10 Things to do in Your Third Trimester

Whether it's your first time, your fifth time or any time you're having a baby, there are a few things you might want to put on then check off the ol' to-do list. Pregnancy brain is real and if you're already a mom then doubled up with mom brain it's so easy to forget these things. No, it's not the end of the world if everything or even nothing is checked off before baby arrives BUT it probably would make the crazy readjustment period easier for everyone. So with the help of friends, because #mombrain + #pregnancybrain right here, I've compiled a list that hopefully will be helpful for those of you in the home stretch of your pregnancy. All you have to remember is to use it!

Order A Breast Pump

If you plan to breastfeed you will need to contact your insurance company to find out how to go about ordering yours for free! While you're on the phone with someone there, make sure to ask if there is anything else you need to do before baby's arrival if he or she will be covered under your plan. 

Install Car Seat

If this is your first rodeo you want to make sure that the car seat and/or base is installed correctly. YouTube videos can be really helpful or your local fire department can show you! Even if this isn't your first baby I'd still advise having the car seat installed and ready to go because it's one last thing you have to worry about in the whirlwind of going to the hospital and having a new baby.

Contact Your Pediatrician + Pre-Register

First time mamas,  you need to pick a pediatrician and make sure the practice is accepting new patients. If you already have another child and will continue to see your current doctor it's still nice to let the office know you are nearing your due date. Also, most hospitals allow you to pre-register either online or by phone. One less thing to worry about when you're in labor!

Gather Supplies + Pack Bags

Make a hospital bag packing list and have everything you need for you and baby. Depending on your situation, you may want to pack those bags around 36 weeks. But if you at least have everything then someone should be able to go back home and grab anything you forgot in a rush to get out the door. 

Confirm Maternity Leave & Childcare

If you are a working mama you've already talked to HR about your maternity leave plan. But it's a good idea to do a final check-in to ensure everyone is on the same page and you are aware of how the payment schedule and insurance coverage will work while you're gone. You will also want to have your childcare situation taken care of whether it's choosing and setting up daycare or just confirming with whoever is going to be caring for your baby. 

Spend One On One Time

Go on some final dates before it's no longer just you and your hubby or your family dynamic totally changes again. If you already have kids make it a point to do something fun with them individually. 

Baby Registry or Wish List
I highly recommend completing or at least starting your baby registry in your second trimester. It can be so daunting as a first time mom and the more time you have to consider the massive variety of items the better. If you aren't having a shower this go round someone may still be throwing you a little sprinkle or you at least need a few new items for baby. Go through what you have and make a list of what you want/need so you can share the list with family + friends or use it yourself to shop. If you plan to nurse make sure you do have everything you think you'll need including some nursing friendly clothing items. Possibly you didn't like something you used or wore the first time around and want to go a different route so do that now! It's also a good idea to have a few different types of bottles to see which your baby prefers but also not a big deal if someone needs to run out and pick a few up after baby arrives.

Wash Clothes + Bottles

Mamas using hand me downs or a few new things for babe, break those out and throw in a load. First timers, don't rip the tags off of everything just yet! Your baby may never even wear newborn sleepers and you actually don't need 25 receiving blankets. Go ahead and wash 0-3 and up and pick your favorite blankets, nursing pillow cover and accessories (socks, bottles, hats, mittens). If you get one round done and ready to go you're ahead of the game. The rest can wait. Same goes for bottles. Get enough bottles and pump parts if you're nursing clean and shiny then you can see how things go with certain bottles and/or breastfeeding is working out. 

Set Up Baby Gear

Put together whatever baby will be sleeping and/or lounging in, learn how to use any carriers you plan to and make sure the baby monitor is working properly. Not only is this helpful because these are things you won't be trying to do under the pressure of a screaming infant, but having them out can also help prepare older siblings and/or pets for baby's arrival.

Birth Plan

If you feel strongly about anything you are able to control during labor and delivery, write up your plan and share it with your doctor. It's also necessary to have a plan in place for siblings while mom and dad are at the hospital. Then there's the conversations you never want to have put probably should. Talk to your partner about the what ifs and how you think you'd want things handled should those unfortunate situations occur. If baby has to go to the NICU will dad go with him or her? 

Extras

If you have time and are of a mind to care, make some freezer meals to have on hand for those early crazy weeks. Have someone come to deep clean the house or do it yourself because #nesting. Organize baby's supplies so you aren't fumbling around looking for things when you get home from the hospital. If baby has siblings maybe consider big bro/sis gifts "from baby". 

Hopefully this list is helpful but not overwhelming. Having a baby is a big deal. Don't stress if you don't check everything (or anything) off the list because I promise someone will step in to help. But definitely don't feel bad for making it a priority to cross off everything either. Wishing all you mamas to be a safe and easy delivery + healthy babes!

Bumpdate: 37 Weeks

I think this may be my final bumpdate of this pregnancy. Not because I think I'm about to go into labor but because I am 37+3 weeks and I just don't need another thing on my now almost finished to-do list! At my last doctor's appointment almost a week ago I was 3cm dilated and effacing and my weight gain had nearly reached a standstill (less than .5 a pound in 2 weeks). I was 36+5 and my doctor just told me to please wait until the 37 week mark. We've not surpassed that and while I've been having a lot of contractions this week, they haven't turned into anything. 

I'm at the point that I'm just ready. I'm extremely uncomfortable all the time, battling heartburn, back + hip pain, lots of pressure and bathroom trips and full on exhaustion every day all day. We've been working on home projects and just things we wanted to get accomplished before baby's arrival if possible. And of course spending time doing fun things with Fallon while she's still our only child. People keep telling me to relax and slow down to enjoy this time. But the truth is, the fast past we've been rolling at has been very fulfilling and oddly just what we needed before the massive slowdown that's about to happen. The adjustment period is going to be a doozy and there just won't be the time or energy or motivation to do a lot of the things we have been. And that's totally fine. I think we will be much more able to enjoy the big change when we don't have all these other things that we couldn't accomplish looming on the horizon. Of course this isn't the case for everyone but it's been good for us. 

I'm not sure if I have even given numbers on my weight gain this time but I'm up 24lbs. I gained more with Fallon but I was super swollen with her so I think that was part of it. And just for the record, I 100% do not have any feelings about this baby being a boy or a girl. I'd share if I did but I just don't feel a pull either way. And I'd like to think it's because I truly do want to be surprised. Bags are packed, plans are made, and now we just wait for baby!

Baby #2 Mom Guilt: Part II

It may seem a little bit crazy, but I have mom guilt over something that hasn't even happened yet. Fallon's birthday, a day that should have been one of the happiest of my life, was actually the most terrifying. There are unfortunately still a lot of negative emotions there and I don't get all the warm + fuzzy feelings when I think about it. I still remember how quickly the air shifted in the deliver room. The nurse calling for the team of people who would rush in and have to save my baby as soon as she came out. The alarmingly serious look on my doctor's face and her tone of voice when she told me to push with everything I had instead of waiting for contractions. There were no happy tears when she said said It's a girl. Time stood still as I waited to hear my daughter cry, squeak, make any noise at all. I got to hold her just long enough for Chris's shaking hands to snap a picture. No fresh newborn snuggles, first feedings, heart melting moments watching my husband become a father or elated announcement to our waiting family. 

There is no way to express the gratitude I have that our story has a happy ending. We walked out of the NICU with a healthy baby just 2 days later. A little girl who miraculously suffered no complications from her birth, nursed for 14 months and continues to amaze us as a growing toddler. And while I certainly find my daughter's dramatic birth fitting of her personality, it is still something I struggle to fully come to terms with. 

My guilt sets in as soon as I think about baby #2's birthday. It won't be anything like Fallon's. Most likely it will be wonderful, just the way every parent wants to imagine. My husband will be amusing us with his sarcasm, nervous as hell but quietly excited in his way.  The nurses will be chatting me up about Fallon and asking if I have any final thought on the baby's sex. My doctor will be telling the latest my kids are driving me crazy story and then coaching me in her very simple, direct way. Chris and I will look at each other with sheer joy over learning we have another daughter or a son. He or she will cry in customary I've just been evicted from my safe place way and placed on my chest. The atmosphere in the room will be light and happy. No one will come to take my baby. I'll be basking in newborn glory with all the kisses and cuddles, right there to comfort him or her from all the scary new sounds and smells. I'll watch Chris hold his second born, right there in the room with me. There will be pictures capturing all these sweet birthday moments. Calls and texts to family and friends sharing our happy news. All the things that we never experienced the first time. Joy and contentment when we've only known fear.

And I cannot help that it pains me to think that my second child will have this happy story I remember every year on the day he or she arrives. I'm already guilty that such opposite emotions will be felt for each baby's birthday. It just doesn't seem right or fair that Fallon's story only has a happy ending. That her daddy and I can still barely look at the pictures of her in the hospital. That we were both nearly brought to tears thinking of what might have been on the morning we celebrated her first year of life. 

I realize that this is way things go. Every birth story can't be full of rainbows and sunshine. And, contrary to the tone of this post, I'm actually not trying to go down a morbid rabbit hole and take you all with me. I'm putting this out there because it's been weighing so heavily on my heart for nearly this entire pregnancy. It's doesn't take over the feelings of excitement to welcome another child or the happiness of becoming a mother again. But I can't imagine I am the only one who has been here. And if you have or you are, I'm writing it all out for all of us. As for the rest of you, thank you for reading through the end. Thank you for being supportive even if you don't understand. Thank you for letting me continue to have this space to share the real stuff, the hard stuff, the stuff I need somewhere to get out of my head. 

