Last week as a family of three..

Up until this point I hadn't really given it much thought about the fact that our solo days with Hunter are limited and that soon we will be a family of four. In fact, as bad as it sounds it didn't really cross my mind since he is young and I think the transition for him will be pretty easy. 

But the other night, while questioning whether or not I might be in labor, I suddenly became really anxious, emotional, and worried. I can't even pinpoint why, but I just felt an overwhelming need to hold Hunter (it was 11pm, so I just stared at the video monitor instead). A million thoughts flew through my head about whether or not he will be okay, if I will be able to give him the attention and love he needs, if I am capable of being a good mom to two kids - all totally rational at 11pm and feeling crappy. 

I've realized that Hunter will adapt like every other kid in the world and that what I am anxious about is us being able to juggle it all - which we will! I know everyone is going to be just fine, but I am feeling all the feeeeeeelings these days. 

On the flip side, I can't wait for Hunter to be a big brother! 
He is such a sweet kid and I know he will love having a brother to share his life with.

Baby #2 - 39 Weeks

Let's hope this is my last weekly update :)

I am officially out of clothes to wear and am popping out of my maternity tops - yikes. Last week Robert and I both got some sort of 24 hour bug, which was not fun at all. I spent most of 24 hours with my head on a pillow feeling like death, unable to eat or drink anything, but am happy to report that all is (mostly) well this week. Every other day I seem to have lots of energy, while the other days I am planted on the couch. My doctor's appointment on Friday went well and baby boy is still happy and moving around in there.  
Don't get too comfy big boy.

Cooper knows what's up

Other than that, I am just enjoying my maternity leave with yoga, errands, visiting Robert at work, organizing, baking (!), and relaxing. Next appointment is on Friday..

What's the baby up to? 

• The average baby is about 20 inches and weighs about 7.5 pounds. 
• The baby has reached its final birth position. 
• It will be cramped inside your uterus for much movement.
•  Your baby will continue to punch and kick but lower in your abdomen, under your pelvis.

 The average baby weighs in at over seven pounds, but can be as much as one or two pounds heavier or lighter. It can vary with each baby, and there is no cause for concern. Your pregnancy is considered full term now. At birth the umbilical cord will stop working when the child takes his first breaths of air outside of uterus. The child's breathing will trigger changes in the heart that will force all blood to go through the lungs. Baby is restricted in movement as there is no space left in the womb. You should be finding it easier to breathe now that the uterus is dropping away from the diaphragm.
You may be experiencing the nesting syndrome by attempting to clean, cook, shop and prepare for the new arrival (mm hmm). This is very common, just be careful that you do not wear yourself out. You need to conserve your energy for the hard work ahead in labor and birth

iPhone Dump

coworkers tried to put me into labor with a king kong

so fun! I spy Hunter on the baby swing

loves the slide

gahhh <3

two-hour park party with the Taylor's

gorgeous (huge) gift basket from Robert's coworker - so sweet

spoon master (kind of)

loving iced coffee these days

hungry pregnant girl in TJ's = dangerous amount of snacks

Baby #2 - 38 Weeks

I am officially off of work - whoohoo. 

We spent Monday under the weather, so that wasn't great, but Tuesday Robert was back to work and Hunter was in daycare. I got a lot of stuff done around the house (nesting craziness) and treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. Blissful. I was also able to pluck my eyebrows - amazing what you can do when you have some extra time on your hands!

no make-up and no work clothes, ahhh

I am feeling a lot better about the baby arriving now that I have prepped the house. I set up his bed, changing station (those diapers are tiiiiinnyyy), and clothes in our room, cleaned out closets, made room for bottles in the kitchen cabinets, packed my hospital bag, and rearranged some storage in the nursery. Makes it all feel so real!

teeny tiny things

I've hit the point in pregnancy where I wake up feeling really hungover and feel like I've been hit by a truck. I remember this from last time and it's no bueno. I also have headaches and feel like I have a cold, but I am positive it's just a pregnancy symptom as I had it for most of my pregnancy with Hunter.  

My next appointment is on Friday and I will find out if the baby has made any progress. In the meantime I will be cramming in lots of Cooper walks, yoga, and errands while I have the freedom.

I bought my first muffin pan and baked!

What's the baby up to?

Length of a leek

• Baby is about 20 inches and weighs about 7.5 pounds.
• The soft down, which covered the body throughout the pregnancy, is now disappearing.
• The body fat is continuing to build up, baby putting on about 1oz a day.
• The wrinkled skin is becoming 'baby' smooth.
• The baby may have reached its final birth position.

Development is complete, baby's main job is to gain weight. The body continues laying on the fat stores at a rate of about an ounce a day, that will help regulate his or her body temperature after birth. Baby may have a full head of hair now, an inch or more long, but some babies are born with only peach fuzz. Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby for weeks has disappeared. This week, your baby weighs around seven and a half pounds and measures about 20 inches head to toe. You are almost at the end of your pregnancy. Your weight should not increase much from this point. It should remain between 25 and 35 pounds until delivery (hit 25lbs).

