38 weeks- Eye on the Prize

2 weeks to go...

The good news is that I'm not feeling as uncomfortable as I was last week...or maybe I am but it's overwhelmed by excitement?...or maybe I'm tired of complaining? (haha, no it can't be that!) Whatever it is, I'm happy about the change.

How big is baby: According to babycenter.com, about 6.8lbs. 

Weight Gain: ~23lbs

Dr's Appointment Update: This week's appointment was on Tuesday (at 37w5d) and was also pretty uneventful. The doctor tried to check if I was dilated, but the baby is still up so high that it really hurt and I told him to stop. He could tell that I was 80% effaced. Based on my experience with Chase, I bet I am dilated but that doesn't mean anything. It could easily be two more weeks. He said to go to the hospital when they are 8 minutes apart since I'm a VBAC and dilated so fast last time.

Sleep: I'm tired, so going to sleep is not an issue. But when I do wake up, I'm having a tough time getting back to sleep- not because I'm uncomfortable, but because I'm WIDE awake. Then I finally get back to sleep and it's hard to wake up and I'm stiff from always sleeping the same way on my left side.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: It depends on the moment. I just had a major craving for a bagel and cream cheese. Oooh, and a smoothie...Stephen got me these snacks today: 

Exercise: Commute walking and planking for 2 minutes at 2pm every day at work, although my belly is getting close to hitting the ground.

Symptoms: My contractions are getting more frequent, but they are still pretty painless. I had an upset stomach on Saturday afternoon and was contracting on and off until I went to sleep that night. On Tuesday, before the doctor's appointment, I started having contractions that also hurt in my back (a first for this pregnancy). They were about 15 minutes apart, but I lost count when I was on my way to the doctor's office so they clearly were not that painful. Afterwards I contracted every 8-12 minutes from about 4pm-9pm...during our anniversary dinner, ugh! They were uncomfortable but definitely never more than a 1.5 on the pain scale. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow that night so again they were clearly not painful. I figure that no one gives birth without having painful contractions.

Movement: Actually, with the more frequent contractions I've been feeling his movements more. It's like he's try to stretch and move after the contractions.

What's different this time: Actual having BH contractions pretty regularly. I don't think I had many with Chase.

Labor Signs: See above symptoms. I haven't had as many contractions since Tuesday night.

Anti-Labor Signs: The baby is SO HIGH. I think he's moving higher into my ribs, although my heartburn isn't quite as bad.

Best moment of the week: 3rd anniversary dinner on Tuesday night. Carol babysat Chase while Stephen and I went out for Asian fusion. It was delicious and hit the spot. Afterwards we got fro-yo. Despite ongoing contractions, I was in heaven!

What I'm looking forward to: Chase's 2nd birthday party on Sunday! We've been talking it up to him and he is getting so excited. It's adorable. We ask him all the time who is coming and he starts listing all of his friends who will be there. He adds Mueller...and asks if Nonnie/Pop and Uncle "Buoy"are coming, which we just found out that they are!

37 weeks- Home stretch

Yay! Today Baby is considered full term! Only 3 more weeks until his due date, 2 weeks 1 day of work, and 4 weeks until he is evicted via c-section.

How big is baby: According to babycenter.com, about 6 1/3lbs. 

Weight Gain: 21+lbs

Dr's Appointment Update: I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and it was pretty anticlimatic. I peed in a cup, had my weight and blood pressure checked, and met with the doctor. Since I wasn't technically full-term yet, he didn't check my progress or do anything to get labor moving. I just had my Group B Strep cultures done and was on my way. Next appointment is Tuesday, May 1.

Sleep: Meh. Getting worse. It's hard to get comfortable. I wake up in the middle of the night from a contraction or having to pee and then I can't get comfortable again. I've been having wacky dreams too and my mind is usually racing when I wake up in the middle of the night. Luckily I'm so tired that I can usually get a good chunk of sleep in before I wake up the first time.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific, although I did demand tots for dinner tonight.

Exercise: Commute walking and planking for 2 minutes at 2pm every day at work (yes, I checked and it is safe!).

