25 Week Update {Baby B #2}

 

How Far Along: 25 weeks
 

Weight Gain: took a slight bump in the weight department these past few weeks. Up to +20lbs. At this point with Bennett I was up about 18lbs. I blame it on the holidays and extra clothes:)

Symptoms: headaches, itchy skin, frequent peeing (more at night than usual), lower back and hip pain, shortness of breath

Cravings/Aversions: No Aversions. Not feeling sick anymore at all. Craving anything, food in general. I just love this time of year and all the food/sweets (hence, jump in weight....)

What I am Missing: Wine and Beer. Sushi has been on my mind alot lately too.......the good sushi, with the raw fish, none of this cooked crap. Being able to bend over comfortably.

 
Size Of Baby: Baby is the size of a Rutabaga (whatever that looks like....). Weighs 1.5 lb and 13.5 inches long. We are at a viable stage and Dr. said that our baby would have a 60% chance of surviving outside the womb if born today. At my Dr. appointment this week, I am measuring 27 weeks but am actually 25 weeks.

Sleep: Starting to get more uncomfortable. Feeling like there is less and less space for both Josh and I. I have now upgraded to 3 pillows and moving in the middle of the night with 3 pillows is no easy feat. Waking up once or twice a night to pee. I also wake up sore because I don't move a lot during the night.

Clothing: My biggest nemesis. I absolutely hate winter and being pregnant. Give me a summer pregnancy any day! I will take the heat, bloating, and flowy dresses/maxi skirts! I swear I just cannot find pants that I love or feel comfortable in, every single one of them is horrible. I hate the belly band and I am hating maternity pants. The only thing I feel comfortable in is leggings and unfortunately for this girl, leggings are not always work appropriate. I also hate wearing a coat on top of all of the other layers winter requires. Winter pregnancies just make you feel 10x larger than you really are......I blame it all on the layers!

Gender: Still a girl, working on names right now, but this is proving to be very hard for us. We just cannot seem to fall in love with one.

Nursery: We moved Bennett out of his crib and it, along with the dresser and bookcase, went into the other room for the nursery. He is now in a twin bed and has big boy furniture, which he loves. The nursery, however, is a hot mess right now. It is in some serious need of TLC. Everything is just thrown everywhere, there is no organization. That is my January goal, to organize and start buying what we need for little miss. 

Baby Purchases: No purchases. Excited to see if we get anything for Christmas!

Best Moment This Week: Had a Dr. appointment earlier in the week, which is always nice. We scheduled all of our appointments out to the 1/week mark, which is crazy to think we are already at this point soon. Christmas is this week so I am looking forward to seeing our families and taking some time off of work.

Big Brother: So very sweet. He will come talk to the baby and give my belly kisses if we ask him to. If someone asks him what is in mommy's belly, he will respond with "a baby." Not sure he understands the girl/boy difference yet, or what a new baby will mean for him, but I promise this will rock his world. He is such a momma's boy.....I feel guilty already at the thought of not being able to be there for him at all times. We are working really hard on having him go to Daddy for more, but until baby girl arrives, I doubt he will really understand.

Looking forward to: Not necessarily looking forward to it but my next appointment will be the glucose test.

We are also going to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl next week. So SOOOO excited to get away for a few days, kid free. I am so happy we are doing this now and not a month from now. I am getting close to hitting the "I don't want to walk anywhere" stage. I am starting to feel huge and I know the days in LA are going to be long, filled with alot of walking. Wish me luck!!   

22 Week Update {Baby B #2}

How Far Along: 22 weeks
 

Weight Gain: Lots of growth apparently. As of my 20 week appointment, I was +10 lbs (although I was wearing boots, so potentially 8 lbs)
 

Symptoms: Hip pain, Great hair and nails!