Comparison shot

Baby #2

Hunter

Overall these pregnancies have been very similar. Same weight gain, same symptoms. I think baby #2 is a little lower, but that's to be expected. Hard to believe there is still room to grow...yikes. 

Baby #2 - 37 Weeks

Full term! 

Nesting is in full effect and I find myself consumed with to-do's. I know if he came tomorrow we would all survive just fine, but as a planner I can't help but check as many to-do's off of my list as possible. Happy and relieved to report that I only have two more days of work. I feel silly walking (waddling) around with my patients and honestly it's awkward because I look like the pregnant patient looking for labor and delivery instead of an employee.

Sleeping is still good, aside from a few nights here and there when I wake at 2/3am. I am so thankful for the sleep, as I know my dreamy nights are limited. I am still feeling wiped in the early afternoon but usually get a second wind around dinner time when the dinner, clean-up, bath, etc. rush happens. Side note: Hunter puts himself to bed now and it is the cutest thing ever. After dinner he pulls out his baby or stuffed bunny and says "nigh night!" The first couple times I thought it was a fluke but he keeps doing it..so funny.

a peek into our blurry mornings before work

Other than the above, I feel the same a last week - pressure, headaches, and contractions. Can't wait to meet this little boy. I am so curious to see if he looks like Hunter! A million questions go through my head and I just can't wait to lay my eyes on him. I also can't wait to know what his name will be.

What's the baby up to?

• Typically, baby now measures 19.5 inches from the head to the heel.
• Baby weighs up to 7 pounds.
• The head diameter is over 3.5 inches.
• The water could break at any time.

Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about (yes, ouch). Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.
Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered 'at term'. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labor once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week.

Swingin

His giggles.. :)

Baby #2 - 36 Weeks

Less than a month to go!

This week I am experiencing the typical nine month pregnancy symptoms - cramping, back pain, lots of contractions, headaches, tiredness, etc. By 1pm I am ready for a nap and my brain pretty much turns into mush. I packed about half of my hospital bag and we pulled out the infant car seat to install. I also flipped through some pregnancy books to review, but honestly just don't have the time or motivation to read them. Ignorance is bliss at this point and I am trying to just make it through each day instead of stressing about the things I can't control.

To do: install car seat, buy baby a going home outfit, buy a stroller, arrange a space for the baby to sleep, and finish packing the hospital bag. I'll probably end up doing all of this on my first day of leave. We did narrow down our name list of three names, so I think we'll take those to the hospital and wait to meet the little guy before making our decision. So hard this time around :/

I started training my replacement this week at work, which is exciting and hard to believe. I am happy to be handing over the torch for a few months, but also nervous about leaving my work in the hands of someone else. I just keep reminding myself that I get to wear yoga pants and spend my days staring at a newborn and then the work stress melts away :)

I am so, so excited to have a newborn again! <-- I might be eating my words next month sometime around 3am, but that's okay.

What's the baby up to?

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce). He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath.

Hunter - 17 Month Update

Originally I was going to wait until 18 months to update, but so much has changed over the last couple of months I wanted to write it down so I have something to look back on.

Hunter is a totally different kid these days! It seems like every night Robert and I are playing with him and Hunter will say or do something completely new and random. We have no idea where he learns some of this stuff! His language is exploding, his physical skills are improving, and overall he is such a kid in his own little world - tantrums and all.

I can't even count how many words he is saying now, but he is starting to piece them into sentences. Some examples: 

Dada, no sit (after telling Hunter he needs to sit on the couch)

Kitty cat, blah blah blah (obsessed with Kenya right now)

I love you - goodnight, niiiiiiight mama, niiiiiight (as he kisses me goodnight through his crib rail. The sweetest part of my day)

He is obsessed with my belly button, and I have no idea where he learned this, but he pokes it over and over while squealing "babyyyy! babyyy!" We never taught him that there was a baby in my belly, so we don't know how he is associating the two. It is so funny - I included two videos below (click bottom right corner to enlarge).

He got a baby doll for Christmas that he LOVES. He carries it around, shares his milk, and gives it hugs and kisses goodnight. Then he gets distracted and throws him on the ground, BUT the hugs and kisses are a start and I think he will be a great big bro.

Things Robert and I are adjusting to: tantrums, "no!", and occasional picky eating.

Hunter has 11 teeth (one more molar to go, thank goodness), weighs about 23-24lbs (little guy), wears 12-18 months (though depending on the brand can be too big), size 5.5/6 shoe, and still sleeps 7pm-6:30/7am with a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.

We've been taking him to the park lately and he seems to love it. He is slow to warm up with lots of people, so when it's busy out there he tends to be cautious and we have to encourage him to play. When we have the park to ourselves he goes crazy and loves it. It's sweet to watch him take everything in and literally see him learning.

Hunter bug, we love you so much. Sometimes you scare us with your newly-toddlerlike-behavior, but your sweetness makes any hard day a million times worth it.

Young love

Love these pictures captured this weekend of Hunter and Harper. She is four months younger than him and has some serious dance moves! 

Ahh young love.