My Second Pregnancy

Today I'm 38 weeks pregnant and I can't believe I haven't sat down to write about this pregnancy until now. Or maybe I can believe it... From the quiet weeks that made up my first trimester - waiting, worrying and keeping our secret news private between my husband and I, the first 13 weeks flew by. The second trimester was one of excitement, getting to share with our family and friends and then just like that, every day life kept swirling around and days turned into weeks and weeks into months and now here we are! 

Several weeks ago  I went in for a 32 week ultra sound. During my standard anatomy scan at 20 weeks the doctors diagnosed me with a 'low lying placenta' so I had to come back to make sure everything was where it needed to be. Thankfully my body has adjusted properly and we're in the clear for hopefully another uncomplicated birth. After this news the ultrasound technician said we could take a look at our little baby boy. She no sooner brought his image up on the screen when she proclaimed, " Oh WOW. Oh WOW!!!" My heart jumped. She didn't sound worried, she sounded amazed. Was she going to say "he" was really a "she"? Is he extra large? No, no. She literally yelled...

“This baby has the most hair I have ever seen. ”

Well, I guess my theory on Baby Boomer the 2nd being bald has been crushed. But am I surprised? Not really at all. I saw it with my own eyes on the screen. And now I can't wait to hold him in my arms and see him in person. And everyone better keep their 'don't cut his hair until he's one," comments to themselves. I'm a bolder more experienced "epic hair" mama at this point and I will definitely be doing things differently this time. 

Grayson at 4 months old. Will we have another "Blooming Onion?"

Besides this thrilling news of another potential baby hair star, this pregnancy has been another blessed and wonderful experience. Everyone has asked if it's been different than my first and the answer is YES.

My first pregnancy with Grayson was somewhat challenging (in a non-medical,  just the woos of pregnancy type of way). I was nauseous for 12 weeks straight, night and day. Any food that was green (or healthy) made my stomach churn. I lived on bagels, pasta and pancakes for almost three months. Consequently I gained weight very, very quickly and felt uncomfortable and miserable. I was pretty nervous throughout the pregnancy when it came to aches and pains. I didn't know that most of what I was feeling was common. I took multiple naps a day in between classes and clients. Yet I was still always exhausted. Then came Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and my 30th birthday. There was a lot of room for indulgence and treats. Everyone told the pregnant girl to have another dessert and I did. I ended up gaining over 50lbs total. One day before I gave birth I realized I couldn't fit into any of my husbands t-shirts. I asked him how much he weighed and I was 3 lbs shy of that number. (Whatttt?) Thankfully I gave birth to a beautiful Grayson the next day. He weighed 8lbs exactly and changed my life forever in the best way possible.

This time around things were just different. During my first trimester I was again nauseous but my only food aversions were fish. I still was able to eat healthy foods and while I did crave egg sandwiches and carbs, it was easier to keep everything in check. The main reason things were different was the fact that I was already a mom. Having a toddler meant things never slowed down. In fact they only tended to speed up as the months passed and my little guy grew more into the thick of being two. 

My second trimester flew by. I wish I had taken the time to write more about it because I honestly don't even remember half of it. I was teaching a full class load, and home most full days with Grayson. We moved to a new house. I potty trained Grayson. I was still working out and walking everywhere. Life was in FULL swing. I felt a lot more exhausted at the end of the day but that was it. I felt great.

At this point my weight gain was pretty significant. Just like with Grayson I started off fast and furious despite eating much better and being way more active. My midwife told me she was not concerned and that my body was doing what it needed to do to be able to carry a baby. Still, not always easy news for a fitness professional to hear. Every week we'd get photos from our Nike classes we taught and I'd compare myself week to week. It's a real struggle to know that your body needs to gain weight and be able to accept it. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror but I loved what was growing inside me. I think it was towards the end of this second trimester that I just let it go. I stopped worrying for real. And I'm not just saying that. I saw things happen to friends around me who faced challenges with pregnancies and new babies and I couldn't allow myself to feel bad that I had gained 20lbs. I have a full of life toddler and a healthy growing baby inside me, who really cares about a number on the scale. 

Now onto the third trimester and much more of the same. I still felt really good. My weight gain had slowed while my schedule and life had not. I planned to teach up until 38/39 weeks because I simply felt fine. It was around 37 weeks that the pregnancy really hit me. All of a sudden I felt a shift. I felt really pregnant. Things started to ache, I was feeling some intense pelvic pressure and real, true exhaustion had set in. My body was screaming at me to slow down. My midwife told me to pack my hospital bag and my husband urged me to stop teaching. My mom arrived in town (she is my life savor) and it seems now is the time to nest, rest and wait. 

I've taught my last group class. My mind is full of lists, things to accomplish before my little guy arrives. My kitchen table has written notes for my husband that include random tasks like finally mounting the TV. Ha! My heart is full of equal parts worry and excitement. My body is ready. (Although we are all joking that now that I've finally stopped the baby will arrive late.) 

The future is so wide open it's at times scary. I've cleared my schedule for the next few months and I'm anxious to start this next chapter of my life. I can feel inside how much change is about to happen. I'm as ready as I will ever be.

I can't wait to watch my oldest son become a big brother.

I can't wait to see my husband become a father again. 

I can't wait to open my arms and have two little boys fill them up.

Do you have questions for me? Anything you want to know about being pregnant? I'd love to hear from you and do a Q&A if there's more you're interested in hearing. Just leave a quick comment and I'll do a follow up, not that I have all this free time on my hands :)