Introducing...

Miss Natalie Ann 

July 16, 2014

7 pounds, 6 ounces

20 1/4 inches

Natalie entered our lives in true diva form via a very surprising emergency c-section two and a half weeks ago. We were grateful to have a wonderful medical team to help us through the birth, and fortunately both she and I are healthy and doing great. While the birth itself was very scary and a little traumatic, since we've been home, she's been a rock star baby, eating and sleeping like a champ. At her two week appointment, she had surpassed her birth weight by over a pound (up to 8 pounds, 10 ounces), and most nights she will give us one 4-5 hour stretch of sleep. Not bad for less than three weeks in!

Natalie has already charmed a slew of visitors, including my mom for two weeks and my dad for the later part of her visit, lots of local friends, and one of my best friends from college who lives down in San Antonio. Jason's parents arrive tomorrow, and after a week (mostly) alone with two kids, I'm very much looking forward to two extra pairs of hands. Big brother Nicholas is doing well-- he definitely has his ups and downs, but most of the time he is very loving and gentle with baby sister. Mid-July in Texas is a little like what I imagine January in Minnesota to be, meaning we are spending little to no time outside. It's been tough being cooped up inside with a newborn and a rowdy two and a half year old who needs lots of physical outlets for all of his energy, but Jason has been great about taking him to the pool multiple times over the weekends, and we squeeze in quick walks to the mailbox or early morning playtimes in the backyard whenever we can.

Overall, Natalie has been a joy to have around, and it's been so much fun to experience a newborn baby again-- this time as a more seasoned and relaxed mom. Parenting two littles is just about as time consuming and tiring as I had expected, so my posts will probably be even fewer and further between than usual, but I hope to post the full birth story in all it's dramatic glory soon. Until then, I am signing off to fold a pile of tiny onesies and then snuggle my girl.

Baby #2: Weeks 39 - 40

39 weeks

Dates: July 1 - July 14, 2014

Highlights: Due date! Here we are. I was really hoping for a 7/14/14 birthday, and I suppose there's still time, but it's looking like it may be another few days. Recent highlights include celebrating the 4th of July with friends down in San Antonio. With a toddler and a 9 month old in tow, we didn't make it out late enough to see any fireworks, but we enjoyed a nice summer meal and catching up with friends. The next morning, we checked out the Pearl Brewery farmer's market and made a pit stop at the ever delicious Bakery Lorraine before driving home. (And, no, technically I wasn't supposed to travel at almost 39 weeks, but my doctor said he thought it was probably going to be OK given that San Antonio is only about an hour and a half away.) Since then, we've been hunkered down at home, nesting like crazy. Her room is done, but we've been tackling a bunch of other little projects around the house, in between trips to the pool and naps-- lots of naps. Yesterday, my mom arrived in town, and now we're all just playing the waiting game.

Last holiday as a family of 3 - Happy 4th of July!

Symptoms: Overall, I actually feel really good for being so pregnant. I don't have any major aches and pains, and I'm sleeping decently in between my frequent bathroom breaks. I am extremely tired, but I think that's to be expected. I'm also really hot all of the time, and the hot, humid weather outside doesn't help much. I pretty much avoid going outside after about noon each day. But, again, that's not too bad at this stage of the game. Despite the heat, I've lucked out and managed to avoid any swelling. I didn't have any swelling with Nicholas either, but he was born in January, so I thought I might wind up a little more swollen this time around. But here I am still sporting my wedding bands and my shoes fit fine. Not bad for a pregnancy that wraps up in July. I'm feeling an increasing amount of contractions and crampiness-- multiple times daily-- and at my 39 week appointment my OB was surprised to find that I've dilated to 3-4 cm. Here's hoping that means her arrival is imminent.

Ready to meet you! 

What's Different: I'm still pregnant. I was induced with Nicholas and he was born at 39 weeks and 4 days, so reaching my due date (and beyond) is new territory. My total weight gain is also slightly different this time around. I gained a pound around week 38, but then lost it by week 39, so I haven't gained any weight since week 34, for a grand total of 30 pounds. With Nicholas, I gained steadily up until the end, for a total of 33 pounds (although I started a little bit lower with him.) This time I feel like my belly is a little bit smaller, but there is more weight distributed elsewhere.

39 weeks 4 days - most pregnant up to this point. (Here I am with Nicholas at 36 weeks.)

What's the Same: I'm feeling a little bit of anxiety about whether or not she's doing OK in there. Like with Nicholas, it seems like she's moving around a little bit less these days, and even though I know she's pretty much out of room, I can't help but get concerned from time to time. Being so close to the end, I just want to make sure everything continues to go smoothly. I'm sure it will, but I just need to stay positive.

40 weeks

What I Miss: Nothing that I can't hold out a few more days for... I've got a bottle of nice rose wine chilling in the fridge and I'm looking forward to cracking it open in celebration in just a few days.

And one final pic... maybe the last?

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to meeting the little lady, hopefully sooner rather than later. Ideally, I'd like to go into labor on my own, but if she doesn't make her appearance soon, then I am OK with a little medical nudge at the end of the week. Tick tock...

Baby #2: Weeks 37 - 38

38 weeks

Dates: June 17 - June 30, 2014

Highlights: We've been busy nesting and getting ready for baby girl's arrival. We finished up the nursery at the end of week 37, which was a great feeling. I'm just waiting on the mobile, which should arrive right around her due date. Pictures to come soon! I've also been enjoying lots of one on one time with Nicholas (pool, park, playdates, etc.), and we've made a point to go out to eat several times as a family, appreciating how easy it is right now with Nicholas to leave the house sans massive diaper bag-- that will change soon!-- and the fact that he now has the attention span to sit through a meal out without too much fussiness.

Symptoms: At the beginning of week 37, we had a little bit of excitement with several bouts of false labor, each lasting several hours. I didn't truly think I was in labor, but the symptoms (strong, general crampiness and some intestinal issues) were suspicious enough that I felt a call to the doctor was warranted. He wanted me to come in to get checked out, but confirmed it was just "uterine irritability" and prescribed lots of fluids to keep me hydrated. Since then, I've continued to experience periodic contractions, bouts of cramps, and other pre-labor symptoms, but nothing that develops into a regular pattern. However, I am starting to make some progress. At my 38 week appointment, I was 50% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated.

What's Different: With Nicholas, I didn't experience much in the way of false labor or pre-labor. I've had a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions throughout this pregnancy, and now a lot more pre-labor activity. At this point, I'm not sure whether I'll know when I'm actually in labor. I'm just trying to assure myself that if I'm questioning it, then I'm not actually in labor. Since I don't need to be induced this time around for medical reasons, the end of this pregnancy feels quite a bit different than the first time around. I still have a couple weeks to go, but am starting to get a glimpse into what the waiting game feels like.

What's the Same: Lots of fatigue, reduced appetite, some intestinal issues. Fun stuff!

What I Miss: My energy! I know sleep is going to get a lot worse before it gets better, but I also know that despite being a walking zombie, I'll have a lot more physical stamina than I do now.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to wrapping up the final stretch! Her birthday is getting closer and closer... I can't wait to meet her!

Baby #2: Weeks 35 - 36

35 weeks

Dates: June 3 - June 16, 2014

Highlights: I officially finished up with my job as of the end of May, so week 35 was my first week at home full time with Nicholas. We've been enjoying lots of one on one fun together, including frequent trips to the playground and pool.

Farmer boy

At the end of week 35 we also took a family day trip out to Fredericksburg to pick peaches, followed by a picnic at LBJ State Park and a stop for homemade peach ice cream on the way home. We had a great time, and I think Nicholas has officially discovered a love for ice cream now.

Pickin' peaches with my little peach

Symptoms: My appetite continues to be suppressed by my ever growing uterus-- so much so that I haven't gained any weight since week 34 and am holding steady at a total weight gain of 30 pounds so far. I gained more weight with this baby in the first trimester than I did with Nicholas, so I expected that my total weight gain would be somewhat higher, but it looks like it may be about the same. I am also really grateful that my back pain has also pretty much completely cleared up. I've been able to resume a little bit more physical exercise, including some weekly walks around the neighborhood (or on the new boardwalk along Town Lake below.) But I'm not breaking any fitness records over here-- the heat combined with my size mean that my pace is "leisurely" at best. Still, it feels good to enjoy some regular activity. My main complaint at this stage is that my bladder feels like it's about the size of a pea. Any time she moves, I feel like I have to run to the bathroom, and even when she's not moving much, I still need to run to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. I'm also waking up at least twice a night to use the bathroom (sometimes more), and sometimes it takes me a long time to fall back asleep due to my overactive brain racing with thoughts about everything I still feel like we need to accomplish before we bring home a baby.

36 weeks

What's Different: At this point, I think I may actually feel a little bit better than I did with Nicholas at 36 weeks. I had really bad hip pain with him, which I haven't experienced too much during this pregnancy. I was also sleeping really poorly, and I'm still sleeping decently (aside from the frequent bathroom trips)-- completely thanks to my body pillow. That thing is a life saver. My tiny bladder is also a little different this time. With Nicholas, it wasn't much of an issue.

What's the Same: Overall third trimester fatigue is in full force, just like last time around. I need to sit and rest after just about every activity (even simple household chores), and now that I'm home during the days, I need to lie down and rest during Nicholas' naptime on an almost daily basis. After dinner and Nicholas' bedtime routine, I collapse on the couch and am pretty much useless for the rest of the night.

View of downtown from Town Lake's new boardwalk

What I Miss: I'll be honest-- lately, I've been really, really missing a nice chilled glass of wine. The hot weather has arrived, and a nice cold glass of rose just sounds delicious. I'm looking forward to cracking open a bottle in a few weeks. Not too much longer now!

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I'm still just feeling an urgent need to get stuff done around the house. I don't have a ton of energy, so progress is moving a lot slower than I would like. I'm lucky if I get one thing done each day. But, we're slowly crossing off projects. Now that I'm home full time, I'm looking forward to getting the nursery finalized, and a bunch of other rooms purged and organized.

Baby #2: Weeks 33 - 34

33 weeks

Dates: May 20 - June 2, 2014

Highlights: The biggest highlight of week 34 was my baby shower thrown by two good friends on June 1st. A group of us gathered at the Blue Dahlia Bistro for a pink and gold French-themed lunch in honor of the little lady. It was so fun to celebrate her upcoming arrival with good friends, good food, and an amazing cake covered in French macarons. Another highlight was finally finding and purchasing our new SUV. After driving all over the state of Texas (literally), Jason finally found a great deal on a used Volvo outside of Fort Worth. It was a long search, but I am so relieved to have this chore crossed off our list.

Symptoms: My huge appetite has slowed down considerably over the past couple weeks. I think my stomach must be pretty compressed because I've noticed a big difference in how quickly I become full at each meal. My eyes are often bigger than my stomach. I'm also feeling a little pickier about food-- not quite first trimester level, but a lot of things just don't sound that appealing to me these days. On a positive note, my back is starting to feel somewhat better, so I'm continuing to take it easy and keep strenuous activity to a minimum.

34 weeks - on my way to my shower

What's Different: Not too much at this point, aside from perhaps the decrease in my appetite. I remember that happening a little bit with Nicholas, but not so dramatically. Otherwise, it just feels like the third trimester.

What's the Same: As the baby has gotten bigger, I'm feeling her movements a lot more. She now has the hiccups regularly (not as often as Nicholas, but multiple times a week), and she is very active in the evenings when I am just lounging on the couch after dinner. I love feeling all of her stretches and squirmy movements. I can also tell when she is waking up after a period of sleep, such as early in the morning when I'm waking up, and I love feeling her beginning to stir.

Hugs for baby sister

What I Miss: Oh the usual... and my energy. I'm looking forward to a good run, a nice glass of wine, and being able to make it through the day without feeling like a nap is mandatory.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm still nesting like crazy, so I'm looking forward to getting more things crossed off my list and getting the nursery all set up and finalized.

Baby #2: Weeks 31 - 32

31 weeks

Dates: May 6 - May 19, 2014

Highlights: I celebrated my third Mother's Day at the end of week 31. The boys got up early and made me a gourmet breakfast of dark chocolate waffles with whip cream and strawberries. Later in the morning, we headed down to my favorite grocery store in Austin, Central Market, and picked out all the fixings for a delicious steak dinner. We also visited the park in our old neighborhood (near Central Market) and marveled at how much Nicholas has grown since he last visited the park at just eight months old. At the end of week 32, we took a day trip down to San Antonio to look at a few cars (we're in the market for a new-to-us SUV), and although we didn't end up making a purchase, we were able to meet up with my good friend Anne and her husband and son for a fun dinner out.

Symptoms: My back is still killing me, and I've had to completely stop all unnecessary physical activity. An hour spent walking through Costco was excruciating and landed me on the couch with a heating pad for the rest of the afternoon, so I've completely stopped walking or doing other types of exercise and I'm really trying to avoid lifting Nicholas as much as possible. Third trimester fatigue has also hit with full force. I feel like I have a huge list of stuff I want to accomplish before baby girl arrives, but I am struggling to find the energy or motivation to get it done.

32 weeks

What's Different: The back pain is definitely an unwelcome new symptom. I'm also starting to feel contractions multiple times every day. I can tell some of them are just Braxton Hicks, but some of them feel pretty legit. I didn't have much in the way of contractions with Nicholas before I was induced, so this is new. Hopefully this means I'll wind up making a little progress before I actually do go into labor.

What's the Same: My nesting instinct is rearing its head and I am definitely feeling the familiar pressure of a massive to-do list. This time around, it's less about baby prep and more about just getting our lives and household in order. 

What I Miss: I miss being physically active. I am getting to the stage of fantasizing about going for a run (which happened last time as well) and I've been assembling the perfect running play list in my head. It'll be a while before I hit the pavement again, especially because it will probably be about 103 by the time I'm cleared for exercise, but I'm looking forward to getting back into an exercise routine.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to making our car purchase and crossing a bunch of other items off to-do list.

Baby #2: Weeks 29 - 30

29 (and a half) weeks at Fannie Mae Dees "Dragon" Park in Nashville

Dates: April 22 - May 5, 2014

Highlights: During week 30, we took a family trip to Nashville to visit one of my best friends from college and her family. This was our last hurrah before the little lady makes her debut in July-- and one of our first family trips somewhere other than home to visit our families-- and it was great to catch up with friends and explore a new city. I hadn't seen Camille since just before Nicholas was born, and hadn't seen two of her kids in even longer. Nicholas got along great with her three, and it was a nice "family moon" before our family dynamic changes again in two months.

Broadway Street in Nashville

Symptoms: Unfortunately, a new and really unpleasant symptom popped up in week 29. I have been experiencing a really strong, dull pain across my lower back that radiates out of the center of the base of my spine and wraps around my hips. I had three good workouts in week 28, so I'm not sure if I tweaked it while lifting weights, or if it's just due to overuse and lugging around a nearly 35 pound toddler on top of the weight I've gained, but it really hurts. Walking even short distances is difficult, and my lower back and hips are so stiff that I'm doing a serious pregnant lady waddle. Not fun. I'm using the heating pad and taking Tylenol, and hopefully it will clear up soon.

What's Different: This back pain is definitely new. The hip pain is also worse on my left side, and throughout my pregnancy with Nicholas, it was always on my right side. I'm still measuring two weeks ahead, but my last ultrasound confirmed she's only a little bit bigger than average.

30 weeks

What's the Same: Third trimester fatigue is starting to set in, just like last time. Happily, I once again got the all clear on the gestational diabetes front (thankfully! bring on more brownies... ), but, like last time, I've also got a case of pregnancy anemia. I'll be taking prescription iron from here on out.

What I Miss: Oh, the usual... nothing new to report here.

