Category: Parenting

Baby Update · Daily living · Parenting

Baby #2: Week 8

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I don’t know if it’s because my first trimester is happening in October (Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month), but I’ve been so worried and scared about losing this baby. I have no reason to feel that way! My previous pregnancy was normal, and I’ve never had a miscarriage. But I know so many people who could say the same thing, and that’s what made me ultra aware that you just never know. I was so anxious to get to my OB and both see the baby and hear a heartbeat.
My first appointment with my OB went well. I got all my paperwork squared away, and got to see Baby Kiel #2 with my mom and Gerrit. Everything looks normal! The doctor confirmed that I was 8 weeks along on the dot and gave us a due date of 29 May 2018. Baby’s heartbeat was right at 160 bpm. I’ll be going back in at 12 weeks, which is probably around the time I’ll be announcing the pregnancy officially!

How far along: 8 weeks on 17 Oct 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a raspberry
Gender: no idea
Weight gain: none (-3 lbs)
Symptoms: Nausea, breast/nipple soreness, bloating, back pain, food aversion
  • The last day of week 8 and first day of week 9 I had pretty much NO nausea! I was actually a little worried… is feeling better a bad sign?? But then the nausea came back after dinner that night. No actual vomiting though so far!
  • Does the boob soreness go away?? I can’t remember!
  • Some days I feel bloated, some days I feel normal. We had a few cooler days, so I pulled out my (non-maternity) jeans, and they fit fine. I just feel like I have more of a tummy pooch than normal with certain tops.
  • My lower back still hurts here and there. I definitely think it’s not as bad when I’m more active, but it’s hard to want to get off the couch when you’re feeling nauseated.
  • Certain foods are not sounding appealing lately. Most veggies don’t sound good, and I can only eat a few bites of salad if I make myself. The smell of pretzels has been making my stomach turn. I made a marinade for chicken with some white wine, and the smell of wine actually made me gag. In general, my appetite is low, I get full quickly, and I’m eating things I don’t normally eat (more carbs, cheese, sweet snacks).
Maternity clothes: Not really. I have a few tops I wear here and there, but they’re not really necessary.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Good when I can get it! I don’t seem to be craving much extra sleep though, which seems odd for the first trimester. I still get by with about 6-7 broken hours most nights.
Best moment this week: I have 2 this week: my parents arriving and seeing our baby for the first time! My parents drove in from Chattanooga on Monday, and I love having them here. I love when my WHOLE family gets together, but having my parents to myself (and my little family) is just really special to me. Gerrit is having fun with his Mimi & Papa, and I enjoy the extra pairs of hands and company throughout the day.
We also got to see Baby Kiel #2! I had my first OB appointment the day I hit 8 weeks, and they went ahead and did an ultrasound. It was definitely different from when I saw Gerrit for the first time. We saw Gerrit at 10 weeks, and he was moving around and starting to look more human haha. At 8 weeks, our baby looks pretty blob-like yet. But we got to see him/her and hear a nice steady heartbeat of 160 bpm. Gerrit was mesmerized by it! My mom had him on her lap while I was getting the sonogram done, and she said he sat so still watching and listening. Although he doesn’t say a whole lot about the baby, I think he’s very interested in this whole process!
Miss anything: Eating healthy — I’ve been a lot more lenient with my diet with the low appetite and food aversion. I’m trying to just go with it for now and not feel guilty, but I just want to want to eat a salad again!
Movement: not yet
Cravings: Animal crackers (probably because I knew it helped my nausea when I was pregnant with Gerrit), cheese sticks, and raspberry sorbet.
Looking forward to: Gerrit’s birthday — I need to get my to-do list in order so I get everything ready in time!
Baby Update · Daily living · Parenting