You are all the best!

Hospital Bag Check List: Round 2

When I packed my hospital bag for Fallon's arrival I was pretty sure it looked like I was moving in. And I was totally fine with that. I've always been an over packer and I'd rather just have all my own stuff and wayyyyy too much of it than the alternative. It turns out, I never really got to find out if my bag held too much, too little or just enough. Many of you know that I actually only stayed at the hospital where I gave birth for about 6 hours postpartum. Fallon was transported a few hours after she was born to the nearby Children's hospital and my doctor discharged me early to be with her. I thankfully had no complications from giving birth and I guess she figured there was no better place to send me off to than another hospital. 

The thing is, once I walked out those birth hospital doors, I was no longer a patient. The NICU was a room in and of itself with a chair next to the giant pod with 10,000 things on it that was my baby's "bed". The bathroom, used by the entire floor, was at the other end of the hallway. If one was available you could sleep in a separate room on the special care floor with a bed my husband could barely fit into and a chair shoved up against it. Most of our stay was such a blur of shock, adrenaline and surreality that I can't even tell you what I used from my bag. 

So this time, I went back and read this post from first pregnancy to remember what I had even packed. As a mama with one birth under her belt and some breastfeeding experience,  I definitely have product preferences now. But really the list is almost the same. The biggest difference is time of year so I plan to wear leggings, joggers, a nursing bra/bralette or tank under a comfy cardi/nursing friendly top and a robe with....the fox slippers! I'll bring a gender neutral sleeper + hat, pacifier and cute swaddles for baby in my Fawn bag. But I'm hoping someone can bring a going home outfit depending on whether we have a little boy or a little girl. Hint, hint people. Gotta have my own blanket, pillow and towel + toiletries, makeup and oils! I linked everything on my list below including snacks, my trusty tumbler, nursing pillow and ya know, all the other not so fun stuff. 

Bumpdate: 35 Weeks

Less than 5 weeks until my due date and at this point I'm not sure anyone is confident I'll make it that far. Fallon was born just one day before her due date BUT she tried to come just as I hit 38 weeks. I'm fine meeting this little one by the end of this month, as long as we make it as least another 2 weeks. My belly did drop with Fallon at the end but looking back at my very last bump pictures she was still up high compared to my belly this time. I literally woke up about a week ago and immediately felt the shift. It's been so nice to be able to breathe without struggling through a conversation sitting down. I mean I still get winded with physical activity but wow what a difference in my comfort level, especially falling asleep. Now of course I traded squished lungs for more pressure on my lower body and a bowling ball on my bladder but honestly I'll take it. Making 1200 bathroom trips is still better to me than constant breathlessness. And I am so, so thankful we are all but past cold/flu season and our family has managed to avoid sickness. 

I've reached the point when everything just feel hard. Getting out of bed, putting on my shoes, bending down to pick up alllll the toys. Heartburn is back, exhaustion is almost unimaginable and my body just kind of hurts everywhere. Baby is still moving tons and I do love watching the movements even though it looks like and alien is about to come roaring through my stomach. But my belly button looks even wierder. I typically have a super innie and it definitely went flat with Fallon but this time I've totally popped an outtie. I wonder if it will go fully back in again like last time. I also have no linea nigra in sight, or stretch marks. I don't say this like it's something to brag about, just for documentation purposes. My mom didn't get any stretch marks and as much as applying certain things to your belly may minimize effects, I think it's majorly determined by genetics and luck of the draw. I do however have this weird skin discoloration in a spot only visible when I am in a bikini. I'm told it should fade and possibly disappear after birth but if that's what I'n left with then so be it. 

The nursery is all but finished and my sister is throwing me a sweet little sprinkle next weekend to celebrate so it's really starting to feel like the end. I will be washing blankets and sleepers in the next couple weeks, getting my pump and bottle parts all back out the baby gear we stored away after Fallon was too big. As uncomfortable and done with being pregnant as I am, there's so much more excitement to meet our new baby and definitely some nervousness about suddenly being outnumbered. I know it will be hard and exhausting and amazing all at the same time and there will be a steep learning curve followed by us fining our new rhythm. So my next update very well may be my last!

Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman

I wrote a post like this when I was pregnant with Fallon after becoming fed up with comments regarding my growing a life status. I polled my mama friends and we came up with a list of things no one should ever to say to an obviously pregnant woman. This time around the comments are fewer and farther between, most likely because I'm around so many less adults! But I continue to be amazed by the things that come out of people's mouths when they see a pregnant woman. There is always someone pregnant in my mama world and we just can't believe that other mamas are the most likely culprits! I mean, don't you remember what it felt it like? If you wouldn't say it to someone who isn't pregnant, don't say it to someone who is. And if there is any shred of doubt whether she will take your comment in a way you don't intend, keep it to yourself. You look great! How are you feeling? I'm so happy for you! These are always the best options and personally I'd much rather respond to these comments or questions than whoa your belly looks big any day. So, go ahead and pass this along to everyone you know. It's always better to be safe than sorry when you're dealing with a pregnant woman. C'mon, you know how we are. 

You're about to pop!

Yea, that burrito I had for lunch was HUGE

It's probably a boy because you're carrying low + wide

Actually it's a girl...or possibly a hippo

Are you supposed to be drinking that much caffeine?

Oh there's mostly whiskey in here so it's basically caffeine free

Was this one planned?

About as well as my shotgun wedding

Your poor swollen feet!

Oh I hadn't noticed, they don't feel like smoked sausages at all

Why do you want an epidural?

So that I don't murder my husband

How much weight have you gained?

I just ate a 5lb bag of Reese's so we'll go with that

Calm down, it's just your hormones talking
They also breath fire, barbque anyone?

Sleep while you can
I sure am, ya know in between the bathroom trips, insomnia, heartburn, hip pain and karate kicks to my internal organs

Wow you're huge, is it twins?
We just found out it's a whole litter of piglets

10 Things I Hate About Being Pregnant

I was totally excited to find out I was pregnant with Fallon, but I really thought I'd be the person that just loathed the experience. I'm not exactly sure why, but that was my expectation. Turned out, I mostly loved it. The very end, not so much, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable time. I am not singing the same tune on round 2. While I'm never ungrateful for the priviledge of carrying my child, I am honestly so over being pregnant and I have been for awhile now. Here's why:

1. The Exhaustion - Holy crap I've never been this kind of tired in my whole life. It comes nowhere close to the way I felt with Fallon. This is a brand new level of tired that makes toddler tantrums even harder to handle. And I hate it.

2. The Bathroom Trips - I drink a lot of water, always have. I'm used to averaging more potty breaks than most of the crowd. But sweet baby Jesus this is out of control. I'm getting sick to death of looking at the walls of my own bathroom. And I hate it.

3. The Shortness of Breath - Okay so there's a bowling ball strapped around my waist, squishing my internal organs. Makes sense that taking the stairs with a laundry basket or a toddler on my hip has me a little winded. But struggling to carry on a conversation without sounding like I'm running a marathon even though I'm just sitting on the couch....just absurd. And I hate it.

4. The Food Aversions - I try, and typically succeed, to eat a mostly healthy diet. I do believe in moderation aka giving into cravings with zero nutritional value here and there. But why the hell must so many healthful foods makes my stomach churn? I'm having to shove them down instead of going for what I constantly want....all the sweets with empty calories. And I hate it.

5. The Rib Pain - This is just flat out ridiculous. If a woman's body is supposedly made to grow life, that life shouldn't have to separate her own body parts internally. And cause searing, unrelenting pain. And I hate it.

6. The Waddling - As if walking around with a giant mass in the center of my body wasn't odd enough, let's add a waddle. And to add insult, make certain it's nowhere near as cute as those black and white birds everyone coos over. And I hate it.

7. The Heartburn - I guess this one may actually be the most fitting of the bunch. Half the time I morph into a kind of mythical dragon my husband couldn't even conjure up in his nightmares. So I may as well make it legit and breath fire. And I hate it.

8. The Mood Swings - Last pregnancy I told off a whisk, then left it there on the floor where it had flung itself to think about what it had done. This time I cried because I thought I lost a sock. A brand new sock. A really cute brand new sock. And I hate it.

9. The Maternity Jeans - I love distressed jeans. My temporarily abnormally shaped body doesn't allow me to wear my favorite pairs past a certain point of pregnancy. At least not comfortably. And maternity jeans suck. Like I need the extra hassle of having to keep pulling them up, especially when there aren't any belt loops to make it easier. And I hate it.

10. The Sleep Deprivation - I saved the best for last. This one just really pisses me off. My body is literally growing another human life. It's extra tired and needs extra sleep. Yet with all the organ squishing, pain, fire breathing and bathroom trips, even resting is hard. I mean come on. 

And I hate it.

Just in case you didn't notice, this was written in a sarcastic tone. I am fortunate and appreciative to be pregnant. And there are many aspects about it that I absolutely love. But it's okay to hate other parts of it. It really is. 

