Baby #2 Overview: Weeks Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, and Twenty-Four

Week 22: This week I had to take the glucose blood test. Tommy went to work late on Saturday so he could watch Gavin while I went to get the blood work done. It wasn't as bad as the first time I had to take it. At this lab there is a separate room with a comfy recliner chair and flat screen T.V. I drank my sugary drink and relaxed for an hour without any disruption! It was like a mini vacation! After the hour was up they took the tube of blood right away and then I was on my way. I'm sure my sugar levels are normal, I didn't have gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Gavin.

The Baby: is the size of a grapefruit! Levi's senses are really developing this week. Taste buds are forming and nerve endings are developed enough for him to experience the sensation of touch.

Mommy's Health: I have been feeling a lot of pressure in the lower part of my uterus. I have been on my feet a lot lately, so I probably just need to relax more. With Gavin's pregnancy, I didn't get the pressure feeling until a couple weeks before he was born. Everything happens so much sooner the second time around.

This week, my baby app said stretch marks might begin to appear this week. I didn't get one stretch mark from my first pregnancy,(YAY!!) but I used to put cocoa butter on my belly religiously. This time, I probably put lotion on my belly twice. My belly is a little bigger this pregnancy, but not much. Hopefully I'll get lucky and not get stretch marks again!


                            


Week 23: Last pregnancy I was working out on the elliptical and lifting weights at week 23, then replaced it with prenatal yoga because I kept getting dizzy. Go first-time-pregnancy me! This pregnancy, I don't have the time or energy to workout. I have no room at my mom's for my elliptical and by the time I come home from working all day I'm so tired. Then I feed Gavin, eat dinner, play with him, give him a bath, and take a shower myself, by Gavin's bedtime, I'm exhausted. Life is so busy with a toddler, and it's going to be busier with a toddler AND a baby!!

The Baby: is the size of a spaghetti squash! Levi is now more proportioned from the head size to the rest of his body and is looking more and more like a sweet baby newborn. 

Mommy's Health: I still feel the pressure in my uterus, even though I tried relaxing more this week. My uterus is also sore because Levi swims, squirms,and kicks all day and night. I love feeling every motion, but he does not rest for more than ten minutes! The world better be ready for this one!



                           

Week 24: This week I had my monthly doctor's appointment. One more monthly appointment after this one, then I see the doctor every two weeks! Levi's arrival is getting so close! 

I was supposed to see Dr. B this time, but she is going to be out until July for something medical. Because she is out, Dr. V needed help, so she had the head nurse practitioner from the hospital I delivered/will deliver at help her out. I never met her before, but she was nice. I told her I delivered my first child at her hospital and what happened to me after Gavin was born. If you don't know or remember, instead of my uterus contracting back to normal size right after Gavin was born, it started to come out after my placenta. This is called uterine atony. I also hemorrhaged and lost so much blood I almost needed a blood transfusion. This was two years ago, and the nurse practitioner remembered hearing about me. She named one of my nurses that was there during Gavin's delivery and she knew the story. She even knew the nickname the nurses came up for me,which was "Hallway Hero." I didn't feel like a hero, but they called me that because even though I could barley move, (I couldn't even stand up to use the bathroom) I still nursed Gavin every hour to two hours and took care of him. That's not a hero, that's being a mommy! But now that I think of it, mommies are heroes! 

Anyway, the nurse heard Levi's heartbeat and felt around my belly. Of course, Levi was squirming the whole time. Everything checked out great. 

My blood pressure was a little low, but nothing to worry about. 

I asked the nurse about the pressure I was feeling and she said I need to stay off my feet more (shocker) and to drink more water. The pressure could be a sign of dehydration. I drink sooo much water, I doubt the pressure is from dehydration. I'll have to try to relax even more. 

The nurse also looked at my glucose blood work. She looked shocked and said my glucose level was 85, which is better than most women who aren't pregnant. Another Yay!


The Baby:is the size of an ear of corn! Levi is rapidly developing his senses and can sense whether he is upside down or right side up. His respiratory system is also rapidly growing. His lungs are developing in preparation for breathing and he is even practicing for his first breath! Levi and my uterus are right above my belly button. 


Mommy's Health: This week I had a headache almost everyday after work. I don't know if it's school or pregnancy related. Probably a little of both. The headaches aren't as intense as my first trimester headaches, but just enough to be annoying. I forget about them once Gavin is up and ready to start his afternoon!