Baby #2: Week 6

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It’s October! I feel like September really flew by, and here we are in Gerrit’s birthday month. I can’t quite wrap my head around the idea that he will be 3 in a few weeks.
 I just have to say… you should go look at the weekly boards I did when I was pregnant with Gerrit. Do you know how long some of those took me?! That is a fantastic way to highlight how much TIME I had (and didn’t realize I had) before parenthood. I just shake my head at Old Naive Me. Oh, and I love my Cricut. So helpful for quick and easy!
How far along: 6 weeks on 3 Oct 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a pea
Gender: no idea
Weight gain: none (-1 lb)
Symptoms: I still think the one I notice the most is breast/nipple tenderness. And it’s only getting worse. I still have a noticeably lower than normal appetite and occasional nausea. Usually water and a snack help with that though.
I’m still not very tired. In fact, I feel like I’m nesting already. I’ve been feeling the urge to clean and organize things around the house! I’m not sure if that’s a pregnancy thing or the fact that it’s fall now! It’s not even close to being chilly here, but temperatures in the 80s vs 90s/100s feels like such a relief. The cooler weather definitely has me feeling energized!
I’ve been feeling fat lately. Since my appetite is low and I’ve gained no weight, I think I’m just bloated. I just know that shorts that I was all excited about fitting into with my weight loss are now feeling snug again. Good thing I didn’t pack up the too-big shorts!
Another symptom I don’t remember if I had with Gerrit is skin issues. My face is so out of whack lately! It’s dry in some areas and breaking out in other areas. I have no idea what to do with it. But it’s not like me to have multiple zits on my face, so I’m not liking this.
Maternity clothes: nope
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Still not feeling tired at night no matter how long I was up! Gerrit no longer naps most days, so I couldn’t sneak a nap in even if I wanted to. Gerrit has been up more in the night again, so the sleep I do get is pretty broken. 
Best moment this week: Cooler weather! Sorry, I know that’s not pregnancy related, but OH MY GOSH feeling 70s after a long hot Texas summer was so amazing. It was a very rainy week, so we were a bit cooped up, but all the snuggles were nice.
Miss anything: Hello, Pinot, my old friend… I’ve come to gaze at you again…
Movement: not yet
Cravings: fizzy drinks
I made myself a “virgin hard cider” the other day: apple juice and carbonated water. It actually really hit the spot! I was wanting something sweet yet light, and my beverage was just what I wanted.
Looking forward to: A long weekend! It’s Columbus Day next Monday, so we’re taking a mini trip to the San Antonio area. I also scheduled my first OB appointment, and I’m anxious to see how things are going with The Tiny One.
And here’s one more photo, because Gerrit wanted to be involved! Ah, I can’t wait to see him as a big brother! ❤
Baby Update · Daily living · Parenting

Baby #2: Week 5

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I think the hardest part about pregnancy before you feel any unpleasant symptoms is keeping your mouth shut about it! I don’t even want to talk about how many people knew I was pregnant within the first week of us knowing about it. I was just so excited!

Before you get all excited, no, I’m pretty sure I am not showing already! That lovely bump is a combination of me not enjoying working out and me really enjoying a glass or two of wine after Gerrit goes to bed. And maybe some bloating? I know that’s a common early pregnancy symptom. The funny thing is, I’m way less self-conscious about my too-early-to-be-a-baby bump now than I was when pregnant with Gerrit. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m a mom now. Or that I’m in my 30s now. Or that I’ve put a lot of time and effort into eating healthier; I’m proud to say that I’m actually starting this pregnancy out at almost 10 lbs less than I was when I got pregnant with Gerrit. No matter the reason, I’m not embarrassed to post a photo of myself with a tummy!

How far along: 5 weeks on 26 Sept 2017
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a sesame seed
Gender: no idea
Weight gain: none… actually down a couple of pounds
Symptoms: The main ones this week were insomnia, occasional mild nausea, low appetite, and tender breasts/nipples. I don’t remember if I had difficulty falling asleep when I was in the early stages of pregnancy with Gerrit, but it’s driving me nuts. Surprisingly, I’m not very tired during the day despite only 6ish hours of sleep a night. I’m sure that will change in the next week or so.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that my sniffer is a lot more sensitive! Looking back, I realized this before I got a positive pregnancy test. I cook with cilantro almost every week, and lately it (and other herbs and spices) have seemed very strong smelling. Not quite enough to be nauseating, but it’s definitely a little off putting when I’m trying to cook dinner. Oh, and I can smell Gerrit’s poopy diaper across the room now!
Maternity clothes: No, although I’m remembering fondly how comfy those maternity jeans were…
Stretch marks: only old ones!
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: I’m still not feeling tired at night. But once I get to sleep, I sleep pretty well for the most part. I just wish it wasn’t taking until 2 or 3 in the morning for me to feel even a little tired. 
Best moment this week: Probably sleeping in on Saturday! Gerrit picked up a little cold virus right after I hit 4 weeks, and I was up A LOT with him for a few nights. The poor kid was waking every 45-90 minutes, and although it was hard on me, I’m sure it was worse for him. I was starting to feel a little under the weather myself by Friday, so I was looking forward to sleeping on Saturday… and I slept past noon!! Maybe all I needed was some sleep, because my symptoms never got any worse, thankfully.
Miss anything: Still missing wine
Movement: not yet
Cravings: no
Looking forward to: My parents coming for a visit! I’m hoping it coincides with that notorious 1st trimester exhaustion so I can sneak some naps in. 😉