Rebecca Allison--A Birth Story

So, as most of you already know, I had been in "pre-labor" for a few weeks, and was dilated to a 5-6 and about 80% effaced at my OB appointment last Wednesday (the 7th). Thursday morning (the 8th),  I woke up feeling pretty blah. A little off, but not really having contractions like I was before either. Lizzy and I went for a walk, and then Bekah reminded me about the "labor cookies" recipe floating around online...I had most of the ingredients on hand, and so I made them with just a few modifications, figuring why NOT? 

That night, Justin's work class got out early, so we were hanging on the couch watching Big Bang Theory, when I heard and felt a little pop and wondered if it was my water breaking...but there wasn't a big gush of fluid like with Lizzy. That said, I immediately noticed a contraction that was a bit more intense...but I still wasn't sure that my water had actually broken and that things wouldn't just slow down again like before. 

I waited for 2 or 3 more contractions,  and then decided we needed to go in, and Justin called Renee to come stay with Lizzy. I think we were on our way within 10 minutes of the "pop." In the car, contractions were about 4 mins apart. I went back and forth between saying "I'm not sure this is it" (in between contractions) and "We need to make it to the hospital! Are we going to make it?!" (during contractions). We got to the hospital at maybe 9:10pm, a nurse checked me, and I was dilated to 7cm but said my water hadn't broken yet but looked like it would soon. The nurse asked about pain management and I asked for the epidural. The nurse said she'd be back in about 5 mins.

I went to the bathroom and walked through maybe three contractions. The contractions were painful, but at that point, I know I was managing them (with Justin's help) much better than I ever did with Lizzy. About 7 minutes after that, the nurse came back in right as the "game changer" contraction happened. Justin said that I went super pale and almost crumbled to the ground. The instant difference in the level of pain was indescribable and I think that I screamed, "I AM FEELING SO MUCH PRESSURE!" at the nurse, who was still across the room. The nurse responded that she needed me to get on the bed right then and I think I screamed "I can't move anywhere right now!!" That contraction didn't end for several minutes, but eventually the pain lessened a bit, and I managed to get onto the bed and was swinging my leg up when my water definitely broke, and full on projectile shot across the room and totally soaked my nurse, who was several feet away. It was nuts.

My nurse was a total bad ass, and without missing a beat or saying anything about it, she just said "I need to check you again RIGHT NOW." She did, and informed me that I was complete and that there wasn't time for an epidural, and ran to get some other nurses. I was absolutely terrified and in an incredible amount of pain...I think I just started crying and saying, "No no no! I don't want to do this!" Justin got right in close and started giving me a pep talk that I could do it and he'd talk me through them and that I just needed to breathe.

So, this is where things turned sucky--my doctor was apparently out of town, and there was some miscommunication with the hospital about who was on call in his place, and they could not get a hold of the doctor that the hospital thought was on call. And then,  they couldn't get  ahold of ANY OB's at all, except for one guy who happened to be doing rounds at another hospital across town, and they asked him to come ASAP. 

Meanwhile, the nurses were simultaneously preparing for a nurse-delivery (they also called in a non-OB doctor, respiratory therapists and a bunch of other people), and also telling me not to push. For the record, trying not to push when your body WANTS TO PUSH is absolutely agonizing. I really don't think I can even describe how absolutely terrible it was. It was also really bizarre that no one besides Justin was touching me, and that the bed wasn't broken down at all, and was really uncomfortable--I remember hoping they'd put up the feet stirrups soon, because it seemed like that would be more comfortable to push. 

Justin did an absolutely amazing job coaching me through the contractions.  He was totally my rock through not being allowed to push and did a great job of reminding me to breathe through the contractions, even though that felt next to impossible at the time. It was terrible and absolutely excruciating. It felt like I was being ripped in two, and I felt like I was screaming so loud the whole hospital must've been able to hear me! It felt like hours, but it was probably only 15 or 20 minutes.

Finally, the doctor from across town ran into the room, literally running into a gown they had waiting for him. I remember one of the nurses telling him that I was at a +3 station, and feeling relieved because I knew that meant that it was almost over. I also remember them asking if I wanted to feel the baby's head and saying, "No! I want her OUT!"

They still hadn't broken down the bed or anything, and my feet still werent in stirrups or being held up by anyone, but the doctor gave me the okay to push (I think? Maybe I just started?), and I pushed two times before the doctor asked me to stop pushing to stretch me a bit and then he turned to Justin and said, "Looks like you've done most of the work so far--do you want to deliver her too?" Justin was THRILLED and said absolutely. With one more push, her head was out, and then Justin delivered her the rest of the way--she was born at 10:11pm, just about an hour after we got to the hospital! She weighed 7lbs 12 oz and was 21 inches long.

Let me just say that pushing felt SO MUCH BETTER than trying not to push! Had I been allowed to really push right away, I don't think the delivery would have felt so terrible. Anyway, they put her on my chest right away, and I just remember feeling relief that it was over and thinking that I was never ever doing that again. They delivered the placenta, and I had a 2nd degree tear as well as another tear, so the doctor stitched me up. At that point, they were having some concerns about bleeding--the doc said that about 500 ml of blood loss was at the high end of normal, and that I'd already lost 900 ml at that point. They gave me shots of pitocin and something else, and then also started an IV of pitocin (prior to that point, they hadn't had time to do an IV or hep-lock at all). Meanwhile, I heard them talking about a possible blood transfusion and/or d&c. At that point, I asked to try breastfeeding, and Rebecca latched on right away like a champ. The doctor came back in to check on me, and spent quite a bit of time massaging my uterus trying to get the bleeding to stop. He said that sometimes with such fast deliveries, it takes awhile for the body to catch up that it's all over, and said that for now, he was going to have the nurse come in every 15 mins to massage my uterus, and they would reevaluate the bleeding from there. 

Around this time, my parents and Justin's parents arrived--I'm sure they were all pretty surprised to see a text from Justin that wasn't a "she's in labor" text, but a photo of the baby! The nurses let everyone come in and visit for a little while. I don't remember a lot of that, except still being in a lot of pain, and being starving. I was totally starving the whole time I was in the hospital!

After a little while, they left, and I was able to get up out of bed. Justin and I both commented about how even with a larger tear and the blood loss, the recovery part of things was much, much better and easier this time around. As awful as the delivery felt in the moment, by the time we were leaving the hospital, it didn't stick out in my mind as being awful, and I was almost willing to say that I'd really seriously consider going without an epidural again for any future kids. The nurses kept coming in through the night to massage my stomach and evaluate the bleeding, and around 5:30am, it was determined to be okay, and they transferred us to the postpartum wing.

The only weird thing I'm dealing with is a few episodes of the "seeing stars" vision stuff I had all throughout the pregnancy, so I may end up touching base with my OB today--my blood pressure was like 110/50 the whole time in the hospital, so I'm not too worried about pre-ecclampsia or anything like that. I think it's probably just a weird thing that happens to me...or possibly related to low blood sugar, as both episodes happened yesterday, when Rebecca literally nursed all day long.

We had to stay in the hospital a bit longer this time around--I'd assume due to the blood loss--so we weren't able to come home until Saturday, but now we're home and seem to all be doing pretty well. Lizzy is completely and totally smitten with her little sis :) It's been a whirlwind few days, but a blessed few days. God is so good.

Pregnancy #2: 39 Weeks

I am not in the mood to get dressed and pretend to be happy in order to take the standard belly shot this morning, so this little snapshot from last night will just have to suffice.

And compared to 39 weeks with Lizzy: 

I'm officially 39 weeks. For anyone who missed it on Instagram, I had an OB appointment yesterday and am still 5-6cm dilated, but am now about 80% effaced (up from the 50% at the hospital Monday night). I'm still having contractions most of every day, but sometimes will go an hour or so without any at all...which is entirely frustrating.

