We're having a.....

GIRL!!!

Despite almost everyone's boy predictions, despite the different pregnancy and totally opposite cravings, Baby Bway 2.0 is a girl!

To say I was shocked is an understatement. I don't know why. From the start I really wanted another girl. But then I spent so much time being told it was a boy and telling myself it was a boy, I think I honestly believed it was a boy. And then I started to really want to experience having a little boy. So when the card read GIRL, it took me a full few minutes to soak it in.

We found out the sex at our 20 week ultrasound so they also examined every inch of her teeny little body, and everything appears to be very healthy. She was very tired and all balled up for most of the examination, but would move throughout the poking and prodding so they were able to get a good peek at her. This is different than her older sister, who was very stubborn and took two doctors pushing, poking, and prodding to be able to get a look at her. However, just like her big sister, she appears to already be self soothing through thumb sucking. How did I end up with two thumb suckers?!! Orthodontists everywhere will love us in 15 years. 

Our plan had been to keep the sex a secret until Adly's family birthday party next weekend, when most of our family would be present. I laugh out loud at this decision now. I don't know who we were kidding. We are the WORST secret keepers that ever lived! Literally as soon as we found out, I dried my tears, Adam slammed some wine (TWO girls!?!) and the appetizers arrived, we were ready to head home and call our families.

Adam always knew he wanted to carry on his middle name, Farrell, to one of his future children. Once we found out Adly was a girl, we decided to pull her middle name from my side of the family. For the second baby we decided we would use Farrell for the middle name, whether it was a boy or a girl. Soon after Adly was born, we began talking about another girl name, and how it could it ever be just as special as Adly's name. That was when Adam brought up the idea of carrying down his grandma Eleanor's name. I loved the name from the start, and although I was never able to meet her, I had heard many amazing things about her. From that moment on, we planned on using Eleanor, were we ever to have another girl.

I'm so glad we ended up doing it the way we did, and not waiting another week. We were able to share the news and the decision of the name individually with our parents and it was very special. When we called his mom to tell her the news last night (Eleanor was her mother), she was beyond thrilled and it was a very special, emotional moment.

So, meet little miss Eleanor (Ellie) Farrell. Sucking her little thumb from the start, just like her big sister!

20 Weeks.

Bad parent alert! Or rather, "sorry baby number 2, you're already getting the shaft" alert!

Either way, here we are at the halfway point and I'm finally getting around to documenting this child's introduction to the world.

I say introduction because it was at some point during this week that my belly started protruding after hiding quite well the last 4 months. Actually, it wasn't at some point. I know exactly when it was. It was Sunday evening around 8pm when the all too familiar growing pains in the groin and stomach region happened. The kind that make first time mommies everywhere panic that something is wrong. But no. It's just your body spreading out in all different ways to make room for the cantaloupe that is growing inside you. This time, it has been quite weird to feel the familiar aches in my joints as my hips realign themselves again to carry a heavy load up front. 

Up until this point, I have to say this has been such an easy pregnancy. Sure, I've definitely had my evenings of being really exhausted, had the bouts of sickness, and ohmygod don't even mention sausage or quinoa to me--they still make me want to hurl. But beyond the weird aversions and normal nausea that ended around 9 weeks, I can't complain.

I am especially grateful for this, as I chase Adly around all day. I cannot imagine doing this while feeling absolutely horrible. In some ways it has been so easy, I've forgotten all about being pregnant. This comes in handy when it comes to the passage of time. It is flying by! Seriously, I blinked and realized I was 20 weeks- half way there!!! 

At 20 weeks, the speculations over the sex of baby #2 continue. I honestly have no idea what we are having. Some days I think strongly boy and other days I strongly think girl. With Adly, I consistently felt "girl" from the start. There have been two major differences in this pregnancy: cravings and sleep. With Adly, I consistently craved sweets. Anything sweet, which was so out of character for me. I ate Sour Patch Kids by the bag. This time, I cannot get enough of everything salty. Chips, pickles, banana peppers (by the jar), spicy sauces, popcorn...anything with salt, I'm down for it. 