What I'm Looking Forward To: We've made good progress on baby girl's nursery. The paint is done, and now I'm looking forward to getting the crib touched up and reassembled (Nicholas left his mark in the form of bite marks all over the front railing), hanging the curtains, and starting on some of the fun decor.

Baby #2: Weeks 27 - 28

27 weeks

Dates: April 8 - April 21, 2014

Highlights: We've had a lot of fun over the past couple weeks! On Saturday the 12th, we had a fun family outing to Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls to pick strawberries, and then on the 16th, my sister and brother-in-law arrived for a long weekend. Laura is just a few weeks behind me in her pregnancy (with a baby boy) and it's been so much fun to share the experience with her. We enjoyed a few leisurely days of pool time, some nice meals - both at home and out on the town, a little baby clothes shopping, and lots of bonding over our upcoming bundles of joy.

Cousins!

Another recent highlight is that Nicholas is really starting to act excited about baby sister's impending arrival. He talks about her often and loves to come up to me and kiss my belly (to give baby sister a kiss.) A few weeks ago, we purchased him a few "big brother" books, and he requests them frequently before naps or bedtime.

Symptoms: Now that I've officially reached the third trimester, the pregnancy symptoms are firing up again, particularly in the aches and pains department. At the end of a long day, or even when I've just been a little more active than usual, I'm starting to experience some pelvic floor pain. On that note, I've slowed down a bit with the exercise. I'm now going for long walks, usually with Nicholas in the jogger, a few times a week and I may slip in one workout per week with light free weights. I'm also starting to experience frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, as well as leg cramps at night several times a week.

28 weeks - Happy Easter!

What's Different: The pelvic floor pain is new, but my doctor assured me it's common and to be expected in second or subsequent pregnancy. At my 28 week appointment, I also had an ultrasound to check her size since I am measuring two weeks ahead. My doctor was wondering if we might need to change my due date, but the little lady is just measuring slightly above average, about 5 days ahead of schedule. So we are keeping July 14th as my due date. (My fluid levels are very high, so that may be part of the cause of my big belly.) One other difference is that baby girl seems to be much less active than Nicholas was. Her big brother did constant acrobatics in my belly from about 20 weeks on, whereas she seems to be much more mellow. (Maybe that's a good thing!) Nicholas also had the hiccups all the time, and I felt them for the first time with baby girl around 27 weeks. I've felt them a few times since then, but not often.

What's the Same: Everything else is generally the same. I'm gaining weight at about the same rate (about a pound a week) and most of the aches and pains I'm feeling these days are familiar.

What I Miss: Not much new to report here... wine, beer, big mugs of coffee. The usual.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Next week we head to Nashville to visit one of my best friends from college and her family. This will be more of a "family-moon" and last hurrah for the three of us before we become a foursome.

Baby #2: Weeks 24 - 26

24 weeks

Dates: March 18 - April 7, 2014

Highlights: It's been a low key, but productive few weeks for us. We officially moved Nicholas into his big boy room at the very end of March (which deserves its own post) and started working on baby girl's nursery-- more to come! We also finalized our name choice and started sharing it with a few family members and friends, although we won't go public with it until she makes her debut in July. We've also started to really focus on preparing Nicholas for baby girl's arrival, and I can tell it's starting to click for him (as much as it can for a two year old.) He refers to her by name and now calls his old bedroom her bedroom. He also likes to offer sips of water or milk from his sippy cup to my belly.

25 weeks

Symptoms: I feel like I've reached the uncomfortably large and pregnant stage, several weeks sooner than I did with Nicholas. My lower back and hips ache at the end of the day, and I am making good friends with our heating pad. I've also started getting leg cramps at night while I sleep, so I'm trying to ramp up the fluids, potassium, and stretching. And, I continue to experience very vivid weird and/or disturbing dreams each night. (This has been going on for most of the pregnancy thus far.)

What's Different: Based on how my body feels, it seems like I should have already hit the third trimester-- but I think this is to be expected with a second pregnancy. I also found out at my 24 week appointment that I am measuring two weeks ahead of schedule, so my next doctor's visit will include an ultrasound to get some more precise measurements and determine if my due date needs to be moved. Otherwise, nothing is too different at this point.

Baby girl!

What's The Same: At this point, the pregnancy is largely the same. I'm grateful it's been uneventful and smooth sailing thus far.

What I Miss: All the usual suspects... mostly, I'm just tired of having to monitor everything I put in my mouth. I'm looking forward to eating (and drinking) whatever I want in a few months.

26 weeks

What I'm Looking Forward To: I can't wait for my sister's and brother-in-law's visit in less than two weeks. She is currently pregnant with her first baby and is due just 5 weeks after me, so it's been fun to go through the pregnancy experience together. I'm looking forward to catching up and

comparing bumps.

Baby #2: Weeks 21 - 23

22 weeks

Dates: February 25 - March 17, 2014

Highlights: During week 21, we headed back to Seattle for a week to meet our new nephew. It was an action packed trip, and we filled almost every moment with activities, but we had a great time catching up with lots of family and friends. When we got back, Jason and I had a date afternoon and went to the Willie Nelson concert at the Austin Rodeo. We can check that off our Texas bucket list!

Symptoms: Nothing new or unusual going on here. Generally, I'm feeling pretty good. Sleep has been great lately, due in large part to the huge, U-shaped body pillow that my friend lent me. It makes such a difference compared to the strategically placed assortment of pillows I used during my pregnancy with Nicholas! 

23 weeks

What's Different: During my first pregnancy, I got a really dark line that ran down the center of my belly. I can't remember exactly when it appeared, but I barely have any line at all so far. Maybe it's the girl hormones? I'm also really starting to feel a lot bigger than I did last time around. What they say about girl babies seems to be true in my case-- I'm definitely not "all belly."

What's the Same: A lot of things are feeling the same at this point-- sporadic hip pain, large appetite, complete inability to end the day without some type of dessert (preferably of the chocolate variety.) At just over halfway through the pregnancy, I've definitely settled into the groove and now know what to expect with pregnancy and how my body handles it. 

What I Miss: Still missing wine... that probably won't change. I also miss being able to freely drink caffeine as needed (or desired.) I have one cup of coffee every morning (and sometimes an additional little splash of a refill), but there are days I could really go for several cups in the morning or even an afternoon coffee. Mama needs all the get up and go she can get!

What I'm Looking Forward To: We're still working on Nicholas' big boy room, but it's coming together and we plan to get him moved in by the end of the month. Then it's time to really start working on the nursery!

Baby #2: Weeks 19 - 20

19 weeks - see me at 16 weeks with Nicholas at the same spot here.

Dates: February 11 - February 24, 2014

Highlights: We've made it halfway! Exciting stuff. With Nicholas, I remember feeling like the first half of the pregnancy crept by at a snail's pace and that the second half went really fast (a little too fast!) Given that this pregnancy already feels like it's moving a lot quicker than my first, I have no doubt the second half is going to fly by. Time to start getting some items checked off my list! The highlight of the past two weeks was our 20 week ultrasound, which we had a few days before I turned 20 weeks. We were so happy and relieved to learn that baby girl looks absolutely healthy in every way and that she is indeed still a girl! She is already a little chunk and I am measuring 5 days ahead right now, but they won't change my due date unless it becomes a week or more ahead of my July 14th due date.

Symptoms: I'm definitely in that second trimester sweet spot. I still tire easily and pass out most nights before 10pm, but I don't have too much to complain about otherwise. Food tastes great and my appetite is huge (and growing by the week.) I am working out three times a week and feeling good. I continue to get pain periodically in my right hip, but stretching and the heating pad help when it flares up. Jason gave me a prenatal massage for Valentine's Day, and I used it this past weekend. It was glorious.

With all of my loves

What's Different: With Nicholas, I felt like I gained most of my weight right in my belly. This time, in true girl pregnancy fashion, it seems to be spread out all over. Also, with Nicholas, I got a really dark line down the center of my belly. I can't remember when it appeared, but interestingly, I see no sign of it yet.

What's the Same: My appetite is huge! I'm not craving sugar in particular, but it's also rare that a day passes when I don't eat dessert. Like with Nicholas, the one thing that does not appeal at all (much to Jason's dismay) is any sort of barbecue.

20 weeks

What I Miss: Now that I'm feeling good and loving meal times, it's tough to pass up that glass of wine with dinner. But I know I'll be enjoying a nice glass of wine soon enough...

What I'm Looking Forward To: Jason finished painting Nicholas' new big boy room this past weekend. We plan to get him moved into the new room by mid-March, and then it's time to start working on baby girl's room!

Baby #2: Weeks 17 - 18

17 Weeks

Dates: January 28 - February 10, 2014 (Finally caught up!)

Highlights: We celebrated Jason's birthday on the 31st and then cheered on the Seahawks with fellow Seattlites as they won the Super Bowl on February 2nd.

Symptoms: Fortunately, I don't have much new to report here. The nausea is gone, and I am feeling a little bit more energetic although I don't think I'll ever be one of those women who has a burst of energy during the second trimester. I am exhausted each night, and usually hit the hay before 10pm. Sleep has been good lately-- I always wake up once to use the bathroom, but I've been falling right back to sleep and my big body pillow is keeping me comfy.

17 weeks with my little helper

What's Different: Again, not much new to report here. I am really trying to drink a ton of water, so the headaches are getting better.

What's the Same: I gained more weight in the first trimester during this pregnancy, but now that my nausea is gone and my appetite is normalizing (although growing rapidly), I seem to be gaining about a pound a week, which was exactly what I did with Nicholas.

18 weeks

What I Miss: I'm missing the ease of throwing together a turkey sandwich for lunch. Without going out to eat every day, it seems like lunch time options are limited. I'm trying not to eat frozen food more than a couple times a week, but there are only so many egg salad sandwiches a girl can eat.

What I'm Looking Forward To: We are looking forward to the big (almost) 20 week appointment next week. We have also selected a paint color for Nicholas' big boy room and I'm excited about getting his new room all set up.

Baby #2: Weeks 15 - 16

15 weeks

Dates: January 14 - January 27, 2014

Highlights: We celebrated Nicholas' second birthday on the 23rd. It's hard to believe it's already been two years, and being pregnant again had me reminiscing about the final days and weeks of my first pregnancy. I am also starting to feel the baby move on a regular basis (every other day or so at this point.) I actually felt the very first movements right around 11 weeks, but it was so early that I wasn't sure if it truly was our little miss or if I was just feelings the remnants of dinner being digested. At my (almost) 16 week appointment, I asked the doctor about this and he assured me that it is possible for second-(or more)-time moms to feel the baby that early.

Symptoms: I've started getting bad headaches, particularly in the afternoon and particularly if I'm not adequately hydrated. I also experienced my first Braxton Hicks contractions right around 15 weeks. Again, my doctor said this is a little early, but not unheard of for second time moms. I'm also still feeling the occasional bout of queasiness, but it seems to be rapidly clearing up.

16 weeks

What's Different: Both the headaches and the Braxton Hicks contracts are new-- I didn't experience either one with Nicholas. Also different this time around is my exercise routine. Now that I'm in the second trimester and feeling a little bit better, I've committed to working out three times a week. I'm still doing my twice weekly boot camp, and I've added a third day of exercise (usually a long walk on the weekend.) I'm a little slower with the sprints at boot camp and can't quite lift as much weight, but feels good to be maintaining a decent level of fitness.

What's the Same: My right hip pain and general sciatica are both flaring up. Fortunately the exercise and stretching seem to help.

What I Miss: As the nausea fades and my appetite is coming back, I am really starting to miss my wine. To be expected I guess.

What I'm Looking Forward To: We've scheduled our big 20 week fetal anatomy scan for February 21st. (I'll be a few days shy of 20 weeks.) We already know the sex, but I'm just looking forward to seeing our little lady again since my last ultrasound was at 6 weeks. I'm also a little anxious and really hoping that she'll get a clean bill of health. It will be a relief to pass that milestone.

It's a....

We found out the gender of our baby a few weeks ago. We didn't do any sort of elaborate gender reveal this time around, but the three of us were giddy with excitement when we gathered on the couch to rip open the envelope and find out if we are welcoming a baby boy or a baby girl in July. I'll let Nicholas share the news...

 



It's....


A....


GIRL!!!!


We could not be more excited or thrilled! Of course, we're most concerned with just having a healthy baby and we would have been happy to welcome a baby boy or a baby girl, but it is pretty exciting to think about experiencing both a son and a daughter. And now plans are underway to welcome baby girl in just about 5 months! I'm trying to reign myself in when it comes to all those adorable girl clothes out there, but I figure that since we don't need to purchase much in the way of baby gear, it can't hurt to pad her wardrobe a little bit. : )

(Oh, and we made the video to send to my parents who were out of the country when we got the news, hence the reference to Bapa and Gammy.)

Baby #2: Weeks 12 - 14

13 weeks

Dates: December 24, 2013 - January 13, 2014

Highlights: We've made it through the end of the first trimester! Week 12 kicked off with Christmas at home with my family, which is always a highlight. Once I hit 13 weeks, I finally shared the news at work, which was a huge relief. Everyone was very excited and supportive. I am loving finally being able to flaunt my belly and give all of my big scarves and baggy sweaters a break. The biggest highlight of all was finding out baby's gender toward the end of week 14... I'll share the details tomorrow! We are extremely thankful that baby appears to be healthy and that we are finally entering the promised land of the second trimester. It's been so much fun to share the news with everyone!

Symptoms: I had a pretty good week while I was home in Portland during Christmas, but I backtracked a little bit with the nausea once we returned home to Austin. Week 13 was rough. It's definitely worse later in the day and in the evenings, and I'm still experiencing a lot of food aversions. Red meat really sounds terrible, and not much food is appealing. However, over New Year's one of my good friends dropped off her enormous U-shaped body pillow for me to use throughout the duration of the pregnancy, and I am loving my sleep with that thing! (Jason puts up with it taking up well over half the bed, and I've even caught him cozied up in it and reading a book before I've come to bed. I think he's a little jealous!)

14 weeks

What's Different: With Nicholas, I felt noticeably better at 10 weeks and my nausea was completely gone at 12 weeks. This time, it's definitely lingering longer. I've also noticed that I'm growing more in areas that were generally unaffected last time around (cough, my rear end, cough.) I commented on this fact one evening and Jason sheepishly admitted that he's noticed as well. Awesome. To add insult to injury, as of 14 weeks, I've gained 8 pounds-- twice as much as I gained with Nicholas during the same time period. But, I'm trying to just make healthy choices daily and not worry about it too much.

What's the Same: Still tired, still enjoying a variety of other tummy troubles.

What I Miss: I missed a nice glass of red wine at Christmas dinner and a champagne toast at New Year's.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Now that we know the gender, it's time to start planning the nursery! I didn't have many ideas in mind before finding out, so I'm looking forward to browsing some of my favorite websites and stores to get inspiration. And, a new nursery means it's also time to start planning a big boy room! Lots of fun stuff ahead.

Baby #2: Weeks 9 - 11

I'm playing catch up with my pregnancy updates from the first trimester. I'm 15 weeks today and hope to be caught up by the end of the week, so bear with me!

9 weeks 

Dates: December 3 - December 23, 2013

Highlights: December was full of lots of fun Christmas activities at home in Austin, as well as our trip home to Portland. Catching up with my family after many months apart is always a highlight. I was also relieved to have a successful second OB appointment during my tenth week. Baby is growing right on track and we were able to hear a strong heartbeat on the Doppler despite being so early in the pregnancy. 

Symptoms: Fatigue and nausea are still going strong. I continue to feel ill more in the afternoons and evenings, and my sense of smell is out of control. Strong smells are contributing quite a bit to my nausea. In general, not much sounds good to eat and the act of trying to meal plan or grocery shop is almost painful.