If I haven't had the baby by Monday, we go in at 6:15am, and then around noon they'll break my water. I seriously think I may lose my shit before then. I am so uncomfortable and exhausted. And I'm also feeling really grumpy and defeated...I don't want to be induced. That's not how things are supposed to happen, darn it! 

I just keep reminding myself that we had an induction scheduled with Lizzy for a totally different reason--coincidentally, it was scheduled for Monday January 11th (opposed to Monday November 12th this time), and Lizzy was born on her own on the morning of the 10th. So maybe there's hope for that this time too. I'm trying to hold on to that hope, but right now, it just doesn't seem very hopeful!

I'm frustrated that with every day that ticks off the calendar this month, I still haven't had the baby AND it looks more and more like the house refinance isn't going to happen, since it doesn't appear that the USDA has released funds like they were supposed to do in October...which just sucks. (And in my head, this is directly related to the baby thing because Justin's work doesn't give them any paid time off, so he will just have to take unpaid time when the baby is born, and that just would have hurt a whole lot less with the refinance happening this month like it was supposed to). I just kind of want to curl up on the couch and cry because things are just NOT going how I so hoped they would this month! And I just kind of want to stomp my feet and eat chocolate (too bad we don't have any chocolate in the house)!

Ugh. I hate how grumpy and complain-y I am right now. I don't like being like that! I'm trying to do the whole '30 Days of Thankfulness' thing, just to remind myself that there are still so. many. blessings. right now, and even the fact that I'm still pregnant and cooking a healthy baby girl is a blessing in and of itself. I know that. I get that. I'm just tired right now, guys.

A trip to L&D...but no baby.

So. As those of you following along know, as of last Tuesday I was dilated to a near 4, and having lots of contractions, but they just wouldn't settle into any sort of timetable for any consistent amount of time. I'd have the "perfect" 4-1-1 contractions for an hour, and then right when I was getting ready to call, I wouldn't have another contraction for 40 minutes. It was irritating.

Last night Justin had a late playoff softball game. I'd been having contractions for a few hours before the game, but again they were like 8-10 minutes apart...then 4 minutes apart...then 8-10 minutes apart. They were uncomfortable, and I was starting to get really short with Justin and Lizzy if they'd talk to me during them, but I wasn't convinced that they wouldn't just stop all of a sudden like all the other ones. Since the softball fields are much closer to the hospital than our house is, we decided to just pack all of us up and head to Justin's game. Even though it was way past Lizzy's bedtime, I figured that maybe keeping her up late would actually make her sleep in past...oh 5am.

I timed contractions the whole game. Every once in awhile I'd have a big gap of time in between them, but they were still averaging about 4 minutes apart. They were still uncomfortable and I definitely had to breathe through them, but I didn't know what to do because I did NOT want to go to the hospital only to be sent home. Justin convinced me that we should at least call labor and delivery and see about going to get checked, and that it was no biggie if they just sent us home. So, he called and we went in.

I was telling the nurses that I wasn't 100% sure this was it or that the contractions wouldn't just stop again, but that things had gone so quickly with Lizzy and I was already so dilated that I just wanted to come in and make sure that it wasn't it. The sweet nurse assigned to me had actually been to mom's group before, and was so nice and kept telling me that she was glad that I came in and that I did the right thing...which was sweet...but honestly, I just kept thinking 'Yeah...I did the right thing IF I'm in labor.' She checked me, and said that I was dilated to a 5, and could be easily stretched to a 6, and was about 50% effaced. And then the contractions slowed down.

They monitored me for a little while, and then conferred with my OB, who said that we could either just call it a night and go home, or walk for an hour and then be re-checked and see if that either got things going more or if I dilated further. So, Lizzy went home with Stump (who had been at the softball game too), and Justin and I got to walking.

The contractions started picking up in intensity and frequency, and I was eventually leaning on Justin and swaying through them. At the end of the hour, they were about 2 mins apart, and Justin commented that he could tell they were getting more intense. Those suckers HURT. So, the nurse checked me again, and said that I hadn't really dilated or effaced any more. And once I'd laid down to be checked, the contractions had decreased again, so we were on our way home because they didn't really think I was in active labor.

The nurse kept commenting how strange it was to be sending someone home who was dilated to a 5-6, and how I was a total medical outlier in this situation...which is really kind of funny, because if I had a dollar for every time I'd been told that in a medical setting, I'd be a rich girl. Anyway, they sent us off about 12:30 or 1am, with assurances that they were sure they'd be seeing me again soon, maybe even later that night/morning.

And then I cried most of the way home. Because it sucks and it's frustrating, and I'm sore from head to toe even when I get a break from contracting. The contractions are still coming, but have slowed back down a bit since coming home. I've given up timing them for awhile. I slept a little, but not a lot. I'll probably have this baby in the car, because I'm not really sure when to head back in (and will probably second-guess myself like crazy) other than if my water breaks...so I'm kind of praying that my water just breaks and then there's no debate!

Now, I'm just trying to decide whether to take it easy, pop on a movie for Lizzy, and try to get some rest this morning, or whether to pack us up, head into the mall, and walk like crazy trying to get things going again. But that seems like an awful lot of work for something that I'm not convinced will make any difference, because the trick isn't necessarily GETTING things going, but KEEPING them going.

Blah. Sorry to whine, but I'm kinda over this.
 

Pregnancy #2: 38 weeks

Not a great photo of either Lizzy or I, but taking another seems like too much work! 

Here's 38 weeks with Lizzy:

Well, if you would have asked on Tuesday whether or not I'd still be here today, I'd have told you probably not. I'd just been to see my OB and found out I was dilated to just about a 4. The doc did a membrane sweep, and I'd been having contractions, spotting, mucous-y discharge (tmi for you yet?) and such. In general, I was experiencing all those signs that they tend to tell you to associate with early labor signs, and I was thinking this show was getting on the road, and soon.

And then, all the contractions pretty much stopped. Done. Fin. And that's pretty much where things are at now. If I'm up, walking around and such, I'm having contractions I had one seriously uncomfortable solid hour-long contraction yesterday while we were out trick-or-treating...but they never really settle into any sort of timetable, and as soon as I sit or lay down? They taper right back off.

So that's where things are at with me. And also, I am excessively irritable and grumpy. Everything ticks me off, even stuff that I don't want to tick me off or really shouldn't. Seriously...is being royally grumpy and ticked about everything a sign of impending labor? Please tell me that it is. Because yesterday, I almost screamed at the receptionist at my OB's office for calling to reschedule my next week's appointment. I was mad at the Fed Ex truck for parking outside our house to deliver a package elsewhere. I was mad that I ran out of heartburn medicine, because it's something that we literally never use except for when I'm pregnant, and who wants to go buy a whole new bottle now (I didn't, and I won't)?! I cried telling Justin that it feels like I am going to be pregnant forever, even though I know in my head that there's really only about two weeks left, which is nothing. I'd cry if I had contractions yesterday. I'd cry if I didn't have contractions yesterday. Seriously, if it happened, I found some way to be mad about it or cry about it. Heck, I even got irritated when my mother-in-law said she'd come over on Saturday to clean the bathrooms for us. Which is obviously an amazing thing and a huge blessing, but I was ticked. Not at her, but at the fact that I've been asking Justin to help me with that same task for months (literally), and now he probably won't because his mom is coming to do it and  he knows it. But I still want him to clean the stupid bathrooms because I asked him to and I want him to follow through on all the times in the last few months that he has said yes but hasn't actually done it, and not to mention the helping me with the bathrooms was a stipulation of all the stupid softball and baseball games all summer and I don't CARE if it is Friday and then his mom comes again and cleans them on Saturday...I STILL WANT HIM TO CLEAN THE STUPID BATHROOMS DARNIT! When really, does it matter who cleans the bathrooms as long as they are clean? Nope. It shouldn't. And that drives me nuts because I feel a little like Jekyll and Hyde--I know I'm being a little bit crazy and that this is probably the hormones talking, but I can't stop. And I'm still legitimately mad about the silly little stuff, even if I don't want to be. Even though I can still see that from the outside, this is really all a little humorous.

