21 Weeks, 1 Day

  
How far along: 21 Weeks, 1 Day

Total weight gain: My total is anywhere between 11-13 depending on the scale. Right on track! As a side, baby is over 10″ now! Such a big little guy!

Maternity clothes: All day, every day.

Stretch marks: Nada… yet.

Sleep: I’ve been sleeping better lately! Only waking up once a night or not at all! Still pretty tired, but not too bad!

Best moment of this week: I’m really feeling the little guy dance around these days! My placenta is in the front, so it look a little longer, but now he’s a moving machine. It’s interesting because I mostly feel him super low. Like, essentially where my c-section scar is. It’s pretty crazy. 

Miss anything: There is something about this weather that makes me crave red wine or a dirty martini… But I’m surviving 🙂 I also miss being able to buy normal clothes.

Movement: Yes, yes! He’s a wiggle worm in the afternoons and at night. I love it!

Food cravings: We’ve been back to cooking three healthy meals a day, which feels great!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling good!

Have you started to show yet: Yes!

Gender: he’s a sweet pumpkin of a boy!

Labor signs: No, no.

Belly button in or out: holding onto my inny.

Wedding rings on or off: On! But in not going to lie, they’re tight when I first wake up.

Happy or moody most of the time: Well, at the beginning of the week, I was still in quite the funk. Thankfully a good friend helped me pull my head out of it and I’m feeling a lot better. I definitely get crabby faster than normal, but hoping that will pass.

Looking forward to: I’m making progress on both Charlotte’s room and new baby’s. I ordered some stuff that should be arriving soon, so I’m looking forward to getting the rooms set up. BUT, more importantly, my little partner in crime is coming to town! My sweet Cali cousin will be here THURSDAY to play house with us and this time, my uncle is coming, too!! I can’t wait 🙂 

20 Week Check Up

 Today marks Week 20, Day 4 of my pregnancy! Wahoo! Over halfway through. To date, my OB Checks have been pretty quick and harmless.

Here are my stats from today:

Weight: Up 9 lbs (total) – as an FYI, I started at the exact weight I had measured in at with Charlotte and have gained less. Last time, I had gained 10 lbs at 19 weeks. This mom bod just aint the same as it used to be.

BP: 100 something/54 ? Ugh I don’t know. I wasn’t paying attention.

Pulse: 88 bpm

Fetal Heart Rate: PERFECT! I forgot to ask the actual rate, but it sounded great and little boo decided to play. He pushed and pushed and pushed that little doppler until finally he gave up and switched positions. Apparently he was not in the mood to be bothered.

I also decided to ask a few questions this time… and to preface, I should mention that I had a c-section the first time after 20 some hours of labor (Here’s our labor story and our delivery story). The c-section didn’t go perfectly because our little Charlie got stuck.

Needless to say, while I will be allowed to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), there are some stipulations. Today I asked about those stipulations:

Question 1: How long will I be able to stay pregnant before having to schedule a c-section?

Answer 1: My doctor will not induce me, as she does not deem it safe for my VBAC attempt. However, she will let me go just a couple of days past my due date in hopes that I go into labor naturally.

Question 2: IF I have to have a planned c-section, can baby be put on me immediately for skin-to-skin?

Answer 2: I’ve worked with the nurses to come up with a plan that works for our moms and babies and the nurses. I will hand the baby immediately to the nurses who will check them VERY briefly (less than one minute) and put them on mom’s chest. All testing (APGAR), baths, etc will happen later.

Question 3: If I have to have a c-section, will you still do the prolonged cord cutting?

Answer 3: I will typically wait a minute, but don’t feel comfortable waiting any longer, as the mom is still open and bleeding from the edges.

What Not to Say…

Yesterday at the nail salon, which my mother, sister and I frequent:

Nail Tech: Your face get a little fat (as she uses her fingers to show roundness in the face)

Me: Uhhhhhh…

Mom: NO! That’s not true…

Nail Tech: Yes! You gain the pounds, no?

