Isn't it funny the differences in pregnancies? The first time around, I had every feeling and photo documented. This time, I'm lucky to get a picture of my bump in the bathroom at work. I'm busy at work and when we get home, we have to take care of a 3 1\2 year old, so there's not much time for personal reflection in a narrative form. So the best I can do is make a bullet list and pull some photos off my phone.
Here are some thoughts about being pregnant this second time around:
- More nausea that's lasted into the 2nd trimester.
- Very tired - can't make it past 9 p.m. most night.
- Can't eat cereal with milk or drink coffee.
- I weigh less than I did with Jackson, but so far have gained about 25 pounds. I think it's all in my mid-section, which is good I suppose. It feels like a bowling ball strapped to my stomach.
- He moves around a lot more than I remember with Jackson. Maybe that's because I don't remember, but he's really active at night.
- The second trimester energy kicked in about 20 weeks, but I still have to pace myself.
- As of almost 26 weeks, I've officially taken over the Equinox because it isn't fun getting in and out of the Civic.
- Here at the end, I've had heartburn and achy joints. It's hard to get comfortable at night, but I prefer sleeping on my side. Rolling over involves sitting up then moving back around to the other side.
- Swollen feet, hands, face. Pretty much "swole" up everywhere.
- My doctor visits have been uneventful which is good - blood pressure has been perfectly normal this whole
Here's how we announced it to the world. Jackson is getting really excited about being a big brother.
Wait - what?
Oh I guess that's pretty cool.
Ok - I'm done now.
And here are some of my "bumpies" in the bathroom at work.
13 Weeks
17 Weeks
20 Weeks
(picture of me and Jackson)
Our gender reveal plans were just a little interrupted, but I'm still happy with the results. At the beginning of February, I did a quad screen test. The numbers that could indicate Downs Syndrome came back slightly elevated, so I was sent to UAMS to have a level 2 ultrasound. I had to wait an entire month to have that test done, but it was a month full of prayer. Only our close friends and family knew what we were up against, but I had this amazing peace that everything was going to be OK.
So fast foward to March 2, and we found out that the baby is perfectly healthy (and that I'm just old), and it's another BOY.
I couldn't believe it. Since I felt different and was sicker longer, I was sure it was a girl. But we're so glad that Jackson will have a brother. I pray that they will love and support each other their entire lives. Plus, a boy is going to be so much easier because I kept all of Jackson's stuff. He will not need many new clothes to start with.
We spent the month of March negotiationg names. We already had Jackson's name picked out before we knew he was a boy, so it was easy. But with number 2, it was a little more difficult. I wanted his middle name to be Norris, but we couldn't agree on a first name that we liked. The one name that we both really liked and was at the top of our lists was John Luke. It just sounded right and went well with Jackson. John was Brent's grandfather who I don't believe got to meet any of his great-grandkids. I think he'd be pleased to know that his only grandson named his son after him. (Luke was just a good L name that we liked).
Me at 20 weeks with big brother Jacskon - holding his blue M&M's
All of that to say is that John Luke Haywood will be arriving the week of July 13th, and we couldn't be more thrilled. We have lots of fun activities to help pass the time, and I know these next three months will go by quickly.
23 Weeks - 3/23/15
24 Weeks - 4/21/15
26 Weeks - 4/27/15
27 Weeks (same outfit and same place of photo, but definitely different week) 5/4/15
Mother's Day 2015 - 29 Weeks
32 Weeks - 5-26-15
34 Weeks - 6/7/14
36 Weeks - 6-21-15
37 Weeks - 6-30-15
39 Weeks! 7-7-15
Isn't this sweet - he's ready to be a big brother!
SPP Baby Shower
June 11, 2015
Diaper Shower hosted by our Lifegroup
June 14, 2015
Brent's work friends gave us a really awesome gift basket.
It's only taken me about 9 months to write this post, and I met my deadline of finishing it before John Luke gets here (which is in two days). It's definitely different the second time around, but at least I tried! (He does have a baby book and lots of his own stuff). We're so ready to meet our second precious boy!
