nine months

Three special photos to me:

1. May 24, 2013—the day I found out I was pregnant with baby #2.
2. January 22, 2014—six days before my due date (which became Ephraim’s birth day).
3. February 26, 2014—nine months and two days after finding out :)

maternity photos

Last week, it was really important to me to get outside and take a few nice family photos before the baby arrives. Being January, it’s not easy to find a day with tolerable weather and no snow. On our first attempt, we had trouble with the tripod, so we invited my mom to come with us for a second try (Thanks, Mom—they turned out great!)

 
I will treasure these photos. I am so glad to have them to look back on and remember this season. :)

baby bump: 38 weeks

 
how far along? 38 weeks, due January 28th.  (11 days!?)

how are you measuring? I’ve been measuring a little small when they use measuring tape, but when they feel the baby and the fluid levels, everything is fine. They do like to tell me that he’s not going to be a huge baby.

size of baby: size of a pumpkin—about 19 inches, 7 pounds.

heartbeat: 125-130 bpm

total weight gain: + 30 lbs.

sleep: It’s hard for me to want to go to sleep at night because I don’t really feel comfortable laying down. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I have a little bit of trouble falling asleep. It’s preparation for not getting full nights’ sleep once baby arrives. Nolan hasn’t been napping, therefore I feel a little sleep-deprived in the afternoons.

movement: I had a really rough night sleeping on Monday—it felt like I was having some kind of contractions. When I woke up, the baby felt really low. Sure enough, the midwife confirmed that he had dropped. He moves quite a bit during the day!

food cravings: The usual… lots of cereal, hot chocolate, candy. I just got over a cold, so I’m enjoying having my taste back :)

symptoms I have: Acid reflux when I lay down, painful veins in my legs, and a pain in my lower left back. At this point in my pregnancy with Nolan, I was still moving easily and quickly. This pregnancy has been a lot tougher on my body—part of that is due to lifting and carrying Nolan.

stretch marks: I might see a couple new pink marks on my right side where he’s been kicking me.

belly button: Didn’t pop with Nolan, hasn’t popped yet.

doctor’s appointment: I’ve actually had three of my weekly appointments since my last pregnancy post. Two weeks ago, I had the Group B Strep test (I am clear). I had an internal exam—about 1 cm dilated, and 40% effaced. At this point, I was still thinking that there were 4 potential women who would deliver the baby: the doctor or one of the three midwives. But at this appointment, I found out that only the doctor and one of the midwives are currently delivering babies—which makes me happy. The one midwife that I didn’t quite vibe with left the practice!

Last week, I met the midwife who is currently delivering babies. I hadn’t had an appointment with her yet, and I was very grateful to find out how kind she is! She is probably about my mom’s age, and I like the motherly way that she treats me. We talked about ways that I can be proactive so that I don’t get scar tissue this time around (I had scar tissue removal surgery 6 months after having Nolan). I also had a swollen or plugged milk duct that she looked at—didn’t realize that could happen pre-breastfeeding.

This week on Tuesday, I met with that same midwife. She said that if my body seemed ready, she could strip my membranes. However, upon checking, I was still only about 1 cm dilated, and she didn’t think it was time yet. (I am grateful because I feel like 38 weeks would be a little early still.)

what I’m looking forward to: I can’t wait to see my baby, to name him, to hold him, to enjoy him. I’m getting nervous about leaving Nolan and going to the hospital. I’m apprehensive about going through labor again. But I’ve been pregnant since May, so I’m ready for the next step. We’re praying for a calm/easy baby, but most of all, a healthy baby.

And in case I don’t make it to my 40 week post, it’s been fun sharing this whole experience with you all!

