Running from the Law: Pregnancy Update - 18 Weeks

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Pregnancy Update - 18 Weeks

Since I just did a Mac update, I figured it's time to do a baby girl update as well!  So many of you have asked about this pregnancy and how it's going, I figured I'd put all your questions in a post and hopefully answer everything.  
(16 weeks)
How far along are you?
18 weeks!  Can you even believe it?  This pregnancy is flying by.  Baby girl is the size of a bell pepper and weighs as much as three eggs.  She has eyelashes and fingernails.  I've been feeling flutters for a while, but she's just now starting to make her presence known with kicks and punches, which has to be the greatest feeling in the world.  They're not strong enough to feel from the outside yet, so feeling her move is like a little secret between just the two of us.  It's such a wonderful and reassuring feeling. 

How do you feel?
Terrible!  Yeah, so far I've felt pretty awful for the majority of this pregnancy, but it's finally getting better (knock on wood).  This this around has been so different than my first.  With Mac I felt great, like I could take on the world, all the time.  I was happy and calm and (according to my husband) a joy to be around.  This time...not so much.  Up until this past week, I've been queasy and nauseous and exhausted. I've had horrible headaches, I've moody and quick to anger, I haven't been sleeping well and worst of all, food has not sounded good.  I haven't even been able to play around on Pinterest because just looking at the food would make me want to vomit.  Two rounds of the stomach flu this winter hasn't helped either.  If I never eat another cracker again for the rest of my life I'd be fine with it.  Luckily everything's starting to get better and my appetite is slowly coming back.  I still can't stomach the idea of fish or a green vegetable, but a BLT with extra mayo sounds mighty good (even at 9 a.m.).  Yay carbs!  As of last week, I was only up 3 pounds, but I have a feeling that's all about to change.  Baby's going through a growth spurt and so am I.  My bump is out in full force, along with my appetite this week, so I'm planning on a big gain over the next few weeks.  Bring it on!
(bump)
This is probably the last time I'm ever going to be pregnant (boo!!!), so I really want to enjoy it and savor as much as I can.  I breaks my heart just saying that this is it, but 2 is probably the right number for us.  Even though this pregnancy hasn't been as smooth as my first, it's been incredible.  I really do love being pregnant, even if I'm sick. Just knowing there's a baby in there, growing strong and kicking away, makes me so proud and excited.  I'm amazed at what my body can do and I love watching my stomach grow bigger by the day.  I love knowing that I'm protecting her and feeding her and taking care of her, way before she's even born.   I love rocking a giant bump and I can't wait for it to be bigger!  I've never felt more beautiful in my life than when I'm pregnant.  Pregnancy really is spectacular.  

How's nursery planning going?
It's begun!  I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do, now I just have to make it happen.  I'm keeping it under wraps right now, because I know I'll change my mind a dozen times before it's actually ready to be shown to the general public.  Don't worry, I'll do a big reveal and before/after post when it's all done and I'm sure I'll give some sneak peeks on Instagram.  I'm getting some decorating tips and advice from the amazing Natasha, who is helping me design the nursery and pick out decor.  So far I've made a few purchases, but everything's still in boxes until we can get the room cleaned out and organized.  We've decided to do a whole new nursery and not convert Mac's room for the new baby.  Mac's room is closer to our room than future baby girl's nursery, which is currently being used as a spare bedroom (mainly for the cat), but we've decided to keep Mac in his current room.  Switching rooms would be a ton of work for us and I just think that might be more change than our little dude needs right now.  I also don't think he's ready for a toddler bed (I'm not ready for him to be able to get out of it!) yet, so we're going to buy another crib and convert his to a toddler bed later.  The less change/stress for him, the better.  And so what if we have to walk another 10 feet to get to her room.  We'll survive.  
(17 weeks)
Do you have a name picked out?
No.  This is so hard!  I like really classic traditional names and Ryan like more trendy modern names, so we're having a really hard time coming up with anything we can both agree on.  He has a hard time separating a name from anyone he knows with that name and I am just really picky.  We also have a lot of friends and family members that have chosen great names for their girls (our friends have excellent taste), so a lot of the names we really like have already been taken and we don't want to be duplicative if we can avoid it.  We do have one name we both really like, but it's not definite.  Unfortunately the people that I've mentioned the name to (our nanny and my parents) both gave me such strange looks and polite "oh, that's nice" responses (I don't believe them) that I've decided not to mention the name to anyone else for fear of getting my feelings hurt.  No, I don't care if everyone loves the name we pick, but I want to love it and I don't want other people's negative reaction to influence my decision.  So if we do choose a name, we're not going to tell anyone.  However, we're still open to suggestions, so fire away.  In the meantime, I think I'm going to use a nickname for her on the blog, like I do with Mac.  "Baby Girl" just sounds so generic.  When I started using "Baby Mac" to refer to our little bean, I never thought it would stick like it did, but I love it.  I want to give baby girl a nickname we also love (although I'm not sure we'll ever call her that directly), so I'm I will call her "Baby Mim."  And no, that's not foreshadowing the name, we still don't know what her name will be.  

