I haven’t been able to write down anything about my second pregnancy, so I thought I would try to jot down a couple of things. I’ve really enjoyed reading my weekly posts of Roodle’s pregnancy, so it’s really only fair that I write something about the first half of this pregnancy.
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| 19 weeks |
How We Found Out:
After the miscarriage, Husbandy and I waited a month to start trying, but then decided the three months that our Dr told us to wait was just too long. When I told my Dr about our decision, he wasn’t very happy. Either way, it took us another 4 months of trying to conceive. And once again it was the longest four months ever. I took my first pregnancy test on January 24th and it came back negative; the rest of the day I sulked and thought about having to try and wait another month. After not getting my period that week I decided to take another test on January 29th and it came back with the faintest of “+” signs. I left it in the bathroom to surprise Husbandy, but after he went in and come out without a word, I had to ask him about it. He told me he had seen it, but wasn’t sure if there was a + on it or not. Since we weren’t satisfied with the results, I went to CVS on my way to work and bought a digital test. I needed something that would clearly tell me if I was pregnant or not! I thought I’d wait until Saturday morning to take the test, but I didn’t have the will power, so I ended up taking it in the stall at work. “Pregnant!” I immediately texted Husbandy a picture. After a celebration over text messages, I called my Dr. At previous appointments, he told me as soon as I saw a positive pregnancy test, call, so I could get a blood test to check my progesterone. I ended up going over lunch and met Husbandy for some Whatabuger. My progesterone levels were slightly low, and given I had a miscarriage, they decided to put me on progesterone.
We did have a little scare as the first time we went in for a sono, we saw a gestational sac, but no heartbeat. Based on my LMP, I would have been around 6 weeks, and therefore it would have been visible. That was the last thing I wanted to hear, but everyone kept telling me “you’re probably just too early.” Thankfully, they were right, because we went back 1 week later and saw a little flutter!
How did we tell the family:
I knew I wanted to tell people right away. So, that Sunday I gave my mom some pictures at Sunday night dinner that I had been meaning to give her since Christmas. Mixed in them was a picture of my positive pregnancy test. I meant for it to be the last one she saw, but she ended up fanning the pictures out and spotted that one really fast; so fast that Husbandy didn’t get the camera pulled up in time to get a video. Bec got excited really quickly, but mom just kinda looked at me like “what is this?” So I told her that was a picture I had taken on Friday. The news quickly caught wind and soon everyone there was in the loop.
As for my Dad and Cindy, we invited them to dinner that next week, using a school fundraiser as a ploy. During dinner Roodle told them Baby Poppyseed (our gender neutral name) was in mommy’s tummy. Seeing as that’s not a typical sentence, they were kind of confused, but we told them that what she’s saying is…I’m pregnant!
It’s always hard to be creative with Husbandy’s family since they live in FL, so Husbandy ended up calling them and telling them over the phone.
How we told friends:
I told girls night pretty early on since I knew a lot of them had been praying for Husbandy and I. I wrote in an email that I'd be attending girls night with an adorable poppyseed size package coming with me.
We told the world (ie put it on facebook) on our anniversary with these cute little pictures:
How many weeks?
I am already 23 weeks!
How big is baby?
About the size of a large mango.
Weight Gain/Maternity Clothes
I can only blame myself on this one. When I first got pregnant I ate a lot to keep the nausea away, which obviously helped with weight gain. I think I started to wear maternity pants around week 10?? I don’t remember exactly, but it was super early. I think I’ve gained about 14lbs and made my doctor go “Hmmm.” That’s a direct quote. My sis gave me a huge bin of clothes that we’ve been passing around and it’s definitely been very helpful.
Sleep
I’m always tired. Unfortunately, I cannot sleep all day. Typically during the night I get up to pee twice and can usually go back to sleep quick-ish. Lately allergies have not been my friend, so when I wake up I sneeze about 20 times before falling asleep. Husbandy really likes that.
Cravings/Aversions
I haven’t been craving anything really, but I’m very into spicy food. Aversions are always more of a thing with me. Up until about 15 weeks water sounded terrible all the time. I literally had to force myself to drink it. I tried putting different things in it (like lemon) to help, but it they would help for about a day and then sound terrible as well. There’s not really a good alternative to water when you’re pregnant, but for a while I was drinking a lot of vitamin water, but after about 2 weeks I sick of them. I also found that I really really like the Strawberry Acai Refersher at Starbucks, but it has a little bit of caffeine (though still less than ½ the recommended daily amount in the largest cup), so I try to only get it once or twice a week. Other than water, I’m again averse to sweets. They taste ok going down, but then leave the worst taste in my mouth that won’t go away. So much so, that they just aren’t worth it. Which I guess isn’t the worst thing, but I do miss ice cream. I also try to avoid garlic as it leaves a taste that won’t go away and fried foods sounds terrible most of the time. Thankfully, this time chicken seems to be ok (unlike with Roodle).
