Baby Update · Daily living

Baby #2: Week 25

How far along: 25 weeks on 13 Feb 2018
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a Napa cabbage or a prairie dog (about 13.6″ long and just under 1.5 lbs)
Gender: I have no idea
Weight gain: 8 lbs
Symptoms: fatigue, back pain, eczema, eye issues, nasal congestion, headaches
  • I think I’m just going to be tired through this whole pregnancy. Some nights I just feel like I can’t fall into a deep sleep. It’s like I’m dozing all night long, so I never feel rested.
  • Andrew brought out the big exercise/birthing ball for me to help with my back pain. Of course, Gerrit thinks it’s a huge toy, but it really feels better on my lower back when I sit on it.
  • The eczema on my chest has improved a lot, but still having to deal with it daily.
  • Still limiting my contact lens use. I feel like 6 hours is about my max before my eyes start feeling dry and watery.
  • I was sure I was getting sick when I had a few mornings in a row of nasal congestion and a sore throat, but it has just lingered for a week or so now. It doesn’t get worse or better, so I don’t know what it is.
  • I had 4 days in a row with bad afternoon headaches. Nothing seemed to help: I tried caffeine, Tylenol, drinking water… I think they usually were gone by dinner time though.

Maternity clothes: Yep! The weather has been cool enough that I’m trying to get as much use out of my sweaters as I can before I pack them up.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Depends on the night. Some nights I just can’t get into a deep sleep it seems like, and other nights I’m fine. I feel like I’m having to switch from side to side more now though.
Best moment this week: I was invited to a Galentine’s event this week, and it was really nice to get out of the house by myself and not be running an errand! I’m definitely enjoying having Andrew home more so I can get a little more time to myself.
Miss anything: I miss having a glass of wine here and there. Mostly when I’m the only one not drinking. I definitely am not craving it or anything.
Movement: Yes, pretty often!
Cravings: Still craving those sweets once in awhiel. I got some frozen yogurt to eat (a tiny bit healthier than ice cream?), and I made glazed lemon doughnuts to satisfy my craving for baked goods. I’m also thankful it’s Girl Scout cookie season haha!
Looking forward to: Going through baby clothes! It’s on my mental to-do list for this week to go through what we have for newborn and 0-3 month clothes, decide what will work for spring/summer weather, and sell or donate the rest of it.

Baby Update · Daily living

Baby #2: Week 24

I had an OB appointment this week, and it was another quick and uneventful visit. Our anatomy scan looked good, baby’s heartbeat sounds good, and my vitals are good too. Thankful for a “boring” pregnancy!

How far along: 24 weeks on 06 Feb 2018
Approximate size of Baby: the size of an eggplant or a G.I. Joe doll (11.8″ head to toe) and weighing over 1 lb
Gender: I have no idea
Weight gain: 6 lbs
Symptoms: fatigue, back pain, eczema, eye issues
  • I think I’m just going to be tired through this whole pregnancy. I feel like the thing keeping me up this week was baby movement. If I get up to use the bathroom or go to Gerrit, Baby thinks it’s a great time to do some gymnastics.
  • I’m definitely feeling more pain in my lower back more often. I don’t notice it too much while I’m active, but when I’m just standing it gets to be pretty uncomfortable.
  • The eczema on my chest has improved a lot, but still having to deal with it daily.
  • Trying to limit my contacts use to once or twice a week so my eyes don’t freak out.

Maternity clothes: Yep!
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Not awful but not solid.
Best moment this week: One was catching some belly movement on video! It was a pretty good week in general though. Whatever phase Gerrit was going through that was making him very argumentative and ornery has eased up. He was a lot more agreeable, patient, and overall just fun to be around.
Miss anything: Feeling normal at dinnertime
Movement: Yes, pretty often!
Cravings: Still sticking with my usual late night snack: green apples & extra sharp cheddar cheese. But I gave in to the urge to buy an old college favorite: Phish Food ice cream. Another college favorite came back this week too: pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese. So unhealthy…
Looking forward to: Setting up Gerrit’s big boy room! Andrew is 100% on board with making him a new bed, we’ve ordered his twin mattress and bedding, and Gerrit is super excited about it all. We’re hoping getting him into a twin bed before we move will make the transition a bit easier.

Daily living · Travel

Baby #2: Week 23

How far along: 23 weeks on 30 Jan 2018
Approximate size of Baby: the size of a bunch of grapes or a Barbie doll (11.4″ head to toe) and weighing almost 1 pound now!
Gender: I have no idea
Weight gain: 4 lbs
Symptoms: fatigue, indigestion, eczema, eye issues
  • I think I’m just going to be tired through this whole pregnancy.
  • Another not so great week in terms of my digestive system. I’d say half the week I really struggled at the end of the day. It seems like a switch flips at 6pm, and I go from fine to no appetite, feeling nauseated, and just a general unpleasant feeling. I don’t think all the eating out in San Antonio helped… I definitely ate more than I usually do, and I think the big meals just didn’t sit well by the end of the day. I’m guessing stress may also be playing a part in all of this too…
  • The eczema on my chest has improved a lot, but still having to deal with it daily.
  • Throughout this pregnancy, I’ve had issues wearing my contacts. At first it was an eye infection that I treated and got rid of. But I still feel like my eyes get dry quickly and are easily irritated with contacts in. After only 5 or 6 hours of wear, my eyes were all red and watery our last day in San Antonio… so annoying.

Maternity clothes: Yep!
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Completely dependent on Gerrit this week. He caught another cold, and he had a couple of nights of rough sleep, which meant the same for me. Thankfully Andrew’s schedule was pretty flexible, so between him and his parents, I got to sleep in most days.  
Best moment this week: We had a bunch of great moments in San Antonio this past weekend. With all the back and forth discussions and stress surrounding Andrew’s upcoming TDY, it was good to get out of town and be distracted by good food and fun outings. I really loved watching Gerrit play and discover at the children’s museum though!

Miss anything: Eating normally
Movement: Yes, pretty often!
Cravings: Still had a bit of a sweet tooth… I ordered this huge French toast for breakfast one morning (I never order pancakes/waffles/French toast), and I just had to get an item from the bakery the next morning for breakfast too.
Looking forward to: Our next OB appointment — we’ll be talking about the anatomy scan we had done, and I’m eager to know if everything is looking normal and healthy.