Twenty One Weeks

Thursday, October 26, 2017




How far along: 21 weeks 5 days
Weight gain: 4 pounds
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In, but starting to get really flat!
Sleep: Sleep is great! Waking up a couple times a night, but nothing terrible.
Best moment this week: Our anatomy scan was amazing! It was so great to hear that everything with baby girl is normal and see how big she's gotten!
Worst moment this week: No complaints really, I feel great!
Miss anything: I want a turkey sandwich from Which Wich soooo bad!
Movement: Baby has started having little dance parties. :) At our scan she was 10 inches long and weighed 13 ounces, but that was a week ago now, so she should be even bigger!
Cravings: Apples with peanut butter, milkshakes, and cereal
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nothing really!
Looking forward to: I have an OB appointment next week, and we are also starting to get things going for my baby shower in a few weeks!

And just because Miss Baylee wanted to be in my picture this week, here is my little PJ and rainboot clad chick! ;)
 


 
Until next time! XoXoXo



The Struggle Is Real (But So Is the Love)

Tuesday, October 24, 2017


No one could ever really prepare you for how exhausting it is to be pregnant while chasing around a toddler/preschool aged child. Between the tiny human I’m growing, and the tiny human I’m already raising, my energy is completely zapped. (Thus the lack of actual blog posts...sorry guys.) As time goes on, I’m realizing that God definitely knew what He was doing putting a 3 plus year age gap between my girls. I give major props to you mamas with shorter age gaps...you are my heroes, because I don’t know how I could stay sane without a kiddo with a nearly complete vocabulary who goes to two half days of preschool a week. All that being said, though, man, it is still rough.

Baylee has a continuing power struggle currently with Brian and me. She’s so stubborn and independent, so we try our best to let her do things by and for herself, but let’s face it, sometimes you gotta step in so you’re not late to an OB appointment because she just has to tie her own shoes...which she hasn’t learned how to do yet. (No, even if I wasn’t pregnant, they don’t make enough wine for moments like those.) She also has a vendetta against the word “no”. You can’t just tell my daughter “no” and expect her to stop what she’s doing. Oh, no. Baylee needs the “why" behind it in a desperate way, and “because I’m your mommy, and I said so” definitely doesn’t cut it. I’m trying my best to keep my cool (though, let’s face it, preggo hormones don’t always allow that) and really figure out how her little brain is working, but it’s definitely been a challenge. Bed time is a daily struggle; nap time is my best friend.

The hardest part so far for me, though, has been the mom guilt. I was just telling Brian yesterday, that I feel so tired all the time and it's hard for me to get on the floor and play "make believe" games with Baylee anymore. She gets about 15-20 minutes out of me and then I'm done. I know it's completely acceptable (and good for her) to have her play independently at her age, but I can't help but feel guilty that I used to make her days a lot more fun. I don't even remember the last cute breakfast or lunch I made for her, and that makes me sad. I know this won't last forever or scar her for life, but it's been difficult for me to know she's getting a little more screen time and a lot less play time when it's just her and me. (Thank goodness for Daddy who plays all the games and does all the voices!)

In the end, though, I know this is just one of those seasons of motherhood where the struggle is real, but the love is oh, so worth it. I guess, in reality, I should be enjoying and taking in the quiet moments where it's just Baylee and me on the couch watching a movie, because in four months or less stuff's about to get real! It's a crazy journey, being a mommy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! :)


Talk to me, seasoned mamas! What are your best tips for thriving and not just surviving being pregnant while taking care of a little? Also, I'm taking ALL the transitioning Baylee into big sister mode advice too! 

Until next time! XoXoXo


 

Twenty Weeks

Thursday, October 19, 2017


How far along: 20 weeks 5 days
Weight gain: Two pounds now! Gaining a pound a week which is perfect.
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Sleep is soooo much better! *Knock on all the wood* but I think we are finally out of the scary "cant pee" territory. I haven't been setting my alarm for the past 4 or 5 nights.
Best moment this week: Having an anniversary date night at Disneyland with my love and giving in to all my cravings while we were there! :)
Worst moment this week: I've been feeling really tired in the afternoons, but other than that nothing really bad.
Miss anything: I could have killed for a pomegranate margarita at Disney on Sunday!
Movement: A little every day! She should be about 10 inches long now from head to toe! (About the size of a large banana.)
Cravings: Still water (always thirsty), fruit (namely apples, grapes, and bananas), strawberry milkshakes, and italian food.
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nothing really!
Looking forward to: My anatomy scan is in a few hours! I can't wait to see my sweet little babe!
 