                         

Baby #2 Overview: Weeks Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-One

Week 19: This week was my spring break! Ten glorious days off from school, which meant time to get a lot done. I was able to get blood work done (everything came back great!) and I, along with Tommy and Gavin, had to get the level 2 sonogram. This is the sonogram where the tech checks for all parts of the baby's body. The baby was lying on his belly, so we had a clear shot of his spine, but he wouldn't roll onto his back right away. He was moving and kicking the whole time. Every time the tech tried to roll him over, he would poke/kick her back. It was hysterical! Then I moved onto my side for a few minutes to try and get him to turn around. He eventually turned around and we saw the baby's spine, four heart chambers, stomach, bladder, liver, legs, arms, feet, hands, fingers, toes, brain, nose, eyes, ears, chin, head,  face... basically everything, even the part that makes him a boy! I remember the same thing happening with Gavin's level 2 sonogram. Only it was Gavin's foot the tech couldn't find because he also wouldn't stop kicking. Two very active boys! My belly was sore afterwards because of all the pushing and moving, but everything is documented and the baby couldn't be healthier! Two very healthy boys! 

So without further ado, meet Levi Jonathan:

 

Levi means "joined together in harmony" and Jonathan is the name my mom picked out for her son that ended up being a miscarriage.  I love the name Levi and how well the name goes with Gavin. I can't wait to meet my baby and for Gavin to meet him too!

The Baby: is the size of a mango! His senses are developing as specialized areas in the brain and are being designated for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. 

Mommy's Health: It's spring break so I feel rested and happy to have some extra time with my Gavin. Soon I will have to share myself with another baby. I can't picture not spending every moment with just Gavin, but ready or not it's going to happen!

                                          

Week 20: This week I had a doctor's appointment. I love hearing Levi's strong heartbeat. My weight and blood pressure are great. I now weigh as much as I did before getting pregnant with Gavin. I lost all of my baby weight and more because of breastfeeding and now (halfway through my pregnancy) I am back to my pre-Gavin-pregnancy weight of 125lbs. Yay! 

Around this time last pregnancy, Tommy and I already started the nursery. Currently, we haven't even started Levi's nursery yet. We are looking to move during the summer, once I am out of school. We will get the nursery ready before Levi's arrival in August! 

This week my student's found out I was pregnant. While bringing my class out to the bus at the end of the day, one of the teacher's asked how I was feeling and we were talking about my pregnancy. One of my student's overheard, and came up to me. She rubbed my belly and asked, "Are you pregnant?" I told her yes and she quickly ran over to her friends to spill the beans. Luckily, it was at the end of a Friday, so they didn't have time to ask questions. That following Monday, my student's asked me if what they heard was true. After I confirmed I was pregnant, they asked simple questions: Is it a boy or girl? Boy. When are you having the baby? August. Are you going to be here the rest of the year? Yes. What is his name going to be? Levi. They were all very excited. My desk is already filled with pictures for Levi =)

 The Baby: is the size of a small cantaloupe! Levi's skin is now covered with a waxy-like substance called vernix. This protects his skin from becoming chapped or scratched. He is also starting to produce meconium. This has to do with digestion and will accumulate in his bowels and will eventually pass during delivery or in his first diaper. Amazing! The uterus is now level with my bellybutton.

Mommy's Health: I feel wonderful! My uterus is sore here and there because Levi is so active. He seriously doesn't rest. He moves all day long! I hope he sleeps after he is born, haha. 

                                        

Week 21: This was an uneventful week. I work, take care of the baby, and rest as much as I can.

The Baby: is the size of a banana! His digestive system is developing and he can begin to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar. Levi still moves around constantly, I'm beginning to worry about his sleeping patterns one he is born! 

Mommy's Health:  I am still feeling great and hoping it lasts!

                                   

Baby #2 Overview Weeks Sixteen, Seventeen, and Eighteen

Week 16: On Monday, March 7th 2016, I had a doctor's check up appointment. I had to bring Gavin, so my mom came to hear the baby's heartbeat. We heard the amazing sound of his little heart beating. The doctor asked if I had any questions or concerns and I said no. She said she was concerned about my weight. I didn't gain a lot since the last time I was there a month ago. Here we go again... this happened last pregnancy. I eat so much!! I'm not worried because Gavin weighed 8lbs 7oz when he was born and is healthy as a horse!

This time during my first pregnancy, Tommy and I registered at Babies R Us. Unfortunately, we are not having a baby shower/sprinkle for this baby. Even though I can reuse many of Gavin's things, I don't have everything I need. We will do something else to celebrate our special new addition to our family. 

