36 weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Maternity clothes: are starting to be too snug. I will not buy more. I remember this part about pregnancy from last time. Being tall and having larger breasts makes it even more hard to shop. Typical maternity shirts are already "too short." So I've done a lot of tanks this time with sweaters for work. But even now, I have to wear an undershirt too or fear my stretch pants/shorts top will show. Just a few more weeks...

Stretch marks: That one little mark that popped up before is sticking around. It hasn't gotten any worse or colored, but it's scary to look at. I don't want anymore!

Sleep: Hit or miss again. I've been waking up with awful back pain. Either from my hip to my back from laying on one side for too long, or my whole back for rolling over and sleeping on my back. I hurt.

Best moment this week: A surprise sprinkle! A friend of mine from the gym, Rachel, put together a surprise baby shower for me at another friend from the gyms house - Jenny. It was really great getting together with all the girls from the gym outside of the gym and sweaty clothes. She told me that we were going to get all dressed up and have lunch and get pedicures. On the way there, she said she needed to stop at Jenny's house to pick up something she left when she babysat for them a few weeks ago. When we got there, I was a little thrown off because she asked if I wanted to come in... But I totally didn't expect all the other ladies to be there. It was so fun and we got so many great gifts for baby girl from everyone. As much as I'm pre-programmed to think "no shower for 2nd babies" I can appreciate them now because it's not just a reason to give gifts, but celebrate the life of the baby that's about to be a part of everyone's lives in a few weeks. Everything was so beautiful, and I'm so thankful that they thought enough of me to throw me a sprinkle. <3 Also, Caleb's first baseball game! So exciting! We hardly ever talk about baseball in our house, but Cliff got some tickets for a Braves vs Yankees game and we decided to go. The game was at 1:30 (right in the middle of nap time- yuck) but Caleb was awesome! He was so intrigued by everything that was going on. "What's going to happen now? Who's batting? What's he doing?" We had a great time!

Movement: Starting to slow down A LOT. She still has her moments where she's VERY active; usually at night around 8-9:30pm. Maybe because by this time I'm settled into bed and not moving very much. I'm not sure. During the day, she practices more of her stretchy, rolling over inside type movements. Also, sometimes I feel like I can feel her clapping inside? Sounds weird, but I feel like maybe it's her uncrossing her legs/arms? I could be crazy.

Food cravings/aversions: I really started noticing a trend in this lately. Eggs, over medium. And butter. Silly right? haha I like to eat my eggs with toast, but I could live without the toast, but I need a vessel for my butter. And eggs I could eat all.day.long.

Gender: Girly Girl!

Diaper barbell from my sprinkle!

Labor pains: All.the.pains. I feel like something could be happening, but it's still kind of early. More than once, I've had the feeling like I might start my period and thought to myself "oh, I should grab something..." But then I remember I'm pregnant and that's not possible. lol. Braxton hicks are in full on every day mode. They don't hurt, but sometimes it seriously feels like I'm carrying around a huge rock in my tummy. Also, the leaking. Not only is it leaking now, but I swear sometimes, I feel that sensation like I'm having a letdown of my milk. I know... I'm crazy.

Belly Button in or out? In. but stretched ooooout to the max!

What I miss: Being able to keep up. Not having to blow my nose 8 times a day. Not feeling like I'm heavy breathing in peoples ears after taking 10 steps.

What I am looking forward to: Holding my little girl and loving on her! I've got most of the hospital bag packed including her coming home outfit. I'm just so excited for her to be here instead of in there anymore!

35 weeks

How far along: 35 weeks

Maternity clothes: yes. Stretchy everything.

Stretch marks: I have lately noticed this one spot that I have a new stretch my on my tummy. It's still pretty low, and I didn't get ANY with Caleb, so I'm curious if this will grow and actually turn into something. I'm so close to the finish line... I really hope it doesn't!