What are you looking forward to?
Our anomaly scan is next week, so I'm excited to have another ultrasound and get a good look at baby girl (Mim?). I think the ultrasound will help me have some peace of mind. Still, in the back of my mind, I can't shake the feeling that this is all too good to be true and that something is going to happen.  I'm trying not to let it get to me too much, but it's always there.  I'm not sure if it's because of the miscarriage last year or maybe it's because I think Mac is the most amazing and perfect child to ever live and how can we possibly be that lucky again.  You know, a whole lightening doesn't strike twice mentality.  I'm still a nervous wreck.  I can't go more than 48 hours without breaking out the Doppler and listening to her heartbeat (which is strong!).  The more I feel her move, the more relaxed I'm becoming.  I hope she continues to dance away in there so I can finally calm the eff down. 
(18 weeks)
How is this pregnancy different than with Mac?
It's so different in so many ways.  Like I said, I was never sick with Mac, so 17 weeks of continuous all-day nausea was very different.  I also feel like I'm much bigger this time around. Of course I started out with a few more pounds this time, but the bump grew much faster.  And it's way less round this time.  The bump isn't exactly just in front of me like a basketball, it's more like an inner tube all the way around me.  Seriously, back and side bumpage?  WTF?  That's not cool.  Also, although I'm much more nervous this time around, I don't think about being pregnant as much as I did with Mac.  Sometimes I go hours without really thinking about it, whereas I don't think I went 30 seconds with Mac.  This is probably just due to the fact that I'm much busier this time, chasing a toddler around.  My skin is really dry, but that could just be because of the weather.  My hair is pretty awesome right now, which I'm totally digging.  I've been pretty good at keeping up with my pregnancy book so far, but I'm doing a poor job at getting pictures of myself that aren't taken with my iPhone.  I need to get the camera set up on the tripod and get some good ones.  I apologize for the crappy photos above.  I'll do better, baby girl.  I promise you'll have tons of photos and your entire life will be well documented, just like your big brother.

So there it is.  All is well and I finally feel like I might not die.  I have a renewed excitement about the rest of this pregnancy and I hope I'm able to enjoy it.  Being pregnant is such a blessing and I really want to love it as much as I did the first time around.  I'm so excited for this little peanut.  I've been dreaming about her for so long.  I can't wait to get maternity photos taken and for Ryan to feel her kick.   I can't wait to meet her and hold her and rock her to sleep at night.  I can't wait to do this whole baby thing all over again.  I feel like the luckiest person in the world.  

29 comments:

  1. You look great Sara! I'm so excited for you! Picking a name is so hard. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and we still don't have a for sure name yet. It was so much easier with Jackson. I can't wait to see the nursery. :-)

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  2. You look amazing...I hate that you are not feeling well; I hope the worst is over! I can't wait to see what Natasha designs for you - so fun!!

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  3. You're too cute with your baby bump. I'm sorry that you're not feeling your best. It's so bittersweet. I LOVED being pregnant , too but I do not miss those icky feeling days. Hope you find the perfect name soon. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

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  4. You look great! I really hope you continue to feel better! I've had two boys and I'm expecting a girl and I've never been so sick and my bump is a lot like yours. I've also had the feeling that something is going to go wrong. The anatomy scan did wonders - I felt like it was a huge relief. I hope you have the same feeling. Oh and everyone dislikes our name (they didn't like the first two names either, but they work for us).

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  5. You look amazing mama!! And I love talking nursery with you...so much fun! Hope to have a board together soon! :)

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  6. You're so cute!! Pregnancy suits you well! I'm glad you are starting to feel a little better. I was sick until 17 weeks so hopefully yours will go away. for good. Any of those names your friends used that you like, pass them on. I can't think of a girl name either! SO tough!!

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  7. You are absolutely stunning, my dear! I know you have worries and fears and aren't feeling so great, but you have that amazing pregnancy glow. And you look *SO* happy! You deserve all of the joy your heart can hold. Enjoy this time! XO

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  8. You look great!! Here's to a happy and healthy next 22 weeks! Scary how fast time goes by with # 2, huh?

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  9. You look amazing and I'm so excited for you! And yep, that's how I carried Abbie too - all-over bumpage. Why do girls make things so rough on their moms??

