I can’t even begin to describe the many ways this second pregnancy has been different from my first. It literally feels like I peed on a stick yesterday and woke up this morning buried in my Bump Nest pillow to little arms and legs jabbing out of the sides of my belly. Matt helps me roll out of bed and I grunt as my feet hit the floor. When did this belly get so enormous? I walk past the mirror on the way to pee and barely recognize myself. I pretend my thighs aren’t rubbing together.
Caroline begins calling for da-da. She’s up and the reminder that I’m carrying our second child quickly fades away as we begin our busy routine for the day. Seconds before Matt and Caroline head out the door I throw bottles in Caroline’s bag, a peanut butter sandwich in Matt’s briefcase and Tupperware containers and fruit snacks in my bag. As I load my brand new purse I frown at the amount of crushed puffs that are scattered about and gag a little bit when I discover a half eaten cheese stick. Under a sea of toys, pacifiers and crumbs I find our 12 week ultrasound photos of Thomas and I get a pang of mommy guilt thinking about how none of the 48 ultrasound photos of Caroline ever came close to the opportunity for wrinkles. They are safely tucked behind a protective sheet in a monthly scrapbook, complete with feelings, stories and updates. I tell Thomas I love him and promise myself not to ever let him feel like the “second child” and scurry out the door with a tumbler of half-caf coffee.
As the elevator climbs to the 24th floor of my building I notice an older woman smiling at me. I say good morning and she responds with “how far along?” I panic and without Matt there to save me per usual I reply “More than half way! It’s a boy. We’re naming him Thomas. He’s our second. Our first is a little girl and they’ll be 14 months apart. I know, we’re crazy, but we’re excited!” and hope I’ve answered all of her questions in the last 8 seconds of the ride. More mom guilt. How the hell do I not remember how far along I am? With Caroline I could tell you how many hours pregnant I was and also how many days I had left to go. The second I get to my desk I decide to check my bump apps. Passwords expired, I make all new accounts and am excited to learn a few minutes later that Thomas is now the size of an eggplant which explains the dance parties in my belly at 3 am. I reminisce how much I looked forward to the day of the week that my vegetable would change during my last pregnancy…
While I may not have elaborate nursery plans, a going home outfit purchased, washed and packed for the hospital or a journal filled with letters to our baby, our love for this little man is just as strong as our love for his sister. We are beyond grateful for this miracle and have been tremendously blessed with another easy and healthy pregnancy. And although we still have worries about being good parents, sharing our attention between two, paying for daycare, and managing a healthy work/life balance (all while trying to keep some focus on our marriage too), we are taking this journey one step at a time together.
Pregnancy updates:
- Sleep: Good, but only if I’m in my own bed with my Bump Nest pillow.
- Movement: So much more this time around than with Caroline. She always made me worried that something was wrong. However, Thomas likes to compete for the limelight every second he gets.
- Nursery: We ordered a second crib for the nursery! Since the minis will be sharing a room we decided to get a matching crib. Thankfully PBK was offering a huge discount on cribs last weekend and I had a stack of coupons and enough gift cards left over from my last baby shower to cover the entire purchase!
- Cravings: carbs (bagels, french fries, etc.), orange juice, breakfast items, Shirley Temples and any kind of dessert (ice cream, cookies, candy, etc.) these days.
- Symptoms: I’m saving up all my complaints for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy, but the heartburn and itchy belly is no joke this time around.
- Missing: Purchasing/wearing clothes in my pre-pregnancy size. I got the cutest Lilly dress in my Easter basket from my MIL that pains me to see hanging in my closet.
- Best Moments: Sharing pregnancy with my sister, Easter and looking forward to getting home this weekend to see my family!
- Weight: Up 13 pounds and feeling every bit of it.
6 Months Pregnant with Caroline: 22 weeks // 23 weeks // 24 weeks // 25 weeks // 26 weeks
Hang in there! Second babies are laid back from my experience! You said something very key in that last paragraph. Don't forget the marriage – put as much focus as you can there. Those babies will grow and eventually be 7 year olds who want to be hanging out with their nanas or friends and then their 17 year olds who are getting ready to go. It is hard but the guy you're stuck with forever is right there and you have to make time for each other now. Kinda on my soapbox! It will be fabulous and you will work it all out. Prayers for you because two babies 14 months apart makes my heart leap!
LOVE THIS!