Sleep: I sleep sooo deeply compared to last time. But I still wake up so super tired. The dreams are still REALLY intense. One night this week I woke myself up by yelling my sons name. I'm glad I didn't wake my husband... The dreams can seem so real - it's unfair.

Best moment this week: sooooo busy... Work is all I have been doing. I was slotted to close about 15-18 loans this month. YIKES! It looks like it will settle around 15 but September is looking just as busy. I'm really hoping I can close out August and September with a decent amount of loans closed so that my incentive will pad some of the decrease in pay I'll get when I'm on maternity leave. I really wanted to cancel because I'm so swamped with work, but Rachel and I tried to go to paint night this week. I was hoping to have something for baby girls room, but the instructor didn't show up. Pretty disappointing. boooo I've been wanting to do one of those paint night events for EVER. But I guess it will have to wait until after little miss is here. We also went to a birthday party for a girl from the gym which was fun. I love being out and social with everyone. But it's SO.DAMN.HOT. Everyone keeps saying, ohhh say good bye to summer. Ladies and gentlemen. I'm the MOST aware of when the end of summer is at this point because it is ONE WEEK before my due date. We have several weeks to go. lol. Summer is SO not over yet.

Movement: She's still got a lot going on in there. She still feels like she's head down and is doing a lot of stretching down there. I had to take Caleb with me to the chiropractor this week which was interesting. He calls him the bone doctor lol. I thought maybe he might want him to check his bones, but no way. Caleb was NOT into it. He gave me some great stretches to do to help keep baby girl in head down position and this week had some trouble with un-sticking my hip joints.

Food cravings/aversions: More of the same. I do loveee  some eggs eggs eggs.

Gender: Sweet princess <3

Labor pains: Oh the swelling. So, I've stopped de-swelling over night now. My feet by the end of the day feel like walking on burning water balloons. The burning is I guess from the swelling. My hands are also pretty swollen this time. It's different from last time because I don't remember much in my hands and it stretches up my arm almost to my elbow and up my calves all the way to my knees. I know, I know... put your feet up! Drink more water! Believe me. I'm doing all the things; I swear. But some are just not helping at this point. Going to the gym seems to help them stay at least a little less swollen, but it doesn't completely go away anymore. I seriously wonder when will be the last time I go to the gym. I typically go MWSat... But with work being SO BUSY I've had to skip so that I could make it to daycare MW to watch the kiddos at the gym and still get all my regular work done. Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed the break from working out, but I feel it after not going for a few days. Working out has helped A LOT this time... Don't let my husband read that. lol

Belly Button in or out? In. It won't pop. I promise

What I miss: Time. As much as I wish I could hold this little lady, at the same time I wish time would slow down. I feel like I was just telling people we were pregnant... now, I'm kind of freaking out that I won't have everything I need and/or want to do for baby girl done... I'm running out of time!!

What I am looking forward to: A little girls room. We can't start much at this point, since we're dividing up Caleb's room, but I'm really anxious to start painting and organizing in there. I spent a couple of hours this week reorganizing Caleb's clothes into bags to sell, bags to donate and boxes to save. We have a decent amount of storage in our house, but we're running out with the way things are settled in the house. AKA... This is called nesting. lol. If there's something to be organized, I will find it.

34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

Maternity clothes: I have a small section in my closet for them. lol This survey gets kind of repetitive after a point...

Stretch marks: Nope. Still doing pretty good there.

Weight: +28 ok... so I guess I'm not gaining only 20 lbs this time. blehhh...

Sleep: On and off. I will sleep a few hours as hard as a rock and then i CANT

Best moment this week: New babies! I got to hold Caleb's new friend, Lula <3 If I wasn't already pregnant, I would have some serious baby fever. We also had Ruby's under the sea birthday party! So fun. I love that my husband is so hands on with our son now. I know once little lady is here, I'll be the one primarily taking care of her, but he has come a long, long way in helping out with Caleb. They are seriously BFF's.

Movement: This little girl doesn't stop! I know at some point, she's supposed to slow down, but it doesn't look like that's any time soon.

