11 weeks- Baby #2!

As of Tuesday, September 25th I am officially 11 weeks pregnant.  I really need to stop being a slacker and get on these updates and start taking pictures.  I feel like I don't look any different yet-- a little thicker in the mid-section, but nothing noticable.  I still button my skinny jeans and am wearing all of my regular clothes.

I am going to do the same weekly posts that I did when I was pregnant with Reese, using the same questions.

1. How Far Along? 11 weeks

2. Total Weight Gain/Loss? Haven't weighed myself, but have a Dr. app next week. :-) Maybe a lb or 2?

3. Maternity Clothes? Nothing yet, although my mom gave me some money for my birthday that she wanted me to use on some new maternity clothes, so I went to Gap Maternity yesterday and stocked up on some new shirts and leggings! Now, it won't be so awful when I need to start wearing them. :-)

 
4. Gender? Not sure yet.  We have scheduled an elective ultrasound at Goldenview for Oct 25th (I'll be 15 weeks 2 days), so we're hoping the baby cooperates.  Otherwise, we'll have to wait until mid November for the anatomy scan at my doctors appointment (which gets scheduled between 18-20 weeks).

Todd and I are both thinking boy this time.  I haven't been AS sick (although I'm still not myself) this time around, and my cravings are completely different than with Reese. All I am craving is salt. Strange.

I will say that I would truly be thrilled with either gender, as long as the baby is healthy. Both genders have their pros. We're just excited to find out so we can process which little baby will be completing our family dynamic. 

5. Movement? Nothing yet.

6. Sleep? Great- I'm so so so exhausted this time around.  When T walks through the door, I am usually  just about dead from chasing Reese around all day.  I fall asleep on the couch every night and then drag myself to bed. Really hoping I get some energy back with the 2nd tri!

7. What I miss? Feeling like myself and being able to eat normally. I still have terrible food aversions.

8. Cravings? Salt, anything savory.

9. Symptoms? Headaches, a little nausea here and there (but almost gone), and smell/food aversions. Breaking out in hives on my belly.

10. Worst moment this week? This week has been pretty good. No major complaints.

11. Best moment this week? Decorating the outside of the house for fall (I know I need to give you all  updated house pictures!), spending time with my mom, and of course spending my days with my sweet Reese!

I am looking forward to our doctors appointment next week where we'll have the NT ultrasound.  As long as everything goes okay, we'll be sharing our news with family and friends!

Apple Picking!

We went apple picking last weekend and had an absolute blast! This was Reese's first time and she loved it! We went to the same orchard that I've been going to since I was little! I love me some traditions! 

Letters to Reese- 13 months

**I know, I am a huge slacker since Reese will be turning 14 months in 2 days... but better late than never! I really struggled with whether or not we'd continue with the monthly pictures through her second birthday, and finally decided that it was too much.  I'll still be doing monthly posts though, just not as formal.

Reese,

You turned 13 months on August 18th, 2012.  This month you've completely transformed into this little person, a toddler with your own agenda.  It's such a fun age to watch because you are learning new things and figuring out new things each day.  You are still such a happy girl, but have your moments when you get frustrated and throw an all out tantrum- going limp on the floor crying.  You'll also throw yourself backwards if your seated.  Fun times! You say 'mama' with meaning and sometimes call me 'ma', it's pretty cute!

This month you've discovered the dishwasher and begun wanting to help unload the silverware and dishes on the bottom rack.  I let you help me and you love it! You've also begun throwing away your dirty diapers after diaper changes downstairs and will stand right up, walk with purpose to the trash and toss them in.  It's pretty funny! You also put your dirty clothes in the 'dirty laundry basket' in the hall closet.  You're so smart, all I have to say is, "Reese can you toss these in the dirty laundry for mama?" and off you go!

Your favorite toys this month have been your stacking blocks (big time), your doll carriage, Dolly, and Little People. We've hooked up the iPad for longer car rides and it's really made all the difference in the world.  Instead of crying, you laugh and squeal and are so content watching Yo Gabba Gabba. You will not even sit still for one minute in the house to watch any TV, but in the car, you're all about it.

This month we learned you're going to become a Big Sister! As much as I'm thrilled to give you a sibling, part of me is still a little concerned that you'll feel a little slighted when the new baby arrives.  I know this is totally normal, so I try not to dwell on it and just think of the positives.

Daddy and I are so lucky to be your parents! We love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Mommy!

Reese's Thirteen Month Stats: 

**No stats this month since we don't go back to the pedi until 15 months.

Weight:  I would guess around 23/24lbs

Height: I'd say you're probably about 32"-- everyone comments on how tall you are

Clothing: 12-18 months.  Size 5/5.5 shoe

Diapers: Size 3.

Favorite Toys: Stacking blocks, Little People, doll carriage and Dolly.

Favorite Past Time: Playing at the play place, going on swings, playing with your water table, chasing the kitties, rolling balls down the hall, and pillow fights.

Communication: Still saying mama, dada, bubba, and dat.