I'm also starting to freak out a little bit about being dilated to a 4 already. I was dilated to a 4 when we got to the hospital with Lizzy, and I had her less than 4 hours later...and you know what they say about second babies going more quickly! I keep praying that if my water breaks this time, it happens either at night when Justin is home, or while he's working at a job-site close by. Because really, I have no desire to drive myself to the hospital with Lizzy in tow...and I don't have a ton of time to wait for someone to come here either!

Other notables: 
-Weight gain has stayed the same at right about 25 pounds
-The belly has definitely dropped this week--it's now actually measuring smaller if you can believe it!
-Also? Leaking colostrum. So that's interesting. 
-I've been getting crazy leg cramps in my upper thighs, which the doctor said are a result of her being so low already.
-The exercise ball is my best friend right now...not just for getting contractions going, but it feels so good on my sore hips and back.
-Weird but true...I feel like I don't really want to leave the house!

Pregnancy #2: 37 Weeks (and place your bets!)

 

And compared to 37 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 37 weeks. I'm now officially full-term :)   

I'd love to have you guys place your bets in the comments on when you think baby #2 is going to make her grand appearance! Just for a point of reference, my official due date is November 15th. Lizzy was due on the 14th of the month and I had her on the 10th, just for anyone who is interested in stats like that--more info about dilation/effacement can be found below! 

We're starting to get to the point now where a lot of the usual pregnancy update post that I do is pretty much the same from week-to-week, so I thought I'd update in paragraph form this time.

So, I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and was dilated to about 3cm, and was more than 50% effaced. I looked back at the updates from Lizzy's pregnancy to see when I was this dilated and effaced, and it was right in between 38 and 39 weeks...and I had Lizzy at 39 weeks 3 days. That totally sent me for a loop, because I had a realization that while unlikely, I could have an October baby. Holy cow, I am both so ready and so NOT ready for that. But then again, that's assuming that things progress with this pregnancy the same way that they did with Lizzy's pregnancy.  I sort of have this tendency to think 'well, that's what happened with Lizzy, so that's what's going to happen this time too', even though I know that's not necessarily, or even probably the case, and rather than bracing myself for an October baby, I really should be bracing myself for a November 15th baby (but if one more person tells me that I won't have the baby until 'the day after Thanksgiving at least', I am liable to punch them in the face, for real).

Also, at my appointment on Tuesday, the doc did a membrane sweep. And OHMYGOD did that sucker hurt! I seriously had to breathe through it! He did a number of membrane sweeps with Lizzy, and I never remember them feeling like that! Other than that, my belly does feel lower, and is starting to poke out the bottom of most of my shirts. Maybe I've dropped? I'm not sure.

At this point, I've gained 22-25 pounds, which is significantly less than the 40 pounds that I'd gained with Lizzy by 38 weeks. But it's the end of pregnancy, and I still feel huge (I think that's just something that happens regardless of how much you gain), and sore (hello exercise ball, my new best friend) and anxious to be back to "normal" even though I know full well it'll be some time before that's really the case.

I'm pretty tired. Lizzy is still getting up early in the mornings, and I keep finding myself thinking 'I can't wait until the baby is here and I can sleep for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time!'....which we all know is crazy talk and probably won't be happening for the next six months. I don't know why I keep thinking I'm magically going to be sleeping through the night again after the baby is born! Our hospital doesn't have a nursery (babies always room in), so there's really no possibility of that happening!

Justin and I have both been spending a lot of time cleaning and organizing, but it still seems like the house is destroyed as quickly as we clean it...not to mention the fact that there is still only one coat of one wall painted in the nursery! I'm trying to let go of my expectation for a spotlessly clean house to come home to...especially since it's not like I know when this baby is coming and can just spend the whole day before cleaning, you know?

I've had a couple of mental funk days recently, because there were a group of friends that were also pregnant along with me...and they've all had their babies already, and I'm the only one left. But overall? Things aren't bad. I feel pretty good physically, and I haven't been randomly blacking out this time like I was with Lizzy, so that's a definite plus. Oh, and also? I was still working at this point of being pregnant with Lizzy, and being at home is infinitely easier, even with chasing a toddler around all day...it just is!

Here's a couple more photos from this past weekend--the first is of my mom, my dad's cousin, me, and my sister (thank you Lisa for the dress! It's probably the most versatile dress ever because it works pregnant or not!).

This one is Lizzy in the photo booth that they did at the shower/sprinkle (which was AWESOME Court and Renee!). It totally cracks me up because she looks hilarious and crazy! 

Pregnancy #2: 36 weeks

Compared to 36 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 36 weeks.

Size of baby: A honeydew melon (The Bump) or a crenshaw melon (Baby Center).  In other words, about 17-18 inches and 5-6 pounds.

Weight Gain: +22ish pounds total. Significantly less than last time, but I'm still feeling "meh". 

Symptoms: Heartburn, Not sleeping (and SERIOUS night sweats, which just started this week--weird!), lots of Braxton-Hicks (even in the middle of the night when I wake up), and bad allergies. I had my 36 week check a little early this week on Monday, at 35 weeks 4 days, and I was dilated to 2 and 50% effaced, with her head down low. I know I was dilated the same amount (maybe 3cm?) at 38 weeks with Lizzy, and walked around for almost 2 weeks before I went into labor...so I have no illusions that dilation = imminent labor. But it did kind of get my hopes up for going early. I'm hoping to hang on until at least 38 weeks, but would be good to go any time after that! I guess that the one good thing about knowing I'm dilated already is that it is nice to know that there's less I'll have to do later!

Exercise: I've been given the clearance to do whatever I want activity wise, even if it causes contractions. We've been BUSY and on my feet a lot, but no actual elliptical time.

Clothes: Yep! My friend Emily passed on the jeans I'm wearing in this week's photo, and I'm pretty sure the sweater was from Lisa from last time around! I'm thankful that the weather is finally sort of starting to change (at least in the mornings), because most of my maternity stuff with Lizzy was winter stuff, so it's like I've got a whole new maternity wardrobe now!

Cravings/Aversions: Steak. I would kill for a steak, sweet potato, and some Roadhouse rolls! The funny thing is that I remember really craving steak about this point with Lizzy too!

Movement: Yep...and it is really starting to get a little uncomfortable!

Worries: A little. I've been freaking out a bit about labor and delivery...for some reason, I keep freaking about 'what if she has the cord wrapped around her neck?!' even though I know that tons of babies are born with the cord around their necks with no major issues. I'm also a little stressed because I know Justin has some night work coming up soon, and I'm paranoid that I'm going to go into labor at night while he's working and then I'll have to drive myself to the hospital. 

Milestones:At the end of the week, I'll be full-term!

All the Small Things

I know, I've been a bad blogger. I'm sorry. I'm just absolutely stinking exhausted, and who really wants to read about a pregnant lady complaining about how tired she is?

But I am. Between organizing the Harvest Fest at church with my sisters-in-law this past weekend (from which I am STILL physically sore), about 3 photo shoots in the span of a week (two left to go!), getting up early with a toddler who does.not.sleep (while Justin somehow ends up sleeping in nearly every weekend morning), and then just being 36 weeks pregnant and getting up almost once an hour at night...I'm just tired. And a little grumpy today.

