Starting Over

So they say that your second child doesn't get as much attention as your first. While I was determined to not have this happen, it already is. Maybe because I've been so nauseous and sick for the first trimester? Maybe because I'm busy when I'm not sick moving and chasing a very active 17 month old around? Maybe because I'm lazy? Maybe all of the above?

But I'm determined from this point on to be better with updates on this baby, updates on the house, and updates on our lives.

We have officially moved out of our apartment to our house. All of the boxes are unpacked and the only things left to do are little things. Like hang some photos and shelves. And the baby's room. But we've decided to not deal with the baby's room until we know what we're having - no sense in buying furniture and painting until we know what we're having. And we have another month until we find out - the date for the gender ultrasound is September 20th!

This pregnancy is SO different from Santi's. From the things I'm eating, to how I'm carrying.  I'm 18 weeks now and still in regular clothes. I have three pairs of size 6 shorts I'm wearing and can still button and are comfortable. And one pair of capri pants that are a size 5/6 that I wear, and two pairs of jeans. I can button those jeans but they're more comfortable unbuttoned so I zip them up and button them with an elastic band. And all of my tops are non-maternity tops. I'm SWIMMING in maternity clothes. I have one XS maternity top and it's SO big on me. And all of the rest of the stuff is way too big. While the pants are comfy, they are too big and when I've put them on I spend 99% of my day hiking them up. So I've avoided buying any maternity clothes to this point.

With Santi, I was in maternity clothes at 11 weeks. And I gained weight in the first trimester (about 5lbs) and it went to my legs/hips and my arms. With this pregnancy, I've lost 11lbs, and now that I'm in the 2nd trimester, I'm STILL maintaining that weight. I told my OB I was concerned and asked if I should be drinking weight gain shakes and he said no. He said his only concern was me gaining too much weight (which for my frame I'm only supposed to gain 30lbs at the most.) 

So he told me to indulge, and I'm taking his advice and enjoying some milkshakes, and ice cream, more than I normally would. But I'm still exercising. If I'm not going to Stroller Strides, I'm going for walks with Santi (we did 4.5 miles the other day.) But we have a new neighborhood to explore, so we go walking a lot. And I've also been doing a lot of yard work. So I think this is all contributing. And I am hoping that I gain weight but that the slow gain helps me lose it after this baby arrives.

And my goal is to run a half marathon next June after this baby arrives. Tito asked me "why?" which, to tell you the truth, I would have asked myself a year ago. But the truth is, I want to do it so I can say I did it. It's a personal goal I've had in my head since joining Stroller Strides after Santi was born and the Running Club and training for two 10k's. And while training for the 10k, I said to myself - "If I can run 6.2 miles, why can't I run 13?" So that's my goal. And I'm hoping I can do it. Timeline will be tight as I won't be able to start training for it until the end of February or early March depending on when the baby arrives. So that's three months to train, but I'm hoping my body will remember running by that point and not be too upset with me.

As of now, here are where things stand with Baby D #2:

How Far Along: 18 weeks (154 more days to go!)

What "They" Say About Our Baby's Development: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long and it weighs almost 7 ounces. It's busy flexing its arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Its blood vessels are visible through its thin skin, and its ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from its head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves, a process that will continue for a year after it's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.



Weekly Food Comparison: A bell pepper

The Good: Feeling the baby move occasionally. I still am not used to this feeling. Maybe because I know that there is a little person inside and I'm kind of anxious to get to the point of meeting that person? I'll let them stay in there and cook a little longer though!

The Bad: Headaches


The Weird: Random hiccups

Currently Craving/Avoiding:

Avoiding: Not much...

Craving: Sugary foods, carbs
 
Doctor Updates: Nothing this week. One month until our BIG ultrasound!


The Weekly Belly Bump: I need a different photo but this is the latest I've taken - this was at 16 weeks, although I'm not really looking any bigger at 18 weeks now!