Just getting to catch this post… I can't believe you're already 6 months along!! I'm so glad this pregnancy is going smoothly though!! I guess time will fly when you're not counting every single day!? HAHA!And Amanda, thank you for your comment! My husband & I just had our son – he's 9 1/2 weeks – but, I can already feel the strain a child puts on a marriage and we JUST had a conversations this evening about what we can/need to do to make sure we're making time for each other. Our evenings fly & weekends are already filled with pre-made plans or a to-do list a mile long. Must make time for each other! Thanks for the reminder!!
Oh, HOW I love this post. And oh, how I can relate. With Caleb, I had a pregnancy journal that I filled out with every doctor visit. I also did letters to him at every milestone, and started his baby book well before his arrival. For Vivian, I have none of that. Except for the baby book – which has yet to be started, despite the fact that she will be here in 3 weeks. It's just life – having one child around makes things a lot crazier while trying to prepare for another. No mama guilt, sweet girl. We are all in the same boat!
Oh girl, how I can relate!!!!! I feel the same way as I am in the third trimester of baby two, but like you, the love I strong as ever!!! Hang in there! Xo
You are doing a great job momma! You have your hands full but no doubt you will be the best mom to 2 adorable babies! Xoxo
Hang in there momma! You are doing a great job with Caroline and you'll do a great job with her and baby #2. Praying for you =)
Not much longer! I can't imagine how hard these days must be, but you're doing a great job! You are going to have so much love.
Sounds like you have a soccer player with all that movement he's been giving you!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
Sounds just like my second pregnancy (except she never moved and had me constantly worried)! My girls are 17 months apart and I recall the same feeling of going from 1 day to 6 months pregnant almost over night! Now that I'm pregnant with #3 (after taking a few years off from pregnancy), I still find myself checking my planner to decipher how far along I am and missing quality sleep in a way I don't recall the first two times around!
You are such an adorable pregnant person! 🙂
I love this post hon. It's so honest about how your second pregnancy is going, with none of the crap. One of the things I'm worried about when we do start trying for number two is that I won't be able to balance. Thank you for showing me that it's not easy, but it's possible. You are doing awesome and look beautiful. <3
I love how real this post is. And how great that you are pregnant at the same time as your sister!
I loved reading this 🙂 I'm expecting #2 (a boy) and have a little girl, and I agree with everything you wrote. We are so excited for this little baby; it is definitely very different than the first pregnancy, but yet the love is the same.
Your such an encouragement to follow – I think your doing a fantastic job!! Being a Mom is hard work!! Praying for you as you prepare for life with 2 babies!!
I second that. You are an encouragement to follow and I want to emulate how great you are! I get the vibe that you are such a sweet person (having not met you personally, just following your blog for quite some time) and I love how your sweet family is growing! If anyone deserves happiness- its you and your family. I pray to God that one day I will get to experience motherhood too!
Second babe syndrome is REAL. I feel terrible sometimes for Aubrey. We have journals for both girls, Rae has entries upon entires and Aubrey's a lacking. big time. But man do I love both of them something fierce. You're doing great girl, holding both is totally worth it!
You are not the only one! We're not doing anything for a nursery for baby #2 [though he's sharing a room with his brother so that might be a reason], I have hardly done anything to get ready for him, and we don't even have a name for him yet! Sometimes forget I'm pregnant, or at least forget the reality that we will be bringing home a second baby in a few months, and I feel like with the first it was always on my mind. I understand when you say you love this little peanut in your belly so much, it's just a different pregnancy. That's all 🙂
this is a beautiful bump picture just FYI 🙂 love the post.
You're doing great, friend! Thomas is SO loved and he knows it (even now!) You're the best mommy to Caroline and Thomas will be no different – those babies are so incredibly blessed to have you and Matt as parents! xo
Love this post… brought tears to my eyes! Those babies are so blessed to have parents like you and Matt… and you and Matt, so lucky to have each other. This pregnancy vs. Caroline's pregnancy — totally different, just like every child expierences different milestones at different stages of their life, they are all unique in their own ways, but loved TOTALLY the same… just like your pregnancies! Motherhood is beautiful on you!
I totally relate! We have a 20 month old and a 4 month old- 16 months apart. A girl first then a boy 🙂 you'll love having them so close! It's a little daunting I know but it's the best 🙂 Love your blog! http://www.chasingdreamsandcatchinglife.blogspot.com
you look wonderful! dont be too hard on yourself tho! you are a great mama and i have no doubt both of your kids will feel loved and showered with attention 🙂 xo jillian – cornflake dreams
This post was amazing. You are doing GREAT, and you are a GREAT mommy and wife and daughter and co-worker and friend and everything else. YOU ARE AMAZING! Don't forget it!
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