And I feel frumpy. I want a haircut. And normal clothes. And a date night. And a steak dinner (seriously, I've been craving a good steak, sweet potato, and Roadhouse-style roll for weeks!) . And as bad as I feel for saying this, I kinda want it to rain today so that I can reschedule this afternoon's photo shoot and just sleep (not really, because it's not exactly a session that can be rescheduled, but a nap just sounds good in theory). And there is SO MUCH TO DO, and the fact that at my OB appointment on Monday I was already dilated, has reminded me that there is NOT MUCH TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I WANT TO GET DONE...even if this kiddo doesn't come for another 4 weeks.

See? No one really wants to read about that. It's obnoxious. Because really? Small things. All totally small in the grand scheme of things. And I absolutely know that, because there are great, awesome blessing things going on too...like a friend who gets to meet her baby today. Or, the fact that tonight after my photo shoot, we get to curl up on the couch and watch the episode of Bones that we recorded from Monday. Or, that even though Lizzy was up early this morning, she's been sitting on the couch snuggling and holding my feet while watching Imagination Movers (which has just about replaced Dora in this household lately) all while holding a baby doll and occasionally patting my belly. Or that yesterday, I got to have coffee and doughnuts with Kaitlin while our kiddos played surprisingly well together. Or the fact that we're being thrown a baby shower at church on Saturday (around here, showers are more like what a lot of y'all call "sprinkles" with lots of blankets and clothes, and are totally common for every kiddo), which is a tremendous blessing in and of itself!

Life is good, truly. I know that in my bones.

But also, right now? My bones are a little tired, ha!

Pregnancy #2: 35 weeks

I keep accidentally saying that I'm 36 weeks this week. I'm not...I'm 35. Wishful thinking maybe ;)  35 weeks down, 35 days to go! 

Compared to 35 weeks with Lizzy: 

Also, at 35 weeks with Lizzy, my belly looked CRAZY from the front. 

Like seriously crazy. It's okay to laugh. I did then, and still do too: 

I'm happy to report that this time around, my belly actually looks normal from the front! Yay!

Really though, it's pretty crazy how differently I'm carrying these two pregnancies, especially since they are both girls! In fact, I was pretty sure that this little one was a boy because of how differently everything has been this time around, but she's not :) 

How far along: 35 weeks.

Size of baby: A coconut (The Bump) or a honeydew melon (Baby Center).  In other words, about 17-18 inches and 4-6 pounds.

Weight Gain: +19 or 20 pounds total. Meh. The old ladies are starting to call me "fatty" at church again (they did the same thing with Lizzy, and generally do to any pregnant woman, but it totally gives me a complex).

Symptoms: Heartburn. I'm not sleeping much--I think I average waking up at least 6 times through the course of the night either to pee, or just because I'm uncomfortable. So...I'm feeling kind of exhausted. Lizzy has been difficult this week, so I'm sure that's contributing to the tired factor.

Exercise: Between the pumpkin patch, a photo shoot, and prepping for the Harvest Fest this weekend, lots and lots of walking. I've definitely noticed that the more I walk, the more sore I am. I haven't had a pajama day in awhile, and am probably way overdue for one.

Clothes: Yep! My friend Emily passed on the shirt I'm wearing in this week's photo--it's so nice to have a few new-to-me things! If the weather would just go ahead and change here (it's still 70-80 every day) I'd have a TON of "new" things since almost all my maternity clothes from Lizzy were fall and winter stuff!

Cravings/Aversions:Nothing in particular. I'm eating way more sweets than are necessary, and probably need to tone that back a little and remember that I don't HAVE to eat absolutely everything I want whenever I want just because I'm pregnant!

Movement: Yep...and it HURTS! Seriously! A few times have literally made me gasp...which was not something that happened at all with Lizzy. I have noticed that movement has started slowing down a little, but I'm still getting plenty of movement to satisfy kick counts.

Worries: Nope, nothing big.

Milestones: The baby's hearing is fully developed now, and I've noticed she totally does respond--she was rocking out when we saw some jazz musicians this morning! At this point, physical development is mostly complete, and she's just fattening up.

The Big Sister: Lizzy is totally LOVING when people call her a "big sister", and has started really liking to kiss my belly and "snuggle" with her sister...she's gotten kicked in the head a few times while laying her head on my belly, which she thinks is hilarious. She also thinks it's funny to tell people that we're naming the baby "stinky". 

In other Lizzy news, she's back to being 99% potty trained (she majorly regressed this summer when her baby cousin was born), which I'm thrilled about. On the more difficult side of things, she's kind of exhausting right now...still getting up really early in the mornings, and she's entered the WHY? phase. It's not uncommon for her to ask the same question 10 or 15 times in a row. And man, oh man is she ever TESTING. Some of you saw this on Instagram already, but in about a 30 minute time period today, Lizzy intentionally kicked me in the face while wearing boots, spit on me, ran away from me in a parking lot, threw her hair bows in the garbage, and then when I came out from the bathroom, I found her OUTSIDE by herself (which is something that she knows is a major no-no and definitely did to be naughty). At that point, I probably yelled more than I should've, and sent her to her room. I sat and ate a caramel apple...because it's the closest I could get to wine at this point. Sigh. I just hope she naps today.

 
Best Moment of the Week: The 8 blissful hours of sleep I'll have tonight?! Or maybe Justin getting up early with Lizzy tomorrow morning?! {A girl can dream, right?!}

Overall, things are pretty darn good, despite the tired :)

Pregnancy #2: 34 weeks

34 weeks with kiddo #2

 (actually, this was yesterday at 33 weeks 6 days, but who's counting?)

 Compared to 34 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 34 weeks.

Size of baby: A butternut squash (?!) (The Bump) or a cantaloupe (Baby Center).  In other words, about 17-18 inches and 4-5 pounds.

Weight Gain:Still about the same at 18 pounds.Maybe a +1 of 19 pounds.

Symptoms: Heartburn. I'm not sleeping much, and my back is really sore. I had blood drawn for my thyroid again yesterday, but haven't heard the results yet obviously. Other than that, everything looked good at my appointment yesterday, even my blood pressure....which is a freaking MIRACLE because minutes before the appointment, Justin told me that he'd almost been electrocuted at work thanks to a power line locate that was apparently three feet off.

Exercise: Nope. I'll have the go-ahead to do whatever I want even if it causes contractions in about two weeks...so that's nice!  

Clothes: Yep, maternity. Happily, I found a few maternity pieces at a local second-hand store that I think will bridge the gap nicely for me!

Cravings/Aversions:Nothing in particular.

Movement: Yep :)

Worries:Nothing big. The OHSU thing worries me a little, but there's not really anything I can do about it either...

Milestones:During the ultrasound, we saw her open one eye, practice breathing, and wiggle all around!

What's Different This Time: Nothing really...at this point in pregnancy with Lizzy, they estimated that she was about 5 pounds and predicted a 7 pound baby. Sure enough, she was 7 pounds 3 oz. During the ultrasound yesterday they estimated that this kiddos is about 5 pounds as well, and on track to be a 7 pound baby. The only real difference is that by this time, we knew Lizzy had a full head of hair because we could totally see it in the ultrasound! This baby is head-down, facing my back, so we weren't able to really tell whether she's got hair or not yet...I guess we'll see!

Best moment of the week: Seeing the sweet little girl at the ultrasound yesterday. Also? Lizzy was just PRECIOUS during the whole thing...she kept saying, "Awwwww, that's my sweet little baby sister!"