Me: Uhhh… I mean… uhh.. I’ve gained weight…

Nail Tech (while smiling and nodding): Yes, see!?

Me: That’s uhh… I’m pregnant. So, yeah.

Somehow, the conversation wouldn’t go away and my sweet mother added in, “It’s interesting to see how your diet is different this time around.”

Me: (More silence and furious texting to my husband)

<End Scene>

WHAT. THE. F…

I literally went home and proceeded to cry to my husband.

So, for those of you who have never been pregnant or it’s been too long to remember the emotions, let me share a few things with you:

  1. Just because it’s inevitable (and healthy and wonderful, blah blah) that you’ll gain weight, does NOT mean it’s open for analyzation. Keep your opinions to yourself. I don’t want to know which part of my body you think got bigger or how YOU feel about what I’m eating. In fact, you can keep all of your opinions regarding me and/or my pregnancy to yourself.
  2. Despite the happiness that pregnancy brings, it also brings a heavy load of body insecurity. It is literally a time where you no longer recognize your own body. It’s also a time where your body just totally does its own thing. At moments, that’s a lot to handle, so simply be kind.
  3. I REALLY don’t want to hear about how little weight you gained when pregnant. 100% uninterested.
  4. When in doubt, ask yourself, “if she wasn’t pregnant, would I say that?” Or better yet, “what would it feel like if someone said that to me?”

Today I told a colleague my nail tech story and she responded by saying, “shut up! I constantly think about how annoying it is that you can barely notice that you’re pregnant except for your little bump.”

That, my friends, is how you speak to a pregnant woman.

We’re Having A…

Charlotte is very excited to announce that come May of THIS YEAR (Happy New Year, All!), she’ll welcome a little brother into our family! 

    
    

C’s “I Love My Brother” onesie: $4 from Kohl’s 

 We had our anatomy scan ultrasound this past Tuesday (12/29) and it went perfectly! Baby is healthy and adorable. 

He was a little wiggle worm and smooshed his hands in his face and laid with his legs over his head like a goon. It was so fun to see him play around in there and just such a relief to hear that he’s seemingly healthy!

The doc said that a positive anatomy scan reduces chances of any genetic disorders by 50%! 

And gender… Let’s just say the hubs is pretty darn pleased! Me too! I envision a cuddly little buddy and I just can’t wait to snuggle this sweet little guy.

My heart is bursting.

Check out this little stud…

   
    
    
   

18 Weeks, 4 Days

12/22/15

  How far along: 18 Weeks, 4 Days

Total weight gain: When I checked last, I hadn’t gained any since last time. According to my doc, it’s 2 lbs… but my guess is that I’m closer to 5-7 lbs.

Maternity clothes: All day, every day.

Stretch marks: Nada… yet.

Sleep: I thought we were past the toddler night terrors, but they’ve returned this week. Between the toddler and the puppy, I’ve had a couple sleepless nights lately… but there is a big positive. One that I’m very proud of. I recently took a break from my typical “chick lit” books and picked up Pride & Prejudice… and with my recent night wakings, managed to finish it! Take that, high school self! Not only did I finish it, but I REALLY enjoyed it! Go me!

Best moment of this week: My little bug is doing SO well at school. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy it makes me to see her loving school so much and thriving and growing as she is. She’s just such an amazing little lady.

Miss anything: Maybe a glass of red wine.

Movement: Yes!! Still just little bumps here and there… but it’s so fun! I can’t wait for the big kicks!

Food cravings: Food and I are not in a good place. I’m in my low confidence in my body place right now. SO, I’m trying very hard to make better choices and get my preggo butt to the gym. I have to stay healthy for this little nugget inside of me!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling good!

Have you started to show yet: Yes!

Gender: My cousin claims to be 100% sure it’s another girl. Everyone else thinks boy. I just don’t know!

Labor signs: No, no.

