36 Weeks Down, 4 To Go

Precisely 4 weeks and 1 day from now, I'm due to have our second little boy! Surreal and exciting.

In the typical fashion of a second pregnancy, I have not been as diligent to take those pregnancy profile pictures. But I've included a few in this post to satisfy the masses. :)

This pregnancy has definitely been more challenging for me than pregnancy #1. In general, I'm not one of those women who goes around gushing about how they love being pregnant and miss the pregnancy "glow." I love the end product, and am therefore extremely grateful to be pregnant. But within a few hours of Squishy's birth, I was ecstatic over the fact that I was no longer pregnant and no longer in labor! What a glorious combination!



Here are a few of the characteristics that have stood out during this pregnancy:

Ten Weeks of Morning Sickness. Starting at week 6 of pregnancy until week 16, I was tired, sick to my stomach, and would toss my cookies periodically. Not my favorite time. I'm cumbersome and tired these days, but would never trade it for the 1st trimester!!

Very Early Fetal Movement. I was shocked when I started feeling baby boy kick around 13-14 weeks. Very different from the 1st time around, where I didn't feel anything substantial until around week 20.

2nd Trimester Back Pain. What, what!? This took me by surprise. My back started hurting like crazy shortly into the second trimester...to the point that by lunchtime I'd be pretty much out of commission. The solution? The chiropractor! So many have sung their praises before, and I'm happy to join the list.

A Better Diet. Since I'm at home now and most of our meals are cooked from scratch, our diet is automatically more healthy than when I was working full time. Back in those days, I got off at 7 pm--starving. It was hard to make the 30 minutes home without getting take-out, especially if I knew nothing was prepped for dinner at home.

Exercise. I've actually exercised with a bit of consistency! As long as you ignore the 1st trimester...and the last two weeks. *ahem* Time to break out the weekly goals, right?

Less Weight Gain. So, the above two factors have had the marvelous result of normal weight gain during this pregnancy!!! The 1st time around, I think I was deceived by the whole "eat for two" philosophy. Now I know exactly how hard it is to lose all that weight post-pregnancy. A good motivator to act right in the eating and exercise department at the present moment.

Funny 3rd Trimester Baby Positions. This baby can't decide where he's the most comfortable. At my last midwife appointment, he was transverse (sideways!). Not so good for labor. I started doing some exercises to get him to move--hilarious sight, by the way--and I think he actually has. We'll find out on Friday.

Varicose Veins. I feel old just typing that. Thankfully, I've avoided them in prominent places...but now I have to wear these fabulous maternity support hose. It's like a circus trying to get them on! But hopefully they'll do their job. :) Did I mention that I'm grateful it's winter? Because in maternity hose I feel like I'm BAKING. Plus, winter means I'm wearing jeans, which cover up my old-lady glory.

Anemia. I've been anemic for the past two months, in spite of taking a hefty iron supplement. Today I'm going to a hematologist to see if we can kick this problem! Some extra energy would be splendid at this point. I wasn't anemic during my 1st pregnancy. Maybe on our frugal budget I'm not eating enough steak? I'm all about reversing that trend, because this pregnant lady can down some steak!

So that's the skinny (...except that I'm anything but skinny at the moment). Baby boy, we can't wait to meet you in one short month!

For the mammas...were your subsequent pregnancies similar to your 1st? Easier? Harder? 

36 Weeks Down, 4 To Go

Staying in Shape During Pregnancy {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

An Ask The Readers edition of Try New Adventures Thursday: 

Pushing a baby out is the hardest (physical) thing I have ever done. Like a crazy intense 2 hour work-out after you haven't slept for over 24 hours and have been in discomfort/pain for at least 18.

Yikes. (Here's the full story, with appropriate pictures to boot)

Day before labor with baby #1

It occurred to me recently that it would really help this time around if I did something to prepare for that sort of labor marathon. *light bulb* I didn't do any sort of working out with pregnancy #1, aside from toward the very end (when I was trying to kick-start labor). This time around, I'm having a lot of lower back pain, which is also motivating me to find a way to strengthen those muscles.

