Baby Update · Daily living · Parenting

Baby #2: Week 16

I was really tired this week. Gerrit was waking more often again, and I think I just wasn’t getting enough consecutive hours of sleep at night. But overall it was a better week! No throwing up, and a decrease in nausea by the end of the week. There’s definitely more pressure on my bladder all of a sudden though… I have to go to the bathroom so much more than normal.

Well, we might have to do some indoor photos for awhile… Andrew just gets home too late to take advantage of the daylight.

How far along: 16 weeks on 12 Dec 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of an avocado (about 4.5 inches)
Gender: still leaning toward boy
Weight gain: none (-2 lbs)
Symptoms: back pain, nausea, fatigue, food aversion, headache, cramps
  • Back pain isn’t horrible, but I definitely feel it when I’m on my feet for a lot.
  • Still had nausea most days, but it’s subsiding, I think.
  • Gerrit was having some rough nights for no apparent reason. He went through about a week of waking every 2-3 hours, and the worst night was up every hour and 45 minutes until about 3:30 am. I was pretty tired to say the least! It didn’t help that I can only stomach a few ounces of coffee every day too.
  • Food aversion is going away finally! I mean, I have my days, but it’s getting better.
  • Once in awhile I get a day with a really persistent headache that just doesn’t want to go away.
  • The cramps were only on one day and were pretty minor.

Maternity clothes: I think I’m giving up on the jeans. But I’m not feeling ready for maternity jeans… so leggings it is.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Pretty good… not falling asleep quite as easily, but once I’m asleep I’m good. And then Gerrit would wake up… 
Best moment this week: Sleeping in on Sunday. Andrew was gone Friday night until Saturday late afternoon, so sleeping in on Sunday felt AMAZING. 
Miss anything: Not feeling like I have the bladder the size of a walnut.
Movement: Still not sure
Cravings: extra sharp cheddar cheese and green apples
Looking forward to: Christmas! I LOVE this time of year so much!

Baby Update · Daily living · Holiday

Baby #2: Week 15

I was so hopeful that things would magically turn around for me this week, but my body had other ideas. The day before we hit 15 weeks, I had an appointment with my OB, and he assured me that everything is looking good. Gerrit and I got to see the baby again during an ultrasound, and we heard a good strong heartbeat in the 160s.

How far along: 15 weeks on 05 Dec 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of an apple (about 4 inches)
Gender: still defaulting to masculine pronouns
Weight gain: none (-4 lbs)
Symptoms: back pain, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, food aversion, headache, dizziness, nasal congestion
  • Back pain is still pretty minor & not every day
  • My boobs only really hurt when someone (ahem, Gerrit) leans on them or shoves an elbow into them.
  • Still quite a bit of nausea, although it’s not constant or anything. I feel like I had a lot of gagging this week though.
  • I threw up twice this week. 😦 Both times it was late afternoon. The 2nd time was after my OB appointment, and I had to convince myself to hold it together until I got home so I didn’t have to pull the car over!
  • Most days I feel like the fatigue has lifted, but then I’ll have a day or two where I feel so tired during the day.
  • Food aversion is still mostly reserved for vegetables, although sometimes I just don’t feel like eating anything.
  • Once in awhile I get a day with a really persistent headache that just doesn’t want to go away.
  • I get dizzy when I stand up lately, but I had one day where it really lasted all day. I’m glad it happened on the weekend so I could just avoid standing most of the day, but I hate feeling stuck on the couch too.
  • The nasal congestion & dry nose feeling has started. I remember this from my last pregnancy, but I can’t remember how long it lasted.

Maternity clothes: Still fitting into one pair of regular jeans! And when I’m not wearing those, I’m in leggings.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Good, although it still takes me awhile to fall back to sleep if I have to get up with Gerrit (usually only once a night). 
Best moment this week: It’s always one of my best moments when I can see the baby at a doctor visit! My other best moment was decorating the tree with my family. Gerrit is really excited about everything Christmas this year, and it’s so fun to see that!

Miss anything: Still missing my patience, although it’s starting to come back… I think. Also missing just feeling normal.
Movement: I’m not sure. There have been a few instances where I think I feel something, but then I wonder if it was just a gas bubble haha!
Cravings: chips and guacamole, sushi (not that I’ve had any)
Looking forward to: Christmas! I know it’s a few weeks away, but I’ve already been wrapping gifts, and I’m excited to see Gerrit open his.
Baby Update · Daily living · Holiday · Parenting

Baby #2: Week 14

Hello, 2nd trimester! As much as I thought the first trimester dragged on and on, it feels weird to already be a third of the way done. I’m hoping this trimester really is the best — I’m ready to be feeling better.

I’ve come to the conclusion that eating in the first trimester is like eating like a toddler. I basically only want carbs, cheese, and fruit. I pretty much snack all day instead of eating meals. I want to eat things like chips and ice cream, and, because I’m an adult, I do, haha. It’s just a huge switch from what I was eating before the nausea and food aversion set in.

How far along: 14 weeks on 28 Nov 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a lemon or a house mouse
Gender: I have no idea
Weight gain: none (-5 lbs)
Symptoms: Nausea, back pain, vomiting, fatigue, low appetite, burping
  • The nausea is bad one day then much better the next. Then bad again, then better…
  • Minor and occasional back pain… same as I’ve been having.
  • Okay, scratch everything I said about being better about avoiding getting sick this time around. My new thought is that if your body wants to throw up, you’re just going to throw up. I had a day where I had on and off nausea ALL day, and when I finally threw up around midnight, I felt SO much better.
  • I still get extra sleep when I can, but I feel like maybe the fatigue is lifting.
  • I don’t think I’m having as much food aversion, but my appetite is low. I’ll eat a little, then need a break to digest or something. One night I had half my bowl of spaghetti, cleaned up the kitchen and put Gerrit to bed, then went back and finished my spaghetti.
  • I forgot to mention this again… the burping! At least the last half of my first trimester, I had a lot of burping, especially when I’m feeling nauseated.
Maternity clothes: Slowly pulling them out. I’m about done with any shorts/jeans that zip and button. Elastic is my friend. If it’s too hot for leggings, I find elastic waist shorts, maternity shorts without the full panel, or a skirt. I can still wear most of my regular tops though.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Good! Still sleeping very soundly. Sometimes I have a hard time falling back to sleep if I have to get up with Gerrit though. 
Best moment this week: Thanksgiving! It was a little stressful getting everything made, but the actual meal and company was great. I LOVE hosting things like this!
Miss anything: My patience. I asked Andrew if I seemed moody, and he said, “No, you just act like you don’t feel good.” But I have been more snappy with Gerrit, and I feel really bad about that. I usually pride myself on my patience, but it’s been really low lately. Gerrit has been showing an interest in potty training, and I really need patience for that!
Movement: Not yet… I don’t think.
Cravings: chips and guacamole
Looking forward to: Our 2nd OB appointment… FINALLY. My last one was supposed to be at 12 weeks. It got rescheduled for 11 weeks, and then it got canceled and rescheduled for next Monday. I hate having such a big gap between appointments, even if it was the first trimester.
One more with the big brother-to-be: