Thursday, March 28, 2013

Questioning Gender

So last night I had a dream. They told me the baby is a boy, then in the delivery room, gave birth to a girl.

But yes that sums up what this post is about. At our 20 week ultrasound, we found out the gender. They said it is a boy, but I didn't see it. The dude was not cooperating much and napping during the ultrasound so the tech did not get a great shot. He was laying sideways, curled up, so yeah... I know they are good, they know what they are looking for, but still I question it. The ultrasound tech did not give me a shot of what she saw so I cannot share it to get opinions.

I believe I would feel this way if they said girl too. Just one of those things, unless it is 100% clear, I will question it.

I have bought boy clothing. I am excited for a baby boy. I am very happy in our decision not to find out Evie's gender since everything is gender neutral.

I guess I will have this thought in my head until this baby is born. So a good 3-8 weeks (thinking 37 - 42 weeks of pregnancy). Wow that is really not much time!

Ah, would have been better to not find out, then I would not be questioning anything and would be relying on mommy gut (which I got right with Evie).

Also they say boys and girls carry differently. Well I am similar as I carried Evie. Still all out front, only thing that looks pregnant is my belly, just it is lower.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Breastfeeding the second kid thoughts

Just thinking and typing so sorry if this is rambling and go from topic to topic. I know I am not a good writer, hey I am an engineer and did not take an english or writing class since High School.

So yes I am very excited to nurse this baby. I loved loved loved nursing Evie. She was breastfed exclusively (except the first week where we supplemented) for a good 5.5 months until we introduced solids. Then pumped at work and nursed her many times a day until 1 year. Then I dropped pumping at work and nursed her morning and night until 22 months. She started dropping the morning nursing session around 19 months(?). And 22 months she was done with the evening session. Shows that yes your body does adjust to what the baby/child needs. Was wonderful. Was a great cuddle session. She would look up at me with that milk grin. The look in her eyes of full love. Amazing.

She still remembers nursing. When I don't have a shirt on, she will point to my boobs and say milk, and we talk about how she used to drink milk from there. Love that she remembers! Lately I am telling her that yes she used to get milk from there, but the new baby will be getting milk from there now on. I think she understands. But love the fact that she will really understand what the baby is doing when he nurses.

Then I started thinking:

Will my milk will come in faster this time around? I hope so, since I know what foods to eat this time to help production and what foods hinder production. I plan on making lactation cookies and start drinking mom's milk tea from the beginning (why don't they offer this in the hospital? I know I will bring some!). Also wondering if the 2 month break from not nursing Evie to getting pregnant will help me. When this kid is born, it will have been 11 months since I last nursed, so maybe my body will quickly remember? Actually maybe less time since I was still producing milk for a bit until I got pregnant.

Will the first week be as much hell as it was with Evie (nurse, give bottle (mom milk or formula), pump, wash things)? I hope not! I know so much more starting this time around than the last. I know what the "I'm Hungry" cues look like. I know what is normal for a latch, and know how often they will be nursing.

Will I need a nipple shield again? I needed it since Evie could not latch, but yes my nipples have changed with nursing her 22 months so I hope not. I'll just say this, they are much more obvious now then when I started nursing Evie.

Will Evie be ok with me nursing the new baby? I hope so. Just worry about her wanting my full attention then... Very happy that Nick now does Evie's bed time so I can be nursing or tending to the new one and her bedtime schedule will stay the same.

Will Evie want to nurse again when she sees the new baby nursing? I really wonder about this since yes she does remember. It will only be 11 months since she last nursed. Will she ask to nurse? Will she just try to nurse? Will she say that is her milk? Do I let her nurse and tandem nurse? Do I tell her that no the milk is now for the baby? This is really where I don't have any idea of answers.

How long will I last with a toddler to take care of also? I hope I can last as long. Hope I don't get sick of pumping. But I did enjoy the break from work, and the ability to read a lot of books. I found a pumping bra and reading to get my mind off everything really helped. But with work as busy as it is, and me wanting to work out and really run more, will I have time to pump AND work out / run?

 So many questions and thoughts about how this will all work out. Only time will tell, and I am so much more prepared to nurse this baby than I was with Evie!

Monday, March 18, 2013

32 weeks

How Far Along:
32 weeks! Wow!

How Big is Baby and what Baby is up to (baby center copy and paste):
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Weight Gain:

18 pounds. Not bad....