32 Week Bumpdate

Single digit weekly countdown. Say, what?! It came so much faster this time. In my last update I said I wanted to start doing them every 2 weeks but since I can't seem to post as often as I'd like, here we are. Honestly, I've been feeling pretty crappy. I am a kind of tired I've never been at any point in my life. Third trimester + toddler tantrums have my energy levels at an all time low. And the position this baby favors is, well, unfavorable at best for mama. I'm often breathless trying to hold a conversation while sitting down. Imagine what I sound like carrying a 23 pound toddler up the stairs. I'm guessing some sort of large wild animal. Like a rhino. Oh and then there's the pressure on my left side that often has me doing the ol' pregnancy waddle. Chris thinks it's cute. Just kidding, he laughs his ass off.  I don't blame him. But he rubs my back all the time so it's okay. 

I'm still having cinnamon cravings, have I mentioned that? I can't remember. It's a common problem these days. On the positive side I can blame it on both pregnancy brain and mom brain. They're both real, ask any mom. We've definitely reached the point where baby movement can be seen through my shirt. I wish I could have caught the face of the poor guy at Home Depot on camera when he saw a glimpse of the ripples under my pink sweatshirt. Fallon is still very sweet about pulling up my shirt and kissing my belly while saying "baby". Crossing all my fingers and toes she has the same feelings when her little sibling is on the outside. 

The nursery is now painted, new fan and furniture moving in next. I'm waiting on a rug and possibly adding another print and a plant but we are actually ahead of the game this time in that department. I can't say the same for baby names. Well, girl names. We have a short list but cannot agree on top picks. I've also purchased zero of the things from my own baby #2 must haves list. Win some, lose some. The name will come to us and those little drawers will be ready with supplies in no time. At least that's what I'm telling myself. 

Until next time, diffusing all the oils to help my totally uncomfortable self sleep!

Baby #2 Must Haves

Figuring out everything you think you need for a baby is so overwhelming the first time around. Making a registry helps to break things down by category but oh my goodness all the gear and nursery furniture on top of newborn essentials! I was researching and review reading daily before I was halfway through my first pregnancy. But the second go round....not so much. We have all the big stuff and it hasn't even been 2 years since Fallon was born so the baby world hasn't been revolutionized yet. I made a list of my must have new items for baby #2 and the rest, he or she gets big sissy's hand me downs #secondkidproblems. 

Quilt / Knotted Hats / Changing Mat / Bottles / Pacifier / Drying Rack / Swaddle, also love these + these / Sleeper, also love these + these / Booties / Pacifier Clips / Hooded Towel, also love this / Infant Bath Seat

Pregnancy Favorites

I worked in a corporate office my entire pregnancy with Fallon. The business casual dress code erred on the side of casual but I still was required to wear something other than pajamas 5 days a week. And the timeframe was about 3 months ahead so I was wearing maxi skirts and dresses nearly my entire third trimester. This time is very different. While I can wear whatever I want, I'm finding it a little more difficult to dress a bump in the dead of winter. My skin is dryer and itchier, I'm far more exhausted and feeling generally blah most days but I am sleeping like the dead. 

I didn't buy hardly any maternity clothes the first time but I've been wearing my favorites. Plain or striped tees go with everything and I have basically been living in bralettes with them. My support tank is much needed these days and it's so breathable it can be layered under all my cold weather clothes. I'm am under the bump kind of girl with bottoms and let's be honest, I rarely wear pants so leggings it is. And I'm thanking myself for ordering a tall length zip up instead of maternity because it's necessary at this point but fit nicely pre-bump as well. Prenatal vitamins make me sick except the gummies so I take a gentle iron supplement separately and it works out great! The maternity pillow I have is no longer available but Iinked a similar option that I've heard is just as wonderful. Like I said, I'm sleeping really well so I've got that going for me. And coconut oil, ALLLLL the coconut oil. I skipped all the store bought creams this time and went for natural. I made myself a balm with coconut oil and a few essential oils and it does wonders for soothing my poor stretching skin but I also just slather coconut oil itself on a few times a day. I've linked everything below aside from the best maternity dress ever right here. 

Here's to a happy + healthy pregnancy, mamas!

28 Weeks: Hello Third Trimester

I remember when I was pregnant with Fallon at this point and some people kindly corrected me when I proudly said I was in my third trimester. When I shared this with my OB she laughed and said of course you are in your third trimester, who am I to argue?! But really, some charts do say 28 weeks, some say 29. It depends who you ask but I'm going with 28 weeks and that's that. 

I go back to the doctor next week to see how much my belly has grown and how much weight I've gained but I am feeling pretty large these days. Mostly due to the fact that my lungs are so smushed I'm constantly feeling out of breath, and I don't just mean a little winded, I mean like I'm running an all day marathon. On the up side I am usually able to sleep like the dead when I crash at night until Fallon wakes me before the sun comes up. The pins + needles feeding in my hands and arms has begun again, just like last time, but heartburn is nearly nonexistent! I am a kind of exhausted I've never known at the end of each day but thankfully back pain is minimal and other symptoms are just kind of annoying noise in the background of everything else going on. 