 
Went to 41 weeks + 2 days with Nolan!

baby bump: 36 weeks

how far along? 36 weeks, due January 28th.  (Just a few weeks to go!)

how are you measuring? At some appointments, they tell me I’m measuring a little small.

size of baby: size of a winter melon, about 19 inches (head to toe) and 6 pounds

heartbeat: 145 bpm (last week).

total weight gain: + 29 lbs. Lots of Christmasy sweets around still… ;)

sleep: I’ve been waking up once or twice a night to use the bathroom, and sometimes I am wide awake for a while afterwards. I’m trying to sneak some naps in the afternoon with Nolan.

movement: He’s pretty active all day long.

food cravings: Pizza, hot chocolate, cookies, cereal, eggnog, oatmeal bread. I have challenged myself to drink something every hour—hard to remember, but I feel really good about doing it. (I have to go to the bathroom every hour as well… which seems like every 5 minutes.)

symptoms I have: Acid reflux when I lay down, painful veins in my legs, slightly bloody nose in the mornings, and a pain in my lower left back.

stretch marks: No new ones at this point.

belly button: Didn’t pop with Nolan, hasn’t popped yet.

doctor’s appointment: I’m meeting weekly now with the doctor/midwives/PA. Last week, the PA told me that she thinks the baby is in a transverse position—lying horizontally across my stomach as opposed to head-down. Everything checked out fine. I have my next appointment this afternoon, which will include the Group B Strep test and checking my cervix for the first time to see if I’ve dilated at all.

what I’m looking forward to: I still have a fairly long list of things I’d like to get done before the baby comes. I bought a couple tiny outfits for him (and received a few for Christmas) that I’m excited about. I want Steve to refinish a dresser we were given so that I can re-wash all the clothes and put them away. I have hopes of sewing a couple things for baby, too. It will be so amazing to meet this little guy—I can’t wait! I just hope that Nolan adjusts well, and is excited to have a baby brother. I will miss the times that he and I have had alone—and I’m sure I’ll miss how easy it is to leave the house with just one child. I pray that my heart is ready for all the expanding it’s about to do—I am going to be so in love with my three guys!

baby bump: 34 weeks

 

how far along? 34 weeks, due January 28th.

size of baby: size of a butternut squash, about 18 inches (head to toe) and 5 pounds!

heartbeat: 135 bpm (last week).

total weight gain: + 26 lbs. I’ve been having a hard time trying to keep my weight gain down to only one pound per week. Yesterday, I started tracking how much water I’m drinking each day—which I probably should have been doing this whole pregnancy, but better late than never ;)

sleep: Would always like more… I’ve been happy to get a few naps this week as Nolan has fallen asleep better at nap-time.

movement: It’s fun to watch my entire stomach shift back and forth because an arm or leg is poking out really far!

food cravings: I’ve had a few Cokes recently (haven’t drunk them since middle school)—and they taste amazing! I made a cheeseburger the other night that was mouth-watering-good.

symptoms I have: Acid reflux when I lay down, annoying veins in my legs, slightly bloody nose in the mornings.

doctor’s appointment: Last week, I met with the doctor (as opposed to midwives), and she is just wonderful. She said that everything checked out fine.

what I’m looking forward to:
+Christmas in 5 days!
+Celebrating such a beautiful holiday with family.
+I hope to convince someone to take a few family/maternity photos of the three of us before I miss the chance.
+Finishing the baby’s room.
+Holding my baby.
+Introducing Nolan to his brother :)

baby bump: 32 weeks

 
how far along? 32 weeks, due January 28th.

size of baby: size of a squash, about 16 inches (head to toe) and 3-4 pounds

heartbeat: 138 bpm (last week).

total weight gain: + 24 lbs

sleep: I have been going to bed a little later because the baby has been moving a lot, and he gets hiccups right at midnight when I’m trying to fall asleep.

movement: He moves frequently, and now he is big enough that some of his movements hurt or pinch my organs inside.

food cravings: We have every flavor of Frosted Mini Wheats in our pantry now—raspberry, mixed berry, strawberry, chocolate, and regular :) They’re my go-to extra meal when I am hungry. I really enjoyed French silk & blackberry pie for Thanksgiving.

symptoms I have: Painful veins in my right shin and calf—I am trying not to be on my feet if I can help it. I get a little cramp in my lower left back now.