I think because of this, I've been slightly saved when it comes to weight gain...so far. By now with Adly, I had already put on about 15 pounds. Mind you, prior to pregnancy with Adly, I was at my best fighting weight having just gotten married. But either way, I was packing on the pounds--and fast. This time, I have been slow to put on weight which is good. That means no scolding by the doctor so far. At 20 weeks, I am around 7 pounds over pre-pregnancy weight.

As far as sleep goes, with Adly, I was exhausted. Maybe it's just a difference of having nothing to focus on but the pregnancy that made me so tired. But I fell asleep constantly around 8:30/9. This time, I'm finding myself having much more trouble sleeping. I'm not nearly as tired at night and now that school is out I've been staying up until 11ish every night. I then wake up between 5:30/6am most days. Ugh. Then there's the insomnia. I've had some terrible bouts of it this pregnancy, sometimes staying up from 3am on, but regularly being awake from 2-4am area. This is exhausting, so I've been regularly napping when Adly does, purely to catch up on sleep.

This week, we finally find out the sex of Baby #2. However we aren't sharing the sex until after Adly's birthday on the 10th. We are having most of our immediate family over to celebrate her 2nd birthday in two weeks and we've chosen to also then share the sex of baby with them then. You know, just to draw out the waiting game a little longer. Because we can.

Of course, we won't be waiting to find out! God no. I'm about to burst inside with the need to know exactly who has been occupying my stomach the last 20 weeks! With Adly, Adam and I went downtown for a little babymoon to find out the sex. We shopped, went out for a really nice dinner, and I was asleep by 9pm. It was a really nice night. This time, however, we have a delightful toddler at home. After going back and forth for a bit, we decided not to do downtown overnight. Adam has to work the whole day still, so our timing would be pretty tight. Instead, after visiting the doctor and getting the best information ever tucked into a card I'm going to stare at all day, I'm taking a mama day.

This calls for a massage with one of my best girlfriends and some shopping. ALONE. This never happens anymore! Maybe I'll go crazy and go to Costco by myself too!?! When Adam gets home, he and I are going to a movie together. To some, this may sound boring. Until I reveal we have not seen a movie together since before Adly was born. Two years it's been! Before you have your baby- GO TO THE MOVIES. You never will again. After that, we're going to dinner at a place we've been wanting to try and then getting a little crazy and doing Tango lessons. Because, why not? We've got a night off from being parents! (All thanks to our dearest and most amazing soon to be officially, sister-in-law Jess).
 

Just to note, with this pregnancy, the overwhelming guesses, intuitions, and feelings from others have gone to boy. As we head into the day of the ultrasound, Adam is still feeling boy and I have switched to girl. My guess has switched only due to the fact that now that it's officially popped, my belly seems high again, a lot like it was with Adly. However, I will note the baby tends to hang out down low. That is where it has been for the ultrasounds and heartbeat listens. I also don't remember feeling her kicks so low last time. I know that boys tend to hang lower. See what I mean!? This baby is already keeping me guessing.

So, here is belly at 20 weeks. It is far bigger at this point than with Adly. She did a great job of stretching out those muscles a few years ago, so baby #2 is having no problem making themselves at home in there. 

Bottom is Adly at 20 weeks. Yipes! Such a difference this time.

Big News....

Yep. It is official. I spent enough time in a few bottles of wine in Napa to decide that why yes, being pregnant and having a newborn was so fun I'm up for it all over again!! Let's do this thing!

As it so happens, Adam and I are apparently extremely fertile. He so much as looks at me and BAM! There's a baby in there. We decided to start "trying" in February because it would mean the birth of our second child would happen at the end of Adam's golf season. 

While it lands in the middle of my school year, we decided Adam being home was more important. Well, I had the main influence over that. Baby number one was extremely hard on me mentally and physically. Hard to imagine now that she's almost two and so good. SEE??!! This is why people do it again. They forget. They forget everything. Anyways, on top of that, Adam was gone 90% of every day. Throw in the fact most of our family lives far away and a dose of PPD that caused me to want no help whatsoever created a big storm of a hell I hope never happens again. I wrote about all of it when I was coming out of it and I hope one day I can find the strength to share about it all. 

