37th week

BabyS2 Week 37

How far along? 37.5 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: hmm...I think I'm sitting at 20 pounds total. 

Maternity clothes? Yeah but even those aren't comfy anymore. I've discovered it's best to just wear my robe over a tank and undies. No pressure on the belly from shorts. 

Stretch marks? Yes. More are showing up with this pregnancy compared to Thing 1's. 

Sleep:  nope. Although I did get a nap today which was amazing while it lasted. But getting up was very much difficult.  

Best moment this week: spending time with Meg and her family!! I loved seeing our girls play together. Makes me excited to see my girls play together one day. 

Movement: yes. I thought she was slowing down but this week proved differently. She's running out of space but when she wants to move, she moves...just ends up moving my body parts with it. 

Food cravings: everything and nothing. I get super hungry feeling at night time but nothing sounds good and there's just no room left it seems. I think my stomach is currently in my lung space and my lungs are moving into my neck. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: heart. burn. for. days!! Eating in general is making me sick feeling too. 
Have you started to show yet: hehe nope. Not at all.  

Labor Signs: yes. Contractions still torment me daily. Checked today and swept today. Fingers crossed everything starts rolling on its own.  

Belly Button in or out? Definitely flat with a bit more poking out. 
Wedding rings on or off? Pretty much off at this point. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: ready. Ready to meet this little thing 2 and watch her and her sister grow up together.  
Weekly Wisdom: "Whisper words of wisdom, let it be." Love me some Beatles. 

Milestones: 37.5 weeks and although my body is tired, I'm trying to enjoy the little things in the quiet times.  

37 week bump:

And finally getting a much needed pedicure...

Week 36!!!!!

BabyS2 Week 36

How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: mm. A tad more than I expected....🙄

Maternity clothes? Yup. 

Stretch marks? Yes. Under my belly and around my belly button (if I can even call it that anymore). 

Sleep:  nope. I wake every hour to flip sides. My hips hate me.  

Best moment this week: making it to 36 weeks...

Movement: yes, she's a busy one. Although she has started to slow down some. She hates contractions and let's me know just how much. 

Food cravings: kool-aid (not food, I know) and chicken broccoli Alfredo. I had both tonight. 😊 
Anything making you queasy or sick: this heartburn struggle is still showing itself. Cherry kool-aid was the culprit tonight. 
Have you started to show yet: yes. And the belly is dropping.  

Labor Signs: yes. Contractions come almost every day at this point. When I finally get to lay down at night, they really like to say heyyyy! At my 35wk appointment they checked and I was starting to dilate. Not much, and could be this way for weeks, but the contractions are doing their job. 

Belly Button in or out? Flat? With a little poking out. 😩 
Wedding rings on or off? Pretty much off at this point. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: beat. just beat.  
Weekly Wisdom: "don't take life for granted. It's short. Find something to laugh or smile about every day."

* this was last week's wisdom. One week later, a person very dear to our family passed away. Crazy how things happen 😢 

This week's weekly wisdom shall be, say what you want without holding back. You never know when it'll be too late to say hey one more time. 

Milestones: 36 weeks!!! We've reached the point in this pregnancy where they won't stop labor anymore. I'm still considered preterm but at this point chances of a nicu stay are low. Here's to letting her bake a tad longer. 

36 week bump:

We are a little crooked standing so this doesn't do it justice!

Side view loose bottom shirt: 

Side view tight bottom shirt:

35 weeks

BabyS2 Week 35

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: appointment on Wednesday so we shall see. I'm guessing at least a couple pounds! 

Maternity clothes? Is there anything other than maternity at this point?

Stretch marks? A few. Some are showing around my belly button from where I had it pierced. 
Sleep: no. I toss and turn quite a bit at night because there's no comfortable way to lay with this appendage growing off my midsection. But she'll be here before we know it and then I'll be getting little sleep for whole new reasons. 😍
Best moment this week: seeing the midwife and her family in Target and her knowing me and Thing 1!! Made me feel like I was cool because the "Doctor" remembered my name lol .

Movement: all the time. She doesn't like to be still for long. I think she thinks she's going to miss out on something. 