Symptoms: BH contractions, pea-sized bladder, indigestion/heartburn when I lay down at night, and nesting.  

Our nesting has been very successful: The nursery is ready to go pending the arrival of a glider for Chase (and the glider from Chase's room moving back into the nursery). Chase's new room looks great. We finished re-finishing the furniture for the guest room and got the bedding we wanted so that room is ready. We got our new bed, new bedding, and new curtains in our room so it is ready. We organized and re-arranged our basement. All of the crates of clothes, holiday decorations, and other random stuff are stacked up. We created a semi-comfortable room with the trundle daybed so someone could sleep down there. We cleaned and organized by the washer/dryer and cleaned the floors. I have done probably 20 loads of laundry with baby clothes, bedding and blankets, baby gear, baby toys, and anything else that I think the baby might touch.

Of course there is still plenty of nesting that I can do if I so desire. Three closets need to be organized and there are two carpets that I plan on steam cleaning after I stop working (assuming baby still hasn't arrived).

Movement: A little less frequent this week than last week. More rolling or just pushing out in different areas. I think he's running out of room.

What's different this time: I'm uncomfortable...cue sad violin music.... I haven't been sleeping well, my hips hurt, my 50-minute commute each way that includes 25 minutes of walking feels so much longer when I've got to pee for 90% of it. I'm tired of commuting and working. And I'm outgrowing a lot of my maternity clothes so I feel like I don't have anything to wear.

Labor Signs: More frequent BH contractions. I had a bunch on Tuesday night.

Anti-Labor Signs: Despite more pressure in my lower abdomen, it appears that baby hasn't dropped yet (not clear that he will because he's the 2nd, but Dr said it does happen). The pressure might just be fatigue after holding up a big belly for months. I haven't lost my mp. Neither of these mean labor WON'T happen soon.

Best moment of the week: We've pretty much finished everything we needed to get done before the baby:
-Hospital registration sent
-Nursery ready
-Bassinet ready
-Carseat cleaned and ready
-Hospital bag packed with checklist of list-minute additions on top
-Presents to Chase from his little brother have been procured and are ready to go
-We have a pediatrician
-Stephen got his TDAP shot (whooping cough is going around again)

So there's a general relaxed feeling which is a nice change. I'm hoping to post some pictures of all of our house updates soon. Oh, and on the work front, I finally got to meet the Secretary on Tuesday!

What I'm looking forward to: A relaxing weekend that includes quality time with Chase  and preparations for Chase's birthday party! Oh, and a hair appointment on Saturday morning to address the blond issue raised in the last post.

36 weeks- 4 to go!

Well, it's happened. I've started to get uncomfortable. My back hurts. I have trouble getting comfortable at night and wake up stiff from not moving. I grunt when I have to pick things up. I get tired much more easily and feel so out of shape. Don't get me wrong, I still love being pregnant and I'm not terribly uncomfortable, but it's starting. 

Over the last week an enormous amount of time elapsed. Last weekend, it seemed like the baby wouldn't be here forever. On Easter, after I complained how big I looked in one of the family pictures, my brother said, "Well you ARE 8 months pregnant." I snarkily replied that I was "Only 7 1/2 months."

My bad, Joey. You were right. I was in denial.

Now I feel like baby could be here at any moment. It's mostly because of my discomfort (which I don't think happened until the very end of my pregnancy with Chase) and my size. Stranger and coworker comments have reinforced that I look like it's almost time. Today a stranger said, "Any day now?" to me. HA. While I could have been offended by this, I simply smiled and said, "Nope, FOUR more weeks to go." But I really can't believe it is that long (and I really do not know what the heck I'm going to be wearing in 4 weeks).

How big is baby: According to babycenter.com, about 6lbs. Since he was 5lbs 4oz last week and babies gain 1 oz a day at this point, that's probably pretty close. 

Weight Gain: +21lbs

Sleep: Waking once to pee and more if Chase wakes up (which he does about half the time,  sigh)

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific.

Exercise: Walking as part of my commute, although that's getting tough because there is so much pressure on my pea-sized bladder.

Symptoms: BH contractions, having to pee CONSTANTLY, indigestion/heartburn when I lay down at night, and nesting.  

