Friday, July 26, 2013

Midway

Singing..."Oh, we're halfway there..."

Actually, we're a little beyond halfway there, as in about 21.5 weeks along. But time gets away... :) So, we're about 2/3 of the way through the second trimester... wow! This seems to be going a LOT faster than #1.

For now, we have no name for the new addition, so I will affectionately call them The Little Stowaway. We have had the anatomy ultrasound... but I have my doubts and plan on asking our OB for a confirmation - not that I will be disappointed either way, it's just that the ultrasound image that proclaimed the sex of The Stowaway really looked like a super blurry image of the behind with the umbilical cord running between the legs. Couple that with a pregnancy that has been COMPLETELY different from that of our first, Little Monkey, and you can see why I have some doubts in my mind.

Anyway, I've started to be able to feel The Stowaway move pretty consistently. This is one of my favorite parts of pregnancy, it's like a huge secret only I get to take part in - unless The Stowaway happens to be a showoff on some days. :) It's such a special bonding time - just when I start thinking about The Stowaway, they start moving (I call it dancing, because it feels most like a dance going on in my belly.)

I am getting anxious to meet The Stowaway... and get the nursery re-decorated. We are going with a Disney theme... since Little Monkey LOVES Mickey Mouse and anything having to do with Disney. I chose a pretty easy design for the paint so I can focus on the decor a little more. I can't wait to get the nursery reorganized with the "big boy" bed on one side, and the crib on the other! I have been planning on making a quilt for Little Monkey, and hopefully will have some fabric left over so that I can make a crib quilt for the Stowaway. We shall see. I also plan on making home-made finials for the curtain rod (I have some that are white that I will paint with the color scheme of the room), and the valance will be hand made by mommy as well.

I have a lot of work to do... I'd better get busy!


Monday, July 15, 2013

The Belly - Weeks 17-20 - Mid Second Trimester

The middle of the second trimester is upon us. Man, this time I feel like a pro at pregnancy... I'm cruising right through this gig without any more worries! I'm even getting more frequent exercise and eating better meals, all while taking care of a very precocious toddler!

June 22, 2013 - Week 17

My appetite is currently the size of....Rhode Island.

Actually, my appetite has remained fairly normal. I work hard to maintain realistic portion sizes and try to remember to work in my snacks. (I'm not normally a snacky person, so this has been a bit of a challenge.) I'm trying to eat wholesome foods, exercise, and watch the amount of food that hits my plate so that my weight gain doesn't go all crazy again.

Actually, I only gained 30 pounds the last time (20 of that was baby weight). But I am working hard at trying to gain 25 or less this time. (So far, so good!)

June 29, 2013 - Week 18

We're leaving for Minocqua, Wisconsin. I can't wait to spend time with the Opichka side (my side) of the family! I really miss them a lot.

Minocqua is a beautiful and peaceful town. We try to get back there every few years to just kick back and relax. It's kind of a bummer that we can't stay all the way through July 4th this year. :( At any rate, my side of the family likes to go there to spend more quality family time - it's important for the younger members of the family. We'll get back there with our new little one, that's a sure thing... and one of the promises I've made!

July 06, 2013 - Week 19

We just got home from Minocqua two days ago. I wasn't too please to have to leave early, but it is what it is. I'll have to take a day off someday soon to make up for the missed vacation day.

I really wish we hadn't had to miss the July 4 festivities. I think LM would have enjoyed the fireworks. We did try to watch some fireworks at home - but the sounds of them in the distance kind of frightened LM... so we came inside and watched the fireworks in NYC instead. He enjoyed them.

July 8, 2013 - Week 20 and 2 days - The Anatomy Workup

Well, this is it, the day we've been anticipating for the last 19 weeks. That's right... the anatomy ultrasound! We get so much information from this appointment - we get to see all of your precious little limbs... your profile... and we find out whether you're a boy or a girl. Will you even show us?

The anatomy scan took nearly 1.5 hours. I was surprised, but not really surprised; as you were moving a lot. The tech pushed so hard, it wasn't shocking to see you trying to move - presumably to get away - away from her pokes. I would have been trying to get away, too!

At the end of the appointment, we had a full set of scans, and the knowledge you are healthy and developing right on schedule. We also had the tech's proclamation you're a boy. But the image she saved on the disk was so unclear, we were unsure. So, we will work on the perfect name... but we will also ask Dr. J to confirm this proclamation so we can have the nursery and everything ready for you, little Stowaway.

July 13, 2013 - Week 20

Well baby, we're halfway there!! (I've been humming "We're Halfway There" from Bon Jovi all day!)
I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going :(! It's kind of sad, actually. I really enjoy being pregnant... and knowing I'm bringing another sweet miracle into the world.

Everything is going so well. I've felt awesome, and the Stowaway is growing well.