Food cravings/aversions: Those sneaky smells are creeping back up on me... gross. No one is allowed to eat anything hot in my office. I'm serious. Or you'll be fined. Gross.

Gender: Pretty in pink! And purple! And lace! And tutus! And bows!

Labor pains: Had my tri-weekly appointment with Dr. Tate this week and baby girl is still holding strong head down. I was super surprised! Because my back pain has returned recently and I feel that pointy pain again close to my ribs. He did say she was pretty high but that her head was definitely in the right position. I also ran over my birth plan with the receptionist this week. I'm still really nervous about having to use a birth plan this time because I don't want to be scoffed at by the nurses... But ultimately, we really don't want any interference with this birthing process as there was a lot last time. Every time I think about it, I think about how much it sucks that I have to write a detailed plan for people to know my best wishes because so much about birthing is not evidence based and we are just left to assume that it is. You would assume that Drs would do things that are best for you and your baby... As long as the baby is healthy right?!... But that's so not what happens most of the time... :(

Belly Button in or out? In! You can kinda see the little cave I have instead of a belly button through my shirt in this picture.

What I miss: Working out for real. We did a wedding WOD for 2 friends from the gym that are getting married in October.  OUCH! I'm so sore... as in pregnancy sore... and so tired from that WOD...

What I am looking forward to: Watching Caleb interact with his new baby sister. He's so excited sometimes! Other times he says "it's taking too long..." I know for a while it'll be a lot of crying and sleeping and pooping... And he's starting to understand that, but then it'll be exciting to watch her watching his every move and learning about the world with her big brothers help!

26 weeks

How far along: 26weeks (for my next trick, my bump will shrink. Doesn't it look smaller here than last week??)

Maternity clothes: Survey says... YES!

Stretch marks: Nope. The nurse practitioner told me last week that I'm doing a really good job with my lotioning and she doesn't think they will pop up either.

Sleep: So unfair. I know I'll be up with her multiple times when she gets here.. but why does it have to start now...  wahhhh...

Best moment this week: We went to have our "rescheduled" 3D ultrasound this weekend. I didn't expect her to move around because she's been pretty consistent in keeping herself in a little ball, but she did cooperate and moved a little bit so we could see her pretty face! On the screen at the ultrasound she looked NOTHING like her brother. Her face is longer and her nose is pointier to me. But the more I stare at the pictures, the more I can see a resemblance between her and him. We also had our hospital tour this week and while I was a little nervous about the drive and traffic... It took us an hour and a half to get there... Ouch! Being in the car all that time was NOT fun. Pro tip- smushed bladders do not last very long on car rides. I *almost* had to ask for a potty break! Anyway, we made it and they were nice enough to let us join the tour even though we were late. I asked my questions and I still feel really good about having a plan in place for this birth. The more I think about this baby's upcoming birth, the more I realize that my lack of a plan last time, might have contributed to ending up in an operating room instead of a delivery room. There has been a lot of discussion this time of what-ifs that it makes me feel more solidified in my birth plan this time and staying on course. What kinds of meds do I or don't I want? How long should we labor at home? What if I'm in labor at night? What if I'm in labor during the day? How do I want to labor? I don't think we really thought of all that last time. Sure, we took a birth class last time, but it was more fun and games from what I remember. This time it is legit. I feel like I have some control and I'm praying that's not just an illusion. 

Movement: Yep - she still enjoys her twirls and swirls in there. She's comfortable pretty low. At the ultrasound they mentioned that she was head up and face forward, so those could be little toes or heels kicking me in the cervix. At my Drs appointment a few days later, she princess had turned over and was swatting at the Dr each time she tried to get a good reading on her heart.

Food cravings/aversions: I got nothing. I made the mistake of trying to eat some onions in a greek salad this week thinking that it wouldn't affect me anymore. WRONG! I tasted those onions for the rest of the week. Bad move!

Gender: She's still my princess peanut!