But that's besides the point. Let's get to the fact that we started trying in February and by the end of February some funky spotting was going on so on a whim I took a pregnancy test. I mean, there was no way I was pregnant....right?

Sure enough, that little test showed up a nice faint positive. This was quite different from Adly's three tests in a row that turned a bright blue positive immediately. I called the doctors office to find out the chances of a false positive test. The regular nurse wasn't in, so I spent an hour on the phone with the hospital, trying to convince them I didn't need to come in and that I wasn't having a miscarriage. I mean, I spent two weeks heavily bleeding with Adly, hence why we didn't know until around 8 weeks. Plus, I was so early this time I didn't think there was major cause for concern. I went in the next week for blood tests and sure enough, I was pregnant at about 4 weeks along. 

Knowing you're pregnant so early suuuuuucks. I felt like crap for most of it and had nothing fun like a hangover to blame for it. Then there's the constant, incessant worry. I would much rather live blissfully unaware until the end of the rocky first trimester and then be all like "Oh! I'm pregnant! And I only have 28 more weeks to go! Lovely!" I started to feel amazing again around 9 weeks after feeling pretty crappy, which of course in the twisted world of pregnancy is never a good sign. At 11 weeks I was a nervous wreck as we went in for our next ultrasound. As soon as we saw inside, that little baby was a kicking and a punching, which put my mind at ease....for a week.

Then we went to Mexico and I felt soooo good, I just couldn't believe I was still pregnant. So by the time I made it to my 13 week checkup, I was convinced something had happened. I mean I didn't feel pregnant in any way. I could've easily been drinking my way though Mexico, dancing the night away (until 10pm because oh my God I cannot stay awake!!)  Sure enough, she found that little heartbeat be-bopping away immediately. It's just another reminder that this time is no different. We pregnant ladies are all CRAZY, no matter how many times you've stepped into the ring. 

Now comes the waiting game of finding out the sex. This is our last and final child and I want to know more than ever. With Adly, I had a feeling of her being a girl from the moment we found out. It was just this weird feeling. This time, I'm not having a strong feeling either way. Some days I feel it's a boy, some days I feel it's a girl. However the other day, I came home from work and Adly was feeling quite snuggly. She leaned up against my stomach, rubbing it saying "Mama got a baby in her belly. Adly be gentle." These sayings are all normal. Then she whips out "mama got a brudder in her belly."

I'm sorry, WHAT!?!?

Never before have any of us mentioned her possibly having a brother. If anything, I'd expect her to say sister since we always call her a big sister. So either my child is a creepy psychic or its just by chance. But I swear if it turns out to be a boy, I'll be watching her from now on out of one eye. Always.

Being a second time preggo mom with a toddler is very different. I can tell poor baby number two is definitely going to get the shaft in pregnancy. I'm sorry in advance child. I'm exhausted most of the time and I have a toddler who likes to "work" on my keyboard as I do, so blogging about it seems to be extra difficult. And the nursery. Or as we call it, the guest bedroom, will remain that. Baby number 2 will be getting the crib from Adly. The one with beaver chew marks all over the railing (apparently we don't feed her enough). And the same changing table and rocking chair. As far as decorating, I'm not nearly as concerned as I was with baby #1 now that I know they'll spend most of their time pooping, peeing, and spitting up all over any decorating I do get done. And the belly pictures...I keep thinking about starting them but that takes work. And I'm kind of burnt out from working my day job and then my mommy job by 7pm. Heaven forbid Adly actually help me take pictures. I mean, what gives?! Hopefully I can get on board with those sooner than later.