doctor’s appointment: Last week my appointment went well. A different midwife than last time measured me at almost 31 cm—so I wasn’t measuring as small as the last two times. She made a comment about how I had a weight gain spike, which was silly because I’m right on track, and they weighed me with my boots on. (Probably shouldn’t talk to a pregnant woman about weight, haha.)

what I’m looking forward to: My list of projects is getting really long—I must be nesting! I look forward to finishing a lot of crafty things, while I still have free time with only one child. I’m really enjoying this Advent season with Nolan—he gets so excited about our Christmas tree and Advent calendar. I am a little disappointed to not be traveling at all this month to see my family—but I have so much to be happy about here at home. I find myself daydreaming about what this baby looks like, and what life will be like with him here. Nolan and Ivy are quite a handful during the day, so I get nervous about how I’m going to stay sane when there’s a newborn in the mix. Encouragement from moms-of-more-than-one is welcome :)

 

Steve was born at 32 weeks, so when I was pregnant with Nolan, I remember asking my doctor if that was going to be a possibility for his son. The doctor said that the issue that Steve had can now be corrected without pulling the baby out, so I had nothing to worry about. I am always amazed that Steve has never had any physical problems from being born two months early :)

baby bump: 30 weeks

how far along? 30 weeks, due January 28th.

size of baby: size of a cucumber, about 15 inches (head to toe) and 3 pounds

heartbeat: 145 bpm (last week).

total weight gain: + 22 lbs

sleep: I am now sleeping on 3 pillows (have to be more vertical so food doesn’t come back up), plus hugging my body pillow

movement: He kicks up by my ribs, and I can feel hiccups at least once a day now!

food cravings: saltine toffee, peach fruit cups, hot chocolate, cheesy pizza, green bananas, the usual.

symptoms I have: Still sore legs, still acid reflux.

doctor’s appointment: Last week, one of the midwives told me that I was measuring two centimeters small. (Doctors find this by taking a plastic tape measure and seeing how high the uterus is above your belly button). I don’t necessarily consider this an accurate measurement since four different people have measured me during this pregnancy, and it’s not a perfect science. She told me that it was probably fine, and I was just going to have a small baby. This made me nervous, because Nolan was over 8 pounds at birth, and this new baby has measured a few days ahead of schedule in the ultrasounds. Although she said that doctors don’t get concerned until the fundal height is 3 centimeters off, she offered me an ultrasound. I went home to talk to Steve about it. Even though I knew in my gut that the baby was fine, I couldn’t shake my concern, and I wanted to talk to the doctor about it. I went back in to the office on Friday. The doctor did a quick ultrasound on the baby. It turns out that he was measuring right on track at 29 weeks and 2 days. He was 2 pounds 12 ounces—PERFECT! My fluid levels were good as well. In the end, my doctor said that everyone carries babies a little differently.

what I’m looking forward to: Nolan’s room is now fixed and painted, and yesterday he moved back into it! (Side note—apparently he was so excited to be in his room again that he pulled off his diaper by himself for the first time and made a mess in his crib.) Now that his room and the baby’s room have fresh paint on the walls, I can get the baby clothes from the attic and start organizing :) November has been such a huge month in terms of getting things done, and emotionally feeling prepared for this baby. I am excited for what December will bring!

I don’t have a side-view photo of my pregnancy with Nolan at 30 weeks, but I do have this photo of Steve and me at my friend Meghan’s wedding right around that time :) I don’t really look pregnant from the front view.

baby bump: 28 weeks

how far along? 28 weeks, due January 28th.

size of baby: size of an eggplant, about 14 inches (head to toe) and 2 pounds

heartbeat: 139 bpm (last week). This baby’s heartbeat is consistently in the 130s… which is normal, but sounds so different compared to the 150s to 180s that we had with Nolan. Maybe I’m getting my wish for a more calm baby?? ;)

total weight gain: + 18 lbs 

maternity clothes:  I’m now wearing compression stockings from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to sleep. Even though they’re super tight, they feel so comfortable to me. My uniform lately has been leggings with boots, a long maternity shirt, and a jean jacket.