Food cravings: honeycrisp apples, peach milkshakes still, and homemade mac n cheese 
Anything making you queasy or sick: this heartburn struggle is real. It doesn't go away. Tums or not, it's always there lurking. 
Have you started to show yet: yep, still showing. Just this week I'm showing a belly that's lower than she has been.  

Labor Signs: contractions are increasing but every time I think "we should probably call the doc just in case" they subside for a while. Quite a few people have said she'll be here this month. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty convinced once they start checking me (2 weeks) then things will progress even more. Either way, induction is scheduled for August 1st so we'll have another baby in approximately 4 weeks. Four. 😳

Belly Button in or out? It's on its way out 😶!! In form fitting shirts - hell what isn't form fitting these days hahaha!!! - you can see it starting to poke out. 
Wedding rings on or off? I wore them the other day but they were snug when I initially put them on so they didn't stay on long. I'm afraid of them getting stuck on my fingers. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy this week, moody today.  
Weekly Wisdom: don't take life for granted. It's short. Find something to laugh or smile about every day. 

Milestones: we are one week closer to having another girl in our family and it hits me like a ton of bricks when I realize we'll have two kids under two. 

35 week bump:

My butterball timer on its way to fully popped...

Weeks 30-34

BabyS2 Weeks 30-34

How far along? 34 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: gained 7 more from weeks 29-31 😳 and then no weight gain from weeks 31-33. Next appointment is next week so we'll see how much weight gain from weeks 33-35 then I start my weekly visits!!! 

Maternity clothes? Yes. Always. Except some cool new leggings. 
Stretch marks? A few. Not many more have shown in the past 5 weeks of not posting. 
Sleep: that would be a no. I get my best sleep when I pass out in the recliner downstairs. Then I'm so uncomfortable after that I toss and turn quite a bit trying to find a good spot for the watermelon attached to my midsection. 
Best moment this week: not necessarily this week but since the last post, Thing 1 has learned to tell her sister night night, give her kisses (with the lip smacking sound) and hugs...every chance she gets. It's one of the best warm fuzzy feelings ever.

Movement: yes. She's constantly on the go. Lately her favorite place is smashed up against my hip bones. Although I know she has to start getting ready, the pain is quiet nauseating. 

Food cravings: I could go for a peach milkshake from chick-fil-a and a pedicure right about now. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: some of her movements and positions make me ill from the discomfort and pain. 
Have you started to show yet: show what? Show my belly because even my maternity shirts are getting a little short? Show how "funny" it is trying to get up off the floor or other spaces where my belly gets smushed? 

Labor Signs: contractions every so often. Some where the first hour I probably should've called but by the second or third hour, they've subsided. 

We'll see if we make it the whole way or not. Based on the contraction patterns, I'm convinced she'll be early. Time will tell. 

Belly Button in or out? In...but just barely. By the end of the day it's looking quiet flat.  
Wedding rings on or off? They could be on most days but now that summer is here I usually keep them off. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: moody.  
Weekly Wisdom: find joy in the littlest things.  

Milestones: 34 weeks. Which means I can now deliver at my hospital if she were to come early. Anything before 34 weeks and they transport you to a more "well-equipped" hospital 30 miles away. 

30 week bump:

31 week bump:

32 week bump:

33 week bump:

34 week bump:

29 weeks

BabyS2 Week 29

How far along? 29 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: only one pound since two weeks ago 

Maternity clothes? Yes. Always. 
Stretch marks? A few. But I'm sure they'll start showing up more and more over the next x amount of weeks. 
Sleep: nope. The belly isn't comfortable in any position. Everything but my belly likes for me to lay on my back. But the belly doesn't like that position. I try laying on my side but the belly doesn't feel supported enough so it gets cranky. 
Best moment this week: 30 week appointment went well. Learned lots. Finally got some answers to some unknowns and questions that have been brewing since week 10.

Due to Thing 1's delivery and complications, I've been given some options. Some are scary and some are downright terrifying. Primary (elective) cesarean, induction, etc. lots of talk about the future of this pregnancy. 