I did pick out the nursery theme! A nature theme! The colors are beige,dark brown, and white, with little pops of green. I have some great ideas, but I can't start until after Gavin's 2nd birthday party... I have way too much to do for that. I have the whole summer to prepare for baby boy. 

The Baby: is the size of an avocado. His limbs are much more developed. His arms are longer and are becoming more controlled in movement. His skeletal system is developing more as calcium is deposited onto the bones.

Mommy's Health: I am feeling great! The baby moves ALL THE TIME!! He's constantly rolling over, kicking, and moving. I'm eating healthy, no headaches, full of energy! PLEASE LET IT STAY THIS WAY!!!



Week 17: This week I was worried about having two babies. How could I possibly have enough room in my heart to love another child as much as I love Gavin? How do I make sure Gavin is getting enough attention while I'm nursing and bonding with my second baby? Will I sleep? By the way I'm not listening to any advice on this one... everyone said I wouldn't get any sleep when Gavin was born. By six weeks he slept 12 hours and took two 2-hour naps. Now he is almost 2 and sleeps 12 hours a night and takes a 3 hour nap. I sleep more now than I did before Gavin. Actually I was told a lot of advice that was wrong. Every child is different, some advice was wrong, and other things no one ever told me about. But thankfully, people haven't been giving me much advice since this is my second child. (Two thumbs up). ANYWAY, these thoughts of having two kids were keeping me up at night. I even cried thinking about how I can't spend all my time with my first born. I know these thoughts are completely normal and once the new baby is born everything will work out.I will love them both unconditionally. I already do!  

The Baby: is the size of a potato! The baby has mastered some simple reflexes such as swallowing and blinking. He may even get hiccups (awe!). Fat is also forming underneath the skin to help prepare him for the temperature change from inside the womb to the outside world.

Mommy's Health: It's starting to get a little uncomfortable sleeping with this growing belly. I sleep on my side and my belly is being pushed down and squished against the mattress. I have a Boppy I slept with throughout my pregnancy with Gavin, but it is in the storage. My husband went once to try and find it and came back unsuccessful. The next warm day I am going to have to go with him to find it, I know exactly what box it is in... wish me luck! 


Week 18: We... well, I, found my Boppy!!! Now I can sleep comfortably. The baby is moving around so much. I wake up to him kicking first thing in the morning, I feel him after every meal, and he is most active when I'm relaxing before bed. I love it, every movement, every kick, my heart skips a beat. I just want to hold and kiss him!!

The Baby: is the size of a sweet potato! Many of the bones in his body are starting to harden. The first bones to develop are the inner ear, which means he is able to start hearing sounds such as my heartbeat or my tummy growling. 

Mommy's Health: Happy and Healthy!

Baby #2 Overview Weeks Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen

Week 13: This week we found out the GENDER of our baby!! DO NOT SCROLL DOWN, JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT. The Harmony test results only took one week this time as apposed to almost 4 weeks like last time! This is super super early! Ok, so here's the scoop...

 My favorite receptionist, Shannon, called me on Monday (a snowy President's Day). My mom and I were off from work for the holiday and Tommy was home because he was sick with the flu. Anyway, Shannon calls and says the harmony test results are in and everything looks great and healthy (my first concern) and she has the gender written down on a piece of paper in an envelope waiting for Tommy to go and pick it up (my second concern).I already knew I wanted to do a balloon reveal, but I didn't want to wait. I had the box and the wrapping paper, but I wasn't expecting the results to come so soon, so nothing was put together. I also wanted to do it in a woodsy area on a snow day, like today, Just then I had a genius idea. My mom, Tommy, Gavin, and I were all here. It was snowing, I have the box and paper, my mom could run out and get balloons, LET'S DO IT TODAY! I told Shannon that I wanted her to tell my mom the gender. I threw the phone at my mom and stared at her face, looking for a reaction... I tried figuring out what we were having! Unfortunately for me, she kept her cool, said "thank you," and hung up the phone. After trying for 30 seconds to get it out of her, I gave up and started decorating the box that would hold the best news! Although I had most of this plan figured out, what about the photographer? Who was going to take the pictures professionally? Luckily, my mom works with a guy who is studying photography and has experience with weddings and other occasions. She messaged him and he ended up getting out of work the same time Gavin usually wakes up from nap. FATE?! Uh, yeah! Tommy (poor guy was sicker than a dog) and I quickly wrapped the box up in baby wrapping paper. My mom took the box to the store, picked out the balloons, and put them inside. Then Tommy, Gavin, and I picked up the photographer and went to a local park with beautiful tree's. The park was closed so we couldn't do much exploring, which was fine because it was cold and still snowing. We found a spot and here are the pictures (we also have it on video!!)






