sleep: still sleeping well :)

movement: he moves A LOT in the late evening.

food cravings: sweets mostly—cookies, hot chocolate, Edy’s cookie dough ice cream, waffles with whipped cream. I get restaurant cravings, but we’re on a strict budget, so we don’t eat out.

symptoms I have: My legs are becoming a little more painful. We’ve all had mild colds for two weeks, so I’ve had a bit of a sore throat and neck.

doctor’s appointment: Last Thursday, I met with another midwife in the practice. My blood pressure and the baby’s heartbeat were fine. I also got good results from the glucose test. I now have appointments every two weeks instead of every month—yay third trimester!

what I’m looking forward to: The baby’s room got painted on Saturday, and the new curtains came yesterday! Nolan is now sleeping in there while his room gets painted—and one wall gets fixed. I’m dreading the winter and the cold, but I know that the more wintery it becomes, the closer we are to meeting the baby! I am excited to get Nolan’s baby clothes out of storage and see what the new baby will be wearing :) I want to make a list of what I think he’ll need. Nolan mostly just wore onesies since it was September, but this baby will need warm, full outfits.

“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139: 13-16

baby bump: 26 weeks

how far along? 26 weeks, due January 28th.

size of baby: size of a head of lettuce, about 13 inches (head to toe) and 2 pounds

heartbeat: 139 bpm (3 weeks ago)

total weight gain/loss: + 16 lbs 

maternity clothes:  I’m wearing mostly maternity now because they’re more comfortable. I inherited some gently used pieces this week that I’m excited about!

stretch marks: nope

belly button: same

sleep: could always use more!

movement: feeling his tiny kicks and punches all day long :)

food cravings:  I am always starving. I eat lunch, and an hour later, I could eat a second lunch. I’ve been baking a lot of chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin sweets.

symptoms I have: My legs were getting too sore and veiny, so I have been wearing compression stockings every day. Also, acid reflux bothers me about every other night.

doctor’s appointment: I have an appointment next week—and the glucose test to check for gestational diabetes.

what I’m looking forward to: Settling 100% on a name (we are close!) Spending the cozy holidays with Stephen and Nolan. Working on house projects before the baby comes. Steve has been so busy that we haven’t made any progress on Nolan’s room or the baby’s room. I’m uncertain if we should get a second crib and let Nolan stay sleeping in his crib, or if we should get Nolan a big boy bed. I am scared that we will open up a can of worms by switching him (that he’ll never take a nap again, that he won’t sleep as well at night, that he’ll fall down the stairs in the middle of the night, etc.) Any advice?

baby bump: 24 weeks

how far along? 24 weeks!  due January 28th.

how are you measuring? the midwife at my doctor’s office last week said I was measuring right on track. This picture doesn’t make me look very big, but I catch myself in the mirror sometimes and think “wow!”

size of baby: size of a cantaloupe, about 10.5 inches (head to toe) and 1 pound!

heartbeat: 139 bpm last Thursday

total weight gain/loss: + 14 lbs 

maternity clothes:  wearing maternity tanks (shirts still fit) and pants

stretch marks: nope

belly button: same

sleep: I’m fitting in the occasional nap when Nolan naps, and Steve sometimes lets me snooze for a few extra minutes in the mornings :)

movement: He’s definitely an active little baby!

food cravings:  I had Steve go out the other night for Honeycrisp apples, but they’re so darn expensive! Fruit, popcorn, ice cream, cereal, chocolate, the usual. I’m always hungry.

food aversions: no aversions, but I feel like I have to be careful not to overeat things that are too heavy or acidic—especially at night, or it’s difficult to lay down flat.

symptoms I have: tired legs (shins)

comparisons to last pregnancy: It’s just different to already have a child and be pregnant with the second one. I tell Nolan that there’s a baby in my tummy, but then he goes around touching Steve’s tummy and his own tummy, and saying “baby” :)

doctor’s appointment: Last week, my appointment was fine. I met with one of the two midwives (that they just hired), and to be honest, I’m a little unsure that I want to deliver with either of the midwives. I decided on this practice because I liked the doctor, so I’m unsure if I’m allowed to voice this preference?