Labor pains: The pains I've been feeling are related to my csection. Even more reason to curse that experience. They said the pain could continue through pregnancy and after while my uterus is going back to normal size. There are special massage techniques if it gets too bad. Also, not painful but... Holy nesting! I'm organizing and cleaning everything. Between having our trip to NJ and 3rd trimester peeking around the corner, I've been super busy. We got Caleb's beds put together and hope to try to transition him soon. I don't want to rush him, but at the same time, I feel the need to do things now.

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: I almost want to say my energy again. I'm starting to feel so tired and that I'm moving so slow again.

What I am looking forward to: NJ in 8 days!! yeaaaa

25 weeks

How far along: 25 weeks

Weight: +17 (wtf is happening??)

Maternity clothes: Full time.

Stretch marks: Still lucky. I haven't seen them.

Sleep: Buhbye good sleep. Hello random insomnia. Gross. I still pass out around 9 but usually I'm up 3-4 times for 5-10 minutes. If something happens, like Caleb fusses, etc, I'll be up for an hour or so after that. It's so hard to settle back down. :(

Best moment this week: Ohhh, we're arriving at the stretch of pregnancy where it's really hard to pick these out... I've got a lot of sore muscles, too many potty trips, my feet are swollen maybe 60% of the time...

Movement: Still super duper low. I will sometimes feel her at my belly button, but for the most part she enjoys resting on my hip bone or my bladder. You can see my super pointy on top bump in the pic lol. Caleb has felt baby girl a few times, but he says "it's taking too long."

Food cravings/aversions: Same. I will still avoid onions. I don't think I ever talked about "other aversions." I hate brushing my teeth! I gag every time. I remember this from last time, but this time, sometimes I actually throw up a little. It's seriously disgusting. I'm writing this so I remember for next time. lol

Gender: Sugar and spice and everything nice <3

Labor pains: More RLP... Maybe? My pain is more focused in one area now and mostly still happens with stretching or in a way that makes me have to stretch out my tummy. I wonder now if it's really pain from my csection scar because it seems localized to that area. I'm going to make that a note for the Dr if I should stretch through that pain or if it's not a good thing.

Belly Button in or out? In.
 

What I miss: Those random few weeks of feeling good. I feel like I got jipped! First tri bleed into Second and now I feel like I'm already in 3rd Tri with all the complaints. whaaaa!?

What I am looking forward to: Setting up Caleb's new bunk beds and organizing some of the new baby's clothes and accessories!

Milestones: I'm getting a lot of the "oh wow... you look pregnant now!" comments. A lady at the grocery store actually stopped me and said "please tell me you're pregnant." I think I was a little more feisty last time because I should have told her no just for fun. But I said yes. What an awful way to ask someone though!?

22 weeks

How far along: 22 weeks

Maternity clothes: Yes. See photo where I'm really trying to stretch into a normal tank... for the last time until next summer!

Stretch marks: Nope. I'm pretty sure I'll prevail without them this time too.

Sleep: I love sleep. I can't get enough. I haven't hit the point where I'm too uncomfortable to sleep so basically I'm getting about 10 hours at night. I'll wake up here and there, but not bad at all. Yet.

Best moment this week: As soon as I wrote up this chalkboard, she started being REALLY active during the day. I'm talking non-stop for 5-6 hours. Seriously. She's still pretty low, even though my bump seems high. She pokes right at my cervix sometimes which makes me jump. Caleb never did that like she does! See picture below and that's pretty much exactly where I feel like she's hanging out. Her kicks are never higher than my belly button.

Movement: See above. Active little bean! Dr said this week she's measuring 1-2 weeks ahead.

Food cravings: Runny eggs. Milk. Coffee

Food aversions: Still the same. Although I did throw down on some guacamole at a BBQ last weekend. lol So?

Gender: Mommy's princess <3

Labor pains: I'm STILL feeling a soreness from the spot where the tech had to dig into from last weeks ultrasound. So not fun at all.

Belly Button in or out? In. I'll put money on that it won't pop this time either.