After getting through 3-4 weeks of feeling terrible, eating only cereal and toast, and all kinds of nighttime yucky nausea, I've been feeling amazing since 9 weeks. And THAT I can't complain about. But of course, I'm me, so I will find something. You want to know what is the most not awesome thing so far this pregnancy? My OBGYN went over my charts from Adly at my appointment on Thursday (she wasn't the one who delivered me) and as she did, she balked at the size of Adly at 8lb, 13oz, who was born one week early. Adly had been hiding in there. She hadn't measured big, so we weren't prepared for a giant baby to exit me. I specifically remember the doctor going "woah that's a big baby!" as soon as she came out. Therefore, my doctor is now concerned I may have developed late onset gestational diabetes. I don't know, it may have had something to do with the bags and bags of Sour Patch Kids and cookies and ice cream Adly made me eat, but I'm trying not to point fingers here. Anyways, this time I get to take that God awful diabetes test twice! Let the fun begin. It's ok, I'll just keep stockpiling these moments of amazing things I did for them to bring back up when my children are in high school and want to hate me. 

So there you have it. We have officially entered the rollercoaster of pregnancy and new parenthood one more time. We will be becoming a family of four sometime November 2016! 

Wide Load...

A and I had our monthly checkup at the doctor today. I always love these visits for the opportunity to hear little Baby B's heartbeat. I also love getting the chance to check in with our awesome doctor and ask every question under the sun. In my first trimester, I lost weight. While I'd love to say it was because of all the healthy eating and yoga I was doing, it was largely because of the absence of wine in my life. But either way, I was happy to be losing and not gaining.

Then came the second trimester. As of the last appointment, I had gained back to my original weight before pregnancy. Great! I thought. I'm going to totally be one of those skinny ladies who hardly even  look pregnant. Better yet, I clearly won't even have to watch what I eat! This is fun!

Then came the cravings. And thanks to this blog, many loving people in my life wanted to cater to my gummy craving needs and before I knew it I had a kitchen stocked full of Starbursts and Sour Patch Kids. Then came the "I'm pregnant.... if there was ever a time to eat what I want, its now!" thoughts. So eat I did. Everything in sight. Pssshhh...I'm pregnant. Pants aren't supposed to zip!

Today at the doctor, I was expecting a gain. I mean, I'm pregnant, duh. I'm supposed to gain weight. Unfortunately, I blew past my old weight and began entering into freshman year of college territory within one month. You know its not a good thing when the doctor raises her eyebrows and says, "11 pounds since last visit? Yeah, we might want to start watching that."

To which I scoffed, "Well, what am I supposed to gain??" The answer was terrifying. Half a pound per week. Meaning, I should have only gained 2 pounds in the last month. Yep, there it is.

Any of you who know me well enough or have known me for years know about my experience freshman year in college. I went in skinny as a pole and I left large and in charge, unaware of my 30 pound weight gain. I ate, drank, ate, and drank some more. Funny thing was, despite going up a few sizes, I never noticed how big I had gotten until I came home and my lovely little sister said, "Oh my god!! You got FAT!" Since I love nothing more than making fun of myself, I'm even providing proof from that year. Fortunately, I was back to my fighting weight by the start of sophomore year, thanks to not having whole pizzas delivered to me nightly.

Can you tell which one is me? Apparently the weight gain scared my eyebrows away. 

I tell that story because I'm clearly good at gaining weight and eating lots of food--and not recognizing the effects. Today's visit was a good slap in the face to make me realize I need to watch what I'm taking in, as it all has to come off again in a few months....and I'm definitely not 19 years old anymore. So while I'd love to use Baby B as an opportunity to eat everything bad in sight, its time to get myself back onto the healthy bandwagon I rode into this pregnancy on.

Growing Pains

Baby B has been on the move. At least I hope whats going on. That little bugger has been causing me some serious stomach pains since last night. Its kind of a hard to describe pain, but I'll try anyways. Kind of like cramps, kind of like what I imagine contractions to be, kind of like when you try to touch your toes and your muscles in the back of your legs burn- only in your abdomen. Maybe its what it feels like when you get cramps from running- but I wouldn't know such a thing. I don't participate in activities that require a lot of energy and/or sweat.