YES! IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Gavin is going to have a little brother!!!!! They are going to grow up together and be best friends!! AHH!!!!!!!! WE ARE SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!


The Baby: is the size of a peach! This week our sweet baby 
is able to move and flex his arms and legs. And I can sometimes feel him, especially at night.

Mommy's Health: The baby and I now need 70g of protein. I eat eggs/egg whites everyday with broccoli, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Oh and of course, cheese. I also still eat chicken most nights. Carbs are still my go to favorite! I take my prenatal vitamin every night and I love yogurt and frozen yogurt. I get plenty of sleep and enjoying my life! I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET MY BABY BOY!




Week 14: Right away we started picking out the nursery theme and baby names. We have some ideas but nothing definite yet. During week 14 last pregnancy I was talking about how much I popped. This pregnancy I feel twice as big as I did last time. What if I have a 10+ pound baby?! I could hardly push through an 8lb 7oz baby!! I need to stop worrying, Lord help me!

The Baby: is the size of a lemon! The baby's face can start to make expressions like squint or frown. Some babies even start growing hair this week! 

Mommy's Health: This week it was my turn to be sick with the flu. But that's not all, I was also hit with a virus where I had diarrhea! SO FUN! At first I thought it was just food poisoning. Tommy and I went to his company's party they throw every year in February. Tommy and I ate the same thing, but I'm the only one who got sick that night. I was so nauseous and sick I ended up laying on the bathroom floor with my mom at 3 in the morning while she watched over me. Seriously, thank God for her. I went to the bathroom three times and passed out in my bed. What an exciting week... After that night I felt better. 



Week 15: This week during my first pregnancy was the time we had our gender revel party. I love this blog. I love looking back at everything I did and learned. I cried looking at the gender reveal pictures and I can't wait to love another baby unconditionally. 

The Baby: is the size of a naval orange! The hair is growing on our son's head and his skin is translucent with blood vessels forming underneath the skin.

Mommy's Health: It's been a non eventful week. I feel great, I have energy, I'm eating fine. I still get dizzy in the mornings, but it goes away after an hour or so.. I just keep hydrated. I hope I feel this great throughout the rest of m pregnancy!  

Baby #2 Overview Weeks Ten, Eleven, and Twelve

                                 

Week 10: During week 10 pregnancy the first time around I wrote about how wonderful my husband was... and this time I'm going to do the same thing. THIS WEEK IS ALL ABOUT TOMMY! He is a wonderful provider and takes good care of us. On top of working all day (and some nights) he still comes home to tend to Gavin and me. He takes over daddy duties right away, so I can rest. On the days he watches Gavin I come home to a clean house and dinner ready, and even hot tea some days! He rubs my back every night he is home to help me digest and make my stomach feel better. On the weekends he does the grocery shopping and always makes whatever I want to eat. I tell him all the time how much I appreciate and love him and he always responds with "I love doing it." He really is the best <3

The Baby: is the size of a prune! This week our baby's organs are all formed and beginning to function. He/she is also growing tiny nails on fingers and toes and tiny buds for teeth.

Mommy's Health: I thought I was going to be sick for a month because that's what happened when I was pregnant with Gavin, but after a week, I feel a little better.  I've been drinking orange juice and trying to get plenty of rest, which is almost impossible with a full time teaching job and an almost 2 year old. Gavin goes to bed at 8, so I try to go to sleep a little after that. I am now able to eat without feeling sick (yay!). I still get my headaches, but I'm used to them by now. 

                                          

Week 11: I can't believe I am almost in my second trimester already. August is going to be here before I know it! I have so much to do and time is going to catch up with me quickly. I rather do a little at a time than everything all at once. I can't wait to find out the gender so I can start the nursery!  

The Baby: is the size of a lime! This week the baby is officially called a fetus. The baby will start doubling in size every week. The baby's ears are moving to the side of the head. 