Belly button in or out: It’s a gaping hole.

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Happy or moody most of the time: I’ve got to be honest, I have been operating on a fine line of wanting to punch people in the face. My crabby switch gets flipped SO easily these days. I can feel myself getting wildly offended by things I’m not sure are actually an issue. I’m trying to take deep breaths. Maybe next week will be better! haha

Looking forward to: We find out the sex of the baby NEXT WEEK!!! AHH!! I can’t even believe I’m already almost at the halfway point! How has time whizzed by so quickly? Another exciting thing… Marky and I are going to paint C’s big girl room this weekend! YAY! I can’t wait to get it all set up!

16 Week Visit with the Doc

This morning I had my monthly check in with the doctor. When I was pregnant with Charlotte, I swear, the appointments used to last an hour. This round, they’re so quick. I literally have no questions ever.

Is that because I’m just so smart and know everything? Or am so dang distracted with working and mommying full time? Who knows!

Either way, it was a nice quick visit with my favorite doc.

Weight: Up 2 lbs (total)

BP: 94/50

Pulse: 88 bpm

Fetal Heart Rate: 150 – by the way, I love hearing the sweet baby’s heartbeat.

Since my next doctor’s appointment won’t be until next year, I brought a little holiday gift for my doctor and favorite nurse today. I made a recipe called “Christmas Crack”… it’s wildly delicious. I put them in cute little jars.

Here’s how they turned out…

16 Weeks, 2 Days

12/6/15

   

 How far along: 16 Weeks & 2 Days

Total weight gain: Okay, I swear I’m only partially doing this on purpose… but I don’t know! I haven’t stepped on the scale lately.

Maternity clothes: All day, every day.

Stretch marks: Praying this vitamin E oil works…

Sleep: I’ve been doing a lot better with sleep… although I was up for 1.5 hours in the middle of the night last night. And oy. Charlotte had been having these screaming crying fits in the middle of the night. Thankfully, she didn’t last night… but eesh. They were so sad.

Best moment of this week: We had a great weekend! Charlotte started gymnastics, which was adorable! And I saw my girlfriends, which is always nice. And last night was the first night of Chanukah, which was just so silly. Charlotte is finally into gifts.

Miss anything: I could have gone for a glass of wine or a martini this week. I’ve been having terrible, terrible headaches and could have used something to take the edge off.

Movement: On Thursday night, I’m like 99% sure I was feeling the baby. I had consumed an excessive amount of 7up and I think little baby boop was fizzing around in there. YAY! Finally, my favorite part of pregnancy.

Food cravings: Mac & Cheese… that’s been my big weakness lately. 

 Anything making you queasy or sick: My headaches have been making me pretty uneasy. Oy and I had a stomach flu on Sunday night/Monday morning. It was terrible. I ended up calling the doctor because I was unable to keep down anything, including liquids. In my weakened state, I got pretty nervous for the little babes. Thankfully, it was gone fairly quickly.

Have you started to show yet: Big bump.

Gender: I can’t wait to find out! I’m so indifferent, but I hate not knowing. Messes with my uber controlling mind.

Labor signs: No, no.

Belly button in or out: It’s starting to look like a gaping hole again.

Wedding rings on or off: On… but sometimes they’re tight.

Happy or moody most of the time: I was sick and recovering this week, so I’m not sure. Mostly worn out. But again, we had a great weekend and I was definitely all sorts of happy.

Looking forward to: My doctor’s appointment and a fun family weekend!

Baby Kicks!!

12/3/16

  For the past few days, I’ve been feeling like I could feel the baby move when I sneezed or did something abruptly… Just a quick movement and then things felt still.

But tonight, as I ignored the Packers getting their butts kicked by the Lions, I felt continuous baby kicks!

My absolute favorite part of pregnancy has begun!!! I feel really excited. My little baby boo is happily splashing around. 

Could be the excessive amount of 7up I just drank, but either way, my heart is warm.

💛💛💛