-37 weeks they can start checking and sweeping membranes. 

-38 weeks they'll do a fetal growth scan. 

-39 weeks they'll induce if needed 

-Going to 40 weeks is not ideal after Thing 1's delivery. 

Movement: yes. Rarely is she quiet inside. My belly jumps more and more as the weeks go by. 

Food cravings: Chips Ahoy (blue package) cookies, water (yes I know it's not food), and Campbell's tomato soup
Anything making you queasy or sick: still eating too much...I swear there's no more room for anything in my abdomen. 
Have you started to show yet: haha. Yes. Can't hide it. No use in trying. Sometimes I like to "suck in" and see just how little I can make my belly. Don't worry- it's disturbing looking.  

Labor Signs: contractions every now and again. I just tell myself it's a reality check- reminding me she's coming and there's no denying it anymore.  

Belly Button in or out? In. Although not as in as it used to be. 
Wedding rings on or off? On most days. I can see them staying off pretty soon though. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy that all is well with baby. But oh so tired.  
Weekly Wisdom: don't eat ice cream and then go for a walk. Bad idea. All that sloshing makes you not want ice cream ever again.  

Milestones: potentially less than a quarter of the 40weeks left. 

29 week bump:

28. Weeks.

BabyS2 Week 28

And just like that, we've reached the third trimester. 🤓

Just like that, we've reached the "can't sit up without first rolling over" stage. 😞

Just like that, we've reached the "oh that hurts much worse than I remember" stage. 🤔

Just like that, we've reached the "meals will be much smaller portion size" stage because we're running out of room. 🙄

Just like that, we've reached the "must switch sides gingerly" stage when trying to roll over in bed. 🙃

And just like that, we've reached the third trimester fun. 🤓

How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: feeling like a lot more than it is.  

Maternity clothes? Yes.  
Stretch marks? A few. 
Sleep: nope. Everything hurts when I try to go to sleep. Finally get to sleep and a limb goes numb, waking me up in more pain. Back? Hurts. Hips? You guessed it...they hurt too. 
Best moment this week: getting to see BabyS2 move around at the latest scan. Not hearing back from my glucose test...no news is good news, right? 
Movement: yes. She is back to moving constantly.

Food cravings: none really. Right about now, food doesn't impress me much. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: eating too much...which isn't really that much. We're just running out of room it seems.
Have you started to show yet: yes- there's no hiding this belly. or waddle. or anything. 

Labor Signs: hmm. Yep. But no hospital visits. Thursday afternoon the contractions were 5-7minutes apart for a little while. Only a couple in the hour were breathtaking and as soon as I walked around, they stopped. Stress really does affect your body. 

Belly Button in or out? In. 
Wedding rings on or off? On most days. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: probably moody would be the pick of the two- but overwhelmed may be a better term. The end of the school year woes and pregnancy woes are double teaming me.  
Weekly Wisdom: extend grace. That's all. 

Milestones: the 28 weeks scan showed she's a healthy and active one. We've hit the final trimester. 

28 week scan: 

28 week bump:

27 weeks

BabyS2 Week 27

How far along? 27 weeks and 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: meh. Who knows. Appointment tomorrow though.  

Maternity clothes? Yes. I wore non maternity jeans the other day (and they were a size smaller than I wore when I found out I was pregnant!!) and baby girl did not appreciate it. I think it was more of the belt she didn't like, but either way she let me know how she felt about it all evening long.  
Stretch marks? A few. 
Sleep: no. I've resigned to not feeling rested for the next 18ish years. 
Best moment this week: I think it'll be tomorrow's appointment- it's a 3D scan so I'm stoked about that.   
Movement: yes. Although she's been a tad less active the past 2 days during the day time. Just likes to let me know she's still in there as I lay down and try to get comfortable for the night.

Food cravings: Mac n cheese...real or Kraft or Velveeta. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Have you started to show yet: yep. Just today, as I'm waddling through the cafeteria..."when are you due?" August 7. "Wow!!" Yep. Thanks. I know. I feel every bit as big as I look. 