Movement: Frequent. I get some feet, knees, or a butt poking out on my right side when he's moving. Twice I've had the experience of baby dancing a jig for like 2 minutes. So cool.

What's different this time: Have I mentioned how much bigger my belly is this time?

Baby 2.0: 36 weeks

Chase: 36 weeks

(dang, I was a lot tanner and blonder too. I gotta work on those!)

Labor Signs: None except the BH contractions.

Best moment of the week: Getting our new (king-sized) bed on Sunday! I feel like such a grown-up. Now there's room for everyone....just kidding?

What I'm looking forward to: 36/37 week Dr's appointment on Monday afternoon. And only 3 more weeks of work in an office!

And now some more pictures:

Trying to see my feet

 Chase wanted in on the belly pictures:

Belly-to-belly

Lovin' on the baby bump

35 weeks, 35 days

(this post is a few days overdue...)

How big is baby: According to the ultrasound on Wednesday, 5lbs 4oz. That's how big I was when I was born!

Weight Gain: +20lbs

Sleep: Waking once to pee and more if Chase wakes up.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specifically except Pirates' Booty- cheesy puffed snacks.

Exercise: Er...walking as part of my commute

Symptoms: Still having BH contractions. Sometimes they are very uncomfortable and sometimes they come frequently, but nothing that indicates real labor. I'm also really emotional. And I've been nesting like crazy, but that might be more due to Stephen's spring break than hormones.

Movement: Still frequent, particularly before bed (after ice cream ;-))

What's different this time: I don't remember Chase being so reactive. If Baby 2.0 is not active and I push around him, he pushes back or moves around. It's reassuring when he hasn't moved in a while.

What I'm looking forward to: Checking things off the to-do list this weekend: washing swaddling blankets, playmats, and toys; cleaning the carseat; putting things up on his bookcase; and starting to get the hospital bag ready. It's all becoming very real!

Best moment of the week: Seeing Baby 2.0 at the ultrasound on Wednesday. Chase even came with us, although he was a little skeptical of what they were doing to Mommy's belly. Baby 2.0 looked great, even if he had his hands in front of his face--something he's been doing this entire pregnancy. I'm going to attribute that to his being a good sleeper and not stubborness.

The belly: As big as I ever was with Chase. I'm outgrowing maternity clothes and getting comments on how close I am all the time.

Only 4 more weeks of work!

31 weeks

Saturday is 2 months to 2.0's due date. When I was pregnant with Chase, I was hoping he'd come a little early. This time, the baby can come a week or two late and I won't be upset.

How big is baby: According to babycenter.com, 3.3lbs (weight of 4 navel oranges) and over 16 inches long from head to heel.

Weight Gain: +16lbs

Sleep: Waking once to pee.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I haven't really been into eating as much this pregnancy.Don't get me wrong, I eat plenty. But I haven't been very excited considering that I can pretty much eat anything I want. Meals are something I have to do rather than look forward to. I'm not complaining- it helps keep my weight in check- but think it is weird.

Exercise: Not so much.

Symptoms: Contractions. And I'm starting to get (really) emotional. I've had a few episodes of crying over raising my boys in a world where so much bad stuff is happening. And as someone whose body is working hard to make a child, I've been very upset by of recent political conversations about women having control of their bodies. For both Stephen and myself, I'm avoiding things that will upset me. Like the news...or the internet. There's plenty of other stuff for me to do.

Movement: There's been a marked increase in movement in the past two weeks. He's kicked me really hard a few times. There's a spot on the upper right side of my belly where I feel the most movement. Maybe his feet are there.

What's different this time: Last time I really started wearing maternity clothes around 30 weeks. This time I'm outgrowing them.

What I'm looking forward to: The Carter-McGrath nuptials next weekend!!! And a visit from Nonnie and Pop.

Best moment of the week: Sleeping in (with Chase) on Sunday morning. He was sick and up 3 times the night before AND it was daylight savings, but he did sleep until 9am. 

The belly: "Your belly looks like it is growing every day." I wonder if people realize that's not a compliment. I'm outgrowing maternity clothes already--and I have another 2 months to go! What the heck am I going to wear in May??

30 week belly:

And for comparison:

29 weeks

How big is baby: 2lbs, 14oz on Monday and (according to Babycenter.com) a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

Sleep: Waking once to pee.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Well things have shifted- I'm treating myself to yummy sweets since my GD test is over. This happens to coincide with Girl Scout cookie time of year. Yes! 

Exercise: I ran about 10 minutes (1 mile?) on both Monday and Tuesday mornings. It felt good to get out there and run, even if it wasn't for long.

The belly: Continues to be huge. Multiple people have told me this week that I look like my belly has grown in the past few days. Sweet. 

Symptoms: Braxton-Hicks contractions. On Monday I asked the doctor what a contraction felt like and he said that your belly gets hard and that some women describe it as feeling like the baby is rolled up in fetal position and pushing out--exactly what I've been feeling. So I'm still having contractions. The good news is that at this point Braxton-Hicks contractions are normal and as long as they are not regular, painful, or associated with other symptoms, there is nothing to worry about.

Movement: He seems to be getting more active (or I feel it more often), which I love. He also likes to kick out either a foot or his head on my right side under my rib. I guess it's just the position he's in, but it's funny to me that he always seems to do it in the same spot.

What's different this time: I'm pretty sure I had BH contractions last time but now I (finally) know when I'm having them and I'm much more sensitive to them.

What I'm looking forward to: The huge baby stuff/clothing consignment sale this weekend! There are quite a few things that I'd like to get (and thereby check off the to-do list)

Best moment of the week: Seeing Baby 2.0 on the ultrasound Monday. He was moving all over the place (hyped up on sugar, no doubt). They couldn't get a good shot of his face because he was rolled up in a ball, but it's starting to look chubby and very similar to Chase's face at this point last pregnancy.

Doctor update: My 28 week doctor's appointment was on Monday. I chugged the nasty orange juice stuff for the gestational diabetes test during my walk from the Metro and headed in. The ultrasound was good- Baby 2.0's heartrate was 147 (higher than the recent readings- thanks to the sugar water) and all of his measurements looked good. My cervix looked long (3.7cm) and strong and my fluid levels were good.

The doctor's appointment also went very smoothly- weight and blood pressure were good. The only other update was that all of the baby's caregivers need to get the whooping cough vaccine- Stephen, grandparents, and anyone else who will spend a significant amount of time with Baby 2.0. (I'll get the vaccine in the hospital after I give birth.) So consider yourself on notice!

28 weeks

How big is baby: Hmmm...according to baby center, he is: two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He was over 2lbs 5oz last week, so this is off a bit. I hope we'll get an estimate of his size during Monday's ultrasound.

Weight gain/loss: +13lbs

Stretch marks: No

Sleep: If Chase sleeps through the night, then I sleep through the night.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I'm trying to eat healthier in advance of the gestational diabetes test on Monday, although I'm (we're) still eating Easter candy after dinner.

Exercise: Err...I'm walking more on my commute since the contractions have subsided some. It's actually about 3 miles a day. I think that counts!

The belly: Huge. See (coming) pictures above and below. Please ignore my terrible hair.

Symptoms: I'm having some lower back pain and have difficulty getting comfortable at night. I've been sleeping with a pillow between my legs, which helps. But I'm only really comfortable sleeping on my left side...for a while. I don't want to ALWAYS sleep that way, but after I flip to my right I'm not comfortable.

Movement: He has very active days (like last Friday and Monday) and then normal days. My uterus is already up to my ribs and the other day I was sitting in a meeting and Baby 2.0 was stretching his foot out right next to my rib. I loved it! There's nothing like worrying that your baby isn't moving enough (like last week) to make you appreciate all of this movement.

What's different this time: I am as big as a house and I feel like it. My belly is in the way. Last night I painted my own toes--it's the last time that will happen. I already have under-belly shirt cleavage. I feel like Homer Simpson!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting our house back together this weekend! We had almost every room painted last weekend (many thanks to Veronica and Josh who graciously let us stay at their house). The painters are coming this weekend to finish Chase's new room and the bathroom, where they took down the wallpaper. I also do not like the color that we picked out for the nursery, so they are repainting that room as well. While all of that is happening, we need to get the downstairs back together- secure bookshelves to the walls and put everything back on them, hang pictures, and decorate. We love how it looks so far and I'll post pictures when everything is back together.