Cries: When you're tired, when you fall, and when you want something and can't communicate.

Bedtime: You now go to sleep between 7:30- 8pm and wake up between 6:30 and 7am.

Your schedule is still the same as last month.

8 weeks 2 days- Baby #2!

Yesterday was a big day as it was my first doctors appointment.  I decided to change practices after a bunch of post partum issues that I had with Reese, and my new doctor is in the city.  It's definitely a little nerve wracking having to schedule appointments around rush hour traffic and Reese's schedule, but we'll make due.

At my appointment we met with the nurse, went through all of our medical history, and discussed how their practice operates.  Since they were a little unsure of my due date, I had a dating ultrasound after my exam/pap.  The nurse had tried to find the babies HB with the doppler, and couldn't but told me not to worry-- that it still could be too early.  I was so thankful to be getting an ultrasound! Todd and I both loved my new doctor.

As soon as we got into the ultrasound room and the tech put the wand on my belly, I immediately saw something there, and the tech said that she could see the little flickering hearbeat.  She zoomed in, and we got to see the little nugget's heart fluttering away at 163 bpm.  All was well! Based on measurements, it put me a few days ahead of what I thought, at 8 weeks 1 day.  Due date is April 16th (Todd's late grandfather's birthday).

Here's the little nugget:

post originally written on 9/6.

6ish weeks- Baby #2!

Well, here I am at 6ish weeks and I feel AWFUL! The never ending headache, the nausea, the exhaustion, I am not a fan.

While last time was awful because I was teaching and couldn't tell anyone I was pregnant, this time is as equally as awful because I'm taking care of a toddler all day.  I feel extremely guilty for not having the energy or drive to do anything besides play around the house with Reese, but such is life.  I haven't left the house to do much of anything this week with the exception of a trip to the grocery store.

I'm trying not to get depressed thinking that this could last another two months like it did with Reese, but I can't help it.

I'm just thankful for an amazing hubby who lets me sleep in, makes me breakfast, helps out around the house, and takes over when he comes home from work.  I cannot imagine going through this without him.

written on 8/23/12

How I Found Out-- Part Two

So when we last left off in my last post, I had just gotten Reese into her 'Big Sister' shirt and was about to make the big reveal to Todd.

As soon as we got to the 3 season porch I put Reese down and she squeeled with delight! Todd saw her coming through the screen door, and immediately noticed that she had a new shirt on.  He said, "Reesey, look at you! Do you have a new shirt on?".  The funny part was that he couldn't see what it said because of the white kick panel on the screen door.  My heart was racing, but I still managed to capture this precious memory on my iPhone video.

And here you go....

originally written 8/9/12

How I Found Out--- Part One

Let me back up a minute and explain how I found out.  On Tuesday, August 7th, I had this really strange sensation in my chest-- like a tingling (sorry if this is TMI) and my boob started to leak.  Hmmmm, I thought, strange. My period wasn't due until the weekend, but for some reason I thought maybe I should just take a test to put my mind at ease.  I had a dollar store cheapie test upstairs in the bathroom, so I figured no harm no foul.  I took the test and INSTANTLY a second line popped up.  My heart sank.  No way! Reese was stirring in her crib fighting her second nap, so I quickly went in and grabbed her, and went downstairs to process.  I had to take another test.  Maybe the first one was faulty (even though I knew better).

Off to CVS Reese and I went.  I grabbed another test, took it, and again instant positive.  Whoa!

At this point it was already 4:45pm and Todd texted me that he was leaving work early at 5pm (which never happens btw, either), so I had to think fast.  How could I tell T?

I figured I wanted to have Reese tell him somehow-- so I drove directly to Babies R Us in search of a 'Big Sister' shirt.  They only had one design, and it was a 3T--- oh well, it had to work.

I had a woman coming to the house to pick up some AC units that I had listed on Craigslist so I couldn't have Reese wearing the shirt because she was probably going to arrive right around the same time T would.  I figured the next best thing was to change Reese into the shirt when I was getting her into "pajamas".

T came home and within 2 minutes that woman arrived for the AC's.  When she left I told Todd to go start the grill and that I'd get Reese in her jammies.  He immediately asked, "Isn't it bath night?".  To which I replied, "Ya, but she's fine.  Not dirty at all." LOL. So, T went to start the grill and I feverishly ran upstairs to change Reese into the shirt.  My heart was pounding-- I was so nervous to tell T! I figured he'd be happy, but definitely shocked as this was not in our plan.

originally written 8/9/12

I Guess My Blog Needs a New Title!

Because, here we go again!! I'm pregnant-- Reese is going to be a BIG SISTER! Baby #2 is on board! As many of you know we were planning on trying to convieve this late fall/ early winter. Well, God had other plans! And if all goes according to His plan, we should be having #2 sometime mid-April.

It's still very new, so I am not planning to publish this post (and any other posts related to Baby #2) until I feel comfortable. So in the interim, this will be saved in my draft folder. ;-)


-originally written 8/9/12