My 1st attempt was swimming. Hello bursitis flare-up in my right shoulder. Plus, it's hard to take a trip to the pool by myself these days. Had to give swimming a rest.

2nd idea: Pregnancy workout DVD by Lindsay Brin. Decent workout, but I'm already bored with it.

So, I'm looking for something to change things up. Any advice previous (or current) pregnant mamas? If it can be done inside (think Florida heat) and doesn't require a gym membership, I'm game.

Oh, and not too many push-ups, ok? Cause my toddler likes to crawl on my back whenever I attempt to do one, which makes for a funny sight. But I'm ok with the excuse...
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What's your new adventure this week? Link it up here, link back to Alicia's Homemaking, and then leave some sweet comments on the other participant's posts! We have a fun time each week...our twitter hashtag is #TryNewAdventures!

Staying in Shape During Pregnancy {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

"Meeting" Baby {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

By mid-pregnancy, I am eager beyond measure to "meet" our baby and find out the gender. The patience of couples who wait until the baby's birthday to discover the sex floors me. How can you stand the suspense?

Yesterday, tummy butterfly-full, Andrew and I made our way to my 20 week ultrasound appointment. We were so delighted to see our little one on the screen...kicking and yawning and basically being cute.

With both babies so far, we have gone to our mid-way ultrasound with both a boy and a girl name picked out. When the gender is revealed, it feels like meeting our baby...and we give them their name. I absolutely love being able to call the baby by name after that point. 

And yesterday? We met our second baby boy!

What a sweet day. Squish is going to have a brother! I think I floated through most of yesterday.

When I wasn't floating, I was relaying to my husband the fact that we really need to move North. With two little boys, we will be spending huge amounts of time outdoors--we need to move someplace with cooler weather! My hot-pregnant-lady 2 cents, anyway.

Our second tradition after we find out the baby's sex is to buy the baby his 1st two outfits.  Can you tell from the ones I picked that I like to cuddle babies (they say "Mommy's Hugger" and "Snuggle Bear")?

Two boys! What an adventure. Didn't Dobson write a book on raising boys? I should pick that up...
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After last week's break, I'm happy to be back to Thursday's round-up of adventures. Since we're back home, I'll be tweeting and commenting on your posts with much more consistency! Can't wait to see what you have to share--simply link up your blog post, link back to Alicia's Homemaking, and visit a few other participants and leave comments! 







P.S. In hindsight, I should add that of course everyone thinks differently about when to find out the gender of their baby! There are fun stories either way...(I'm just impatient). Hubby wants to wait to find out once we have a boy and a girl...the suspense will probably do me in. ;)

"Meeting" Baby {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

Home Sweetest Home

I'm home. After our month-long stay with friends, I made a 5-day trip to my hometown to visit family and a dear friend who was getting married. But now I'm home again. As good and necessary as each trip was, I am so overjoyed to be back to my own bed, my own kitchen, and all the cozy corners of our tiny apartment.

Two weeks ago, at 18 weeks

Do you know what made coming home so incredible? When I left (at 14-15 weeks pregnant) I felt blech. And upon returning (18-19 weeks), I felt amazingly like myself again! Oh second trimester, you are eagerly welcomed! Now I buzz around the house, accomplishing in an hour what would have taken me all day just a month ago. I have repeatedly asked my husband about arranging to have a maid if I have another 1st trimester in the future...

I'm back to experimenting in the kitchen--a huge sign that I'm a-ok. I've opened Photoshop again. I've gone shopping for fun items (unheard of in those 1st unsettled months). I've even contemplated planting a Fall garden (someone stop me before I go overboard!!).

My trip home was pleasantly crowded with seeing dear friends. Back in college, two of my girlfriends and I decided to get together once a month to work on our sewing projects and to bear our souls and tell our most appalling secrets (in Little Women style). And thus "Sewing Circle" was born. Now we're all scattered across the east coast, but we met again last week--this time over breakfast. Nothing like a good Southern breakfast to help you in the process of bearing your soul!

