits random times, so I'm sure it will emerge sometime that day. I will be able to spend some time with my brother though which I think will be good. I wish he could have met our sweet baby #2. I know he knows, and is watching over us. I miss calling him and hearing a "what you know?" from him, giving medical advice, and his hugs. I miss his laugh, and hearing him play guitar. I miss watching him play with Benjamin. I have videos and photos, and if I close my eyes it's almost like he's here. I miss him a lot. But knowing that I will see him again makes me happy. 

On a happier note, we are so close to meeting our new baby boy! 

How far along? 32.5 weeks!

How big is baby? The size of a bunch of asparagus? We had a 3D ultrasound done last week, and he was measuring 4lbs and 18 inches long! 

Total weight gain/loss: Like 20 something. My OB wasn't worried and told me that I will probably gain in the high 30's by the end. I'm trying to eat better...

Maternity clothes? YES! only.

Sleep: What the heck is that? I'm getting very comfortable with my couch, my mile-high stack of pillows, and my late night TV. My heartburn (or rather, what feels like constant regurgitation) has been insufferable, along with the never ending rib pain makes it damn near impossible to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. Which mostly means 2-3 hours a night.

Best moment this week: Feeling that movement is still magical even though it hurts sometimes. Knowing my baby is rolling around in there is wonderful. 

Movement: Everyone can see the movement now! He's twisting and turning and just rolling around like he'a slam dancing. 

Food cravings: Always carbs. Breads, stuffing, potatoes... fruit as well. 

Food Aversions: Nah. 

Gender: We are having another boy! :)

Labor Signs: I had some bad back cramping the other day after my BLS checkoff at work. I knew I shouldn't have done it... but I had to for work. They went away after I rested a little bit. 

Pregnancy symptoms: I've got some constipation, very mild swelling in my face and toes and hands (but not NEARLY as bad as with Benjamin! I think I'm moving around more this time). Leaky boobs... Braxton Hicks contractions every once in awhile. Heartburn city, intense aching rib pain...

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Being able to sleep!

What I am looking forward to: Normally I would say Thanksgiving (tomorrow) but I'm scheduled to work. But I'm looking forward to my OB appointment Monday to check baby's position. He was frank breech at my ultrasound, which could mean a cesarean section (which is okay as long as I'm prepared for it...) But I am looking forward to this weekend off with my boys! Maybe we can get some Christmas shopping done! 

Upcoming appointments/events:  Monday!

Weekly Wisdom: Invest in a ton (literally) of pillows and Rolaids/Tums, stool softeners, and water flavoring so you can drink a ton of that as well.

Milestones: Baby should be turning into position soon, and his skin is no longer transparent! His digestive system is mature as well!

Week 22.1 with Baby O #2!

How far along? 22.1 weeks!

How big is baby? The size of a coconut! 

Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs! :( It's on track, but I really don't want to gain a ton!

Maternity clothes? YES! I am still wearing a few larger "regular" tops, but I am embracing the tighter fitting, bump enhancing things! Exclusively.

Sleep: I keep waking up every few hours, not really due to anything in particular, but just generally starting to get uncomfortable. It's tolerable though :)

Best moment this week: Feeling these amazing kicks and rolls. I truly love it! My placenta is apparently in the back this time (it was in the front with Benjamin) so I can feel more with this baby! :)

Movement: I am feeling all sorts of baby movement now :) Nathan finally got to feel a few days ago! 

Food cravings: Yeah... Fruit, and carbs. 

Food Aversions: Nothing really anymore! 

Gender: We are having another boy! :)

Labor Signs: No! Thank goodness!

Pregnancy symptoms: Bloating, swelling in my feet and hands... and face, constipation... 

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Not being bloated! So uncomfortable.

What I am looking forward to: Benjamin's birthday, girl day with my friends, my styled shoot Monday, and wedding festivities for my friend Anna!

Upcoming appointments/events:  October!

Weekly Wisdom: Invest in pregnancy Spanx and compression hose!

Milestones: Baby is looking like a baby and can hear me :)

18.6 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2!

How far along? 18.6 weeks!

How big is baby? The size of an artichoke! 

Heartrate: No checkup this week, so not sure! 

Total weight gain/loss: I weighed at home before going to the doctor (more on that) and gained 2 lbs. I don't know how accurate that is, but I'm definitely sporting a bump!