This baby is quite active throughout the day but remains so much gentler than my toddler ever was. Looking back on pictures of my first pregnancy I am pretty much carrying the same way size wise but my belly is a bit rounder this time. I still don't have any feelings on the sex myself but the general consensus from others is girl this time around. It was boy last time for reference and clearly I have a daughter. We've yet to buy anything on my second baby must have list, even though it's fairly short, and the nursery hasn't been touched. Second kid problems. We still have 3 months, right?! I'll probably be saying the same thing in March but we will be down to 3 weeks. Shrugs. 

I definitely have not kept up with a work out routine like I was able to do with Fallon, but carrying + chasing Fallon and going up and down the steps approximately 3 million times a day has kept my energy levels from completely tanking. I do wear some off my maternity shirts but being home this time I'm mostly in leggings and tunic tops or sweatshirts and quite honestly pjs all day far too often. The last time I wore jeans I just did the ol' rubber band trick but we may be beyond that now. I'll have to check and report back. Since we've reached the final stretch of pregnancy number 2 I'd like to do updates every 2 weeks through the end so hold me accountable!

Bumpdate: 24 Weeks

I swore I wouldn't go this long without an update when I posted halfway through this pregnancy, yet here we are 4.5 weeks later. My first trimester seemed to drag on forever but every time I blink another chunk of the second trimester is gone. Today at my OB appointment I was sent home with the lovely drink and instructions for the oh so fun glucose test. I cannot believe we've already reached this point. The last leg of this pregnancy is almost staring me in the face and it's surreal. 

So much has been happening around here preparing for and enjoying the holiday season. I've certainly been aware I'm carrying another precious baby when I'm suddenly breathing fire from a bowl of cereal or winded from thinking about walking upstairs. But I spend so much time chasing after and caring for my toddler everything seems like it's moving so much faster in round 2. Overall, this pregnancy has been much harder on me physically. I alternate from feeling lots of pressure down low to feeling like my lungs are being squished to the point that I'm short of breath even while laying down. I get fleeting waves of nausea here and there, mainly in response to certain smells, and intense lower back pain I do not remember from being pregnant with Fallon. Generally I feel low on energy, run down and often hung over when I wake up. BUT, when I finally rest my head to go to sleep at night and have a moment to think, I am just so HAPPY. I appreciate how lucky I am to have such an amazing little girl, feel those baby wiggles and kicks and know I picked the right guy to raise them both with. 

My belly is measuring a little behind but not so much that it's of concern. Weight gain is so far the same as with Fallon. I didn't gain a single pound with either babe in the first trimester then BAM started gaining steadily each week of the second trimester. I'm currently up 12lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. I'm sure it's all baby related, nothing to do with all the Christmas cookies I've been sneaking. We got to see baby #2 at the anatomy scan a couple weeks ago and everything was perfect. He or she is measuring right on track with all the parts in the all the right places. The tech told us to look away for a split second so she could verify the sex but said it wouldn't be noted in the chart anywhere so no one has the opportunity to slip up! Once again we are dealing with a long legged child who likes to be head down but curled on my left side. This kiddo was much more cooperative than Fallon so maybe that means he or she will have more of a mellow personality. It's all so exciting to think about! I'm going to try really hard to be better with these updates in the new year and final trimester but someone remind me if I fall behind! Pregnancy brain is no joke people. 

20 Weeks

Well all of a sudden I am halfway through this pregnancy with a handful of bump photos and no updates in weeks. Sorry second kid! Life has been so busy with a toddler, all the holiday fun and projects out of the wazoo around our house. But now that I have somewhat of a baby bump to show, here's how we've been doing on the pregnancy front. 

Beanie / Boots / Cardigan / Socks

This beginning of this pregnancy was much harder than my first. Of course keeping up a toddler tornado all day is exhausting in and of itself but generally I just was more tired and definitely more nauseous this go round. It's still difficult to find something to eat that isn't a 0 on the nutrition scale but sounds good, although so far no outright aversions this time. I craved all things blueberry with Fallon and this time it's Cinnamon! I've been making a strong effort to go for healthy options that thankfully this spice lends itself too....but Cinnamon Toast Crunch still gets me more often than I'd care to admit. And those dang Peppermint Mochas are probably making up the majority of my bump. I do go for the skinny version with almond milk so I justify them several times a week. Right?!