Monday Musings

{one} 

So, I only have one pair of maternity jeans. They're actually a pair that I bought AFTER Lizzy was born, in a size smaller than I wore during my pregnancy with her to help bridge the gap while I still didn't fit into normal jeans. Anyway, they've fit this whole pregnancy, so they're what I've been wearing...but they're just starting to feel a little small and uncomfortable. But who wants to buy MORE maternity clothes at almost 34 weeks? With a clothing budget as nonexistent small as mine, I certainly don't.

Anyway, I was complaining to Justin about this on Sunday morning during my 'I don't have anything church appropriate to wear' rant, Justin responded, "Why don't you just buy a couple pairs of leggings to wear under dresses and with longer shirts and stuff?" It seriously cracked me up that J was advocating the whole leggings-as-pants thing....but sold.

{two}

I've not done a single bit of fall decorating this year...it is still in the 70's and 80's around here, so it doesn't really feel like fall yet. That said, I'm starting to really get antsy for mums, and yarn wreaths, and cozy warm blankets tossed over the couch. I feel a little conflicted about doing it--I've always had a hard time spending money on things like decor because they feel kind of frivilous to me when we're on a tight budget, like we always are. But on the other hand, even $20 on mums and a wreath form goes a long way towards making a house feel like a home...and surely we can find that somewhere in the budget.

{three} 

So, Justin's brother Ryan is turning 30 this month. The boys decided that to celebrate, they wanted to do this burger challenge that a local restaurant has--basically, you have to eat 5.5 pounds of food and a drink in 45 minutes. The time limit used to be 35 minutes, but no one had been able to complete it, so they bumped it to 45 minutes. Only one guy has ever completed it. So, the boys went on Saturday...and if you've ever wondered what 5.5 pounds of food looks like, this is it:

{I didn't go to watch, but I think the breakdown went like this: two pounds of burger, 1 pound of bacon, 1/2 pound of cheddar cheese, tomato,pickles,onion and lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup served on a grilled 10 inch sesame seed bun along with 1 and 1/2 pounds of fries. Plus a drink}

Justin had been telling me for months that he could eat it no sweat...and while I'm pretty confident that I've seen him eat that much food before, he couldn't do it on Saturday. The only one that completed the challenge was Ryan...he ate it all, and in 34 minutes...which means that he now holds the record. Which means that I'm 100% sure that Justin is going to want to try and beat it someday ;) 

{four}

So, I did end up calling my doctor about the vision stuff that I mentioned in my last pregnancy post. He decided that he wanted me to go in for an EKG, blood work, and a few other tests, and so that's how I spent my Thursday afternoon. They said that everything came back normal, except that my thyroid was a little borderline, so they'll re-test it this week and then go from there. Basically though, it just sounds like vision issues and being kind of dizzy are par for the course for me when I'm pregnant. What can ya do? 

{five} 

Lizzy has been getting up ridiculously early for the past week or so. Like 4am early. And I'm just not comfortable with her running around all through the house at 4am while we're sleeping. Sometimes, she'll crawl into bed with us, which doesn't phase Justin at all, but totally wakes me up, especially since she doesn't usually ever go back to sleep. I keep looking at those toddler alarm clocks you can buy that change colors when it's okay for the kid to get up and out of bed--does anyone have one? I'm not sure whether or not Lizzy would actually stay in her room until the clock changed colors, but I feel like it might be worth a shot!

Pregnancy #2: 32 Weeks

 

Sorry guys...this mirror shot from yesterday is the best we're gonna get this week. I hope to do a lot of cleaning today, and I figured there wasn't any sense in taking a shower and getting all cute only to spend the whole day cleaning! And compared to 32 weeks with Lizzy:

 

How far along: 32 weeks.

Size of baby: A squash (The Bump) or a large jicama (Baby Center).  In other words, about 15.2-16.7 inches inches and 2.5-3.8 pounds.

Weight Gain: +18ish pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight, which means another 2 pound gain this week. Can I be honest here? This bums me out a little because I was hoping to keep the total weight gain to 20 pounds this pregnancy...which is probably not going to happen at this point with 8ish weeks left. I think I may have been able to have done it if I were still able to exercise...not being supposed to exercise is really frustrating to me for a number of different reasons. But, I'm trying to remind myself that at this same point in pregnancy with Lizzy, I'd already gained 28 pounds. So, I suppose a 10 pound difference is nothing to completely discount either.

Symptoms: Heartburn again. Also, once this week while I was out grocery shopping, I suddenly lost my peripheral vision and got all sweaty and clammy. My vision used to get wonky like that before I had migraines, but I only had a little headache afterwards, so I'm not sure it was that. My OB said that he's not too worried at this point because my blood pressure is good, all my blood counts are good, etc. Could have been low blood sugar, could have been some sort of vascular response, could have been a number of things, and as long as it's not happening regularly, he's not too concerned. But again, I'm supposed to be taking it easy.

Exercise: Nope. And I'm really trying to be good about striking a balance between doing things and resting. Seriously, our house is a dis-as-ter. And I have a really hard time relaxing until at least the visual clutter is taken care of. Plus, there may be a bit of nesting going on. So, I've been trying to clean for 30 minutes, sit down and rest for 30 minutes. It drives me batty, and I'm kinda looking forward to the 36 or 37 week point where I'm given the green light to do whatever I want again since contractions won't be a worry.

Clothes: Yep, maternity.

Cravings/Aversions: This week, I've wanted sweets. Lots of sweets.

Movement: Yep :)

Worries: I'm hoping to get a TON done from our "To Do Before Baby #2" list this weekend. Almost every weekend in October is booked, so I feel like this is kind of our last hurrah for some of that stuff.

Milestones: She should be moving into the head-down position. We'll see in two weeks at our final ultrasound if that's the case. We'll also get to see if she has hair--at this point, Lizzy had a total mohawk that we could see during the ultrasound!

What's Different This Time: I already talked about it! 

Best moment of the week:Yesterday afternoon was sweet--my sister in law Karla heard that I had a doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon, and asked if she could take Lizzy after Mom's Group to go for a hike with her and Justin's dad so that I could go to the appointment solo. I even had enough time to meet my sister for a quick bento date. It was kinda nice!

Thinking About Having A Baby...Again

So I've been thinking a little a lot lately about doing the whole labor and delivery thing again. Just like before, it's something that I have a little bit of anxiety about...I feel like there's just so many scary things that can happen and so much that can go wrong (seriously, we watched What to Expect When You're Expecting the other night, and one of the delivery scenes had me up almost all night freaking out and worrying). It's a situation where I really have very little control, and I like to be in control.

Anyway, I've been reflecting on what labor and delivery were like for me with Lizzy...I wrote about it shortly after she was born, but in having a couple years to think about it and read about a gazillion other birth stories, I think I have a slightly different take on things now than I did then...and some of it I just want to get out of my brain and down on paper.

First, here's a summary of how things went with Lizzy:
My water broke about 4am on a Sunday morning. I got in the shower almost right away, and noticed that my contractions were coming really fast and furious. I'd have contractions that were about 3 minutes long, then a thirty seconds in between, and then another 3 minute contraction...so we headed to the hospital basically right away.

We got to the hospital at about 5am. I was dilated to 4cm, and was super discouraged, because I'd been dilated to a 3 for a few weeks (I think!). I felt like I hadn't been able to catch my breath since we had left home, and the contractions just kept coming and coming with no break, and I was getting hysterical. I was lucky to get 15-20 seconds in between each 2 or 3 minute contraction. In retrospect, if you look up the textbook definitions of transitional labor, that was exactly how I felt from the time my water broke up until this point...which is weird, because if I were only dilated to a 4, I wouldn't be in transition yet. Anyway, I asked for an epidural.