Until next time! XoXoXo


Nineteen Weeks

Thursday, October 12, 2017


How far along: 19 weeks 5 days
Weight gain: Finally gained a pound, and I am so proud of it! :) I definitely feel like I am having a much healthier pregnancy this time around.
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Sleep is getting better. I'm waking up about every 3 hours now, but I think I'm getting used to it. As long as I get a short afternoon nap while Baylee naps I'm good to go!
Best moment this week: Baylee got into bed with me yesterday morning and asked if she could "lay on her baby softly". Insert tears here!
Worst moment this week: Nothing terrible besides awful constipation (totally TMI I know...) and a few headaches here and there.
Miss anything: Turkey sandwiches
Movement: Still feeling her randomly every day. She weighs about a half a pound now and is the size of a mango!
Cravings: Milk, fruit, Vitamin Water, water in general (is that a thing? I'm always thirsty...) spaghetti, and salad. Sometimes I crave sweets, but my stomach always hurts so bad after I eat anything high in sugar.
Anything make you queasy or sick: Sugary food makes me feel yucky, but I still eat it here and there.
Looking forward to: My anatomy scan is a week from today! I can't wait to have new pictures of baby girl to share next week!
 
Until next time! XoXoXo


Pumpkins, Pumpkins, We Love Pumpkins!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Yesterday, we did our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, and had a wonderful time as always! Last year, I discovered the joy of going to an actual pumpkin patch where you can cut the pumpkins fresh off the vine, and now I'm hooked. I kid you not, after we carved pumpkins last year, those beauties didn't start to rot for almost 3 weeks because they were so fresh! And there's something about that gorgeous green stem that just gives me all the heart eyes!


We went to Riley's Farm in Oak Glen and it was just perfect. The scenery was beautiful, it was a cool 62 degrees, and because it was Monday and still early, we had the whole patch to ourselves! Baylee had so much fun riding in the wheelbarrow and tromping around looking for the perfect pumpkin. She even made friends with a sweet black bull that was in a pen near the patch. :)

 













This is seriously the best season of all! We can't wait to turn our pretty pumpkins into spooky Jack-O-Lanterns very soon. October is already going by so fast!



Until next time! XoXoXo

 
 
 

Eighteen Weeks

Friday, October 6, 2017


How far along: 18 weeks 6 days
Weight gain: Still no weight gain! My OB said she's not very concerned though, as long as I am eating. (Which I feel like I am doing constantly)
Stretch marks: Nope
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Sleep is not the best. I am still having to wake up to pee every two hours, so I wake up exhausted.
Best moment this week: My appointment with my OB went great! Baby's heart rate was 132 bpm.
Worst moment this week: Yet another ER trip on Monday for urine retention. This time, they finally gave me a straight catheter to use at home if needed, (which it already has been needed once) so at least I shouldn't have to go back there again. Hopefully the urine retention stops really soon.
Miss anything: Normal nights and normal bathroom trips.
Movement: I've been feeling her for at least a little while every day! She moves more after I drink something cold or eat sugar.
Cravings: Milk, fruit, Vitamin Water (so random right?), cereal, and brownies.
Anything make you queasy or sick: Nope...eating like a champ!
Looking forward to: My anatomy scan in a couple weeks! Can't wait to see how big baby girl has gotten!

Until next time! XoXoXo


Second Trimester Essentials

Tuesday, October 3, 2017


I only have around 9 weeks left in my second trimester, and I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy is going! I seriously felt like I was pregnant with Baylee forever, but I guess time flies when you're chasing a 3-year-old. ;) Here are some of my favorite things that I have been using to make life a little easier through my second trimester:

1. EOS Lip Balm This trimester (probably in combination with the California weather that won't settle on summer or fall) has made my skin dry and my lips sooo chapped. EOS has been my favorite lip balm for a number of years now. It always keeps my lips so soft and comes in the yummiest flavors. Baylee adores them too and calls them her "egg lipstick". :)

2. Tums Oh, the dreaded heartburn of the second trimester. Hairy baby or not, there's nothing about it that is fun, so Tums have been one of my best friends. Also, my OB approved ranitidine (Zantac) for when the Tums just won't do the trick, so make sure you ask if there is anything your OB is okay with you taking if the heartburn/indigestion are really bad! (Side note...I just learned that acid reducers can also cause constipation so make sure you up your fiber intake while taking them!)

3. Body Pillow It's like being hugged by a fluffy cloud! No, seriously, sleep would not be the same without this wonderful pillow of joy! It's very big and takes up half the bed (sorry hubby) but it supports me in all the right spots. So far, with this pregnancy I haven't had nearly as much back pain as I did with Baylee, and I know it's a combo of our new mattress and this perfect pillow!  

4. Maternity Leggings I will definitely be living in my leggings this fall and winter. These are perfect if you're not a huge fan of full panel, especially while the bump is still growing. I did get these full panel ones from Target though, and they are so comfortable. 

5. Maternity Jeans My second and third trimesters with Baylee were in the spring and summer, so I never had a need for maternity jeans. I am so excited to be having a winter baby this time...as soon as the bump started to pop I invested in some maternity jeans. Old Navy never fails me, and this time was no exception. I love being able to still feel stylish while pregnant, and they are super comfy. I'll definitely be going back for another pair in a different wash.

6. Babylist As soon as we found out the gender, I started making my registry on Babylist. I have done other in-store registries in the past, but I love how, with Babylist I can have items from any store all on one registry! (Even Etsy!) It's been so much fun to register for another sweet baby girl. :)

What are your favorite second trimester essentials? Please comment with anything I may have missed!

Until next time! XoXoXo