Mommy's Health: This week I feel much better, go orange juice! Although I'm feeling better, my boobs are a whole different story. They are sore, sensitive, and tender. That means they are gearing up for nursing!! I can't wait to breastfeed again. After a year of nursing Gavin, I'm a pro. I'm hoping to avoid the first month of "powering through the pain." Nursing the second time around is supposed to be easier. The bond between mother and baby while nursing is truly indescribable. I know I've posted and preached about this topic plenty of times before, but it's so important to at least try to breastfeed. The benefits for both mother and baby are scientifically proven. Here are some amazing benefits for nursing from http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp

Studies have demonstrated a number of important health benefits to breastfeeding. Among them:

• Breast-fed children are more resistant to disease and infection early in life than formula-fed children
• Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a number of diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer before the age of 15
• Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, are able to lose weight gained during pregnancy more easily and have a lower risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer
• A variety of studies have demonstrated that breastfeeding increases a child's immunity to disease and infection:
• Many studies show that breastfeeding strengthens the immune system. During nursing, the mother passes antibodies to the child, which help the child resist diseases and help improve the normal immune response to certain vaccines.
• Respiratory illness is far more common among formula-fed children. In fact, an analysis of many different research studies concluded that infants fed formula face a threefold greater risk of being hospitalized with a severe respiratory infection than do infants breast-fed for a minimum of four months.
• Diarrheal disease is three to four times more likely to occur in infants fed formula than those fed breast milk.
• Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the likelihood of ear infections, and to prevent recurrent ear infections. Ear infections are a major reason that infants take multiple courses of antibiotics.
• In developing countries, differences in infection rates can seriously affect an infant's chances for survival. For example, in Brazil, a formula-fed baby is 14 times more likely to die than an exclusively breast-fed baby.
• Researchers have observed a decrease in the probability of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in breast-fed infants.
• Another apparent benefit from breastfeeding may be protection from allergies. Eczema, an allergic reaction, is significantly rarer in breast-fed babies. A review of 132 studies on allergy and breastfeeding concluded that breastfeeding appears to help protect children from developing allergies, and that the effect seems to be particularly strong among children whose parents have allergies.
• 
  
• Some benefits of breastfeeding become apparent as the child grows older. Among the benefits demonstrated by research:
• • Infants who are breast-fed longer have fewer dental cavities throughout their lives.
  • Several recent studies have shown that children who were breast-fed are significantly less likely to become obese later in childhood. Formula feeding is linked to about a 20 to 30 percent greater likelihood that the child will become obese.
  • Children who are exclusively breast-fed during the first three months of their lives are 34 percent less likely to develop juvenile, insulin-dependent diabetes than children who are fed formula.
  • Breastfeeding may also decrease the risk of childhood cancer in children under 15 years of age. Formula-fed children are eight times more likely to develop cancer than children who are nursed for more than six months. (It is important to note that children who are breast-fed for less than six months do not appear to have any decreased cancer risk compared to bottle-fed children.)
  • As children grow into adults, several studies have shown that people who were breast-fed as infants have lower blood pressure on average than those who were formula-fed. Thus, it is not surprising that other studies have shown that heart disease is less likely to develop in adults who were breast-fed in infancy.
  • Significant evidence suggests that breast-fed children develop fewer psychological, behavioral and learning problems as they grow older. Studies also indicate that cognitive development is increased among children whose mothers choose to breastfeed.
  • In researching the psychological benefits of breast milk, one researcher found that breast-fed children were, on average, more mature, assertive and secure with themselves as they developed.
  Studies indicate that breastfeeding helps improve mothers' health, as well as their children's. A woman grows both physically and emotionally from the relationship she forms with her baby. Just as a woman's breast milk is designed specifically to nourish the body of an infant, the production and delivery of this milk aids her own health. For example:

  • Breastfeeding helps a woman to lose weight after birth. Mothers burn many calories during lactation as their bodies produce milk. In fact, some of the weight gained during pregnancy serves as an energy source for lactation.
  • Breastfeeding releases a hormone in the mother (oxytocin) that causes the uterus to return to its normal size more quickly.
  • When a woman gives birth and proceeds to nurse her baby, she protects herself from becoming pregnant again too soon, a form of birth control found to be 98 percent effective -- more effective than a diaphragm or condom. Scientists believe this process prevents more births worldwide than all forms of contraception combined. In Africa, breastfeeding prevents an estimated average of four births per woman, and in Bangladesh it prevents an estimated average of 6.5 births per woman.
  • Breastfeeding appears to reduce the mother's risk of developing osteoporosis in later years. Although mothers experience bone-mineral loss during breastfeeding, their mineral density is replenished and even increased after lactation.
  • Diabetic women improve their health by breastfeeding. Not only do nursing infants have increased protection from juvenile diabetes, the amount of insulin that the mother requires postpartum goes down.
  • Women who lactate for a total of two or more years reduce their chances of developing breast cancer by 24 percent.
  • Women who breastfeed their children have been shown to be less likely to develop uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer.
  • The emotional health of the mother may be enhanced by the relationship she develops with her infant during breastfeeding, resulting in fewer feelings of anxiety and a stronger sense of connection with her baby.
  • A woman's ability to produce all of the nutrients that her child needs can provide her with a sense of confidence. Researchers have pointed out that the bond of a nursing mother and child is stronger than any other human contact. Holding the child to her breast provides most mothers with a more powerful psychological experience than carrying the fetus inside her uterus. The relationship between mother and child is rooted in the interactions of breastfeeding. This feeling sets the health and psychological foundation for years to come.