I imagine my stomach muscles pulling and ripping and stretching all at once. Baby B is making its way out of its comfy little home nestled in my uterus covered by stomach fat and out into the world for all to see. Coincidentally enough, my pregnancy app sent me a notification today that said this:

Thank you, Baby Center! Now I know why it feels like my insides are going to come flying out at any minute. My little babe is on its way to doubling in size. Now I know why I wanted to curl up in a ball and whine my day away. (Have we figured out I'm a total wimp yet??) Note to self: seven year olds don't have much sympathy when you tell them your tummy hurts. So selfish, they are! Anyways, I guess this is all good news as I am FINALLY starting to get the bump I've been wanting. The bump that I am positive, as soon as I have it fully, I will be annoyed with and want it gone. Immediately. The bump that I keep telling myself I've been lucky to make it this far without.

Here is my little avocado's bump at week 16:

K

Emotional Rollercoaster

Yesterday was a tough day during the day...rather unexpectedly. Its funny how something so little can send everything into a tailspin out of nowhere. I was on the phone with my dad when we got to talking about my delivery. In all honesty, its not something I've thoroughly thought about. Sure, we've decided on a hospital and we know its "supposed" to happen in the middle of July. But I hadn't yet thought of the aftermath. What happens when the baby is born and everyone leaves? I guess I kind of panicked because the tears started flowing and then they wouldn't or couldn't stop.

Of course my dad and then A did their best to talk me through it. But sometimes, I guess you just need to cry. And cry I did. You see, all of my family lives in Michigan, at least 5 hours away. Its something that I've been fine with since I moved here. Sure its a drive, but its just that: a drive. I don't have to fly home and I can be there relatively quickly when need be. Not to mention, I'm lucky to see my family quite often throughout the year.

But an event as significant as actually having a baby is something I hadn't yet considered when it comes to the distance. Will they make it here in time for the delivery? How long will they be able to be here to help me learn how to become a mom?! How will I handle it by myself when A goes back to work?? Not only does my family live far away, A's mom and family live an hour away. Plus, people have to work. And then it hit me: I'm going to be all alone.

I've always been very independent. The leader of my brother and sister and sometimes the family as a whole. It has a lot to do with my childhood and its a quality I take pride in. The problem with it is, I have a hard time letting people know or even realizing myself when I need help. So yesterday, on the phone, there I was sobbing to my dad like a 5 year old about not being sure how I'm going to get through it. Its the first time having family so far away made me feel completely alone and it terrified me.

Do not get me wrong: I married the most amazing man ever. I have no doubt in my mind he will be here to help me through every step of our new adventure that he can. The problem is, Baby B's arrival just so happens to fall smack in the middle of his busiest time at work. So the poor guy will be working his tail off for long hours at work only to come home and work his second job as a new father.

Of course, the rational me knows it will be OK. Of course it will, it always is. First time parents around the world enter into the unknown world every day and have no clue what they're doing or how they're going to get through it under all sorts of circumstances. Of course we will do the same and of course we will get through it just fine. Yesterday's breakdown reminded me just how big of a change we are going to go through and that this is only the beginning. But I was also reminded the best part of all, is that we'll get through it together.

After I pulled myself together, A's brother Mike and his girlfriend Jess headed over to our place for dinner. And they brought with them junk. Lots of junk food.

Oh my word it was the best cure for a rough day. Not only that, it was a reminder that we do have family close...right around the corner in fact. And thats on top of the countless amazing friends we have living nearby who will no doubt be here as often as needed.

Everything really will be a-ok. Especially now that I've gotten off of the emotional rollercoaster. For now. ;)

xo,
K

Baby B's First Swag

Today Baby B got his/her first winter hat and booties to keep its little feet warm next winter. Oh my gosh it took every ounce of me not to start bawling in front of all my students when I opened it. One of my sweet little ones picked it out and brought it in today as a gift. Its Baby B's first clothing present!

Look at these!! Made me tear up even laying it out to take a picture. I can just picture our little owl all bundled up in these.