Best Moment of the Week:
Evie kissing my belly when I asked her to give her brother a kiss :)

Movement:

OH yea. Punches to the cervix are fun. He likes to stretch out to all edges. Nice and uncomfortable.

Belly Button:

Innie still :)

What I miss:

Not having to get up to pee many times in the middle of the night. Going pee and thinking after...that is it? Yep bladder getting smooshed.

How I am feeling:

Blah. But not that bad and I should not complain. Just uncomfortable. Walking is difficult when he is really low. Get nauseous when I don't eat. Get icky if I eat too much. A small sweet spot that is hard to hit, especially on the weekends.

Cravings/Aversions:

Yep ice cream. I made Evie and I milkshakes this weeeknd and they were tasty. 

What I am looking forward to:

start getting things done on our list. We completed a chalkboard wall that I have been wanting to do. Just need the energy.

32 weeks with this dude:

32 weeks with Evie:




Yep I definitely look pregnant! I need to plan next weeks' picture and wear the same shirt. ok next weeks shirt is not in rotation anymore, so maybe 34 weeks.



Monday, March 11, 2013

31 weeks

How Far Along:
31 weeks as of Saturday! I still cannot believe I am in the home stretch!

How Big is Baby and what Baby is up to (baby center copy and paste):
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Weight Gain:

around 20 pounds. Yeah not a fan of the scale. But trying to keep it there and have been good about it.

Best Moment of the Week:
Taking Evie to a big sister class and her doing wonderfully. Listening, helping diaper her doll. Pointing that babies wear diapers, etc! I think she will do good!

Movement:

This kid is so active. So much more than Evie ever was. Constant movements, kicks, stretches, etc. I would like to say there is a time of day, but each day it varies and feel like I feel him at least once every hour. Usually every few minutes!

Belly Button:

Innie. But can see the bottom
What I miss:

Lame, but Beer. I have had a very small glass here and there. Not like I drank that much anyways, but want a nice cold dark beer.
How I am feeling:

Not bad. I sleep with a mini snoogle. It has really helped keep my hips and back happier. Around 3-4 am I do toss it off the bed since it is a pain to flip with. 

I am starting some hip pain/looseness at random times. Ligaments are starting to loosen. I feel a slight waddle at times too. yikes!

Heartburn SUCKS. I take Zantac 75 twice a day, and usually have tums to go with it. Bed time I get a bit of heartburn while laying down, but a cup of water helps and I can usually fall asleep. Need to start a spoonful of honey before bed. 

I have a wonderful cold from Evie. It is mostly a cough, but the pregnancy mucus production does not help. I feel like I cough so much up at when I get out of bed. I use a breathright nose strip when I sleep. I do a sinus saline wash every evening. 

Also not hungry at all in the evenings. Indigestion combined with heartburn just makes me not want to eat.

Cravings/Aversions:

Been really wanting soft serve or a milk shake. Not in the mood for acidy stuff because of heartburn.

What I am looking forward to:

I want to make this baby a ring sling. Need to get to the fabric store to see what they have, if not order some fabric online. Instructions for a pleated one that I want to make. Also to start crossing things off the list of what I want done in the house before the baby comes. 

31 weeks with this dude:

31 weeks with Evie:



Hello bigger bum! Also this dude is lower!



18 Weeks with Baby#2!

Written December 10th-ish, 2012

How Far Along: 18 weeks

How Big is Baby: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces

What is Baby up to: . He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Total Weight Gain: Have not stepped on the scale in 2ish weeks.
Best Moment this Week: Done decorating for Christmas!  For the baby, feeling it move again
Movement: Every once and a while. 
Belly Button: Unchanged
What I Miss: A glass of beer or wine every once and a while.
How am I feeling: Not bad. This weekend realized I do have a limit. And it is much shorter than when I was pregnant with Evie. Did not get as much done as I wanted to this weekend but I was so done. My abs were sore when I was loading dishes in the dishwasher. Also having 1 nap on the weekend is a necessity and sad I missed it this past weekend.
Cravings/Aversions: Nothing much really. Within the past 2 weeks, I have been enjoying milk more.  Still not wanting crunchy vegetables (lettuce, raw veggies, etc). Have been eating cooked veggies and drinking V-8 Fusion to up my intake of vegetables. My fried food cravings have been subsiding which is really nice.
What I am Looking Forward To: Finding out the gender since we decided to find out. Appointments with my old OB practice this week!
Gender: No idea...Hope to find out soon. I have had mixed dreams about the gender. I kept dreaming about a girl, but last night I had a dream about a boy, so who knows.