  The benefits of breastfeeding go beyond health considerations. Mothers who nurse their children enjoy social and economic advantages as well. For example:

  • Women who breastfeed avoid the financial burden of buying infant formula, an average expense of $800 per year.
  • Breast-fed babies are less likely to need excessive medical attention as they grow. In one study, a group of formula-fed infants had $68,000 in health care costs in a six-month period, while an equal number of nursing babies had only $4,000 of similar expenses.

  

                                     

Week 12: We had an appointment last Friday for the first trimester ultrasound at a diagnostic center. We drove all the way down there to find out the receptionist at my doctor's office forgot to fax over the script. I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE CALLED!! I forgot to call on my lunch break to make sure the script was sent over, but it snowed and I had to worry about getting lunch because I didn't want to drive home on my break because the roads were bad and blah blah blah... I went to my regular doctor's appointment the following Monday and she said to reschedule it before the next time we meet. My doctor then went to get the HEARTBEAT MONITOR!!! We got to hear the baby's heartbeat. 160 beats per minute! My amazing little baby! We also talked about the Zika Virus. I'm sure everyone has heard of it by now since it's always on the news. I'm a little nervous about it. It's a virus passed along through mosquitoes or through intercourse with someone who has the virus. The Zika Virus especially effects unborn babies in the womb. The baby's head could be deformed and it can cause brain damage. I'm not due until the end of August and I live in an area where there are a ton of mosquitoes. My mom said I'm not allowed to go outside at all. Since that's going to be impossible I will just have to take extra precautions. My doctor didn't seem too worried about it. She said there are no cases in our state and gave us some healthy ways to make sure mosquitoes stay away from me. She suggested safe bug sprays with oils, citronella plants, and candles. I will be doing all of those things. Plus we spend most of our summer at the beach and boardwalk and there are rarely any mosquitoes there. I also had blood drawn for the harmony test! This will check the chromosomes for Down Syndrome and the gender! The results usually take 3-4 weeks. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

We finally had our first trimester (level 1) sonogram the Wednesday after my doctor's appointment. I love seeing the baby on the screen. We saw his or her arms, legs, fingers, toes, and the head. The baby was flopping around all over the place. Another active baby!! It is just so amazing to witness the baby moving around in my belly. I cry every time. The tech said everything is there and accounted for and everything looks good! The baby is measuring right on target and the placenta is also looking good. The back of the head measured normal (around 1.5).If the measurement is 2.5 or greater the baby could have Down Syndrome, heart problems, or other complications. Thanks to God for blessing us with another healthy baby. I do not have another doctor's appointment until week 16, so we will discuss the ultrasound with the doctor in a month.

The Baby: is the size of a plum! This week the baby's face is becoming more defined. The eyes have moved towards the front of the face and the chin and nose are more shaped. The baby's fingernails are now well formed. 

Mommy's Health: I was feeling better last week and now I have a sore throat. Hopefully this will be quick like the last time. The kids at school are always sick with something...I have to up my O.J. again. Other than that I feel great. I have some of my energy back and I'm not nauseous at all anymore. Just waiting for these headaches to go away!

                               

<3<3<3

Baby #2 Overview Weeks Seven, Eight, and Nine

Week 7:

This time during my first pregnancy I was researching birth centers and mid-wives. Experts say if your pregnancy is going well with no problems or risks, then there is no reason to have to deliver at a hospital. No doubt hospitals freak me out, but I'm so glad I delivered Gavin at a hospital. Right after delivering Gavin, I had uterine atony and hemorrhaged so bad I passed out. I almost needed a blood transfusion. Just because the pregnancy is going smoothly and perfectly doesn't mean the delivery will be just as smooth. I love my doctor and all the nurses who helped me. I'm glad I ended up delivering at a hospital and I am doing it all over again!

The Baby: 

Is the size of a BLUEBERRY! This week our baby's brain is developing. The face is also becoming more defined. Tiny arms, legs, hands, and feet are beginning to bud.

