Did I jinx myself?

It's Christmas day. We have all been home together all day, it's been wonderful. Jack has had a blast playing with his new toys. He's had one of the best Christmases a kid could have. But I've been thinking about my pregnancy blog while Jack has been napping. I think by making the blogspot address, "Sick all Day", I jinxed myself. My pregnancy nausea is back in full swing. I am back to being sick (almost) all day. It's awful, but not as awful as first trimester nausea. I just thought I'd share this not-so-new, news. It's been going on for about three weeks in spurts, but now it's apparent that my nausea is here to stay. Yuck! This just seals the deal even more that there will be no more babies in my uterus! Merry Christmas!

Ultrasound picture

Here is copy of my ultrasound picture from last week. His face is in the top-left corner of the picture and his little hands are clasped in front of his chin. Cutie-pie needs a name. Can't seem to come up with one yet.

I'm Enormous!

I've blossomed to say the least. I am huge. At least I feel huge. I exercise at least three times a week. I can't say I've been watching what I eat, but I don't think I'm eating that much more to account for the way I look. I feel constantly hungry and nausea has reared it's ugly head again, making me feel the need to graze on food. The scales say I've gained 18 lbs. so far, but I look like it's closer to 40. Sounds like good old-fashioned denial, doesn't it?

Pregnancy Pictures

I have had no plans to get any professional pregnancy pictures done. I never had any taken when I was pregnant with Jack. I guess I just feel like it's hard to get a "genuine" looking pregnancy pose that doesn't look "posey". I have yet to see one. But, armed with black and white film in my camera, I asked Sam to take some pictures of me and Jack. I wanted some sort of record of my pregnancy before I start to look like a miserable pregnant lady. Here are the best pictures. I think Sam did as good as any professional.

Before Vacation Post

I'm exhausted. I've been planning our Disney trip for months, but this week I've been doing all the packing, planning and last minute details. You can't just go to Disney, you have to plan and be prepared. To get into a "character meal", you should call 180 days in advanced. Oh my. I didn't call far enough in advance, so we're stuck with the Winnie the Pooh dinner. I'm not complaining, but it's no Chef Mickey's. I'm told it's a great character meal and Jack will love it. I had no idea what goes into planning a trip to Disney World. Thank goodness for a sister that is a Disney connoisseur (and the book, The Unofficial Guide to Disney World, 2009). I know it will be worth all the planning and hard work.

Pregnancy Funnies

Jack seems quite fascinated with my belly. He lifts my shirt on a regular basis and pats my stomach gently. He says some really funny things (at least to me they're funny) about his brother and my pregnant belly:

"Mommy, how are we gonna get him out of there?"

As he is rubbing and hugging my stomach he spots a mole on my belly and says, "Mommy, I see him! I see my baby brother right there!" Pointing to the mole.

"I like your baby, mommy."

Halfway there!

It's been a while since I posted a picture of what things should look like on the inside. I'm halfway there and currently in my 21st week. I have a much bigger pooch than this picture and the kicks are very vigorous. I can't get over how active my little man is. I thought Jack was an active one, but this one takes the prize. Sam can really feel how hard he kicks from outside my belly. It seems so early to be feeling him so prominently.

Oh, My face

Well, you know your face is in bad shape when your three-year-old tells you first thing in the morning (when you don't have make-up on) that, "your face still needs a band-aid". I thought the hormones were not surging anymore and had "evened out", but my face break-outs would indicate otherwise.

I knew it, but now it's official...

My World has turned into a big ball of Blue...we're having a BOY!

We won't have to pay for any weddings, just rehearsal dinners.
(I found out last Thursday about having a boy, but waited to announce it due to a complications scare. I couldn't think about anything else for several days. My bloodwork came back okay and it looks as though all is fine with baby boy - praise the Lord. I do have to go back for a follow-up ultrasound at 24 weeks).

Don't Laugh - all you well-endowed women...

but it's time to leave the A-cup bras behind and say hello to B-cups. It's just time. I've been suffocating the girls too long.

Why can't I keep this side-effect?

Kentucky Belly Shot

Here is a shot of me before heading to Keenland. The dress was not maternity, so I had to hold the dress to get the full-effect of the belly.

It's been a long time. . .

. . .but there's nothing really new. I'm spitting all the time (which I'm sure grosses everyone out), my face looks like a pubescent girl who snacks on greasy potato chips and drinks Mt. Dew all day. Other than that, I'm still out of the sicky phase. We just returned from Lexington and I'm exhausted. More later.