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  10. You look so good!! You really do seem so happy when you're pregnant. I've heard carrying a boy is straight out in front and a girl is all over. I felt awful during my pregnancy 24/7 nausea until around 16-17 weeks so I hope you're out of the woods now and you continue to feel better!! Just keep eating carbs I pretty lived on cheese and bread products.

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  11. So I just realized Mac is not a Mac?! Mind blown, And yes, I had o avoid pinterest w one of pregnancies too, awful haha

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  12. I'm so sorry you've been so sick but am glad you are starting to feel some of that second trimester relief!!! You look so cute and I'm excited to keep on baby's progress (and of course see the nursery!) :)

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  13. I'm so beyond excited for you...and I'm dying to know the colors of this nursery! I have a little something I want to send you, but looks like I'll have to wait to figure out the shade/color ;)

    You look lovely, pregnancy is so beautiful on you! So cliche, but you really do. You glow. xo

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  14. Oh girl I am loving this update! Everyone was telling me I was having a boy because I have been feeling awesome and looky loo it's a girl!! We shared our baby name (that is 100%) with my mom and she hated it. But I told her I don't care cause this is my baby so she better flip her mind around and like it!! I hope you start feeling better soon!

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  15. Here's my take on the 'lightning striking twice' theory---it's actually WAY more rare to have a child with a birth defect. That's the lightning--chances are not as high for a 'bad' thing happening. So having an awesome, healthy, adorable kid is not lightning---a variation of it is likely to happen again!!

    Glad you don't want to die anymore. Loving your bump. You know my girl name suggestions and I have about 15 others on my phone if you are interested;)

    Can't wait to see the nursery!!! MY FAVORITE PART.

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  16. My favorite part of being pregnant was getting to share those little moments with Mason that nobody else got. When you feel him kick and move and just know that he's doing amazing in there. That's what I miss the most! That mother/child bond. And I'm with you, I always felt so much more reassured after and ultrasound or dr appt when I got to see him or hear his heartbeat. So happy you're feeling better!

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  17. Looking so cute mama!! So glad to hear you are feeling better, I finally started feeling better about this time too and it was brutal! Excited to see what you and Natasha come up with, so fun! And I agree with Erinn are you saying baby Mac really isn't Mac?!? How did I miss that!! XO!!

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  18. You are absolutely glowing! You look fabulous!

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  19. What a great read! I’m sure first time mommies can get lots of valuable information from your post, Sara! It’s nice to know that you’re not having any unusual problems with your pregnancy. I hope you’ve been following your doctor’s orders for the sake of your baby’s health. I’ll be following your journey! Congratulations! :)

    Adam Heller

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  20. You are looking adorable!! :) I hope you continue to feel better. Can't wait to see nursery plans, I'm sure they will be amazing!

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  21. You look stunning, seriously glowing Sara!!! Here's to hoping you keep feeling good, pregnancy sickness is no fun! :)

    Happy Friday!

    xo
    Megan
    Hello Newlywed Life Blog

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  22. I'm sorry you're feeling sick. You look great! We're having a hard time with baby boy's name, as well.

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  23. You look gorgeous!!! At least you can't tell how sick you are feeling, though I bet you'd rather be feeling well and looking a little less sharp than feeling like poo. :/ But I guess we take what we can get.

    And naming is SO hard. I personally would love to hear some of the names you like but aren't using because you know other's who have just in case you have some fantastic idea that we haven't thought of. We have one in mind as of right now that will most likely be used, but I still just want to try to cover all the bases in case!

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  24. Can I call her Bee, as in Baby Bean? Or something. I like Mimi. Because, I know you asked for my opinion. Now I'm dying to hear the name y'all are thinking, but, I'll be a quiet respectful BFF for as long as I can. I can't wait to meet this nugget and spoil the hell out of her!!

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  25. Oh man- you look adorable! Totally can't even tell that you feel like poo! ;) I am just about a week or so behind you with #2 and am just now starting to feel human again. It's funny how you can feel so terrible but also love the heck out of every second of being pregnant all at the same time! I'm pretty sure this is our last bebe too :( so I, like you, am just trying to savor each moment! Hope you feel better soon!
    http://ladybuginlove.blogspot.com

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  26. Aww you look great!! I'm always curious to know if all pregnancies are different or not. My first was pretty easy and I have a feeling that the second will be intense!

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  27. Love this! You look beautiful! Hopefully you start feeling normal again soon, that's awful!

    I agree about the room thing. We're not going to change Hayden's room either. I think that would be just too confusing for him. And I'm in no rush to get him out of the crib either!

    Also, the back and side bumpage-totally have that too. What the hell?!

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