Pregnancy-wise, I'm looking forward to seeing Baby 2.0 on the ultrasound on Monday morning.

Best moment of the week: Work-wise, it was Wednesday's release of this: http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/napa/#DraftNatlPlan . It's the result of months of hard work with a lot of colleagues. I would put the experience up there with writing a dissertation, although far more people were involved, and this will have a much greater impact. Although it still needs to be finalized, the release of the draft was a big accomplishment.

Pregnancy-wise, the best moment was Wednesday afternoon when I felt Baby 2.0's hiccups for the 1st time! They were down by my pelvic bone which means he's no longer in the breech position (although they continue turning until like 35 weeks). Chase used to have the hiccups all the time, both when he was an inside baby and right after he was born. It's such a funny sensation.

27 weeks

Have I mentioned how fast this pregnancy is going? Maybe it's all the distractions I have (Chase, being sick, work, long to-do list)? This week is the start of the 3rd trimester already. Baby Boy will be here in 3 months!!

Even before I got sick, I was having contractions during the walking part of my commute to work. Nothing major, but I called the OB's office and they said to stop walking so much and to call back if the contractions continued or became regular or lasted a long time. I stopped walking on one leg of the trip and had fewer contractions.

When I was home sick, though, I was having some random contractions. Once it was in the middle of the night when I got up to use the bathroom. Another time the contraction lasted the entire time I was in the shower after sleeping until 10am. What concerned me about these contractions was that they were occuring while I was rested. And (warning: potential TMI ahead), I was leaking fluid. Of course I couldn't tell what fluid it was, but my last similar experience was when my water sprung a leak the day I gave birth to Chase. Add to that decreased fetal movement and I was worried.

So I called the doctor's office and got a referral for an ultrasound on Tuesday morning. Luckily, everything was fine. My fluid level was fine, cervix was long and strong, and the baby was good.  And of course I haven't had any contractions since then. I feel kind of silly for getting checked out for nothing, but I am reassured that everything is good.

Total weight gain: ?? 

Maternity clothes? Yes!

Belly button in or out? In and stretched.   

Sleep: Pretty good. Things were not good when Chase was sick or the following week when he was waking in the middle of the night and only wanted Mommy, but the last two night he slept through and so did I.

Best moment this week: Best pregnancy-related moment was seeing Baby L2 and hearing that everything is fine. Best non-pregnancy moment was my Valentine's dinner with Stephen on Monday. Carol babysat Chase (who was thrilled to see Carol) and we got dressed up and went out to a yummy French dinner.

Food cravings:  Nothing special, although I've been eating a lot of Valentine's Day chocolate...

Movement:Not that much, as I mentioned. The ultrasound showed that the baby is breech and facing my back so that's probably why I'm not feeling his kicks or jabs. He was moving during the ultrasound and I didn't feel it. (but on Friday--technically after this should have been posted-- he was kicking and jabbing all over the place. Go figure) 

Fitness: What's that?

Upcoming Pregnancy milestones: Gestational diabetes test (gross), ultrasound, and doctor's appointment on February 27. 

What I miss: Moving like a normal person. I've already started lumbering around. My boss even heard me grunting the other day while reaching under my desk for a pair of shoes.

21 weeks!

With our holiday travel, I skipped 20 weeks which is ironic because among pregnant women it's considered a big milestone (halfway mark!). But my hands were full with a toddler and work and the holidays, and traveling so like the rest of this pregnancy (and despite my frequent posts) these milestones have become less important.

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't weighed myself at home lately. I was up 10lbs at the Dr's office which really means 6lbs.

Bump showing? Yes-- see below.

(this was post-dinner so slightly larger than usual. Also notice the lovely flowered wall paper in our guest bathroom- that will be coming down before Baby Boy arrives)

Maternity clothes? Yup- Thanks to our family members for so many beautiful maternity clothes for Christmas. I was starting to run out of things to wear!