Back in my routines

I'm feeling good. I've completed 16 weeks, I guess that officially makes me four months pregnant. Other than the completely disgusting, utterly inconvenient excessive saliva issue, I'm doing quite well. (Oh, and the teenage acne). The books say this problem should be gone by now (the saliva), but no, that would be too wonderful. As I've said several times, I'm a textbook picture of a plagued pregnant person. I'm glad to not feel nauseated 24/7 so I keep my complaints to myself. . . for the most part.

I'm back to being me. I have started back to the gym and taking afternoon walks in the neighborhood. I'm cooking regularly and cleaning (slowly but surely). I have two trips planned in the near future to Kentucky (we haven't been home since early July). We're even getting ready for a garage sale this Saturday. I've done all the de-cluttering and pricing for the sale. I should get the money we collect, right?

Coffee...how I've longed for you!

I'm so happy that I can tolerate coffee again. For all those coffee lovers out there, you know the importance of coffee in the morning. We look forward to morning coffee the night before when we're climbing into bed - or sometimes earlier than bedtime. Although I'm compromising by drinking half decaf and half regular, it's still coffee.

On to more exciting news than coffee...I'm feeling the baby move alot. It's not actual kicks but flutters. It's about the same time every night when we settle down to watch TV with Jack before he heads to bed. It's a very subtle movement and I likely don't notice it during the day while I'm busy moving around so much. Excitement. I was feeling movement in the 13th week, but it was so subtle I never knew if it was baby or gas.

18 days until ultra-sound and gender identification!

Feeling Good and Havin' Fun

My school friends, Alisha and Stephanie, came in to visit for the weekend. It was so much fun having them around. I don't get too many visitors and it was fun to just talk girly stuff all weekend. It also meant that I was feeling well enough to have a little fun. We went to town on Saturday, riding the train, stopping at the Arch and Union Station for lunch and a pedicure. We ate out too much, but managed to get a decent walk in on Sunday. Here are some shots of the weekend:

At the foot of one of the Arch legs

Alisha and Stephanie on a park bench

Waiting on the train to Union Station

Sam bought Jack a guitar while we were gone to the Arch. We had the pleasure of hearing all of it's songs when we returned.

Up-to-date Belly Pic

This is my up-to-date profile. Some days it seems to be more pronounced than others. It's likely dependent on what I wear. I'm still wearing normal clothes because I don't have any warm-weather maternity clothes (none that fit anyway). Today I don't even match and there's nothing I can do about it.

14 Weeks

I'm 14 weeks, starting 15 tomorrow. I would like to be doing better than I am, but I can't complain. Monday was fantastic, no nausea to speak of. Yesterday and today aren't as comfortable, but I am still doing so much better overall. Updates on symptoms:

• no more consitpation!
• saliva problem is still here
• acne.....check! Still here in full force
• less trips to the bathroom
• energy is up!
• sensitivity to smell still hangin' out
• my diet is still limited (but that is probably a good thing)
• boobs still super sensitive
• nausea is way down, some days I don't have any

Jack is still being off-the-charts good. I do have Stephanie and Alisha coming this weekend, so we'll see if it stays that way:)

La, la, la, la, laaaaahhhh!!!

I think things are definitely looking up! I start week 14 today and my energy level is getting better. I still have food aversions, nausea on occasion, but overall, I feel better. I'm not ready to start back to the gym just yet, but that will come I hope.

I met my Doctor for the first time yesterday. She is great and I really like her. She is a mother of three (oh my) and so down-to-earth. I heard baby's heartbeat (what a thrill). The great news is. . . I can have my ultra-sound at my next appointment to find out what to call baby. I'm tired of calling him/her "baby". I've gained two pounds, a surprising revelation considering my illness throughout the first trimester. Oh, and some REALLY big news; because St. Louis University is a Catholic institution, they aren't allowed to tie my tubes during Cesarean. Crazy stuff!

Are things looking up?

13 week shot of what's happening!

It seems every post is a roller coaster. I'm doing good one day, bad the next. Last week topped it with bad days Tuesday - Friday. Friday I was so bad off with nausea and lower abdominal pain, I had to summon Sam home from work to take care of Jack. The doctor was not concerned, "just keep an eye on things". Like I wouldn't do that anyway? The weekend was better, but not without bad moments. Today, Monday, I feel energetic (halfway), I feel motivated. Motivated to do something, I'm just not sure what. I'm in my 13th week and it HAS to get better from here - doesn't it?