What I miss: Mmmm. Not much today. I'm finally getting a little anxious about meeting this new little one! I'm not excited about how my body looks or feels right now, but I know it's just for a little bit.

What I am looking forward to: That newborn baby smell and soft skin <3

Milestones: The books are pretty vague at this point. They say you're between 11oz and 20oz for the next 3-4 weeks. But the Dr said you were 1lb 1 oz yesterday so, you're ahead of the game. At this point it's a lot of lung development, fattening up, and getting cute :)

21 weeks

Legs crossed and smushed against her belly

How far along: 21 weeks.

Maternity clothes: Yep. I've been doing really good about buying things on ebay this time around. I will buy a shirt, not love it, wear it once or twice and relist it. LOL. I have a few things I like, but not a lot yet.

Stretch marks: Hopefully not.

Sleep: I haven't written much about the stuffy/boogery mess I am at night. It hasn't affected much... YET. But now, my nose gets super dry at night, and with the excess boogers, I have been starting to wake myself up with the annoying nose whistle. TMI? whatever. It's starting to be a pain in the butt, so I've stolen Caleb's humidifier for my room to blow on me while I sleep. I hope it helps.

Best moment this week: I guess I could and should say today's ultrasound and seeing my sweet girl... however, I'm still cramping from said ultrasound so I'm not as thrilled as one would expect to be. I always say she sits really low, well, the u/s tech had a heck of a time getting her out of her little cubby in there and unraveling her legs and arms away from her chest and face. She spent quite a while looking at her heart which had me concerned at first, but then she explained she just wasn't getting the photos she needed to show the heart was fine. Baby girl was just covering it up the whole time. This past weekend was my birthday and our anniversary so we had a lot going on that was good there, too. We went to Stoney River for dinner and saw pitch perfect two which was really good! For my birthday we took Caleb to the aquarium which he LOVES.

Stretching her leg up to cover her face.

Movement: She's been wiggling a TON in there lately. I worked out this past week and was still doing push-ups, just lightly touching my belly to the floor. Nope. Not anymore. She was punching every time my belly would touch the floor! LOL

Food cravings: nada

Food aversions: same

Gender: Pigtails and french braids <3

Labor pains: Not much yet.

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: My mom. Cliff's uncle is visiting with us this weekend and it makes me so homesick for my family. I'm really excited that a lot of my maternity leave will overlap with trips to NJ and FL so I can stay with them for longer periods of time, but it's never enough.

What I am looking forward to: speaking of NJ... we solidified plans to go in 6 weeks! Woohoo!

Milestones: Your heartbeat is so strong starting this week that it can be heard with just a stethoscope instead of a doppler. You are breathing in little bits of amniotic fluid and swallowing little bits while you practice.

20 weeks

How far along: 20 weeks HALF BAKED!!

Weight: I've sort of been slacking in weighing myself lately. Maybe because I can feel myself blowing up lately? I'm not eating or doing much anything different (except going back to the gym?) so I'm just trying not to stress.

Maternity clothes: Heyyy look! I bought a see through pink maternity shirt... I'm sexy... #fail

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: Still pretty good. I've been watching/catching up on Switched At Birth on Netflix... I'm pretty sure my mom and I started watching this after Caleb was born.

Best moment this week: Mothers day was awesome! I went to the gym on Saturday and then yoga on Sunday. Baby girl was kicking and squirming the whole time during yoga... I pictured her saying "whaaaa relax?! How does this make you relax!?" Don't worry... I feel the same way, sweet thing. <3 We also had a Going Away/Sprinkle for my first friend in Atlanta. She's due with #2 a few weeks ahead of me so it was fun to celebrate baby <3 My shopaholic is in full spring so I couldn't just shop for her little princess... I had to pick up these adorable flip flops that will fit my little girl probably when she's 5 lol.

Movement: Her movements feel so different to me than Caleb's did. I feel like Caleb was more distinct but hers are more wavy, if that makes any sense? It's usually not just one jab in one location, I feel her in multiple places at once and she loves to twirl... I think?!

