Week 21, the Move & Belly Pics

We are all moved over to the new house. Thankfully my mom and brother were here to help us get moved and settled. Even with them here, I seem to have overdid it a bit and ended up cramping and spotting; most likely resulting from dehydration and just being on my feet too much. I went to see the midwife because I wanted to make sure that the Braxton Hicks I had been having were not causing me to dilate. During my exam they saw that I have cervical ectropion. This occurs when inner cervical cells are found on the outer cervix. These cells are referred to as ectropions. So, I am going to be more prone to bleeding from physical activity of...um... all kinds. FUN!

I am not sure what is going on with week 21, but my body has decided to rebel against me. I had been feeling great aside from the BH but now my lower back is killing me and I have been very crampy.  I am taking Natural Calm which seems to be helping with the BH. I also definitely need to get adjusted soon and should not have put it off for this long.  I think it was easier teaching Kindergarten while pregnant than it is being at home with Eliza and Jude. I am keeping my fingers crossed that baby is just in a weird position and week 22 will be better.

22 Weeks with Eliza

23 Weeks with Jude

 I wonder what Eliza was doing while we tried to get this shot...I'm a hot mess. I clearly was not ready for this picture as I would NEVER be photographed with my arm flat against my body. 

Here is my current belly pic. I am 22 weeks on Monday so I can't really say this is a 21 week picture.

21/22 Weeks

They all look about the same to me.

Only time will tell...

or

Belly Pic Comparison 37 Weeks!

Pregnant with Eliza @ 37 Weeks

Pregnant with Baby #2 @ 37 weeks

Pregnancy Update 36+ Weeks

I am nearing the finish line at 36+ weeks. I had my labor talk this past week at the OB. It wasn't much of a talk really because I have been asking questions here and there at each visit.

We did speak about the option of a Hep-Lock instead of an IV. This way the staff would have access to the vein, but the IV will be capped for later use instead of adding continuous fluid. She said that as long as everything is going smoothly it shouldn't be a problem. She did warn that they can become blocked more easily than an IV but I am not really all that concerned because I feel the freedom the Hep-Lock will provide outweighs the fact that it could get blocked.

I had an internal exam to check my progress. However, I know that none of the signs they check for really mean much as far as when labor will begin. My stats were exactly the same with this baby as with Eliza at 36 weeks. I am about 1-1/2cm dilated, 70%effaced and engaged -1. I am opting to NOT get an internal exam next week. I find it to be unnecessarily invasive. I also had some spotting this past week and I would rather avoid that if at all possible.

I have been very crampy and having lots of BH. I hope this baby stays put for a bit longer. As you can see it is a bit difficult to relax and take care of a toddler.

I am starting to get a wee bit nervous about everything- the labor and delivery, the breastfeeding, the being a mom of two kids! I know it will all fall into place in time but I am a worrier and although I am trying to relax and stay clam the nerves keep creeping up on me.

Pregnancy Update

Here is my big belly at 35+ weeks. Had my OB appointment this morning and all was well. My Strep B came back negative which is good. The doctor said the baby has dropped. I hadn't really thought about it until she said something. The I realized that a few days ago I started to have some painful twinges and pressure down lower. I also have been more energetic-probably because I can breathe a little easier.

It is hard to believe that I had Eliza at 38 weeks. That is just about 2 1/2 weeks from now. I don't feel as ready as I did with E. I had A LOT of time on my hands before E was born. I spent an entire summer puttering around and being pregnant. I think my hospital bag was packed 8 weeks in advance. We are getting there this time around-but don't think my house will ever be ready-not when I have a toddler to chase and clean up after!

I know a lot of women get to a point when they feel ready to have a baby. I actually love being pregnant and never reached that point with E. In my opinion pregnancy is the easy part. It was the fourth trimester that was tough. Aside from starting to feel uncomfortable at night I really can't complain. However, I do a great impression of a cockroach on its back trying to get out of bed at night.

I am working on getting mentally prepared for the birth. I have been trying to deal with the negative feelings I still harbor from Eliza's birth. I know I need to get control of my anxiety and fear if I am going to experience natural childbirth. Pete and I have a prebirth hospital visit on Sunday and I hope to get some questions answered. I want birth in my own clothes. I was just not comfortable giving birth in a hospital gown that was huge on me.I know they have a jacuzzi tub at the hospital. I asked my OB today if women actually use the tub or if it was just something they advertise. She said that women do use it which was reassuring. She also mentioned I let them know in Triage that I want to go natural so that they can try to assign me a nurse leans towards natural childbirth.

and that's all for now because it is nap time and this pregnant momma needs to enjoy her rest while it is still an option!

Pregnancy Update 33 Weeks

Can you believe I am 33 weeks pregnant?

I have been pretty absent from the blogging world lately. I do stop by lots of blogs but just when I am about to comment I am usually pulled away for some reason or another. I have been busy doing summery things, taking care of E, hanging with my niece and getting ready for baby. I am hoping to get back into the groove very soon. I have a lot to say, I just can't seem to make myself sit down in front of the computer when the sun is beaming outside.