I felt Baby #2 about the same time I had felt Fallon but I was sure of it this time. Once you know what those little movements are you immediately recognize them again. We can fell baby #2 from the outside now and he/she wiggles and kicks so much when big sissy is up against my belly. Fallon has started to understand, in her 16 month old way, that there is a baby in mama's belly. If you ask her and she's of a mind to comply, she will lift my shirt and point and give it a little kiss. I mean c'mon, you're dead inside if you don't find that heart melting. Fallon had an anterior placenta (toward the front instead of the more common position of in the back) but she was so emphatic with her movements I felt all the same. I have a feeling this baby's is in back, which we will get to see in about a week and a half, because although his/her movements are much more gentle than big sis's I feel them prominently. Baby #2 is most active in the evening hours, when mama is trying to fall asleep! But over the last couple weeks he/she has definitely started wiggling more throughout the day. 

We are still solid in our decision to leave the sex a surprise until birth so don't expect a gender reveal after the anatomy scan. I was so unsure of which way to go this time but when my doctor asked at my first OB appointment I answered no we would't find out without hesitation and surprised myself. So I knew that was the right choice and Chris was sold on keeping it old school all along. Bring on all the grey + white again! And speaking of grey + white, we are excited to get started on the new nursery after the holidays. I have some ideas and inspiration I will be sharing here, it seems so much less stressful this time around for some reason. I guess maybe because I know a little bit more about what to expect with a newborn. 

Other than those pesky pregnancy aches and pains, little annoyances like heartburn and food losing it's appeal, I am feeling pretty dang good. I'm in that second trimester honeymoon phase with a little bump that all baby (okay and maybe some peppermint mochas) instead of bloat and isn't in the way yet, have some energy back and no longer wake up feeling hung over without the fun night before. I'm not really nervous about having another baby yet or stressed about navigating life as a mom of 2 under 2 (for a little while) and just really feeling excited and grateful to be carrying another child. 

I promise not to wait so long for the next update! Love you baby 2, even if I sometimes forget you're in there until you say hi with your feet. 

Baby #2 First Trimester Bumpdate

First I would like to thank you all so, so much for your kindness on our big announcement last week. It really does mean a lot to have people feeling so excited for us and this next chapter.  I read each and every comment and although I am unable to respond personally, THANK YOU. 

In all honesty this pregnancy was unexpected. I know, I know. How does that happen? Well, it does. It just does. But it's funny how things work out. While we might not have planned it this way, right now it seems like perfect timing. And I have to say I'm thrilled that the remainder of this pregnancy will happen through the cooler months. 9 months pregnant in Northern Kentucky July heat was not my favorite thing about the first time around. And speaking of the first time around, my pregnancy with Fallon was SO easy. This time, not so much. 

I cannot complain too much though because I haven't actually been getting sick, just feeling like I might at any moment, for most of the day. Heartburn kicked in almost immediately, the keep me up at night, tums work minimally if at all kind of heartburn. And oh my goodness the exhaustion. First trimester with Fallon I didn't realize I was any more tired than normal until I hit second trimester for comparison. But chasing a toddler while feeling like crap were new factors this go round and I was dead on my feet every night. I am officially out of the first trimester, sitting pretty at 14 weeks. The nausea has all but left the building and I feel like my energy is slowly starting to pick back up. I need every ounce I can get to keep up with my little wild thing. 

My due date is 4/04/18, but it changed 4 times before becoming final in the chart! I found out I was pregnant pretty early on, in an odd twist of fate. I've been taking pre-natal vitamins for the past 2 years as it is recommended to continue while breastfeeding. Fallon self weened just last month so I was on a Target run to get what I assumed would be one last bottle for awhile. Joke's on me. While in that aisle my sweet little toddler knocked some pregnancy tests off the shelf. As I was picking them up I had a moment. Maybe you know what I'm talking about when I say it was one of those prickling feelings down my spine like something was about to go down. It occurred to me that, according to previously known information about myself, something should have happened that day that as far as I knew at that moment, had not. I checked my calendar and then brushed it off because, well, these things are not always precise, especially after having a baby. But that prickly feeling caused me to leave the store with a test in my cart. And it was negative, or so I thought. 

Y'all these home tests are so good that the faintest of lines can show up, so faint you might not notice if you aren't sticking the test in front of your eyeball and squinting. I only ended up doing so because I later swore I saw a line and thought I was going nuts. The second test confirmed I was not crazy, at least in that respect, and the digital that said PREGNANT was kind of inarguable. So my first ultrasound was scheduled for what we assumed was 6 weeks. But the tech put me at just 5 and asked that we come back a week later to get a better picture. 2 scans later my due date had already changed 3 times, with every visit. When I finally saw my doctor for the first visit last week, I expressed my thoughts on the due date and she agreed it should be moved up 4 days based on the original scan. 4 days is 4 days people. Now watch me go overdue to the 4/08 date the tech last dated me with. 

So to recap, I am already 14 weeks pregnanct and have yet to take a weekly bump shot. Sorry second kid. We are thrilled to add another baby to the family but still shaking off the shock that it will be happening so soon. While I'd love to be able to do weekly bumpdates like I did with Fallon, this is a new season of life and that just won't be possible. But I do plan to do them whenever I can so you can all follow along with this pregnancy and I can document as much of it as I can. 