The anesthesiologist came around 6:30am. After he gave me the epidural, I mostly felt better, but almost as soon as he administered it, I couldn't stop shaking uncontrollably. Justin kept giving me blankets, and I kept telling him that I was NOT cold, I just couldn't stop shaking. Sometime shortly after that, shift change happened, and I had a new nurse, who Justin really liked and I really did not. I kept telling her that I was feeling a lot of pressure and thought I needed to be checked. She kept telling me, "Oh honey, it's your first baby, you're going to be here for a very long time." She also kept telling me to eat something, and that Justin needed to take a nap...neither of which I thought were good ideas, and totally ignored her when she brought me some food.

Sometime between 8am and 9am, I finally convinced the nurse to check me...and I was dilated to a 10. I remember commenting that I was starting to feel a lot of pain again, and her responding something about how my IV had gotten bumped and I'd been given way too much fluid. Something like 5 bags since I'd been there.

I sort of remember a doctor  (not mine) coming in, and I remember being given the okay to push. Justin and my mom kept asking if I was okay because I was basically silent the whole time (in my own world, I guess). I remember not being sure if I was pushing the right way, and also Justin telling me that I actually needed to inhale in between pushes. I remember being in quite a bit of pain, and being surprised about it--doctors have always told me that I have a very high pain tolerance, and everyone had told me that with an epidural, I should expect pressure, but not pain. But I felt PAIN, and remember wondering if there was a problem with the epidural, but being told that if there was, it was too late to do anything about.

And then, at 10:25am, she was born. 6 hours and 25 minutes after my water broke. I needed a few stitches, and I totally and VIVIDLY remember feeling those. I remember wincing and saying "Ow! Ow! I can feel that!", and the doctor saying that I shouldn't be able to feel that, and that he'd hurry up.

I think I was up and walking around by noon or shortly thereafter. I'd heard horror stories from people about how long it took them to feel their legs again after an epidural, and I was surprised that I could totally feel mine pretty quickly afterwards. That said, recovery was awful. I was in a lot of pain for weeks. I was SO SO SO swollen, everywhere (apparently due to the incident with being given too much fluid). I remember feeling like everything hurt all the time, and wondering why no one had told me how awful the recovery was. Looking back, I really don't remember much of the first week, other than it was terrible and I was miserable.

So. That's that. Now, given some time...here's what I've been wondering: 
I remember that in the week before my water broke, we had almost gone to the hospital 3 or 4 times. I'd been having steady contractions, but they just never got any closer together. Looking back, I wonder if I'd been in early labor for a day (or two even) before my water broke, and just didn't fully realize it. I've been a little stressed about the fact that they say labor is shorter with each subsequent baby...and if labor is much shorter than it was with Lizzy, I'm worried about getting to the hospital in time! So, thinking that I'd been in early labor makes me feel a little better, for some reason.

I also wonder whether or not the epidural actually worked for me...or how long it worked for? I think it worked initially, and may have allowed me to relax and fully dilate. But then after that point, I'm not sure that it worked for much longer, and I have no idea whether that was due to the amount of fluids I'd been given, or something else. But I really don't KNOW for sure whether it was working or not...I have nothing to compare it to. I've wondered since shortly after Lizzy was born whether not getting an epidural would have made a difference in how I felt postpartum...if I'd have had an easier recovery if I hadn't gotten one. I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if knowing then that I'd only have another couple hours in labor, if I couldn't have gone without it. I think I freaked out initially hearing I was only dilated to a 4, and thinking that I'd have another 20+ hours in labor and that I couldn't handle contractions like that for another 20+ hours. But 2 or 3 hours? I wonder if knowing that it was only like 2-3 more hours would have felt more do-able. Then, on the other hand, I sometimes feel like the reason I dilated to a 10 so quickly was because the epidural allowed me to finally relax. Or maybe that first time I was checked, I was measured incorrectly, and I really was starting to approach transition, like I felt. I just don't know...

I find myself going back and forth between thinking that I should really try to go without an epidural this time...but then again, who knows whether labor this time will be anything like it was with Lizzy? It COULD be 20 hours for all I know. I could not get the epidural only to be miserable and have problems progressing because I can't relax. Or, I could not get the epidural, and find that it really makes all the difference in terms of recovery. Or, I could get an epidural, and find that it's a completely different experience than last time, for better or for worse. I have no idea.

Feel free to chime in y'all...because I'm really feeling torn. Did anybody have an epidural with one kiddo and not with another? What was that difference like for you?

Pregnancy #2: 30 & 31 weeks

And 31 weeks with Lizzy (same shirt and all, ha!)

How far along: 31 weeks.

Size of baby: A pineapple (The Bump) or four navel oranges (Baby Center).  In other words, about 15.2-16.7 inches inches and 2.5-3.8 pounds.

Weight Gain: +16ish pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight, which means I've gained 3 pounds a week over the last two weeks! Oye! This makes sense, as I've been absolutely ravenous now that I'm not dealing with heartburn, but I'm hoping to get back to a 1 pound a week gain here soon.

Symptoms: The doctor gave the ok for Zantac twice-a-day, and it's made a HUGE difference heartburn wise, thankfully. Other than that, what I think is some weird nerve stuff depending on how she's laying. Once last week I woke up kind of disoriented and also my right hand was numb. It was bizarre, but subsided shortly after I felt the baby move positions. Later in the day, my right leg went numb, but again, it went away after I felt her move. I had nerve issues towards the end of my pregnancy with Lizzy too (I'd just randomly black out), but at that point, she was pretty much locked into position, so it was a bit of a different scenario. Also, I'm just remembering that at my appointment last week, my blood pressure was low...I wonder if that's related as well? I'll have to ask about it next week.

Exercise: Does picking 70 pounds of peaches and hauling them to the car count? I'm going to vote that it does.

Clothes: Yep, maternity.

Cravings/Aversions: Not especially. I'm still loving watermelon, and fruit in general.

Movement: Yep :)

Worries: Just getting stuff done! It's frustrating to me that I'll work on stuff for a few hours, and then have Braxton-Hicks and have to sit down for another few hours. I'm looking forward to that point where they say "go ahead, even if it makes you contract." I sat down and made a big list of everything the other day, and it's a lot to do. And that's just the stuff here at home, and not counting the Harvest Fest that I'm helping organize at church!

Milestones: All five senses are now in working order--she even responds to light! Other than that, I think there's just some serious brain development going on this week.

What's Different This Time: Last time, at 31 weeks we'd just finished our childbirth class at the hospital, and I was thinking a lot about labor and delivery. I'm thinking a lot about labor and delivery this time too, but that's probably worth its own post eventually.

Also, I thought it was funny that the nursery was basically done, aside from painting a dresser. This time, almost ALL we've done nursery wise is painting the dresser, ha!

Best moment of the week: We were outside priming the rocking chair yesterday, and Lizzy said, "Awww, this is for my baby sister, Rebecca Tinkerbell!"

Pregnancy #2: 29 Weeks

Here's a funny side note--I tried new lip stuff today. 

I feel like it is NEON PINK in person, but I don't think it looks all that crazy in the photo.

Perhaps a good reminder that what might seem crazy-over-the-top to me probably doesn't look that way to anyone else, ha!

Compared to 29 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 29 weeks.

Size of baby: An acorn squash (The Bump) or a butternut squash (Baby Center).  In other words, about 15.2-16.7 inches inches and 2.5-3.8 pounds.

Weight Gain: +10ish pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight. I'm still a few pounds under the weight that I was "stuck" at for months after Lizzy was born, so that's encouraging!

Symptoms: Still really bad heartburn (it'll be interesting to see if this kiddo has hair like Lizzy did!). Other than that, I have noticed that I've been having fewer Braxton Hicks contractions since implementing pajama day last week. I'm sure that also had to do with the fact that there were only two baseball/softball games this week and they weren't back to back--we were actually HOME Tuesday and Wednesday nights! I'm excited to have FOUR days off in a row over the holiday weekend! That said, I'm still feeling some pressure/soreness going on...almost like I'm saddle sore. It'll be interesting to see if this kiddo is head-down already.

