15 Weeks with Baby #2

It is so refreshing to be in the second trimester!  I love everything that it brings.  You aren't so big that you're uncomfortable yet and you usually can get some pretty decent sleep.

Despite Mara waking up a lot in the night I've been sleeping great.  It is a little difficult to get comfortable but not horrible yet.  I can already feel my abs weakening which I hate.  I really have no excuses for the lack of exercise.  I still find myself on my back a lot while sleeping.  It's strange because it's a position I normally hate but has been the most comfortable for me as of late.  I need to break the habit as I am getting to big for it to be safe.

I got to feel the first sweet flutters this week.  It's a bit earlier than what I felt with Mara (I think) but I believe that's normal for the second one.  Maybe I don't have an anterior placenta again and that's why I am feeling things sooner.  After the first flutter I began noticing them more and more.  Last night I got some serious (for this stage) true kicks.  It was such a sweet moment as I was laying in bed cuddling with Mara.

The belly is still growing at a rapid rate.  I hope at this point I just look pregnant and not chubby.  I hate that stage in between.  I'm looking forward to our flight out at the end of this week and thankful that I am feeling good for it!

For comparison 15 weeks with Mara!

Vacation-Illinois

From Wisconsin we traveled down to Illinois.  Josh's parents were nice enough to take us which made it super convenient for us! It's so nice that our families live so close and make visiting both on one trip doable.

Our time in Illinois is usually a bit more low key because of the nature of our families.  My parents are still working and pop in and out accordingly.  My brother is younger and still single as well so Mara is the only young one running around.

Most days we hung around my parents' house relaxing and playing.  My mom has kept practically all of our toys so Mara is in heaven.  They also have a spare bedroom that has been converted to a toy room and mom set it up with all of her favorites.  She has been sliding and cooking in the playhouse all week.

This past weekend we were able to visit with Mallory and Patrick as well.  They are so awesome and always make a point to come down from the suburbs when we are in town.  This time we tried out a new restaurant in a neighboring town and then walked around the mall a bit.  It was pretty low key but it is always great to get to catch up with them.

On Sunday we went swimming at my Aunt Donna's.  Mara loves the water so she was right at home in her float and splashing on the steps. One of her favorite things was to watch her Daddy dive off the diving board.

Josh had to fly back in the middle of the second week here.  We had a few things to take care of before leaving.  Mara and I, however, hung around Illinois and enjoyed some more time at Grandma & Grandpa's.

We did the usual shopping trip with Mom.  I stocked up on a lot of post baby clothes.  I didn't really want to buy a lot of maternity clothes this time around as I already have a bunch.  I instead opted for a few I could still wear now and will be able to afterwards.  I did pick up a few maternity pieces especially a nice dress for any special occasions.

We also ran a few errands to the local craft store.  We decided to make a window seat for my mom's bedroom and picked up the foam and fabric.  Unfortunately I'll have to sew it overseas and send it back.  Mom's machine just can't handle the thickness.

Otherwise the rest of our time here was spend at my parents hanging out and playing.  It was really nice to see everyone and enjoy a little slower pace of things.  Although we don't want to leave them, we are ready to be reunited with Josh and get settled in our new house.

Georgia here we come!

14 Weeks with Baby #2

This week we were in Illinois visiting my family.  On Monday we told my dad and brother we were expecting.  We didn't do anything exciting just told them.  Their reactions were to be expected; excited but somewhat reserved.  The next day we dressed Mara up in her big sister shirt and took her to Taco Tuesday night.  It took a little bit for people to start to realize what was going on but everyone was pretty excited.

It's nice to finally have this pregnancy out in the open!  I feel like it's been so much longer than we waited with Mara.  Essentially it's probably only a week or so but it really just felt longer.

Pregnancy symptoms have somewhat vanished.  I have noticed that I am more tired than normal.  For the most part I have been napping with Mara when she does.  My sense of smell is a bit off too.  Josh's morning coffee, which usually smells amazing to me, has recently smelt like tuna fish.  Weird yes I know but....

I can't believe we are officially in the second trimester and well on our way to being able to find out what this little one is.  I haven't had any strong inclinations one way or the other so I guess we'll just see!  I really feel like either would be amazing!

My belly is huge.  If we hadn't had the ultrasound I would have sworn there were two in there.  I know this is my second and they say your body just knows what to do the second time around but I see my friends with their first baby bellies and they are just SO TINY.  I hope I'm not at 20 weeks and looking like I'm going to pop.

For comparison Mara at 14 Weeks!