I'm getting discouraged

I'm starting to get really frustrated. Here I am, the first day of my 13th week. It is just the beginning of the 13th, but I really had high hopes to be feeling better. The last three days have been bad. The last two days I've had to go back to bed after Jack left for school. What is up? I have no energy. None. The saliva factor is out of control, too. Uuuggghhh! I'm just not a good pregnant person. I'm afflicted with anything that has ever been written about. I'm convinced.

Belly Shots (not that kind:)

Here are some shots of my belly. I hate showing my stomach, but what would a pregnancy blog be without some pictures of the belly growth?

Yesterday Stunk

Well...yesterday was my birthday and I felt horrible. Wouldn't ya know. I had great days the previous two days (great for me that is) and then BAM! But, today is a new day. I feel pretty good. I haven't taken any nausea meds and I actually made Gazpacho. I've had strong cravings for vegetables since Wednesday.

My mom is here (I forgot to mention that in earlier postings). She has cleaned all my bathrooms, grocery shopped, cooked, weeded the landscaping and part of the yard, played with Jack so I could lay down, etc. She is a life-saver to say the least. She is superwoman. It has been so nice having her here. Not only is she a huge help, she is wonderful girl company. Love my mom.

Starting my 12th Week. . . Yeh!

I'm starting my 12th week and I couldn't be happier. I mean, I could be; my face could be clearer, I would be happier not to be constipated (sick of hearing about that I'm sure), I'd have a normal amount of saliva in my mouth - but I'll take it. I'm happy because my good days are getting better and my diet is expanding to foods I couldn't touch a week ago. I told Sam last night that I feel these little movements in my way-low pelvic area and I like to imagine that I'm already feeling the baby. It's in the exact spot the baby is settled. I know it's just gas moving around but I can pretend. Here's a picture from the "What to Expect" website of baby during week 12.

It's time to brag on Sam

While Jack watches Toy Story 2, I thought it would be a good time to write about how wonderful Sam has been through all my sickness. He has completely taken over in everything that he physically can. When he gets home, he fixes dinner, plays with Jack, cleans up dinner, plays some more with Jack, does Jack's bath alone, reads him books and puts him to bed. On the weekends and in the evenings, Sam won't let me lift a finger to do anything. He grocery shops and does many household chores. One night last week, he got home late, fixed dinner and put Jack to bed and then left to go to the grocery. Sam often works 10-12 hour days and goes in early (5:30am) to study so he doesn't have to do it in the evenings. He is such a wonderful dad to Jack, so patient and involved. Jack and I are really blessed.

(I'm fully aware that my mom will throw this back at me the next time I'm complaining)

Days Like Today. . .

Make me feel half normal. Days like today allow me to get excited about a baby coming in to the house. I feel like thinking about nursery decor, painting the upstairs, playing cars with Jack, blow-drying my hair instead of letting it air-dry. Wow, it's been a good day so far - but I probably just jinxed it.

Baby looks more like a baby now from last week.

My life these days

This is pretty much my life. I lay on the couch, sometimes sit. Jack likes to snuggle and "get cozy" with me. I'm really miserable and wish I could jump four weeks ahead. I'm in my 10th week and things aren't letting up any. The only cure for what I've got is time. I'm still constipated, I have this awful metallic taste in my mouth, I have acne so bad that I'm afraid to go out, I feel flabby and ugly, my hair is unmanageable, I feel disconnected from Jack and Sam. Pregnancy is killing me.

162 Beats Per Minute

I had an ultra-sound today at 11 am. Not sure why the time is significant, but I'm always detailed. I was able to hear my baby's heartbeat and see it's little body. Wow, how real all this seems to me today. Baby just looks like a little peanut right now but I could see the dark spot where it's eyes are and I could make out arm buds. Not only did I get to hear the heartbeat, I was able to see it beating - just fascinating. Jack was very interested in the picture I brought home. He is still saying he wants a sister. We'll see.
This is pretty much what my picture looks like.

What 8 Weeks Looks Like

Baby is the size of a raspberry, so I've read. From looking at my stomach, you'd think it would be more like an eggplant. (Maybe my pooch is from something else - see yesterday's posting:) I'm having a good morning and I'm thrilled to be feeling this "normal".

Last night as I lay on my new bed - the couch, I was thinking about what women go through during pregnancy. It's remarkable. The books don't talk about it sequentially, they just touch on the bad stuff bits at a time. Here are some that I remember thinking about last night:

• the pressure to take care of yourself, eat right, etc.
• feeling like you are always on the verge of throwing up.
• the never-ending search for things that you can eat and not feel horrid.
• keeping up with household chores that CAN'T wait until Sam gets home.
• constipation
• sore boobs
• clothes not fitting
• getting out of breath by walking across the room
• Acne
• Restless and itchy legs
• hating the way you look naked.
• Not leaving the house because you're too sick.
• taking care of your toddler's needs

This is just the first trimester. And, I know I won't feel like this the entire pregnancy. But, it's all I can think about and talk about right now. It's consuming. I'm thankful for these woes because the end result will be a precious child. But, I will NEVER do this again. This is it for me.