With our kids, minus Squishy (who was with Grandma)

Now that we're home again, we're settling into a semi-new routine. Andrew is doing a trauma surgery rotation, which requires very early--and extensive--hours. Like old folks, we crawl into bed around 9-9:30, which is making waking up early almost breezy. I'm starting to incorporate more hot breakfasts into our mornings (protein!). And today I went shopping for a few things to make the long hours at home with a toddler more do-able.

Cost? $3. Should provide at least that many hours in fun...segmented into little chunks because Squishy's attention span is 10 minutes max. :)

With that, I'm off. It's naptime, and I just finished baking chocolate chip cookies! Love to you all...it's good to be back.

Home Sweetest Home

Of Mexican Food, Waking Up Early, and The Baby {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

Ok. So I haven't been feeling super adventurous lately. In fact, I've hardly left the house, except to make multiple trips to the grocery store. And to pick up take-out.

Nonetheless, there are a few adventures to be had, even if you aren't venturing out much. Last night our neighbor invited us over for dinner (bless her heart!), and made an authentic mexican dish. Chile Relleno with fried green plantains! My instagram picture does not do it justice. A poblano pepper is roasted, then stuffed with beef, cheese, and (in this instance) sweet potatoes. Then it's dipped in an egg/flour batter and fried until the outside is crispy. Serve on rice, topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Amazing. Thank you, Melody!


Next adventure: The Maximize Your Mornings Challenge! This challenge (#HelloMornings on twitter) is based on the Maximize Your Mornings ebook (which is free, by the way), and the goal is for women to encourage each other and keep each other accountable to wake up in the morning and spend time with God/exercise/plan for the day.

With that said, the challenge is off to a very slow start for me. I'm sickest in the morning, so I'm giving myself some grace with this. My goal wake-up time is 6:30 (30 minutes later than usual), and if I feel super sick, I lay down until Squishy wakes up. Otherwise, I'm trying to squeeze in some alone time with Jesus--it helps so much!

Lastly, check out this adventure that's happening inside me. Blows. My. Mind. Pictured is a seven week old fetus (and I'm almost 8 weeks along). The fingers and toes and organs are developing at such an alarming rate right now. Incredible.

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Your turn! Link up your adventurous post below, link back to Alicia's Homemaking, and then visit the other participants and leave some lovely, encouraging comments. Our twitter hashtag is #TryNewAdventures.

Of Mexican Food, Waking Up Early, and The Baby {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

New Season, New Adjustments

If you visited my house this past week, you would never believe I have a blog with the word "homemaking" in the title. The kitchen=mainly dirty. The laundry=piling up. The checkbook=unbalanced. I haven't planned a single meal.

Simple reason: I'm in my 1st trimester. Plus the fact that Squishy is cutting his canines. And my husband is in a highly stressful time-consuming grad program. Add that all together and there's quite a bottleneck effect.

Don't get me wrong--in the end, these are all good things. In December, we'll have a sweet baby. Squishy will one day chew more effectively. And Andrew will soon have the credentials behind his name that will enable him to land a good job!

But for me right now, it means the following: I cannot grow a baby, raise a toddler, and keep everything else together. I can't do it all. I shouldn't do it all. To have a peaceful home right now, I have to accept that...and give up frustration.

For this busy season, our family is making the following adjustments:

1) I'm taking a break from doing so much baking/cooking. For now, it's store-bought bread, not homemade bread. A few more "convenience items" from the grocery store. Plus some extra items to help fight nausea.

2) Which means our grocery bill may increase slightly for the next month and a half. Did I mention that I have not been the greatest couponer lately?

3) When Squishy naps, I nap.

4) Focus on the basics: everyone fed, clothed, bathed. That does not necessarily mean the kitchen is clean or the clothes are folded!

5) Work in spurts. Take advantage of energy when it magically appears. Rest/survive at other times.

6) Accept help. Friends and family have offered their services...and I know I need to take them up on it (even though a million prideful reasons for refusing pop up in my head). My father-in-law cleaned my kitchen this morning and it has been a bright spot in the day!

That's the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants plan of action around here. I'm reminding myself to be grateful and working to remember that Jesus is with me--nausea, fussy baby, messy house and all!

My question for you: Are you trying to "do it all" when maybe there's something you should give up for the sake of sanity?

New Season, New Adjustments