Cravings/Aversions: Still Bagels, Sweets, and cereal

What I am Missing: Wine/Beer, alcohol in general. Being able to sleep on my stomach

Size Of Baby: Baby is the size of a Spaghetti Squash. Weighs 1 lb and 11 inches long

Sleep: Still decent. Waking up once to use the bathroom. I hate not being able to sleep on my tummy, but I have found alternative ways to get comfortable

Clothing: Starting to struggle in this department. I despise the belly band. But, I am still too small for most maternity pants. I usually wear maternity jeans, work pants with the belly band, and leggings. Consistently wearing maternity shirts/tanks with cardigans or dresses over my leggings. I have decided that I enjoy being pregnant in the spring and summer so far for the pants reason alone.

Gender: It's a......GIRL!

Nursery:No news here yet.


Baby Purchases: After finding out we were having a girl I have bought a few clothing purchases. I have promised Josh that I will not buy any more clothes until after Christmas. 

Best Moment This Week: Finding out the gender and telling our families at Thanksgiving

Big Brother:Not really sure what a "girl" is. He still knows there is a baby in there, but the news of it being girl really didn't matter much to him.

Looking Forward To: Not much right now. I am (already) getting tired of being pregnant. I think I am mostly just annoyed with my clothes.

19 Week Update {Baby B #2}

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Weight Gain: I had a biometric screening recently which put me at +4 lbs
 

Symptoms: Hip pain, itchy belly, bloody nose (TMI??)Nausea has been non-existent the past couple weeks and heartburn has decreased significantly!

Cravings/Aversions: Bagels, Milk, Plums, Cereal, Sweets. No aversions

What I am Missing: Not waking up to go to the bathroom. My biggest pet peeve is when I do it within the hour my alarm is set to go off.......

Size Of Baby: Baby is the size of a tomato. Roughly 8 1/2 ounces and around 6 inches long

Sleep: Overall, good. I hate waking up to use the bathroom, but I generally fall right back asleep. Starting to feel uncomfortable through the night, but nothing unbearable....yet.

Clothing: Maternity jeans, belly band, LOTS of leggings. A maternity shirt here and there (not too often yet). Cardigans and fall/winter clothes are still bulky enough to wear comfortably.

Gender: We find out in 5 days! 

Nursery: Hoping to start working on transitioning Bennett out of his room the week after Thanksgiving so we can start nursery shortly after Christmas


Baby Purchases: Nothing yet

Best Moment This Week: Starting to show so people are noticing a bump which can be exciting. 

Big Brother: Bennett is so sweet to his little sibling already. If I am feeling the baby move with my hand, he will come over and give my belly a kiss!

Looking Forward To:  Learning the gender and Thanksgiving with our families where we will share the gender with them. Also, officially 20 weeks on Saturday-halfway point!!!!

{Friday Five}

It has been a few weeks since I have done one of these posts. Honestly, I run out of new things to blog about. Luckily, this week I have some fun things to share!

{ONE}
We have checked a lot off our Fall Bucket List these past couple of weeks!!

 

We celebrated my 30th birthday. It was a Monday, so nothing too exciting here, but spending time with family is always on the top of my birthday wishes.

 

 

We visited Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo. It was alright. I may not do it again. We hardly saw any animals and they make you follow a path, so at times, it gets SUPER slow!

 

 

We carved pumpkins and roasted pumpkin seeds (unsuccessfully though, I burnt them)

 

 

We had a blast trick or treating! Bennett went as Marshall from the TV show Paw Patrol.

(This is trick or treating in Waukee, IA!! Most families have small kids, so half the homes have bowls set out to take candy from)

 

{TWO}

Just purchased this and cannot wait to use it. This fall air is making my growing belly dry and itchy!

 

{THREE}





Wanna know what I have been craving lately??? Bagels. Seriously, I could eat them all the time right now.

 

 

 

 

{FOUR}

Dreaming of redoing our living room. Right now we have a red color scheme and I am envisioning changing it all to something like this. Maybe a winter project?

 

 

{FIVE}

Josh and I are hosting Thanksgiving this year and I have started to think about all the work that goes into planning! Thought this might be handy in getting us prepared these next few weeks!

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



Old Wives Tales {Part 2}

I did this with Bennett and posted it around the same time. I thought it would be fun to try again with Babe #2. Last time the winner was Boy, and it was correct!