Happy Bump, I mean Hump Day!

Body After Baby

I had no plans whatsoever to do this post. I'm not opposed to putting it all out there at this point but this is a topic that can bring up negative feelings and emotions and that's not my intention with this blog. But my audience has spoken. This is what y'all wanted to hear about so here we go. 

When I got pregnant I was 28 years old and in good health. I walked about 3.5 miles several times a week with Ares and Chaos plus a few days of half hour strength training. I was and still am a vegetarian and whole heartedly believe in a eating well for your body but treating yourself in moderation. I'm 5 ft 4 in and my pre baby weight was 116 lbs. I was fortunate to be able to continue working out throughout my entire pregnancy, even doing HIIT cardio one or two days a week into my third trimester. I had developed an even bigger sweet tooth than I already had and definitely indulged more than I should have, but kept eating healthy for the most part. I was up to a 31 lb weight gain at 38 weeks but lost 3 lbs by the following week for a total of 28 lbs. My last weigh in was at 39 weeks and I delivered Fallon at 39 weeks, 6 days so 28 is the last number I have to go on.

I have no idea what determines the rate at which each woman loses baby weight or how quickly her body recovers. I'm sure genetics has a lot to do with it, probably the condition of your body during pregnancy and luck of the draw. Don't compare yourself to me or anyone else. After I delivered Fallon my belly started deflating like a basketball someone let the air out of. My uterus began contracting back down to its original size almost immediately. I wore this belly band under my clothes as soon as I was able to get dressed after giving birth, about 2 hours later. Maybe it helped, maybe not, but it definitely stopped the my organs are floating around inside my body feeling and I absolutely recommend it. I wore it for 2 weeks straight postpartum around my belly and then moved it to my hips for weeks 3-4. 

Fallon was born on a Wednesday and the first time I tried putting on anything but leggings was 4 days later when family was coming over. The pair of jean shorts I had worn until the last day of my pregnancy fit without a struggle but they were 1 size up from my normal size. The next day I wore a pair of pre baby jeans and they were snug, but not uncomfortably so. I didn't weight myself but I am fairly certain I lost all the baby weight within a week of delivery. I realize this sounds like I'm bragging and probably many of you are cursing the hell out of me right now. Please, please, please remember I am only giving all these details because I was asked to and I'm no better than any of you. This is just the way my body responded. 

The first time I weighed myself was actually on the scale at the pediatrician's office when Fallon was about 3 weeks old. I had lost all my baby weight and then some and even though I was pretty sure that was going to be the case by the way my clothes were fitting, it still seemed crazy. Breastfeeding takes a lot of calories but it doesn't make your body magically go back to the way it used to be. My hips are a little wider, the skin on my belly is a little stretched out and booty is not as perky as it once was. I've never had the most body confidence but strangely I am happier with my body now than I've ever been. 

I got the okay from my doctor to start walking Fallon in her stroller as soon as we got home. I was careful not to overdo it even though some people thought I was. I just knew that I needed to move as part of my healing process. At 4 weeks postpartum I was allowed to begin light pelvic floor exercises and then at my 6 week checkup I was cleared to resume my pre pregnancy workouts. Fallon will be 18 weeks old tomorrow and I currently weigh 114 lbs. I push her in the stroller or walk with her in my wrap several times a week up the big hills in our neighborhood or at the local park. When I have time I do half hour HIIT or strength workouts on YouTube but that may only happen 2-3 times a week. I eat my fruits, veggies, whole grains and protein but I also eat cheese fries, pizza and Halloween candy. 

I have less muscle tone than Ive had in a long time and sometimes that bothers me. I've had to get rid of several pairs of pants and tops because they no longer fit the shape of my post baby body. I see the loose skin on my tummy when I sit down and lift my shirt to nurse. My whole entire point to writing this, other than to answer the questions y'all have e-mailed me, is to say that I am perfectly imperfect just like you. I worked hard during my pregnancy so I deserve some credit there but mostly I hit the genetic lottery and just got plain lucky on losing the baby weight so quickly. I struggle with not being able to work harder post baby but my priority every day is Fallon. I struggle with recognizing my body in the mirror. I struggle with putting on a bikini and realizing it does't fit the way it used to. I struggle just like all of you. But my body protected and nourished my baby while she grew. I want to stay healthy for her but I also want to promote self confidence for her. 

My body after baby will never be the same. And that's okay. It might be better. It might not. But it's the one body I've got and it's my job to take care of it and love it the best that I can. Some days that's easy and some days it's hard and some days it's everything in between. I'm learning to push myself when I can and not sweat it when I can't. Having a baby changes your body in so many ways but the thing to remember is how incredible that is.