Movement: In the past two weeks I've started to be able to feel Baby Boy from the outside. Stephen still has not felt him (but that's mostly due to a lack of downtime, not a lack of movement)

Sleep: Pretty good-- Chase is getting back onto his schedule and my bladder has been holding up until morning.

Best moment of the week: Dr's appointment on Monday- Baby Boy (confirmed as a boy) measured slightly ahead as he has throughout. This was the anatomy scan and everything looked great. All of his measurements were on or slightly larger than target for his gestational age. He was moving around (thank you apple juice) and gave us some cute profile pictures (more to come). The Dr said everything with me was good too.

Miss anything? Champagne on New Years!

Cravings: I've been eating a lot of chocolate, but not craving it per se.

Anything making you queasy? Not really.

Gender: Baby Boy

Mood: Pretty good, although work is wearing me down.

Looking forward to: Family visits this weekend!

Other updates: We've put together our to-do list of things to accomplish before Baby Boy arrives in 4 months and 10 days. Luckily, the nesting instinct has kicked in so I am ready to start organizing, cleaning, picking paint colors, shopping for furniture, and everything else that is on our list. Hopefully his Daddy is as well because I have a feeling he will be doing most of the tough work.

It's a....

Boy!

Surprise! We found out on Christmas Eve.

In mid-December, I drank some apple juice and went to a 3D ultrasound place where I closed my eyes while the tech determined Baby L 2.0's sex. She then sealed the results in an envelop and signed over the seal so I wouldn't peak (I was very tempted!!)

Then, we followed Sarah's cute idea over at Life Sweet Life . We gave the envelope, a bunny, two onesies (boy and girl) and a box to Veronica. She opened the envelope, chose the correct onesie for the bunny, and wrapped it up for our Christmas reveal. I tried and tried to convince her and Josh to at least give me a hint, but they stayed strong and didn't even give us the box until right before we were leaving for our holiday travels.

We wanted lots of family to be around for the reveal (and there was no way I was going to last until after we finished presents on Christmas morning) so Stephen let me open the box early on Christmas Eve. There was a lot going on, but you can see above our surprised faces when we learned that Baby L 2.0 is a boy!

Here's the video...

We are very excited for Baby Boy Lamont!

19 weeks

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +6lbs. I need to start exercising again...

Bump showing? Very much. Someone at work even said "you're not even half way along and your bump is that big?" Ha.

Maternity clothes? Yes...and I think it may be time to move exclusively to maternity shirt. My normal shirts are not quite long enough.

Sleep: Pretty good!

Best moment of the week: Christmas #1 on Sunday (post coming!)

Miss anything? Crystal Light Iced Tea

Movement: Multiple times every day.

Cravings: Not really, but I've been eating everything so I'm not sure what I would be craving.
Anything making you queasy? Reading on the Metro. I'm pretty sure that is not pregnancy related, though.

Gender prediction: We find out soon!

Mood: Pretty good-- I cannot wait to start our holiday celebrations!

Looking forward to: 2 days until Christmas!!!

18 weeks

We've been so busy with our holiday party (pictures coming soon) and buying presents that this week has flown by. But I'm definitely aware of the pregnancy: this is the week that my belly "popped." All of a sudden I went from looking a little fat to looking obviously pregnant.

How far along? 18  weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +4.5lbs, but I'm hoping that 3.5lb weight gain in 2 weeks was just a fluke and not all the cookies I ate this weekend

Bump showing? Yes

Maternity clothes? The great thing about having a real baby bump is that I can wear most normal shirts now and look pregnant (not fat). But maternity pants are a must-have these days.

Sleep: Pretty good- See update on Chase's sleep in his 19 month post.
Best moment of the week: Our 1st annual holiday open house on  Saturday.
Miss anything? Vino
Movement: Multiple times every day.

Cravings: For a couple of days (basically until I got it), I really wanted cottage cheese. I have good  chocolate and skim milk just about every day.

Anything making you queasy? Terrible headache on Tuesady

Gender prediction: We'll find out on January 3-- our ultrasound got moved up a day.

