John, AJ, and I are proud to announce we are expecting our second child in July! We are so excited and thrilled beyond belief. With recent events, it was hard to get excited, but I think it is important to focus on our new arrival. I was worried lately, but today John and I heard the most beautiful and strong heartbeat--beating away at about 180 bpm. It was a beautiful sound and I teared up.
AJ is really excited. He touches, sing songs, kisses, and hugs my belly. He is going to be such a good big brother. When you ask him where the baby is he says, "it's in mommy's belly button!". He already pulled out the baby bath we were storing and pretends he is going to bath his little sibling. I don't know that he actually gets there will be a real live crying baby here in the house this summer, but he loves the idea of it! Oh, and he thinks it's a 'guuurl'. He even says his sister even though I'm trying to prepare him for both.
My pregnancy with AJ was very easy and uneventful. I was tired in the beginning and in the end had the usual heartburn and aches, but no complaints at all. I was extremely active. He even decided to come ON his due date so he didn't make me get anxious or anything. This baby, however, is giving me a run for my money. I have had all day sickness (whoever called it morning sickness is crazy), extreme exhaustion, extreme hunger, cramps, and headaches. If I eat I get sick, if I didn't eat I passed out. I was a lump on a log until last Friday. Which is was one of the reasons why I was so worried lately. I thought the stress of Thursday and since had caused the baby to go in distress or something. But alas, I welcome all of those symptoms because it means I have a baby growing inside of me!
****TMI WARNING***
I have had quite a scary road this time--as I have had bleeding this pregnancy. The first time it was brown spotting--completely normal. A week later, it was the scary bright red blood they warn you about when miscarrying. It was significant and I thought I lost the baby. After the longest weekend of my life (still with symptoms), I went in Monday and they gave me hope. After numerous blood test, an ultrasound, and a pelvic exam, my midwife concluded that I had a easily irritated cervix. I have bled since then, but both times didn't even see the midwife since she wasn't concerned. It still isn't good to see, but now I feel better about it.
Some things about my pregnancy, thus far:
Due Date: July 8 (we got three due dates, July 4, 6, and 8, but in case we have to be induced, we are calling it the 8th so we have a few extra days)
How far along: First trimester, 10 weeks, 5 days.
Weight Gain: 4 pounds. I was up to 7 pounds at one point, but I lost 3 pounds. I think it's mostly water weight and these new big mounds I'm trying to hold up. I am hoping for a max of 25. I gained 47 total with AJ and increased two dress sizes. It took me a long time to get my body in the shape it is in now and I don't want to go through that again. I'm 13% body fat and my trainer would like me to maintain or even gain a little bit of fat and encourages me to eat a lot, even carbs! He loves to tell our class I'm the only one that is allowed to gain weight!
Baby bump: NON EXISTANT! I have no bump at all. I get bloated at night, but that is normal. I am still wearing all of my clothes and not even with a belly band or anything yet. I hope to wear my 'bigger' pants before my weight loss last year for quite some time and then switch over to the dreaded pregnancy pants late in the third trimester. We will see!
Doctor and Hospital Change: I went from a female OB at Reston Hospital to a midwife at Loudoun Hospital. I loved my previous doctor but am really happy and excited about being with a midwife. Oh, and dare I mention the labor (not birthing) tubs at the hospital?
Cravings: Eggs, salads, and carbs. Lots and lots of carbs.
Exercise: With my midwives blessing, I am allowed to run and lift weights as usual. I will have to avoid anything on my back, but can even continue with core until delivery. I'm still working out with my trainer, but I'm no longer running. It has been hard to squeeze running into my days due to the exhaustion and the really cold weather, but I hope to fit light jogging or walking into my routine soon, even in the cold. I feel better on the days I work out, which gives me the momentum to keep it up. My trainer is very cautious. He has me doing most things with some modifications. I had to get a heart rate monitor and he wants me to keep it under 140 bpm. I have a low resting heart rate (60 or so), so I haven't had any issues going over 140.
Symptoms: As mentioned, until last Friday I had sickness, headaches, extreme exhaustion, and extreme hunger. As of today, I really only still have the hunger and a little bit of exhaustion.
Coffee: I have FINALLY successfully cut coffee out of my diet completely. This includes tea as well. I don't ever drink soda (I don't like it) and really only drink water. I have had a love affair with coffee. I have quit so many times it's funny. I still drank it with AJ, but was determined to cut it out this time. Coffee actually makes me sick and the few sips I had a while ago gave me the worst heartburn.
Dessert: With AJ I craved SWEETS. I used to make John take me to Sweetwater for their flourless chocolate waffle. This time around I am not craving sweets yet. I actually get sick and heartburn from it, especially chocolate. I have indulged lately though, as we have tons and tons of gift baskets delivered at work this time of year and I get hungry.
Sleep: I'm actually sleeping very well so far. I get up to pee, and fall right back to sleep (knock on wood). With the exception of election week (not election related--but sciatica related), I have been getting 10-12 hours of sleep a night! I go to bed either right before or right when AJ is going to bed (usually) and wake up when he wakes up. I'm starting to sleep less now, but that is ok.
What I miss: Nothing really, except when we went to the ICE show a few weeks ago, I did wish I could have ice skated, but didn't feel comfortable since I fall without being pregnant!
Odd things: I love to measure how much water I'm drinking. People at work make in fun of me because I have a gallon of water I drink every day and I let the massive jug sit right in my desk. I also really enjoy solitaire more then ever now. It's almost necessary in my day. Oh, I'm -$3900 because I have it on the hardest setting (fake money of course!).
Announcing the news: Aside from this blog, we have told most everyone in our lives. I announced to my extended Nelson family on Thanksgiving (like I did with AJ). John told his family without me because I was sick. We are mailing his aunts a card announcing #2. I told my dad and his family over the phone.
What I'm looking forward to: The kicks! I miss the kicks with AJ still to this day! I also look forward to my baby bump! I love pregnant bellies.
So there is our good news! I also got a promotion at work (great news #2!) that requires me to go into the office 5 days a week now, but it is a really great opportunity.
Thanks for sharing in our great news! I look forward to bragging about our journey these next few months!