Symptoms
At the beginning I was feeling great and (naively) thought I was going to be ok. Then, nausea slowly crept in. I kept myself from getting sick by eating all. the. time. Though I was constantly nauseous. However, at week 8 nausea hit me hard and did not go away. I was throwing up at least once a day. Add in fatigue and that was me on the daily. My favorite spots to get sick included my cube at work and driving down Spring Valley. Oh, pregnancy. Around week 16/17 I started to feel better which I am so very thankful for.
Smells were also not my friend. I again had to get new deodorant and potty training was challenging.
Smells were also not my friend. I again had to get new deodorant and potty training was challenging.
TMI alert, if you don’t want to read about bodily fluids, skip to the next paragraph, but I want to write this down as a reminder. I have had so much mucus. So much that I requested to have a sono because I knew there was no way I had a plug anymore. Apparently that can replenish itself which it good because while it has lessen some, I still have it and I’d like to keep what fluids I need.
My boobs have been so tender and they are huge. Husbandy doesn’t seem to have a problem with this, except that even if he looks at them, they hurt.
Movement
Yes! I think around 16.5 weeks I started to feel little kicks and punches. They started off pretty weak, but I loved every one of them. The day before my birthday, Husbandy also felt Poppyseed! So glad we squeezed that in while I was still 30. :-)
What I Miss
Mostly I just miss ice cream and a good cup of coffee. Also not being tired, but I think I’m just going to be tired for the next few years of my life, so I might as well not say I miss it.
Best Moments
1) Seeing Baby Poppyseed is always a favorite part. I would have a sono at every appointment if I could (except I know there are some risks that come with that, so maybe not…). I did end up buying a home Doppler because I just really wanted to hear the heartbeat. I told Husbandy he couldn’t let me get obsessed with it and I think I’m doing a pretty good job. I listened to the heartbeat 1-2 times a week and loved every time I heard it! Now that I’m feeling lots of movement I’m not so stressed and haven’t pulled out the Doppler in a while.
2) Watching Roodle interact with Poppyseed. We try to relate her cousins being brothers and sisters to how it’s going to be when Poppyseed arrives. She loved giving my tummy kisses and hugs and saying hi to Poppyseed. When I’m saying goodnight to her she always has the cutest questions and conversations. I think it’s a stall tactic and it works. Here are some of my favorite quotes/conversations and things I don’t want to forget:
a. I’m a big sister now!
b. “When Baby Poppyseed gets here, we can take her on walks?” “Yes, that sounds like a great idea!” “Yeah! On Sunday, we can take her on a walk!”
c. “Is it dark in your tummy?” “Yes, it’s a little dark, but Baby Poppyseed isn’t scared.” “Why is it dark in your tummy.” “Well, my tummy doesn’t have any windows, so it’s a little dark.”
d. “When Baby Poppyseed gets here, I will give her my blanket.” “Aww, that’s so sweet and thank you for sharing, but I think I’ll get Baby Poppyseed her own blanket so you can keep yours.” “Where is it?” “I don’t have it yet, but when I go to the store you can come with me and help me pick it out. Does that sound good?” Since this convo she has asked a couple times if Poppyseed is going to get her own blanket.
e. When Baby Poppyseed comes, we can give her a kiss and a hug!
f. “Mommy, want a donut?” “No thank you, I don’t really like donuts.” “When Poppyseed comes out, then you’ll like them?” “I hope so!”
g. When we ask Roodle what we should name Poppyseed, her response is always “Poppyseed!” I think she’ll be calling her that for a while, which I’m totally ok with.
h. When we talk about our family Roodle always includes Pooypseed and it just makes my heart melt. I know when Poppyseed actually gets here, Roodle might not think she’s quite as fun with all the time Mommy is spending with her, but I pray the transition goes well. I do think Roodle does know something is going to change because she has been very much a Mommy’s girl lately
What I’m Looking Forward To:
1) I’m hoping Roodle will get to feel Poppyseed soon. I’m not sure if that will scare her or if she’ll think it’s neat, but hopefully that latter.
2) Giving this girl a name! I think we have our top picks, but neither one of us are ready to commit. I’m praying that the Lord will put a name on our heart, whether it’s currently on our list or not.
3) Getting our house ready! We’ve talked about it, but nothing has actually been done. So many things to decide, like are we going to move Roodle’s room or just make another room the nursery, what’s the theme going to be, what’s the best way to move furniture out of Roodle’s room and tell her it’s now Poppyseed’s? Four months left and we have a lot to do.
How’s that for a mid-pregnancy post? Here’s to finding time to do a few more . :-)