Mood: Pretty good--the holiday cheer is starting to kick in.

Looking forward to: 10 days until Christmas!

Stephen and I looked back at photos from my pregnancy with Chase (see here) and think my bump is about the size it was at 23 weeks last time... which is 5 weeks larger!

17 weeks

The holidays really make these weeks fly by!

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I didn't weigh myself this week. Probably a good thing.

Bump showing? Yes

Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity pants; one day I wore my fat/post-baby work pants and I just looked fat.  So multiple reasons to stick with maternity pants!

Sleep: Pretty good- I even slept all the way through the night once!

Best moment of the week: Nothing specifically pregnancy-related. Time with the fam!

Miss anything? This week was the first time I missed wine.

Movement: Almost every day! I definitely do not sit still as often as I did when pregnant with Chase so I have to take a few moments and concentrate (after I eat) to feel it.

Cravings: Good chocolate--this baby only likes the best chocolate. No Hersheys for me.

Anything making you queasy? My trip home on the metro

Gender prediction: ????

Mood: Pretty good

Looking forward to: Holiday party this weekend!

16 weeks

We had a surprisingly easy trip to NY for a fun Thanksgiving with the family. Chase loved seeing Nonnie and Pop (he keeps saying their names), Uncle Billy, Aunt Meg, Addy, and Grandma and Grandpa. Our drive home was pretty easy aside from a projectile vomit episode that covered Chase and the entire car seat. We stopped at the next rest stop, changed Chase’s clothes, and cleaned as much of the car seat as we could then aired it out for a few days at home. I sort of feel like such episodes happen to every parent so it was sort of a rite of passage.

We got back from NY and heard that Grandpa Ness had passed away. It was a hard couple of days. You can see Stephen's post below. I will just say that I hope to leave as positive an impact on my family as Grandpa Ness did and I hope that Stephen and I can be together as long and happily as Grandma and Grandpa Ness were.

As for the pregnancy, this week I have started to feel a lot more pregnant—my bump is now visible and I notice it when I move, I can barely make it to work without stopping to pee, and my boobs have like doubled in size (wahoo!)

How far along? 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +1 lb
Bump showing? Yup
Maternity clothes? Started maternity pants this week.
Sleep: Okay
Best moment of the week: Seeing Baby L2 at our ultrasound on Monday
Miss anything? Not being so tired.
Movement: Almost every day!
Cravings: Yummy skim milk.
Anything making you queasy? Only when I have a headache day but they are becoming fewer and farther between
Gender prediction: Stubborn (see below)
Mood: Pretty good
Looking forward to: Holiday prep this weekend

We had an ultrasound and doctor’s appointment on Monday. We were so excited to see Baby L (who looked great) and hopefully find out whether it’s a he or a she. Unfortunately, the baby did not cooperate. S/he would not open her/his legs. It was so frustrating. Now we won’t find out the sex until NEXT YEAR (okay, January). Luckily the rest of the appointment was fine and the doctor was happy with all my blood work and everything else.

More pictures to come!

15 weeks

Wow, this pregnancy is going fast!

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: -1lb so down 2lbs from last week. Probably won't be after Thanksgiving dinner!
Bump showing? It's definitely there!
Maternity clothes? My days in regular pants are numbered.
Sleep: Eh, so-so.
Best moment of the week: Hearing Baby L's heartbeat

Miss anything? Not being so tired.
Movement: Occasionally.
Cravings: Not really, although I've started having some chocolate everyday. I'm not sure if that is a craving or a return to normalcy.
Anything making you queasy? The smell of liquor or beer
Gender prediction: ????
Mood: Stressed, although looking forward to enjoying a restful Thanksgiving
Looking forward to: Seeing Baby L at our Dr's appointment on Monday

14 weeks

Clipping right along here to 14 weeks! The pregnancy ages a week on Thursdays, but I'm behind.