Mommy's Health: This week I started having those crazy pregnancy dreams. I had these dreams during my first pregnancy too. It's always the same, Tommy walks out on our marriage. He either left me for someone else or just moves back to his parent's home and ignores all my phone calls and text messages. They feel so real and I wake up in a panic. I sometimes wake him up and ask him if this really happened. In the beginning he would say, "I love you, that would never ever happen." Now he just rolls over and says, "Babe, stop." I can't help it!! These dreams usually last a week and then go away until the third trimester, hopefully. 

Other than that everything is the same, nauseous, tired, headaches, and gassy. I'm also still on cloud nine, I love being pregnant. 

WEEK 8: I have my first doctor's appointment for this pregnancy next week. I'm so excited! I've been feeling bloated, especially after I eat and it doesn't go away for hours!! It's so uncomfortable.

The baby: is the size of a raspberry! This week our baby's ears, eyelids, fingers, and toes are developing. The baby now has wrists and elbows that can flex.

Mommy's Health: This week has been awful. I'm sick with a cold. Last time I was pregnant and sick, it lasted a month!! I don't take anything (unless it gets really bad). Nothing else is really new. I still get headaches throughout the day, nauseous, and fatigue. My appetite is coming back! Veggies still upset my stomach, but I eat them anyway. 

WEEK 9: Well this was an interesting week. On Tuesday morning I felt a little out of it. I was light headed and had a couple hot flashes before leaving for work. I always eat something small to settle my stomach right after I get up. Once I made it to work I ate my breakfast. I had a bagel with cream cheese and about 3 cups of water. I was still feeling hot and light headed when my students walked in. I was introducing their writing assignment, when I started to feel extremely dizzy. I told my paras that I had to go to the bathroom. I was on my way to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face when I started seeing black spots. I walked past the bathrooms and decided to go right to the nurse. She's the only one who knows I'm pregnant and I know I can trust her. As I started walking down the hall the dots started to disappear and then everything went black. I felt the doors along the wall to try to figure out which door was the office that lead to the nurse. I guessed right and almost fell stumbling into the office. I said, "I can't see anything." One of the secretaries grabbed my arm and yelled for the nurse who quickly ran over to grab my other arm. After that I blacked out for a couple of minutes and woke up on the nurses bed. She was taking my blood pressure and told me it was a low. She gave me orange juice to drink and called the vice principal to tell her I needed to go home. She arranged for a teacher to drive me home. I already had my baby appointment tomorrow with my gyno and ended up taking the day off. After I got home, the teacher took Tommy back to the school to drive my car back home. The teachers told the students Gavin wasn't feeling good and that I had to go home to take care of him. 

The next day I went to my doctor. I told her about what happened yesterday and she said it was probably from low blood pressure. I already have low blood pressure and now more blood is being pumped to the baby. She asked if I ate anything and I told her what ate. She told me to drink more water because my body is dehydrated after not drinking anything all night while I'm sleeping

I just love my doctor! She was going to give me a pap smear and check up, and an internal ultrasound, but I told her I didn't feel comfortable stirring anything around in there since I was only 9 weeks and scared to miscarry again. She said no problem and said she would try an external ultrasound. She was able to find the baby! We saw the heartbeat and placenta! My doctor said everything looks good and healthy. The baby is measuring 9 weeks 3 days!

The baby: is the size of a grape! This week our baby's tail disappears and the hands and feet are looking less like paddles and have formed fingers and toes. The eyes are fully developed. He/she is not an official fetus yet.

Mommy's Health: The horrible pregnancy dreams stopped for now (yay!). I still feel dizzy every morning. I get dressed, then have to sit down, I put my make-up on,then I have to lay down, I drink orange juice and eat every morning. I drink as much water as I can, but it's hard. I feel sick to my stomach in the morning. Hopefully this will go away soon. It's scary! 

<3

Baby #2 Overview Weeks Four, Five, and Six

THIS IS SO EXCITING. I missed blogging my pregnancy every few weeks, and now I get to do it again! So, when I posted during my first pregnancy, I had three categories: What Tommy and I were doing to prepare for the baby (and other updates), how I was feeling, and the size and development of the baby. I also posted a picture of my growing belly. I plan on doing the same thing except this time I want to compare my current pregnancy to my first pregnancy. You can always go back into my blog to read previous posts, if desired... This post is for weeks 4, 5, and 6 and I can not wait another second to get started!