So far, I've largely avoided shopping in infant sections of stores. I'm not sure if its because it hasn't hit me yet that I'm having a baby (most likely) or for fear of buying the entire store without blinking an eye. I've always loved shopping for other people's babies....but I've never imagined shopping for my very own. Needless to say, I'm very excited to hit the stores, especially after receiving this today. Its like it was some kind of validation for me to not feel crazy for shopping in baby stores for "my own".

Last night, A and I headed over to our friends Laura and Zach's for dinner. They too are expecting their first child and Laura is only 1 month ahead of me. She's been great to give me the lowdown on whats heading my way as she experiences everything. They so kindly cooked us dinner, although I'm not sure how much I even ate. I don't think Laura and I stopped talking once. It was so awesome to hang out with someone who's in the same boat as me. Don't get me wrong- I have ah-MAZING friends. But all those amazing friends can still drink. And most haven't had a baby. So it was nice to catch up with a friend who knows exactly what I'm going through-right in the moment of it all- even though she's definitely had a rougher go of it than I have ;).

Even better, Laura felt her first kicks last week and the baby's been boppin' away inside her since. I even got to feel it kick after dinner! Such an amazing thing it is, creating a baby. I certainly loved my glimpse into the next few weeks and am patiently (impatiently) waiting for my real bump to show and baby's first kicks.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
K

Groundhogs Day

No, today is not Groundhogs Day. It is, however MLK Day and our president's Inauguration Day. Both of which deserve a mention as they are major events in our nation. Whatever your political position, the fact of the matter is that we have a president being sworn in today. As we all hope, its someone that will continue to have our best interests in mind. MLK Day marks a day to remember the service Martin Luther King Jr. provided for our country pushing for equal rights. In a time where many still do not have equal rights, I do think its important to remember all the good he did for our country.

Now, back to us and our measly lives consisting of bringing a healthy baby into the world. Today we had a check-up with my regular OB-GYN. We love these visits. We also love our doctor, which is fun. Not only do A and I get to pepper her with incessant questions but I also get to be weighed and yet again, pee in a cup.

This is what brings me to feeling like I'm Bill Murray living in Groundhogs Day. I wake up and repeat the same damn things over and over again. Here it is, ladies, pregnancy in a nutshell: being stabbed for blood, peeing in a cup, repeat. Sure, theres other fun things like sickness, pain everywhere and getting huge, but those are the main two things pregnancy consists of. I kid you not.

I've had my blood taken more times than I can count in the last 2 months. Additionally, any time I set foot in a doctors office these days, I'm asked to pee in a cup. How fun it is, I might add, when your pee stream refuses to come out straight and only shoots everywhere. Disgusting, I know...but its the truth. Now when I go to the doctor, as I exit I'm handed a handful of forms guiding me to the dreadful blood bank office which will only draw more blood. FOR WHAT!?! What else can they possibly need to know? I'm pregnant, people. I'm healthy too. Leave my arms alone!!

Only I won't say that. I'll drag myself into the office yet again. Look away as they stab me. And nod when they ask if I'm doing OK, even though I feel as though I'm going to pass out.

On a good note, we got to hear Baby B's heartbeat today and that sucker was pounding away. It even moved as the doctor was prodding around my belly. I couldn't feel Baby B moving, but we could hear it. I couldn't help but giggle to myself and think its just annoyed that we're prodding around in its space. My friend Missy told me last night a co-worker's baby who is much farther along will kick out when someone touches the belly. I can't wait to mess with Baby B all the time poking and prodding to make it kick and punch out at us. Its just another way that its all becoming so real, this little baby of ours.

Phantom Pains

So, a coworker told me when I first got pregnant or forewarned me for that matter, that in pregnancy there's a thing called a Phantom Pain.

The Phantom Pain will appear in one spot one day and in another spot the next day. It never goes away. Well folks, the Phantom Pain has made its debut on this road I'm currently traveling. It started in the upper back...you all know about that one. It was AWFUL and it hung around for about a week. Then, earlier this week it just, disappeared! I was overjoyed. Today, my friends, the Phantom Pain has reappeared in my hip. Yes, my hip. I spent the entire second half of my day walking around with my hand on my back hip limping along. Ooooh it aches. I can't wait to be 85!