Labor Signs: she likes to let me know she's in there and coming out whether I am in denial about having two kids under 2 or not. I'll honestly be surprised if we make it til August 7th. 

Belly Button in or out? In. 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: tired. But not the kind of tired that naps will fix. 
Weekly Wisdom: Embrace the big belly...and don't hold it for lengthy periods of time when you think an observation may be coming. Go. Otherwise you may or may not make it down the hall all the way before you contemplate breaking down in the hallway and just calling for a cleanup. 

Don't worry...I made it. Barely. 

 
Milestones: almost done with second trimester. Bring on the third. 

27 week bump: 

And another: 

And my favorite from Mother's Day 2016:

25 weeks

25 weeks

BabyS2 Week 25

How far along? 25 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: last appt said 7 pound gain in a month...holy moly those spring break shenanigans caught up! 

Maternity clothes? Yes. There's no pulling of non maternity shirts. Non maternity pants are not comfortable in the slightest. Only thing non maternity I can pull off right now would be dresses that are flowy. 
Stretch marks? A few. 
Sleep: no. Not even sure I know what that word means anymore. 
Best moment this week: getting to ply with Thing 1 and thinking about when Thing 2 is old enough for them to play together.   
Movement: yes. I'm pretty sure she's currently practicing to audition for the USA Olympic Gymnastics Team.

Food cravings: none really this week. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Have you started to show yet: um, yes. And people who think they are being helpful by commenting on how big I'm getting can lick a big toe. I'm well aware how big I am. Trust me, I feel every bit of it as I walk up and down the halls or try to get up off of the floor. 

Labor Signs: meh. Maybe? There've been a few contractions that I'm not convinced were "only" Braxton Hicks. There's been a few that have taken my breath away. But nothing worth timing or anything like that. Yet. 

Belly Button in or out? In. 
Wedding rings on or off? Still on during the day. And still definitely off at night. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: moody. But more so angry and stressed of those moody swings - not necessarily moody like emotional and crying. 
Weekly Wisdom: gotta let go of the crap. More so my "hope for the future" instead of a weekly wisdom but definitely needed. This picture makes me think of what I really need to do over the next few weeks...

And then there's this one: 

That makes me pray Thing 1 and 2 know I tried and some days "okay" was all I could be. 

 
Milestones: only 15 weeks left til EDD. I'm not convinced I'll make it to my due date but we'll see. Time will definitely tell. Until then, I'll sit and prop my (big) feet in the chair and pray I make it as long as possible so baby can continue marinating. 

25 week bump: 

And another: 

I like to tell myself this dress makes me look a little smaller. Haha you can go ahead and laugh. I laughed too. 

Holy Moly!! 24 weeks!!

BabyS2 Week 24

How far along? 24 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: we shall see at tomorrow's appointment but I fear we've hit the "you're now gaining weight" stage.   

Maternity clothes? Yes. Always. Although the mister told me the other day that my pants were way too big. That made me feel great!! 
Stretch marks? A few.
Sleep: no. And Thing 1 isn't sleeping well either.  
Best moment this week: Thing 1's pediatrician told me "you hardly look pregnant!!" Thanks, ped!! You're my new favorite.   
Movement: yes. All the time. And anytime something rests on my belly, she gets feisty!! 

Food cravings: salami. bad idea- horrible, instant heartburn from just looking at a slice!! 
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Have you started to show yet: um, yes. Most definitely showing. And by the end of the day, it's really out there. 

Labor Signs: these Braxton Hicks are no joke. No joke at all. 

Belly Button in or out? In. But I swear it's starting to even out already. It doesn't look as deep as it did last week.  
Wedding rings on or off? On during the day. Definitely off at night. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: moody. Traffic for no reason, baby throw up all over her car seat, and heartburn that could cripple the manliest of men will do that to me. 
Weekly Wisdom: share all the knowledge. Mamas- don't hold anything back and definitely don't sugar coat the hard stuff. Us mamas need to know it will be hard. It will be stressful. But it will be worth it!!  
Milestones: we definitely have less time left over than I'd like to pretend. Should probably get on a few things - like deciding on a name. Or making sure the infant car seat is clean soon. 

24 week bump: