Baby #2: Week 20

January 9, 2018 nk330Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that we’re halfway through this pregnancy, give or take! I feel like the first trimester went really slowly, but the holidays really sped things along.

We had our monthly appointment this week, and everything is looking good. The doctor says the heartbeat is “strong and fast.” 🙂 It was a pretty quick visit, and we got a referral to the hospital for the anatomy scan. Looking forward to that, since we’ll get to see how everything is going in there!

How far along: 20 weeks on 9 Jan 2018

Approximate size of Baby: the size of a Belgian endive or a banana (6-6.3″ long)

Gender: I have no idea

Weight gain: none (back at pre-pregnancy weight)
Symptoms: back pain, fatigue, headaches, breast tenderness, dry skin

Back pain isn’t horrible, but I definitely feel it when I’m on my feet for a lot. I had one evening with this pinched nerve feeling in my lower back… that was pretty unpleasant. I hope I don’t end up dealing with sciatica…
Fatigue was high on the symptoms list this week, but I had a cold, and that contributed to me sleeping poorly.
I had 3 days in a row of a very persistent headache.
You’d think nursing for so long would have my boobs toughened up, but no.
Still randomly gagging/dry heaving.
My skin issues are improving. I mentioned it to the doctor and got the response I expected: “This cream is helping? Okay, just keep using it then.” Thankfully, Sudocrem really has helped clear up the worst of it. I’m using a coconut oil lotion after I shower now too to help prevent any more issues.

Maternity clothes: Yes. I still wear some regular tops, but I can see that that might not work much longer.
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: It wasn’t very good when I was coughing and congested. This cold bug has been pretty quick to get through my system though thankfully… sleeping much better as we hit the end of week 20.
Best moment this week: Finding out Andrew’s assignment! I’ll be honest, it’s more of a best/worst moment thing because it wasn’t what we were hoping for, but at the same time, it’s nice to not be worrying about it anymore.
Looking back, when I was 20 weeks pregnant with Gerrit, Andrew was sewing on Staff Sergeant rank. This time at 20 weeks, he is nearing the end of pilot training. It’s pretty amazing how life has changed in 3.5 years!
Miss anything: Not really. Now that I’m mostly feeling better and I can feel the baby moving, I’m feeling pretty happy!
Movement: Yes! It’s pretty exciting to feel movement every day now!
Cravings: I had a few nights in a row where I craved sugar. A friend sent sugar cookies as part of our Christmas gift, and I’ve been using them as my midnight snack. Other than that just pasta. I think I eat pasta every day now.
Looking forward to: Baby’s anatomy scan, even though we aren’t finding out the gender. Hoping to get a call from the hospital soon with that appointment!

Baby #2: Week 19

January 2, 2018January 9, 2018 nk3302 Comments

Happy New Year! We are almost to the halfway point of this pregnancy as we enter 2018!

How far along: 19 weeks on 2 Jan 2018

Approximate size of Baby: the size of a zesty zucchini or a hedgehog (5.5-6″ long)

Gender: Well, while visiting with family, the majority think girl!

Weight gain: none (-1 lb again)
Symptoms: back pain, fatigue, breast tenderness, dry skin, nausea/vomiting, dizziness

Back pain isn’t horrible, but I definitely feel it when I’m on my feet a lot. I did a lot of cooking/baking in Kansas, so my back was sore a lot.
Traveling is never good for Gerrit’s sleep. Our first night on the road was a freak event: Gerrit slept through the night for the first time in months! But the rest of the nights were not great, and I was chronically tired. He picked up a cold bug, and was up every 1-2 hours for the last few nights of this week, and I was really struggling the next day.
Breast tenderness is back…
Still dealing with what I think is eczema. Sudocrem seems to be helping it the most, but I’m going to talk to my OB about it at my next appointment. I also picked up some shea butter cream to try out.
Some nausea, more gagging/dry heaving, and my last night of week 18 I threw up again.
Dizziness comes and goes. It’s usually just when I stand up too quickly.

Maternity clothes: Yes. It was REALLY cold this past week in Kansas and even when we got back home to Texas, so my sweaters got some use!
Stretch marks: no new ones
Belly button in or out: in
Sleep: Not great. Despite being tired, I’ve been kind of restless (we were in unfamiliar beds this past week too), and I’m just not sleeping as much as I should be. There were 5 kids running around the house we were at, so sleeping in and naps were kind of out of the question.
Best moment this week: Just being with family! Seriously though, with all the craziness of being in a house with 8 other adults and 5 kids, it was so great. I was barely on my phone at all, because I was never bored! Gerrit was entertained almost all the time by his cousins, and I actually got to sit, relax, and talk with adults. Like I said, a house full of 14 people was a little crazy sometimes, but I really enjoyed having everyone together.
Miss anything: Sleep
Movement: Yes! I would say this was the week I can say I definitely felt movement. Gerrit was sleeping on a toddler air mattress on the floor while we were with family, so every time I got up with him, I’d have to squat or hunker down somehow next to him, and the baby definitely let me know he/she was feeling squished in those positions! I felt movements at other times too, but mostly in the evenings.
Cravings: extra sharp cheddar cheese and green apples
Looking forward to: My next OB appointment and Andrew’s Drop Night when he gets his aircraft assignment!

Daily living

Baby #2: Week 18

December 27, 2017 nk330Leave a comment

Merry Christmas, tiny baby! I skipped the Christmas morning mimosas for you, little one. Definitely worth it!

How far along: 18 weeks on 26 Dec 2017

Approximate size of Baby: the size of an bell pepper (about 5.5 inches)

Gender: I have no idea

Weight gain: none (back at pre-pregnancy weight)
Symptoms: back pain, fatigue, headaches, breast tenderness, dry skin

Back pain isn’t horrible, but I definitely feel it when I’m on my feet for a lot.
Still dealing with some late nights, early mornings, and 3:30am wake-ups with Gerrit. I’m always tired. Coffee still isn’t very appealing, and I end up grabbing a Dr. Pepper every afternoon.
I haven’t had a lot of headaches this week, but when I do, they don’t want to go away.
Breast tenderness is back…
Still randomly gagging/dry heaving. I don’t really feel any nausea though!
I think I may have pregnancy-induced eczema. 😦 I have one dry, itchy patch of skin on my arm and several on my upper chest and neck. I never had this when I was pregnant with Gerrit, but I was also not pregnant in winter with him. Plus Texas is much drier than England!

Maternity clothes: Yes… just yes.
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: Christmas!! We had a lot of fun celebrating with Gerrit this year. On Christmas Eve we made cookies and got ready for Santa to visit, and Christmas morning we opened presents and had brunch. It was all pretty low-key, but everyone had a good time celebrating!
Miss anything: Not feeling like I have the bladder the size of a walnut.
Movement: I think I’m starting to feel some small movements!
Cravings: extra sharp cheddar cheese and green apples
Looking forward to: Seeing my family this week for Christmas part 2!