 

• Ring Test-Loop your wedding ring in a piece of thread and let it dangle over your belly. If the rings swings in a back and forth motion, it's a girl. If the ring moves in a circular motion, paint the room blue. Prediction: BOY
• Heart rate-A heart rate over 140 beats per minute (bpm), it's a girl. A boy's heart beat is slower. Prediction: GIRL (First ultrasound was in the 180’s, the second Doppler was 160, and the third in the 150's so it is declining, but still above 140.)
• Mayan Tale-The Mayan tale adds the mother’s age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is an even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way. Prediction: GIRL (29+2015=2044)
• Face-If your face swells and gets rounder, it's a girl. Long and narrow face, a boy. Prediction: Inconclusive (My face is naturally round, I found this one inconclusive for this reason the first time too.)
• Cravings-If you crave salty foods it's a boy. If you crave sweets then it's a girl. Prediction: Inconclusive (I crave both this pregnancy. I remember, overwhelmingly, I craved salty foods with Bennett)
• Morning Sickness-No morning sickness, it’s a boy. A girl if you were sick or nauseous during your pregnancy. Prediction: GIRL (this is one of the biggest reasons why I lean towards Girl this pregnancy)
• Chinese Gender Prediction-This age-old calendar predicts gender based on month of conception and your age. Prediction: GIRL (I did 5 of these and 3 predicted Girl and 2 predicted Boy)
• Shape of Belly-If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it's a boy. Prediction: Inconclusive (I am not showing enough yet to tell)
• Body Clues-Legends say that if you are having a little girl, she'll steal your beauty. So, if you've got acne and other not-so-pretty skin blemishes, you've got a little princess coming your way. Dry hands and cold feet are signs of a boy. Prediction: Inconclusive (I have both. I have noticed a few more zits while being pregnant, but I also have very dry hands in the middle of the night and I am always cold-this was the same with Bennett too)
• The Eye Test-when a "V" or "branches" appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a "V" or "branches" in the white part, you're having a girl. Prediction: BOY (I didn't understand this one the first time either. But again, I don't see a V or Branches)

• Breast Test-If a pregnant woman's left breast is larger than the right breast, she's having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it's a boy. Prediction: Inconclusive (they appear the be the same?)
• Urine Test-What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl. Prediction: GIRL (I have noticed since reading about this test, that it is much paler/dull
• Bread- If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy. If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl. Prediction: GIRL (I wouldn't eat the ends even if I wasn't pregnant)
• Sleep- If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl. Prediction: GIRL
• Hands- When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up. Prediction: GIRL
• Headaches- If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. Prediction: BOY (I am having more headaches than normal)

 

Of the 16 Old Wives Tales, 8 predicted GIRL, 3 predicted BOY , and 5 I declared Inconclusive at this point.

We find out the gender on Nov. 17th so just about 3 weeks away!!!

 

 

16 Week Update {Baby B #2}

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Weight Gain: 3rd OB appointment was on Tuesday Oct 20th and I have gained 3 lbs.  

Symptoms: Heartburn, heartburn, heartburn. Nausea still comes and goes but it not as prevalent. My energy levels are back up which I am thankful for during the day, but around 8:30 PM, I crash.

Cravings/Aversions: I took a new prenatal vitamin a couple of weeks ago and it made me sick. So, I would call that an aversion. That is the only thing that has ever made me physically sick, so I won't be taking those ever again. Aversions to eating any food when I feel nauseous, especially greasy or heavy foods. I don't feel specific cravings, I never did with Bennett either.

What I am Missing:  Nothing really. I don't feel like I miss much of anything, to be honest, right now.

Size Of Baby: Size of an avocado. Around 4 1/2 inches long and 3-4 ounces.

Sleep: Still sleeping great. Waking up one time to use the bathroom but always fall right back to sleep.

Clothing: Still no maternity clothes. Last pregnancy I couldn't wait to wear them, so I probably rushed it more than I needed them. Now, I want to wait as long as possible to wear them because I know how tired of the same stuff I wear will be.
 