Exercise: Not right now. I may try to phase it in slowly over this next week, as long as I'm getting plenty of rest too.

Clothes: Mostly maternity. Also, I realized the other day that the maternity jeans I'm wearing this time around are a full size smaller than the ones I wore last time around :) I may have to size up before the end, but still. {If you haven't noticed, I'm trying desperately to have a positive attitude that the postpartum recovery will be easier and faster this time around than last time}.

Cravings/Aversions: I could probably eat pizza every night!

Movement: Yep :)

Worries: Nothing major...just starting to get a little anxious that Justin will only have two more paychecks before the baby is born since he gets paid once a month on the last day of the month. I'm really hoping that our projected budgets match up with reality and that we're actually able to do what we're planning...that we don't blow the budget or have unexpected expenses come up.

Milestones: At this point, I think the baby is mostly just fattening up.

What's Different This Time:We still haven't even started cleaning out the room for the nursery. I'm hoping we might be able to get going on this over the weekend. I don't need it all finalized and finished, but I'd like to get rolling on a couple of things....like moving the dresser from the driveway into the actual room!

Also, we still haven't finalized a name! I think we're both in a little bit of denial that I'll be full-term in 8 weeks.

Best moment of the week: It's been a good week--pretty low key and lots of time at home! I'm really looking forward to spending some time on the lake this weekend!

Pregnancy #2: 28 weeks

{It's pajama day. More on that later.} 

And a 28 week shot from when I was pregnant with Lizzy: 

How far along: 28 weeks.

Size of baby: An eggplant (The Bump) or a Chinese cabbage (Baby Center).  In other words, about 15 inches inches and 2.5 pounds.

Weight Gain: +8-10 pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight. It varies from day to day.

Symptoms: {Fair warning--this is going to be a little whiny today}. The heartburn is so bad that I now have to sleep sitting up, and none of my sneaky pregnancy cures have been helping (nor has Tums, etc). So there's that. Also, I've been having lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, as well as quite a bit of pelvic pressure already. At my OB appointment on Tuesday, my doc told me that it could simply be that I'm more aware of both this time. It could be the activity difference in having a toddler versus sitting at a desk all day. It could be the 106 degree heat we've been having. Or, it could be the fact that up until last night, we haven't had a single night with all three of us at home in over 3 weeks, and I'm just plum doing too much. It hadn't really crossed my mind until the appointment, but even sitting in the bleachers to watch Justin play softball/baseball probably isn't actually as relaxing as it may seem due to the heat, and the fact that we're all out late. There really is something to be said for being home.

Anyway, he told me that he'll probably check me at my 30 week appointment to make sure that I'm not dilating already. In the meantime, he told me that we really need to carve out more rest time and see if that helps calm the contractions and pressure down. He "prescribed" that we need to declare at least one pajama day AND night a week, where I'm inside with the AC on, and literally not doing much besides watching TV, reading, napping, taking a bath, and drinking water. This is harder than it seems--and it seems like even when we do carve out that time, some "emergency" at church comes up, or a friend calls and needs help with something time sensitive, or I have an opportunity to do a photo shoot, or we get invited to do something fun, or they won't have enough people to play in the baseball game if I ask Justin to stay home. We are the type of people who go-go-go, and Justin and I both have a hard time saying no. It's also frustrating for me, because I feel like we're home so little as it is that when we ARE here, we really both need to be doing dishes, laundry, etc. It's not that Justin doesn't help with that stuff, it's just that because everything gets crammed into one day or evening, we really BOTH need to be doing it if it's going to get done. I feel like I'd have less problem lounging on the couch if I magically woke up to a totally cleaned house, but I'm honestly not sure if that's really true either.

I'm trying to be good about it, because I know that if I don't carve out that time, there's a possibility that I could end up on bed-rest later on, which would obviously just suck. But sometimes, it's hard to be good about it. For example, I really really wanted to go to the Mom's Group playdate at the water park today. I'm feeling kind of lonely lately and desperately need some adult interaction, so I was really looking forward to it. But, I have a photo shoot at a bridal shower this evening, and I know if go to the park and sit in the heat all afternoon, I'm going to be having contractions like crazy by evening. So, I'm here on the couch instead, having pajama day...trying to ignore our disaster of a house, the mountain of dishes, and the fact that my kiddo is bouncing off the walls.

Exercise: Not right now, for the reasons mentioned above.

Clothes: Mostly maternity, though all the "lounge clothes" in this week's photo are regular stuff.

Cravings/Aversions: I'm having a hard time drinking enough water lately. 

Movement: Yep :) We've started with the kick counts this week as well.

Worries: Just the above!

Milestones: She's got eyelashes! Hopefully, she inherited the bright blue eyes and super long eyelashes from her dad :) Other than developing eyesight, she's mostly just fattening up at this point.

What's Different This Time: This post is long enough as it is this week ;)

Best moment of the week: A night at home...finally. Also, I loved getting to see a sneak peek of the quilt my mom is working on!

Pregnancy #2: 27 weeks

I feel significantly puffier than last week. I honestly took about 50 photos for today's post and hated ALL OF THEM. This point in pregnancy (27-30ish weeks) is honestly one of the hardest times for me. I just feel huge and blah, but unlike the later stages, also still don't feel like the baby is coming just right around the corner, you know? I can't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel yet! 

Compared to 27 weeks with Lizzy.

How far along: 27 weeks.

Size of baby: A rutabega (The Bump) or a head of cauliflower (Baby Center).  In other words,  about 14-15 inches inches and 2 pounds. The Bump referred to this stage as "late-pregnancy", which is both terrifying and crazy. It feels like there is SO MUCH LONGER left to go...but really, it's just about 3 months, which isn't that long at all.

Weight Gain: +6 pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight. My doctor's scale tends to read about 5 pounds heavier than our scale at home, so I'm already mentally prepping myself for my appointment next week when I'll probably see a higher number than I'm used to seeing at home. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes that throws me for a loop if I don't prepare myself for it.

Symptoms: So, I'm noticing that when I'm around babies who start crying? Definitely get the boob-tingle. I don't think I'm actually leaking milk, but I can sure feel something going on there...a few moms I know have told me the same thing happened to them, so I'm hoping that's normal!? Also, heartburn, Braxton-hicks, and starting to feel sore in my hips/lower back if we've been up and at 'em all day.

Exercise: I haven't been on the elliptical all that much lately, but I *have* been spending some time seriously cleaning and organizing. And at the end of the day...man I sure FEEL like I worked out!

Clothes:

Cravings/Aversions: I'm having a hard time drinking enough water lately. 

Movement:Yep :)

Worries: Nothing major.

Milestones: Baby is now showing brain activity, which will continue to ramp up in the coming weeks. She's also practicing breathing quite a bit, and also sleeping and waking at fairly regular intervals (which I'm noticing movement-wise as well).

What's Different This Time: Um, we've done nothing. I'm getting anxious to get her room cleaned out and some furniture painted...and also to have a place to put the baby clothes and things we're starting to accumulate and get back out again. Hopefully we'll be able to get on that a little this weekend.

Also, I didn't track weight gain all that much during my pregnancy with Lizzy...but I did find a note that at 32 weeks with her, I'd gained 28 pounds. This time, I've gained 6 pounds as of 27 weeks...so I think I'm on track to gain less overall this time around (even though I already feel HUGE), which I'm really hoping for...or at least that it comes off easier this time around compared to last time. Last time, everyone said, "Oh, don't worry! If you're breastfeeding, the baby weight will come right off!" It didn't. I had to work out harder than ever before, and still didn't really feel like I was back to "normal" even when I got pregnant this time just over two years later. So....yeah. I'm struggling with the idea of the whole post-partum body thing a little, and hoping that this time around is a bit easier than last time. Really hoping.