what I’m looking forward to: Steve started tearing down the old wallpaper in the baby’s room, and so I’m excited to continue prepping it to paint! I’m hoping that Steve, Nolan, and I have a chance to go see friends/family before this baby comes.

baby bump: 22 weeks

 

how far along? 22 weeks!  due January 28th.

how are you measuring? at my ultrasound on Thursday, the tech said that everything is measuring just right :) I’ve gotten a few comments that I look small for 22 weeks.

size of baby: size of a papaya, about 10.5 inches (head to toe) and 1 pound!

heartbeat: 142 bpm on Thursday

total weight gain/loss: + 11 lbs

maternity clothes:  wearing maternity pants now.

stretch marks: not yet.

belly button: it’s the same.

sleep: had a busy week, so hoping to make up for some sleep this weekend!

movement: I am feeling movement quite a bit! I think the baby is most active at 9 pm or so.

food cravings:  I’ve been eating a lot of cereal—partially due to that I don’t have many meals planned ahead of time, and also because I get tired of standing in front of the pantry wondering what sounds good, and if it will be filling enough. We’ve also been drinking a lot of hot chocolate at night—mmm!

food aversions: not really any

gender predictions? We found out on Thursday that it’s a BOY!! I can’t really believe that I am going to be a mom of two boys. I am really thrilled that Nolan will have a buddy to play with!

symptoms I have: Still trying to elevate my legs more so that they’re not sore. Tired and hungry, but that goes without saying :)

comparisons to last pregnancy:  Things are going really well—so not many differences.

doctor’s appointment: Another one is lined up for next week. I’m so glad that the ultrasound went so well—and all the baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, etc. looked perfect :)

what I’m looking forward to: This question is tripping me up right now. The end of January sounds really far away, even though the weeks are going fast. I also don’t want to rush the months, because I’m enjoying my time with Nolan so much. I suppose I’m looking forward to this season of preparation—preparing my heart for loving a new little guy, teaching myself more patience, and praying for a more easy-going nature. And of course, preparing the baby’s room, clothes, and things :)

baby bump: 20 weeks

 
how far along? 20 weeks!  I cannot believe that I’m halfway there! due January 28th.

how are you measuring? on the sonogram on July 16^th, the baby measured 4 days earlier than the due date

size of baby: size of a banana, about 6.5 inches and 10-11 ounces

heartbeat: 142 bpm at last appointment (seemed a little low to me.) Nolan’s was always super fast. What’s the old wives’ tale about boy/girl heartbeats?

total weight gain/loss: + 9 lbs

maternity clothes: squeezing into my pants, but wearing maternity tanks

stretch marks: using cocoa butter, so hopefully not.

belly button: same

sleep: 7-8 hours at night sure doesn’t feel like a lot! I have been napping every other day or so when Nolan takes his nap.

movement: so fun to feel the kicks and swishes!

food cravings: pizza, chocolate, fruit

food aversions: not really any

gender predictions? I am pretty 50/50 on what I think. I don’t feel convinced either way.

symptoms I have: I have been trying to sit and elevate my legs more because they have felt a little sore, and I’ve noticed some veins popping :( I seem more prone to crying. And my skin isn’t as clear on my face. All lovely things. ;)

comparisons to last pregnancy:  since the 2nd trimester is quite pleasant, it’s close to how i felt with Nolan.

doctor’s appointment: I met my new doctor a week ago. She could not have been sweeter. She’s a mom of four young kids, so I love that she’s been through this before. She believes in more natural medicine, and she couldn’t fathom that my former doctor used forceps at Nolan’s birth.
Also, speaking of switching doctors, I found Nolan a new pediatrician—and he has his first appointment in a couple weeks. Unfortunately on Tuesday, we made our first trip to MedExpress because he has a skin infection on his leg. :(  Our best guess is that it started off as a bug bite. He hasn’t been feeling ill or feverish at all, but the open wound is pretty ugly. He is on antibiotics, and we’re praying that he beats the infection with no more trouble.