Maternity clothes? YES! I am still wearing a few larger "regular" tops, but I am embracing the tighter fitting, bump enhancing things!

Sleep: sleep hasn't been THAT bad actually. I woke up this morning early with a twinge of sciatica pain up my left side, but I've also got a nasty viral something that's making sleep harder to achieve.

Best moment this week: Feeling these amazing kicks everyday! Especially after something with sugar in it (even OJ)!

Movement: I am feeling those kicks fairly regularly! Mostly when I'm laying down, but I love it! 

Food cravings: It's hitting the "I love carbs" stage in my pregnancy! Up until yesterday I was eating pretty well! Then yesterday I had yogurt, nuts, dried cranberries, pepper jack cheese, 4 slices of pizza, 2 shrimp tacos, 4 nuggets off Benjamin's tray (since we are apparently raising a vegetarian inadvertently), a Snickers bar, and some chicken and stars soup! I will take it though since I've been sick for about 2 weeks now.

Food Aversions: Nothing really anymore! 

Gender: We have an idea, but no ultrasound this week so we will find out at the 20 week detailed look on 9/7. We have names picked out for both though!

Labor Signs: No! Thank goodness!

Pregnancy Symptoms? Bloating fingers, sore nipples, mini sciatica pains few and far between. No real nausea anymore unless I haven't had something in my stomach in the morning. 

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Sneezing/coughing without peeing! There's no fear of it anymore... If I sneeze/cough, it's happening. I gotta work on those kegels!

What I am looking forward to: Getting over this "virus", my belated birthday weekend this weekend with my hubs, and a job interview for a charge position next week!

Upcoming appointments/events:  Detailed scan 9/7!

Weekly Wisdom: If you put your toddler in daycare and they catch something, you will too(regardless if you work on a hospital floor full of adult germs or not).

Milestones: Baby is rolling around like crazy!

Bump Picture: I will take one. I have a cute maternity dress now ;) 

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This week has been hard. 2 weeks ago, Nathan's grandfather was murdered in his home. While we are iffy on details, they had 2 people in custody about 2-3 days after it happened, and we are waiting on court dates, etc. It's such a tragedy. We had his funeral on my birthday... Not exactly how I wanted to roll into my 30's, but, it will have to be. 

I've also been sick for about 2 weeks (mostly just congestion/nasal stuff), and then Benjamin came home with probable pink eye, and a nasty cough. So, of course because I'm pregnant and immunocompromised, I got the exact same thing. My eye is better, and my cough seems better today than yesterday, but geez. Yesterday, I almost threw up multiple times because of how hard I was coughing (which meant peeing all. day. long.) I think the thing that sucks most about being sick is weighing the benefit of meds (even pregnancy "safe" meds) vs the symptoms. With Benjamin, all I remember taking was the occasional Tylenol or Tylenol PM. This time, I'm having to use nasal spray, Flonase, Robitussin, cough drops, Benedryl, etc. for this thing. I am slowly weaning myself off of them, but it's just a mess. 

As far as turning 30 goes, it's definitely not my best year. But I don't feel any older, and I don't feel any worse! I just want a big family and to be happy. Things are looking up! :) 

Little movements!

I don't have another appointment until September, so my updates will probably not be as informative as usual, BUT I have felt some pretty regular baby kicks/punches even this early! I LOVE it! Sometimes I just feel like I'm fat and forget I'm pregnant so it's kind of nice to have these little reminders that are so precious!

Benjamin has been sick for almost a week, and now mom and dad have it. I really figured since I worked on one of the most nasty, sickness/disease ridden floors I've ever worked on and I never get sick, that I would be immune to everything. But it's my son's ONE daycare day that did us ALL in. Sore throats and runny noses all around. Usually I wouldn't mind too much but I have 2 weddings this weekend, plus 2 days of work at the hospital. So... Yeah.

I wonder when I can go to light duty (if I can) at work. I can't wait for those later months for that alone! But also to meet our sweet baby of course! This time I have short term disability so I can be home with my family as my one and ONLY priority for 12 whole weeks! I was only out like 6 weeks with Benjamin and it broke my heart.

Anyway, I've got some maternity and wedding photos to edit and an energetic/snotty 2 year old to chase after!