Best moment of the week: Justin and I ate dinner together last night (Lizzy had eaten something else earlier and was already asleep) for the first time in two weeks. It was nice...and YUMMY, even with a very well-done steak instead of my normal medium-rare ;)

Pregnancy #2: 25 & 26 weeks

 

{25 weeks}

  {26 weeks} 

And compared to 26 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 26 weeks.

Size of baby: A head of lettuce (The Bump) or a cucumber (Baby Center). I also happened to see that What to Expect says baby is the size of an eggplant this week. In other words,  about 13-15 inches inches and 1.5-2.5 pounds.

Weight Gain: +5 pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight as of Saturday. It's kind of weird to feel like I'm actually gaining weight after I had been losing it at first, and I honestly have to keep reminding myself that it's okay. Considering the fact that the bambino weighs an average of 2lbs at this point, I do not need to freak about having gained 5 pounds total.

Symptoms: Still heartburn and still Braxton Hicks.

Exercise: I've been on the elliptical a couple of times in the past two weeks...maybe averaging two or three times a week? I've started dialing down the speed and upping the resistance, which makes me feel like I'm still getting a good workout without jiggling all over the place.

Clothes: Both photos are non-maternity--Target Long & Lean tank, and a Target fold-over skirt (sized up) in the 26 week photo, and a Wal-Mart maxi dress in the 25 week photo. I have to say that all you other pregnant and/or newly post-partum moms inspired the 26 week outfit pictured above (from my birthday party yesterday), especially the belt! I never would have thought to do that on my own, but I like it, and I feel just a tiny bit trendy, ha!

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific, really. I am LOVING watermelon though. 

Movement:Yep :)

Worries: Nothing major. It's occurred to me recently that our normal nap routine (snuggling on the couch and watching Food Network until L falls asleep and then me carrying her to her room) may not be the best option when #2 makes her appearance. Maybe I really should try to get Lizzy into the habit of going to sleep for naps in her own room before the baby comes? But (a) I don't think she'll ever actually sleep if we do it that way and (b) I would miss the Lizzy snuggles big time, since that's the only time I get them! I don't know...

Also, I've noticed that I've been bruising pretty easily lately...and then shortly thereafter realized that I've totally spaced taking a prenatal vitamin for the past week or so. I need to get on that!

Milestones: Her eyes will soon be opening, and she's practicing taking breaths of amniotic fluid. Basically, she's fattening up and getting ready for the outside world. Also, I've heard "pregnancy brain" is increasingly common at this point, which makes me feel slightly better that this past week I accidentally left the sprinkler on in the backyard for two full days. Whoops.

What's Different This Time: Depending on which doctor/website you're talking to, the 3rd trimester starts next week...and we've basically done nothing to prepare for this little one! I think by this point with Lizzy, her nursery was just about done! We may wait to lay flooring until after this one is born (which will be fine, really), so the nursery may not be truly done until after she's born, but I'd really like to get started here soon.

Best moment of the week: Last Friday, we met with the mortgage lady who closed on our house the first time around, and talked with her about a new pilot USDA program that would let us refinance from our current rate of 6.375% to 3.75(ish)% with no appraisal necessary. Um, yes. That would save us big time--probably at least $250 a month. She's never done one of these refinances before, and it's a new program, so I think everyone's still trying to feel out what all the requirements are, but we are really hopeful that we'll be able to do it and close in November. And since you don't make a mortgage payment that first month you refinance, we'd have no mortgage payment in either November or December...right around the time the baby is born. I don't think I have to explain what an AMAZING thing that would be, and I'm just praying big time that it all works out! {Thank you Sarah for all your help and suggestions about this!}

Pregnancy #2: 24 weeks

I feel lumpy and blah this week. 

This has been one of the first weeks I've thought I looked better and smaller in the weekly photo from Lizzy. Anyway, compared to 24 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 24 weeks....which means it's viability week (i.e. 50% of babies born at 24 weeks survive--incredibly, I think next week at 25 weeks the statistic jumps to a 70% survival rate).

Size of baby: A cantaloupe (The Bump) or an ear of corn (Baby Center). In other words, 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Weight Gain: +2 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. I had a different nurse than usual at my OB this week, and discovered that apparently, she is counting from my lowest weight, as she said, "Oh...you've gained 11 pounds...that's not too bad." {cue mini internal freak out from me} Personally, I think that's silly--I don't know about you all, but if I've lost weight due to being sick, practically as soon as I look at jello or chicken broth, I gain that weight right back. So yeah, for my own sanity, I plan to track from pre-pregnancy weight rather than first-trimester-sick weight.

Symptoms: Still heartburn. Every week, I find myself thinking 'I've GOTTA pick up some Tums!' Also, I'm starting to find myself pretty uncomfortable and just big at times...which is kind of scary because I've got 16 weeks to go!

Exercise:Yes! Still on the elliptical. Not super intense, but I'm sweating, which I think is good. Today was difficult--I only made it 15 minutes, and totally felt like I was slogging through mud the whole time. It wasn't fun, but I'm feeling super motivated to exercise after watching my sister-in-law Renee and how amazing she looks and seems to have recovered after her pregnancy, which I know she attributes to exercising this time. I definitely got a later start to exercising, but I'm hoping that even at this point, and even at a fairly low-intensity level, it'll make things easier post-partum.

Clothes: In this week's photo, the shorts are maternity, the tank is an old Target Long & Lean tank (not maternity).

Cravings/Aversions:Nothing specific that I'm indulging in.

Movement: Yep! Lizzy got to feel a kick while snuggling on the couch watching TV the other day, and she was thrilled.

Worries: Right now they're mostly at bay--I did ask my dermatologist's nurse about the mole on my boob that  I was freaking about, and she took a photo and said she's going to have me come back in 2 months to check it out again. That calmed me down, 'cause even though I didn't see the doctor herself, I know she probably looked at the photo yesterday, and would have called to take it off right away if she was concerned. I'm so thankful for her and her awesome nurses.

Now, the only other thing I'm stressed about is that OHSU has apparently decided to send us to collections even though we've been making a payment every month. So that's awesome. I'd always been told they can't do that as long as you're making a payment, but apparently they can, at least here in Oregon. The lady on the phone said that I was being "uncooperative in paying the minimum required amount" and had "refused a payment arrangement". I about lost my shit--because the bottom line is that OHSU took a look at Justin's income from last December (which I've explained time and again is light-years away from his current income), did not consider any of our other expenses and/or debt, and decided how much we can pay. And for us, that number is unrealistic no matter how much budget tweaking we do. So we pay what we can every month. Some months, that's not a lot, and some months it's more. But we make a payment every months, and that doesn't seem to matter to OHSU. All that seems to matter to them is that our account must be paid off in a certain number of months, or we're apparently sent to collections. Regardless of the balance, regardless of the procedure. And now I'm trying not to stress about it, because we're doing the best we can, and there's nothing we can do differently.

PSA: Wear sunscreen. Do skin checks regularly. Because skin cancer is expensive, even with insurance.

Milestones: Her lungs are developing, including cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help air sacs inflate once she's born. Also, her skin is becoming less and less translucent.

What's Different This Time: Still no name. Also, I'm generally going to OB appointments by myself this time, which is kind of major for me.

Best moment of the week: There were lots of good moments--despite my little rant about OHSU, it's actually been a really good week! Lizzy felt the baby kick, we got to hear baby girl's heartbeat via the doppler on Tuesday, and the mole I was worried about on my stomach came back definitively not melanoma. There's good all around :)