10 weeks

What's Different: At 10 weeks with Nicholas, I started to feel noticeably better. And at 12 weeks, my queasiness was entirely gone. This time around, I'm noticing a little improvement around 10 weeks, but it's still far from gone. Feeling ill after eating dinner is also new to me. Sometimes I have to go lie down on the couch after eating for a little while before tackling the dishes or Nicholas' bedtime. This time around, I'm also trying to maintain a regular workout routine. Exercise fell by the wayside during my first pregnancy, and although my weight gain stayed within a healthy range, I think it made it harder for me to get back in shape after Nicholas was born. This time, I'm sticking with my twice weekly boot camp workouts. I'd like to add an extra day a week of exercise per week at some point, but right now there are plenty of days when just getting through my two boot camp classes per week is rough. Baby steps.

What's the Same: The fatigue is pretty similar (and intense) and I'm experiencing the same general indigestion and tummy troubles that I experienced with Nicholas. No need for details, but let's just say I am trying to be very diligent about my water and fiber intake. I've also started to feel the same pain in my right hip that I had during the latter half of my pregnancy with Nicholas. It's rearing its head a lot earlier this time, so I've stopped running (which seems to aggravate it) and am trying to make sure I allow plenty of time for stretching after I work out. 

11 weeks 

What I Miss: Honestly, I don't miss too much. I know the discomforts of the first trimester are temporary.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm really looking forward to sharing our news more widely once we're through the first trimester. My bump is getting more difficult to conceal at work-- there are only so many ways I can wear a blouse-y shirt and a voluminous scarf. It will be a relief go public and stop sucking in my stomach all the time!

Baby #2: Weeks 6 - 8

Here we go with the baby updates! I definitely want to document this pregnancy, although the demands of juggling a full time job along with a toddler this time around may mean that they are a little less frequent than they were with my first pregnancy. But we are just as excited and thrilled about this pregnancy and looking forward to every exciting milestone along the way!

7 weeks - Look at that belly already!

Dates: November 12 - December 2, 2013

The beginning: After suspecting for a few days that I might be pregnant, I got my confirmation in the form of two little pink lines on Halloween morning. Of course I ran into the bedroom to tell Jason immediately. No elaborate surprises or reveals here. We were thrilled. We didn't tell anyone else and waited through a couple nerve wracking weeks for my fist doctor's appointment to confirm the pregnancy.

Highlights: Finally, November 18th rolled around and I had my first doctor's visit at 6 weeks where I saw baby's strong heartbeat during the ultrasound. It was such a relief to know that he or she is growing and healthy. Weeks 6 - 8 also included a 9-day business trip to Asia for Jason, which, although not exactly a highlight for me, was definitely notable! All the single parents out there, or anyone who solo parents for long periods of time due to a deployment or for some other reason, deserve a medal. When Jason got home, we Facetimed with my parents to tell them the exciting news. (Nicholas wore his big brother shirt.) Then, Jason's parents arrived in town for Thanksgiving and we shared the news with them. We enjoyed a long, relaxing holiday weekend and, although my nausea had set it, I was able to enjoy most of the holiday food. For some reason the roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon did not sit well, but the mashed potatoes and stuffing hit the spot.

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, nausea, other tummy troubles, food cravings (anything salty or savory, seafood), lots of food aversions (red meat, anything with a strong smell like garlic or cooked onions), sensitivity to smells of all kinds... pretty much the usual.

What's Different: With a toddler to chase around (along with a full time job and my other household responsibilities), this pregnancy is already off to a much different start than my last. Gone are the days where I can come home from work and just collapse on to the couch for the evening or nap at will during the weekend. As a result, the fatigue has been worse this time around. Also different? My belly, which seemed to appear just days after we got that positive pregnancy test. I'm still squeezing myself into my regular clothes, but I'm sure I'll be breaking out the maternity pants before the end of the first trimester. And, I've found that while my nausea is about the same level of intensity as my last pregnancy (mild to moderate), it seems to strike later in the day, and particularly in the evenings after dinner. Finally, my cravings with Nicholas were all for sweets-- fruit and desserts galore. This time around I can take or leave the dessert (so unlike me!), but I can't get enough of the salty stuff.

8 weeks

What's The Same: Just like my pregnancy with Nicholas, I felt my first pangs of queasiness at 6 weeks 2 days. I get nauseated when I get hungry, or when I get a whiff of any type of strong smelling food. Having an office that opens right into my company's common area-- right in front of the microwave-- has been challenging to say the least. People pack some weird things for lunch... I'm also experiencing the same general indigestion and other tummy troubles I faced last time around.

What I Miss: At this stage last time, I was missing the occasional glass of wine. This time, I hardly even notice its absence. I am, however, missing my energy. But, if this pregnancy progresses like the last one, I know I'm not going to see too much improvement in that department until late next summer.

Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward reaching the end of the first trimester and to sharing the news with family and friends.

A Little News...

I've been a little quiet (OK, a lot quiet) over here lately... but all for good reason. We are thrilled to announce that Nicholas will become a big brother in mid-July! I am 13 weeks along and doing well. My first trimester sickness has lasted a little bit longer this time around and most days I am totally exhausted (being pregnant and chasing around a toddler is no joke), but baby is healthy and growing so no major complaints. I've got lots to share, including pictures of my (rapidly) growing belly and a belated recap of our holidays, so stay tuned for more!