I had my 33 week check up today. Surprise Strep B test! Nothing like an unexpected swab in the hoo ha. I thought I was getting it at at 35 weeks. At least it is over and done now. I have gained about 28lbs so far- not too bad. I go back in two weeks and then after that I am headed to the doc. every week. I told them I don't want to know if I am dilated or not- since it doesn't really mean anything anyway.

I am actually hoping to bake until 40 weeks this time around. I did go at 38 weeks with Eliza (just 5 weeks from now!) but I know babies do better the longer they bake. Babies born at 38 weeks are twice as likely to have a problem with breathing, blood sugar, or bacterial infection than babies born one week later. Babies born at 39 or 40 weeks also tend to eat and sleep a little better. So let's keep our fingers crossed that baby #2 is cozy enough to hang out until at least 39 weeks.

and now time for pics!

Here I am at around 33 weeks with Eliza!

Here I am at 33 weeks NOW! Holy belly bigness.

Pregnancy Update- 29 weeks

I had my Ob appointment this morning. I can't believe I am 29 weeks. I delivered E at 38 weeks and that seems so close. Everything is going well. I think I have gained about 22lbs so far. I have been having lots of Braxton Hicks. They said if I have more than 4 in a hour to let them know. I think I have def. had more than four in an hour but it is usually when I am I busy with E. If I take time to lay down and relax they stop. I had my RhoGam shot and passed my glucose test. My platelets are a little low and will need to be checked again when I go into the hospital for delivery. My one major complaint has been that this baby is laying on my lungs sometimes and I feel like I can't breathe. It is a very uncomfortable feeling. Otherwise, I have had some indigestion and leg cramps but nothing I can really moan about.

and now the belly pics...

Here I am at about 27 weeks with Eliza

Here I am at 29 weeks with #2.

Here I am at about 30 weeks with E.

I think I look about the same. People say I am carrying different this time around but it looks the same to me.

So what do you think? Boy? Girl? Don't forget to stop by Expectnet to participate in my online baby pool!

Last Sunday I attended my friend Erika's shower. She used to live in my development and everyone in the pic. was neighbors. The three of us in white are due within about a week of each other. Crazy right? Stacie (in green) has a little man about 5 months. Why am I such a Hobbit? Seriously, I think Froto would tower over me.

Belly Pics 23 weeks

We have slacked big time with taking belly pics. I am pretty bummed because we kinda missed the pop. I am currently 23 weeks. Of course I can't seem to find a 23 week picture of me with Eliza so I am sandwiching my current pic in between a 22 week and 24 week of me with Eliza. My husband the fab photographer couldn't manage to get a normal looking picture of my face so I apologize for my wacky expression. I think my belly is noticeably bigger this time around. Or maybe it is just more round. Don't you also love the string on my pants? I think we will be doing a retake very soon.

22 weeks with Eliza

23 week with Baby #2

24 weeks with Eliza

Belly Pics! 20 weeks

I have been a little MIA this week spending lots of time with my niece and E. My niece used a loom to make a bunch of pot holders, we made more recycled crayons, and she taught herself to knit. Tomorrow we are off to the Crayola Factory. Pete is off and it is great having him home.

Here are my belly comparison pics for 20 weeks. It is hard to believe I am halfway baked. It sure is going fast. I have my level 2 ultrasound scheduled for next week. Overall, I am feeling great. However, I have been anxious about feeling the baby move. I was feeling the baby constantly for a few days and now practically nothing. It all makes me a bit nutty. I think we might be getting a Doppler tomorrow.

20 Weeks with Eliza

20 weeks with baby #2

Pregnancy Update- 16 weeks

I had my appointment yesterday and I heard the little bean's heartbeat. What a precious sound! I have gained about 4-5lbs so far. I think I am probably gaining a pound a week now. A random urine sample showed some bacteria so I had to go pee in a cup early this morning so they can check it out more closely. I am hopeful it is nothing. I scheduled my level 2 ultrasound and my 20 week appointment. I can't believe I am almost halfway. Time seems to be flying. Even though I have a while to go I have already started feeling guilty that Eliza will have to share her mommy. I think I have been giving her extra kisses and hugs lately and just loving up my little sweetie as much as possible.


And now for the belly comparison pics. I decided to sport the exact same outfit this time. I am a big dork like that. Luckily me pregnancies are only a month apart so I can reuse all my maternity clothes.

Here I am at 16 weeks and 5 days with Eliza.

Here I am at 16 weeks and 3 days with baby #2

and if you were going to ask...the answer is NO! We will not find out the sex of the bean. I like the surprise.

Baby Belly Comparison

I took quite a few pictures of myself when I was pregnant with Eliza. So here is my first baby belly comparison post!

13 weeks with Eliza
13 weeks with baby #2

I was about 20lbs heavier when I became pregnant with Eliza. Looking at these pics makes me see how much being vegan changed my body. I miss the lifestyle a lot and will probably go veg again after baby #2 is born.

I realized after writing my meal plan earlier today that i never wrote about when or why I stopped being vegan. It wasn't an easy decision and there were a lot of factors to consider. I am sure I will post about it eventually-maybe sooner rather than later.