Week 25: Making Room(s)

As I type, my dear husband is on his way to buy me a McFlurry from McDonalds. I don't know if I can say I crave them, necessarily, but I certainly do WANT them. Even if it's 9:30pm. Pregnancy = hall pass.

My December due date seems to be quickly approaching. I am not totally proud to admit that I am getting increasingly nervous. There is a great deal to be done between now and December 10. Aside from painting and decorating Deviney's new room, re-preparing the nursery, hosting a 2nd Birthday party, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and buying and decorating for Christmas, I have to mentally prepare myself for how life is about to change. Don't get me wrong, I am utterly and completely excited about it... but nervous, nonetheless. People have more than one child all the time, though - I know I can do this (right??).

We have managed to buy Deviney's new bedspread and sheets for her big girl bed. A step in the right direction. She is seems pretty thrilled about the idea of sleeping in there and even tonight argued about which bed she was going to sleep in. Fingers crossed the momentum sustains. We plan to move her sometime in October.

In the meantime, I am certainly managing just fine making more room physically for this baby. It might have something to do with my obsession with M&Ms and ice cream. I don't get weighed again until Sept 15th and I don't intend to step on a scale again until that time. For now, I think I will just enjoy my McFlurry... again.

24 Weeks and 30 Years

The day the baby turned 24 weeks was just one day before I turned 30. Honestly, I like to pretend that turning 30 bothers me but it really doesn't... or hasn't yet. I really think this is going to be a great year - how can it not with my second child on his/her way?!

I went to the doctor last week and met with the Nurse Practitioner. The baby's heart rate was in the 150s and everything with me checked out fine, though she did mention my weight seemed a bit high. She was careful to tell me that she thought I still looked "great" and said I should just remain active and drink lots of water. My belly was measured for the first time and it measured perfectly. So my weight isn't going exclusively to my belly... though I am not sure where the rest of it is? At 24 weeks, the baby is a bit over a pound and almost a foot long. I suppose that is not a good enough excuse.

I have continued to walk as often as possible and have been more aware of my water consumption. Being sick for two days over the week may also contribute to less weight gain this time around. I gained only 26 pounds with Deviney and went 39 weeks. Fingers crossed I don't surpass that with baby #2!

23 Weeks

I have read that by now, the baby can feel dancing and swaying. I suppose that means he/she can feel when we are on the boat. I hope that means this baby is well-prepared for boat trips next spring! It certainly worked for his/her big sister, who has had sea legs since she could stand.

I have been very diligent about walking. Of the last 10 days, I have only missed 2. I am committed to continuing, especially after stepping on the scale this morning. It seems small (walking for at least 3/4 hour) but I hadn't been good about working out before I got pregnant and it's recommended that you don't start anything new when you are. I guess that marathon will have to wait.

I know better now this baby's sleep/wake schedule and it's fun to anticipate kicks and spins. I still think I miss a lot of it (chasing around a toddler all day) but usually I can expect it at around 9:30a, 2:30pm, 6:30pm, and 10:30pm. And maybe it's too early to know, but it does seem like this baby sits lower than Deviney did. I remember feeling Deviney more in my ribs and upper abdomen. This baby kicks me much lower. I do realize that when he/she gets bigger, the kicking, jabbing, and poking will be everywhere, mostly because there is nowhere else to go.

I used to think I would be done having kids by the time I was 30 and I almost made it. Since I turn 30 on Sunday, I am only going to be off by a few months. That is, of course, if we really truly are done after this one :)

Asking Old Wives: 22 Weeks

Since everyone is dying to know the gender of this baby (except me), I thought it would be fun this week to make some guesses based on old wives' tales.

1. Carrying baby low (okay, lower than last time): BOY
2. Baby's heart rate above 140: GIRL
3. No morning sickness: BOY
4. Craving sweets: GIRL
5. Belly looks more like a basketball than a watermelon: BOY
6. Weight gain primarily in front (belly): BOY
7. Increased acne: GIRL
8. Feet not any colder during pregnancy: GIRL
9. Leg hair growing at the same pace as before: GIRL
10. Bright urine (Sorry, TMI): BOY
11. Dad not gaining weight with me: BOY
12. Less attractive during pregnancy: GIRL

Hmmm, 6 GIRL and 6 BOY. That sorta leaves you with no real answer.

How about we try something else? Chinese gender predictor tests say GIRL and BOY. I took 4 different Internet tests and had equal responses for each. You'd think I could count on the Internet for reliability!

What we do know is that the baby should be right around 1lb this week and should be starting to look like a miniature newborn. His/Her eyelids and eyes have formed but there is no pigment yet in the irises. I will go out on a limb and say they'll be brown. Just a hunch.

There's not much more to report. I am feeling fine, with the exception of some lower back pain. I have not been very dedicated to walking as I was with baby 1, but use the excuse that I get a great deal of exercise chasing around Deviney every day. Also, it's been really hot. I actually decided yesterday it was time to get back into a routine so the alarm is now set to get up before anyone else and take an early morning stroll with the dog every day. Unless it's raining... or I am really tired:)

Week 21 and Over the Hump

I suppose it's inappropriate to use the word "hump" in a title for anything in a pregnancy blog?

So, we are at 21 weeks and that means we are more than half-way there! By now, this little peanut should be around 10 1/2 inches long and, I am guessing, somewhere around 12 oz (think: pop can... or beer, whichever your preference). All I know is he/she is big enough to kick hard enough to allow Drew to feel it. Last week, he felt it for the first time! If I would pay closer attention, I could probably get him to feel it more often.

I also understand that at 21 weeks, the baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and can "taste" some of what I am eating. If that is the case, this kid is enjoying cereal, ice cream, french fries, hot sauce, and any carb I can get my hands on lately.

While this baby is keeping me very comfortable and happy, his/her big sister is starting to cause us some trouble. As if I wasn't already nervous about having a newborn and a toddler at the same time, I now have a toddler that throws tantrums when she does not get her way and screams when she is laid down for bed or a nap. We're hoping it's just a phase and that it ends sometime on or before December 10th. I can't imagine trying to deal with both!