Nicholas' Birth Story, Part II

Once my new nurse sent for the anesthesiologist, my memory becomes a bit fuzzy. I know it was a full hour from when my doctor broke my water until the epidural was administered, but I don't really recall much of what went on in my hospital room aside from my excruciatingly intense contractions. I know they were about 3 minutes apart, and so by doing the math I know I must have had about 20. I was hooked up to several monitors and had an IV in place, so I was confined to the bed. Unfortunately, lying down was the worst possible position and only amplified the pain. I wanted to be able to get up to walk or sway through the contractions, but that wasn't a possibility. I remember telling the nurse I had to sit up and I remember leaning over with my feet dangling off the bed. Jason tried rubbing my back and the nurse told me to grip her hands during a contraction, but I didn't want anyone touching me. At one point, I became very nauseous and felt like I might vomit, so they got me a bucket. I may be slightly overstating the obvious, but childbirth is not glamorous.

Finally, the anesthesiologist arrived and after some prep work, she administered a shot to numb my back. While the idea of having an epidural inserted had made me slightly queasy during my pregnancy, had the anesthesiologist not shown up, I honestly felt like I would have inserted it myself. There was a little bit of stinging pain and a weird cold sensation, but it was absolutely nothing compared to the contractions. The worst part was that I had to lie back down in order to get the medicine flowing down my spine and it took about 30 minutes before I was fully numbed, so there were a bunch of contractions I had to endure while lying flat on my back. Gradually the contractions became less and less intense, and finally I was numb from the bottom of my rib cage down to my feet. Sweet relief. While pregnant I had contemplated the idea of a natural childbirth, but by the time epidural kicked in I was fully satisfied that I had experienced enough unmedicated labor. My husband insists I said something like, "Screw this natural childbirth crap." I don't remember it, but it's definitely possible.

Once I was all set up with the epidural, it was about 1pm and there wasn't much to do but sit back and relax. Jason went to get lunch and finally Ed returned. At 3:30, my doctor came back to check my progress again. I could tell everyone thought I must be about ready to start pushing, so when my doctor announced I was only 5.5 cm, everyone seemed disappointed. My contractions had slowed down to 4-5 minutes apart, so they decided to start a very light pitocin drip. Thanks to the glorious epidural I couldn't feel anything, but I could see the contractions pick back up again on the monitor. However, as my contractions picked up, Nicholas' heart rate started dropping after each contraction. Apparently it's normal for the baby's heart rate to drop during a contraction, but if it drops after a contraction it's a sign that the baby may be going into distress. Due to his two vessel cord, Nicholas was already getting less oxygen than he would otherwise, and Ed warned me that if Nicholas' heart rate didn't stabilize, there was a good chance I would need a c-section. He gave me an oxygen mask and told me to start verbally encouraging Nicholas through each contraction. Apparently babies can really sense and respond to their mother's state of mind. I don't know if it was the oxygen, my encouragement, or both, but after a about a half hour, his heart rate picked up and he seemed to be tolerating the contractions better. Ed thought he had most likely just passed through the narrowest part of my pelvis.

Around 4:15pm, I started to feel a lot of pressure. I told Ed and asked if he should check my progress, but he said that my doctor would be back at 5:30 and we should just wait until then to minimize the risk of infection since my water was already broken. By 4:45pm the pressure was intense and I could feel it mounting with each contraction. This time, I told Ed I thought he should really check my progress. He agreed and then said, "Hey Jason, do you want to see your son?" I was fully dilated to 10cm and Nicholas was about to crown.

Ed started gathering supplies, called my doctor, and told me I could just start pushing on my own each time I felt a contraction. I didn't feel any pain, but I could feel strong pressure as each contraction built. My doctor arrived around 5:30, along with a team of about 8 other nurses and doctors. My doctor wasn't on call that night, but was surprised to see how close Nicholas was to arriving and decided to just stay to deliver him.

Throughout the pushing stage, I felt great and it felt so much easier than I had expected. I felt like I could just push continuously from one contraction to the next, but they wanted me to rest in between to give Nicholas a break. The funny part was that my contractions had slowed to about 5 minutes apart at that point, so I would push for a minute and then we would all just hang out while waiting for the next one. My feet were in the stirrups, his head was partway out, and my doctor was chit chatting with one of the nurses about his yoga class. Slightly awkward. After a few pushes, they wheeled over a mirror to help me concentrate. It seemed like wasn't moving much for the last half hour or so, but everyone kept telling me he was just moments from his big debut. I glanced up at the second clock to help me focus on a contraction and then, suddenly, with one final burst of pressure, he was here. They handed him to me and I just remember looking at Jason and being shocked at how adorable he was. I kept saying, "He's so cute!" It was 6:26pm.

Jason cut the cord and then they whisked him away to weigh and measure him. We stayed in the same labor and delivery room for about two hours as they bathed Nicholas, administered some tests, and I recovered. We called our families, I ate a bad hospital dinner (later Jason went to get me the Chick-Fil-A sandwich and chocolate shake I had been craving all day), and we marveled at our son. The next two days in the hospital, as well as the following weeks, would be full of ups and downs as we got to know our little man, but the labor and delivery experience was amazing. I was so grateful to have had such a great nurse and I was thrilled that my doctor was able to stay and deliver Nicholas despite not being on call that evening. During the pregnancy I had a lot of anxieties, and later I would encounter challenges with breastfeeding and acclimating to life with a newborn, but I would honestly do labor and delivery again in a heart beat. Best day of my life.

Welcome to the world, buddy.