Gender: I have been having a pretty strong feeling towards a girl the past week. Just based on some of the old wives tales. We will find out the gender for certain on Nov. 17th.

Nursery: Still not even worrying or thinking about this. First battle is to get Bennett into a new room and new bed.

Baby Purchases: Still no purchases for Babe #2. Poor little thing, already feeling the effects of being the second child. However, I am sure after we find out the gender this will ramp right up.

Best Moment This Week: Hard to say. I don't think any one best moment was related to my pregnancy. I had my 30th birthday this week and it melted my heart to hear Bennett say Happy Birthday and hand me a homemade card and flowers that Daddy had bought.

Big Brother: Had to be in this picture, which I thought was adorable. We took about 5 pictures to get a good one, and every single one he lined up right next to me and stood exactly like I was. Seriously, this kid just cracks me up.

Looking Forward To:  Learning the Gender by our next OB appointment!!!

{Friday Five}

{ONE}
Last week, Bennett visited the dentist for the second time. The first time he was so scared and wanted me to sit on the chair with him, in my lap. This time, nope, he's a big boy now. He hopped right up into the chair, waited patiently for the Dr. (albeit, watching Daniel Tiger on the tv above), and cooperated so well during the appointment. Seriously......what a big boy!
 

 

{TWO}

We have been busy checking items off of our Fall Bucket List!

 

This past week we visited a Pumpkin Patch, Made Chili, picked out a Halloween costume, and got lost in a corn maze.

 

 

 

 

 

{THREE}

Love love love my job, but seriously, does anyone else ever feel like this?! I know....I know.....I have complete control over what I look at and respond to while at home, but, it is just so hard!!!!

 

 

 

{FOUR}

Speaking of work. I spent the last 2 days at the Iowa SHRM Conference. It was a fun new experience and I got a lot of great information. I love working in HR and cannot wait to see where my career heads in the next couple of years!

 

 

 







 

 

{FIVE}

I bought tickets to Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo and could not be more excited! I have been wanting to take Bennett to the zoo all summer and just never found the time. Cannot wait to update you all on how much fun we have at this event!

 

 

12 Week Update {Baby B #2}

How Far Along: I am technically 13 weeks now, but when I took this picture, I was 12. Now that the cat is out of the bag, these updates will be on time.

Weight Gain: As of my 2nd OB appointment on Tuesday Sept. 22, I had lost a pound. I love the fact that I can compare to my first pregnancy because at this point with Bennett I had gained 1 lb.....  

Symptoms: Nausea, heartburn, exhaustion. Those have been the norm the past 6 weeks. As of week 12, I started feeling lightheaded too. Definitely, very different from my pregnancy with Bennett! Weeks 6-10 with Babe #2 were rough, but lately the nausea has been on and off. Fingers crossed the nausea will go away completely very soon!

Cravings/Aversions: No Cravings, no aversions. Nothing in particular makes me feel sick other than just being too hungry, too full, or too tired, which is 95% of my day:)

What I am Missing:  Tailgating is difficult (ie, boring) without alcohol:) Other than that, not really missing anything. 

Size Of Baby: Size of a Lime or Large Plum. Around 2 inches long and half an ounce

Sleep: Sleep has been great! No issues here. I am normally so exhausted by the end of the day that the minute my head hits the pillow, I am out. Not even needing to get up to use the bathroom, yet. As of right now, I can usually make it through the entire night.

Clothing: No Maternity Clothing here yet
 

Gender: Not sure yet. Based on how I have been feeling, I would say Girl. But, I go back and forth on Gender predictions

Nursery: Not started, not even close

Baby Purchases: No purchases. Probably won't for a while, at least until we know if Baby is a boy or a girl

Best Moment This Week: Hearing baby's heartbeat at our Dr. appointment. I hate this early phase, before you feel movement, you really have no idea what is going on in there!

Big Brother: Bennett definitely understands that there is a baby in there. We talk about a baby brother or sister with him a lot. And if I lift my shirt up to show my belly (which is non existent so far) he will pat it with his hand and say baby??

Looking Forward To:  Feeling movement, starting to show a bump