13 Weeks with Baby #2

This week we had a fun start traveling from North Carolina to Wisconsin.  It was a long road trip and I am thankful that I had no real serious symptoms.  I did a lot of the driving but didn't get any swollen feet or bloated veins.

My nausea is gone and I just really need to make sure I continue to eat on a timely basis.  There were a few days that I didn't get breakfast soon enough and felt bad.  I get this weird dry mouth sensation when I don't get enough food.  That is something I do not remember with Mara.

We've already had a few encounters with family asking about another baby.  We wanted to keep it a secret from Josh's parents and brother's family until his sister's family could be here.  We plan on telling them all together.  Our niece asked us if we wanted more kids and I had a long conversation about baby names with my sister-in-law.  I think we have them fooled though!

*break*

We finally told everyone on Saturday of this week.  We were taking a family photo and Josh told everyone to say "Jen's pregnant!"  It was great because Josh kept snapping through it all and we captured everyone's reactions.  We'll tell the rest of my family on Monday and then we can officially go public with this news.

For comparison 13 weeks with Mara!

12 Weeks with Baby #2

Oh gosh this week was so busy that I got behind on writing these posts.  It's not a huge deal but I know I would look back on it and be upset that I didn't keep track of this pregnancy like I did Mara's.  This week we were super busy preparing to leave North Carolina.  Josh was also recovering from surgery so we had a lot going on.

Overall I felt pretty great though.  I think my nausea is gone as well.  I did get a few killer headaches but again I am so thankful that these are already so much less than they were with Mara.  It just blows my mind how much I forget I'm pregnant.  If my belly wasn't getting bigger I'd question the validity of that test!

We're gearing up to visit family next week and share with them the news.  I can't wait to see the looks on their faces and for it to finally be pretty much out in the open.  We will still have to tell my folks and then we can put it out there on social media.

For comparison 12 weeks with Mara!

11 Weeks with Baby #2

Well here we are almost finished with the first trimester.  It's really true what they say that the second pregnancy goes much faster.  It makes me feel a little guilty because with Mara I was so focused on the pregnancy and now most days I honestly forget.

This week has been for the most part great.  Josh is finally slowing down so we have had a lot of family time.  It has been good for me because I have had some serious cases of nausea. I also had my first major headache of the pregnancy.  I'm thankful that this is my first one.  With Mara I had a ton so to just have my first is great.

We had our first official ob appointment this week.  It was really kind of pointless hahaha.  Here at Ft. Bragg the first appointment is with a family doctor who basically does a physical and then recommends you to the ob clinic at the hospital.  Well we're not going to get that recommendation because we're leaving so we just went in for the physical.  The one positive is we got to hear the baby's heart beat again.  It was a strong 170 down from 189 at the ultrasound.  I also got a prescription for prenatal vitamins which will save us a few dollars.

I feel like my stomach is still huge.  We were looking at pictures of Mara and I was definitely smaller.  I know it's to be expected but it still awes me every morning.  Again I just hope I can hide it long enough to surprise people when we go home in a few weeks.  I'll be 13 weeks then and will be wearing every loose item of clothing I own!

For comparison 11 weeks with Mara!

10 Weeks with Baby #2

I think I said this last week as well but time has really flown by lately.  This week was pretty mellow with not a lot going on.  Thankfully I'm feeling pretty normal nausea wise so that has been a blessing.  I may just be past the first trimester sickness.  I did have a few days were I was a little beat but nothing too crazy.  On those days Mara and I just hibernate indoors and watch too much TV.

My most obvious pregnancy symptoms at this point are the vivid dreams and insomnia.  I have the craziest, most realistic dreams throughout the night usually totaling about 5-6.  I also have a lot of trouble falling back asleep.  I get a little uncomfortable but I think it's mainly how awake I am when I do wake up.  I know this eventually passed and I can't wait to get to that point again.

The heat here in North Carolina has been a killer and it is bringing me back to my pregnancy with Mara two summers ago.  Thankfully I am no where near as far along as I was with her.  The warm weather still kicks me in the butt if I am out too long but it's not nearly as bad.

This week was special as I got to celebrate this little one with friends.  I had a last minute shower with Mara thrown by the ladies on our street so it always touches my heart with people go above and beyond for us.  It was just a great lunch! It is so rare to have all my girlfriends in one place and their kiddos.  So many babies and little ones on the way.  It's an exciting time!

I'm starting to wonder if I'll be able to hide my belly enough to surprise family with our news. Although the bloat has gone away the belly is there already.  It's crazy how fast your body remembers what to do with number 2!  It makes me wonder if we have more how quickly I will show.

For comparison Mara at 10 weeks!