Flat Stomach . . . and more complaining

I thought I'd take a moment to put a picture up of me with my sisters. This is a picture of me when I was pregnant but didn't know it yet. The days of wearing that shirt are GONE! My stomach started to pooch almost immediately (around five weeks). I heard that with your second child, showing starts earlier. I didn't realize I would have trouble buttoning my pants at 6 weeks pregnant. This was also a chance to show off my pretty sisters.

On to my complaining. I'm constipated already. I vowed that I wouldn't let it get as bad with this pregnancy (nine straight days with Jack), but I'm heading in that direction I think. How do you vow something when you're not sure how to prevent it in the first place? All the books say it's part of pregnancy, the muscles relax and don't work as efficiently - fantastic.

And of course, I'm sick. Saturday I felt half-normal. Sunday after lunch and on has been awful again. My mom is gone, but thankfully my neighbor, Amy, has agreed to watch Jack on and off for me. What a blessing.

Mom to the Rescue!

Thank goodness for my mom. She is driving here as I type. This morning has been my worst morning so far. Jack has been watching TV all morning long, I finally just got a banana down and hopefully it will stay there.

I read an article on the Internet yesterday about morning sickness. It was fantastic and I'll put the link at the bottom of this post. It was about how isolating and depressing morning sickness can be. How all the pregnancy books have about a paragraph to address eating crackers and bland food, etc. But none discuss the mental job morning sickness does on us.

I have already concluded that I believe my sickness is just as bad now as it was with Jack. The difference this time is; I'm older, have more responsibilities, I've been through it once before, I'm forcing myself to eat and drink (even if it makes me hurl). The upside to this time - I have Jack. Often I've read that having a young one makes it harder (and it is harder at times). Jack is a great distraction. I love watching him play and be creative with his "scenerios" with his cars and toys. It distracts me from how awful I'm feeling - usually.

http://www.pregnancy.org/article.php?sid=698 Morning Sickness Article

I have the best Son

Jack is such a doll. He played so well today I can hardly stand it. I did have a better day today than yesterday, but he was such a joy. Yesterday I ended up calling my neighbor, Amy, crying so hard. I think she thought something was wrong - like really bad wrong. I was so sick in the afternoon I had to ask if Jack could go over there and play. Of course Jack didn't mind, he loves it over there. I was so grateful.

These posts are boring me, so I'm sure they are boring whoever is reading them. Right now it's gas-gas-gas, sick-sick-sick. That's all I've got.

On My Own

Since getting really sick, I have only had one day by myself - Friday. The weekend is over and Sam is back to work. . . ugh. He really took over and fixed dinners, did laundry (folding it, too). He would take over with Jack and take him up to the playroom, etc. If only he would just clean all the bathrooms, mop the floor, dust and vacuum, scrub all the cat vomit stains out of the carpet?

The nausea is constant - all day long. But the difference with this pregnancy is I feel hypoglycemic and nauseous. If I am hungry, the nausea is worse and I feel shaky and almost dizzy, like a hypoglycemic attack. Sound like fun?

The mornings are definitely the worst. I have to eat a bunch of dry cereal in bed before I can even move. Then if Jack wants to snuggle in his bed for a few minutes before getting up, my sugar starts to drop again. Not good. It's true that you do what you have to do. Jack keeps telling me, "I'm gonna take care of you, Mommy." So sweet.

Now that I've announced it to the World . . .

I thought it'd be a fun idea (and a bit of therapy) to journal, and sometimes photograph, my journey with pregnancy number 2. This will not be a blog for the timid or proper. I have every intention to write detailed accounts of the pregnancy ups and downs (I'm sure my mom will be thrilled).

I'm currently in my 7th week and experiencing morning sickness - all day long. I was delusioned by the first two weeks thinking, "Oh, I'm doing so much better than last time". Taa-haa. This baby was probably laughing it's little tadpole body all over my uterus - because it had something else in mind. It is hard to complain too much as I know first hand how much worse it could be. After church today, all I wanted was a Big Mac. And boy was it good. At least I can eat, at least I can shower and brush my teeth everyday (so far). That couldn't be said when I was in the first trimester with Jack. I have so much to be thankful for.