what I’m looking forward to: in two weeks, we have our big anatomy ultrasound! It is surreal to think that we will know this huge BOY/GIRL piece of information soon! And then I can start nesting… :)

baby bump: 17 weeks

 

how far along? tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks!  due January 28th.

how are you measuring? on the sonogram on July 16^th, the baby measured 4 days earlier than the due date

size of baby: size of a sweet potato, 5-6 inches (crown to rump) and 6-7 ounces

heartbeat: 159 bpm at last appointment

total weight gain/loss: + 6 lbs

maternity clothes: I am slowly breaking them out. this morning, my shorts didn't fit, so I got out my Target BeBand.

stretch marks: using cocoa butter, so hopefully not.

belly button: same

sleep: Nolan has been sleeping in a little more this week, which has been nice! I've gotten a few naps in the afternoons as well.

movement: I am starting to feel this baby moving a lot! It is such a wonderful feeling. Even Steve could feel kicks the other night!

food cravings: Mentos, french onion soup, Snickers ice cream bars

food aversions: still not eating a lot of meat, but that's not unusual for me.

gender predictions? girl, perhaps? I love baby boys, too.

symptoms I have: frequently hungry and thirsty

comparisons to last pregnancy: at this point, it's very similar.

doctor’s appointment: I'll go to my new doctor the first week of September.

what I’m looking forward to: it will be so much fun to find out the gender! I'm not sure when that will happen, but I can't wait to choose his/her name, design the bedroom, and put together clothes (organize Nolan's baby clothes, or start collecting little girl things!)

I am definitely bigger right now than I was at 19 weeks with Nolan. Crazy how that happens.

baby bump: 15 weeks

how far along? now 16 weeks!  due January 28th.

how are you measuring? on the sonogram on July 16^th, the baby measured 4 days earlier than the due date

size of baby: size of an avocado, 4-5 inches (crown to rump) and 3-5 ounces

heartbeat: 159 bpm at last week’s appointment

total weight gain/loss: + 3 lbs

maternity clothes: I still feel pretty normal-sized, so I’m wearing my regular summer clothes. 

stretch marks: just the ones from Nolan

belly button: never popped out last time, so we’ll see.

sleep: can’t get enough! I am having a really hard time getting out of bed when I hear that Nolan is up. I need to work on going to bed earlier.

movement: I started feeling movement last week! It only happens about once a day, and it’s usually when I’m relaxing on the couch after Nolan has gone to bed. I can feel the baby 2 weeks before I felt Nolan for the first time! Movement is definitely the best part of pregnancy :)

food cravings: I have been enjoying store-bought blueberry muffins and Bagel Bites at night.

food aversions: I finally have my sweet tooth back, and most food tastes normal again. I was having aversions to pretty much everything.

gender predictions? I lean towards girl at this point.

symptoms I have: tired. hungry. itchy skin around my hips. sometimes feel like I could throw up (nausea), but I haven’t at all with this pregnancy (and never did with Nolan).

comparisons to last pregnancy: pretty similar, although definitely a different experience to chase around an almost-two-year-old all day while pregnant.

doctor’s appointment: I’m switching doctors since we moved. It was really hard to tell my wonderful doctor (who delivered Nolan and did surgery on me post-partum) that I wasn’t coming back. He said, “It’s always the good patients that have to leave.” :( But I can’t drive an hour to all of my appointments. And I am excited to meet my new doctor (a woman) in September.

what I’m looking forward to: feeling more consistent movement throughout the day. I am excited to share this pregnancy with one of my closest cousins (she’s due a week before me), a few great friends, and several blog friends as well! It’s exciting to be on this adventure with you! :)

  
A couple other photos I took in June and July :)

And for comparison’s sake. I did not have a noticeable bump for a long time with Nolan, so it’s true about popping earlier with the second baby. :)

baby, baby

Feeling so blessed and so excited!!