Week 4:

We must start off with how I told Tommy about the next addition to our family. For the first pregnancy I wrote a letter to Tommy pretending to be the baby and then took a video of him reading it. I wrote things like, "I can't wait to meet you, I love you already, you're going to be the best dad in the world." Then I watched him tear up with joy as he read the letter. This time I found out right before Christmas, so where else would I tell him other than right in front of the Rockefeller Tree in New York City?! Here are some pictures:

I knew I was pregnant before I even took the test, but I didn't want to get my hopes up since I miscarried just two weeks before. I was nauseous, tired, bloated, cramps, and just had that pregnant feeling. I took the test the day I was supposed to get my period with a digital pregnancy test. The digital test took FOREVER, but when it finally stopped blinking, it was positive!!

Last pregnancy Tommy and I took pictures with the fruit/vegetable that represented the size of the embryo or fetus. This time, I am taking a silhouette picture in front of my bedroom window. They are beautiful and more of an intimate feel.  

The baby: The embryo is now the size of a poppy seed and busy implanting into the lining of the uterus where the placenta has already started and will continue to develop. 

Mommy's Health: Last pregnancy I didn't have much of an appetite, but I still ate very healthy and had 10-12 glasses of water every day. I had cramps and I exercised almost every day.

This pregnancy, at four weeks, I feel amazing (so far). I'm hungry all the time and I try to eat as often as I can. When I do eat large meals I feel full for 4-6 hours at a time. That's because my digestive system has slowed way down to accommodate my growing baby and placenta. I don't have the time or the energy to exercise. Gavin takes all of my time and energy. This pregnancy is going to be way different.

Week 5: 
Tommy and I were nervous this time around. I didn't lift anything and I rested more. It's hard to take care of an 18 month old while trying not to strain yourself. Thankfully, Gavin is an excellent boy. He's going to make an awesome big brother. We talk about his new baby brother/sister a lot. Gavin loves to give kisses to the baby (he kisses my belly). We want him to be prepared for what's to come. We are even practicing to share with his friends, which seems to be going well, and to share his mommy, which isn't going as well. He doesn't like when I hold other children, but we have 8 more months of growing up we'll keep trying.

The Baby:The embryo is now dividing into three layers of cells. The top layer will become the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and backbone). The middle layer will develop into the circulatory system. The bottom layer will develop the lungs, intestines, thyroid, and other major organs. 

Mommy's Health: Last pregnancy I was still rarely hungry, which caused me to get minor headaches. But once I ate I was fine. I still drank a lot of water, ate healthy, and exercised. 

This pregnancy: I started to feel very tired. Working as a full time teacher, raising an 18 month old, and growing a baby takes everything I have, and it's only 5 weeks in! I started feeling nauseous and my boobs are already leaking. Jeez, the body doesn't even give women a chance the second time around does it?? What the weird part is I already felt little flutters and bubbles. I know it wasn't gas because well, I didn't, you know... Plus it felt different than gas, it felt like my embryo was moving already, so cool, weird, and magical at the same time. 

Week 6: I love what I wrote when I was six weeks pregnant with Gavin, and I feel the exact same this time around:

"Before I get started on the update of my last two weeks being pregnant, let me just say that I LOVE being pregnant. If I sound like I'm whining or complaining in this post, it's because I am. BUT that does not change the incredible feeling I have everywhere I go. Just knowing I have my miracle growing inside of me everyday gives me huge fluttering butterflies flying around in my stomach. And because I am solely responsible for the growth of this baby for all nine months...I have the right to complain."

NOW ON TO THE COMPLAINING... (soon) 

At six weeks I had already gone to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy, get a pap smear, and check-up. Not this time, I'm in no rush. 

The baby: Is the size of a green pea! Every week the baby triples in size. This week the baby is developing eyes, ears, and the heart starts to pump!!! The tissue for the backbone, ribs, and some muscles are also developing. 

 Mommy's Health: First pregnancy: I still had no appetite except for pasta and cheese, but I still ate healthy. I was still cramping and didn't exercise everyday due to fatigue. 

This pregnancy: I am already starting to be annoyed at the first pregnancy me. Exercising and eating super healthy? Only small headaches and no nausea? I already know this time around is much worse, but to read about how great I felt the first time...Get ready for some complaining!! Week 6 is the worst week so far. I think I feel worse than I did in my whole first pregnancy put together. I feel like I have the flu. I'm achy, so so soooo tired. I was able to nap when I came home from work with the first pregnancy, but now with Gavin, he is usually just waking up when I get home. No naps for me! My headaches start at work around 1 in the afternoon until about 5 in the evening. I start to feel better around 7. This stinks because the baby goes to bed at 8. I feel guilty not being able to give Gavin all my attention, but it's something we both have to get used to. Hopefully this will pass and I'll start feeling better soon. 

<3