Now I sit wondering, whats next, huh Phantom Pain?!? Where you gonna show your face next!?! I'm on pins and needles with excitement. (That last sentence was meant to be dripping with sarcasm).

Also, earlier this week I had A's cousin Emily over for some Bachelor action. While she was here, I somehow managed to wrangle her into a DIY project I've had on my mind for a while. Its going to be so awesome in the end, but a real pain in the ass to make. I knew she was the perfect person to torture...and hey, who can say no to a pregnant lady? Below is a picture of what I'm envisioning for Baby B's nursery rug. We're going to take strips of cotton jersey and knot it through a latch and hook rug from the craft store. Fingers crossed we both make it through the project without killing each other and that it actually looks this good. Stay tuned!

In other news, guess what I saw when I came home the other day?

Looks like somebody wanted to "Snoogle". I don't know if you can tell but he decided to wrap himself in my beloved snoogle and take a little napper. Shhh....don't tell him I put this on here.

xo,

The one in which I do product placement for free.

Friday...its HERE!! Holy moly was this a long week. I wasn't sure I'd make it to this day. I spent a lot of my first trimester boo-hooing and worrying myself into a daily panic that something was wrong with Baby B for countless reasons, but the main one being: I just didn't feel pregnant. Deep down inside me I wanted to feel morning sickness so bad I threw up. I wanted to be so sick I had to stay home from school. I wanted to feel that maternal feeling of pregnancy. I guess to me, it was almost like the pregnancy initiation period. Don't get me wrong, I was sick a few times...just not nearly as bad as I swear every other pregnant woman has felt.

Lets fast forward to the 2nd trimester. The time I've been reading about for weeks- where every woman begins to feel amazing again after an awful first trimester. I swear in my mind it was going to be like waking up one day, sunshine shining on my head, birds chirping and fluttering around me. I'd bounce out of bed, my face glowing and with my energy abound I'd say to myself, "This pregnancy thing is AWESOME. I want to be pregnant all the time! I'm feeling that good!" (Seriously, this is the warped world my mind lives in).

Unfortunately for me, the second trimester seems to be payback for having an easy first trimester. Karma....you evil B. I'm beyond exhausted. I just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to sleep. And then there's the back pain. That ever present strain on my upper back. Thankfully, I have a friend who recently became a mommy who's been a wealth of information. The other day, I texted her late at night (8pm for me) to find out if she had any suggestions for relief. She texted back to look up something called the Snoogle. So I did immediately, read some reviews, mentioned to A that it looked cool and then went promptly to bed.

Well, today, at work a big package arrived for me. I tore it open only to find the Snoogle I had been looking up. Inside was no card. My first thought was honestly: "Did I buy this and forget I did??" (Believe me, thats not that unrealistic these days). Then my thought went to A. Sure enough, after I went to bed that night, he picked up where I left off reading the reviews and ordered it. He's always been a thoughtful guy, its one of the best things about him. (I on the other hand, play the role of the man...forgetting most important things and having to try really hard to be thoughtful). But since getting knocked up, he's gone even more above and beyond with the thoughtfulness. Anyways, here's hoping for a restful nights sleep tonight with my new Snoogle thanks to my amazing husband!

Additionally, another item I've come to love so far has been this belly band contraption. Excuse the poor self portrait in the mirror. I've never understood how or why people take pics like that of themselves in the bathrooms when they're all done up. Anyways, this was my attempt at that to show you how it works. Its purpose is to help extend the life of your regular jeans. You see, my pants here are unbuttoned. This way I can sneakily continue parading around in my regular old pants like they still fit. Or, better yet, as though I just ate a whole pizza and unbuttoned my pants and no one is the wiser. (Which I may or may not have done at lunch today). 

Yay for maternity goodies! Have yourselves a wonderful and relaxing weekend!! I, myself, will be catching up on sleep with my Snoogle, cheering on the Packers and eating lots of food. 

xo,