How far along? 14 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: up 1lb (yes, that's a 3lb gain in a week. oy. Nausea has luckily gone away and appetite is back, as you can tell)
Bump showing? Starting to a bit, but mostly just looking chubby
Maternity clothes? No, but I've been using the bella band on my pants. They won't last much longer.
Sleep: Eh. Chase is going through a rough patch so we all are.
Best moment of the week: Playing the leaves with Chase!
Miss anything? Sleeping through the night and until after 6am.
Movement: Not as much as I would like. On occasion I feel the baby move-- I"m really looking forward to movement becoming more regular.
Cravings: Still cheerios, although I've upped my chocolate consumption (see weight gain above)
Anything making you queasy? Not specifically, although some someone microwaved fried fish in my office and I had to run for cover.
Gender prediction: Chinese gender predictor says girl.
Mood: Pretty good, although I get stressed out pretty easily. Thankfully, I have a patient and understanding husband.
Looking forward to:  Seeing family and friends for Thanksgiving!

13 weeks

Isn't it amazing how you just found out that I'm pregnant and I'm already at 13 weeks? Crazy. I looked back at the earliest blog entries and was pretty disappointed that I hadn't posted more when I was first pregnant with Chase because I want to compare symptoms/belly size. I promise to do better this time.


How far along? 13 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: down 2lbs
Maternity clothes? No, I just look a little chubby around the middle. Most of my clothes still fit
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Waking 2 or 3 times to pee. And Chase is waking up at 5:30am this week, so that is always fun
Best moment this week: It was a little more than a week ago, but see Baby 2.0 at the NT scan last week was awesome
Have you told family and friends: Yes, mostly in the last week.
Miss Anything? Energy. I'm looking forward to its return soon.
Movement: I've felt him/her move a handful of times over the past 3 weeks, but nothing consistent yet. I'm looking forward to feeling it more.
Food cravings: Cheerios
Anything making you queasy or sick: Lots of things, but especially the smell of alcohol. Meh. I've finally started eating some vegetables again.
Have you started to show yet: Thickening around the waist, but no clear bump (judge for yourself below)
Gender prediction: I say girl, Stephen says boy
Happy or Moody most of the time: Generally happy, although work is stressful
Looking forward to: Relaxing over the long weekend including lots of quality time with Chase

(notice the return of sweats in pictures. Sorry!)

And because I can't post without a picture of Chase:

Baby 2.0--The details

Due Date: May 17, 2012

Symptoms: Morning sickness kicked in big time at 5 weeks 3 days, when I feigned a hangover and puked. From then on I was nauseous morning, afternoon, and night. I wretched while brushing my teeth, in the shower, in the bathroom at work, in my office, while changing Chase's diaper, or even if I smelled some food I was averse to (which was most). I threw up a few more times. I survived for days on saltines and ginger ale. Ugh, it was awful. With Chase, the little nausea I had went away at 8 weeks. At 12 weeks I was still having waves of nausea and at 13 weeks I still get headaches in the afternoons. Plus now I'm also exhausted. I have not exercised in WEEKS;you know that I must not be feeling well if I don't even exercise. I'm hoping these symptoms subside soon as we are tired of eating bland foods and going to bed at 9pm and I miss running (but not as much s I love sleeping)

Weight gain: In what can only be described as irony, I lost the last 4lbs of baby weight from Chase due to morning sickness with this pregnancy.

Ultrasounds: At 9 weeks 4 days, we finally had our first doctor's appointment and got to see the little one. He or she was great- measuring a little ahead with a heart flickering away at 168 bpm, little hands in front of the face, and the long skinny outstretched frog legs.

We got to see Baby Lamont 2.0 again at 11 weeks 6 days during the NT scan. Again, and thankfully, everything looked good.

(yes, this picture is sideways. I can't figure out how to turn it. Sorry)

Reaction: We are so excited. Our family is growing. Chase will be a big brother and get a best friend for life. We will have a new little baby to cuddle and love and watch in amazement as he or she grows. And we know this time how quickly it will all go and will do our best to savor every single moment. Of course we are a bit terrified too, but I think that's only natural. This time we know what we're getting into.

So our apologies to all of the friends who we have not been making plans with while I battled morning (all day) sickness and sleep. We are around again and looking forward to seeing you.

And thanks to everyone for all of your love and support!