Food cravings: Now that baby girl has tastebuds maybe I'll start feeling a certain way about foods.... mmm... probably not.

Food aversions: same

Gender: Bella <3

Labor pains: Not yet.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: I'm really longing to tidy up a room for this baby. The good news is that I *think* we found a great price on a big boy bed for Caleb so we can start transition :( Super sad for him to leave his crib since he has NEVER wanted anything different. But, it's time for that paci to go (maybe) and we'll need that crib for little miss in a few months.

What I am looking forward to: My birthday and anniversary this weekend! Also, birthing class is starting in a few weeks. Geez, I feel like I put the deposit on that class yesterday thinking "23 weeks should be a good time to take it..." Well, I can't believe we're almost that far along!

Milestones: I so wish I could say the milestone this week is we have a name! But, truth is, we have more "that's not the name" than possibilities. :( Naming your brother was much easier. At this rate and since daddy and I can't agree, the hospital will be begging us to pick one before we leave.

19 weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Weight: +10

Maternity clothes: Slowly weeding everything else out of my closet.

Stretch marks: no

Sleep: Still really good! I'm going to bed at about 9ish these days and sleeping straight through. Which is amazing because I remember A LOT of wake up last time.

Best moment this week: I went back to the gym this week! I'm feeling almost normal these days. Besides the pokes and kicks from little miss in there. I'm excited to be DOING something.

Movement: A few times every day. I've tried a few times to let Caleb feel her kick, but I don't think he understands that a lot yet. I feel her super low still... which I wonder if that is really different from last time or if I'm only really remembering Caleb's stronger, later term kicks up high.

Food cravings: Yogurt parfaits. I still haven't had anything that is maddening that I.must.have.now. type craving.

Food aversions: Same

Gender: Sweet little girl

Labor pains: Still having a lot of RLP if I stand up to fast or stretch funny. I'm pretty sure this went away at some point, soon? But not yet this time.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: There isn't much I'm missing these days. My belly is starting to look like one and not just a few extra cheeseburgers. I'm able to move around and feeling good!

What I am looking forward to: Mothers day this weekend with my boys :)

Milestones: Baby can hear and recognize voices this week. All the fruit/veggie comparison is so confusing to me. Either way, he or she is about the size that would fit in the palm of your hand now. Tiny, but visible and fully a baby at this point. Lots of fattening up and further developing of major organs etc.

18 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks. Sorry no bump picture again. We were busy running around again this weekend. Caleb got his 3 year photos taken and I think they came out adorable!!

Weight: +9

Maternity clothes: Yes, I think I'm still looking too chubby and not pregnant yet. But nothing else fits. Literally. So it is what it is!

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: Can't complain yet.

Best moment this week: I loved watching Caleb run around  with his cape. I should have taken a video of him during the session! His imagination is incredible. There is so much he already knows about and it amazes me.

Movement:Yep - she's in there kicking away! I've been feeling consistent kicks pretty much every day now.

Food cravings:Yogurt parfaits. Have you ever had honey with plain greek yogurt?! OMG so good. I thought I wouldn't like it but with a little granola... soooo good!

Food aversions: same.

Gender: Little sister <3

Labor pains: Not yet!

Belly Button in or out? in.

What I miss: I kinda miss working out... Sounds crazy right? But now that I'm feeling better, I'm hoping to start going to to the gym at least twice a week starting 5/1. The gym is starting a childcare program so I'm hoping it helps with giving me a little time to get there and get a little work out in.

What I am looking forward to: LOTS! I've started planning our Disney vacation big time this week! This week starts exactly 6 months until we're there and I can now start making reservations for dining and probably get our tickets for the Mickey Very Merry Christmas party!

Milestones:Yawning, hiccuping, kicking and rolling full time starts this week. I had forgotten about the baby hiccups until I read this. Caleb used to get them all the time. I don't think this baby has had them yet!