Running from the Law: Pregnancy Update - 25 Weeks

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Pregnancy Update - 25 Weeks

How far along (how big is baby): 25 Weeks!  It feels so good to be in the "viability" stage, but I sure hope she doesn't come early.  We are not ready!  Right now baby Mim is as big as an eggplant and weighs just under 2 pounds.  She has fingerprints, sweat glands and has developed that blink-startle reflex.  Her hearing is fully developed and she's working on getting her lungs She should already be favoring one hand over the other - will Ryan finally get his lefty?  

How I'm feeling:  Good!  I finally feel like some of my energy is back and my appetite is definitely improving.  I had a good weight gain at my last OB appointment and the bump is getting bigger by the day.  I'm finally to that honeymoon stage of pregnancy that I love where people are super nice to you and ask you questions about the baby (which I love).  Most people seem surprised that I still have 3+ months to go, which means I am probably bigger than I even realize. Although everytime I say something to Ryan about how big I am (or grunt while trying to get up off the couch), he laughs at me and makes some comment about how much bigger I'm going to get. Yes honey, I know...that doesn't mean I don't already feel giant, but knowing how much more growing is still coming is a little wild.  I also passed my glucose test the very first time (woo hoo!), which is huge.  I had to do the 3 hour test with Mac after failing the 1 hour test, which made me miserably sick for days.  I'm thrilled not to have to go through that again. My friend Liz just recently dealt with gestational diabetes, so I have a whole new respect for what that entails and the seriousness of it.  However, I did reward myself with a giant piece of lemon butter cake (recipe here) that was so good I nearly cried.  
Nursery Planning:  I'm starting to get really excited about her nursery. Ryan painted the room (a fresh coat of white) and I'm almost finished painting an old dresser of mine, which has been a labor of love.  I can't believe how much work it takes just to paint furniture.  I still need to add knobs to the drawers and a top coat of sealer, but we're getting close.  I've got the bookshelf assembled, but it still needs to be primed and painted as well.  I just put down the rug in the room and well...it's not quite the exact shade I wanted it to be.  I don't love it, but I am just going to have to live with it.  I'm not going through the hassle of shipping it back.  It'll work.  Still need to assemble the crib, order curtains and figure out the "glider situation."  I'm also working on a couple other projects for the room and slowly building up her wardrobe.  I'm gladly accepting hand-me-downs (thank you, Claire), so if anyone would like to contribute to Mim's closet, I'd be greatly appreciative (and will take you out to lunch/pedicures in exchange). Right now I have only have 2 hairbows and 1 headband, so I need to work on getting her some fun accessories.  I'd love to support small vendors, so if you have an Etsy favorite, let me know.  And speaking of accessories...moms of girls - how do you store/display/organize bows and headbands?  I've seen a couple ideas on Pinterest, but I don't really love anything that I've seen.  Anyone have an awesome way to deal with them? 

What I'm looking forward to:  I'm SO looking forward to all the photos that are coming our way soon!  The photographer that I've been using for the last year recently moved to Houston (sad), but was back in town for a couple days last weekend, so we had a quick family session (Mac's 2 year photos, really) at the Museum of Transportation (perfect for a train-obsessed toddler).  We've basically had this booked since November, but it still completely snuck up on me. I was scrambling for outfits and location ideas just days before the session.  Not my greatest hour. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my desperate plea for help picking out a top (I chose the white/navy striped one, in case you were curious) the night before the pictures.  Mac was adorable, as usual, so I hope they turn out well.  I also have an upcoming maternity "practice session" with my friend Jessica.  She's trying to build up her portfolio, so we are just going to play around with getting some bump shots that I can use for Mim's pregnancy book (way better than the ones I'm taking here with the tripod and remote).  Plus, I get to hang out with Jess for a while anc catch up, which will be awesome.  And I'm SUPER excited that I finally booked Mim's newborn photo shoot with the fabulous Kristie from L Photographie!!  I met Kristie at a Camera Love class she taught and developed a bit of a girl-crush on her.  Her photos are gorgeous (and you know I'm a photo snob) and she has a son just a bit older than Mac, so she'll know how to handle our wild child. We're going to do a lifestyle newborn shoot at our house, once Mim and I are home from the hospital and settled in, with the whole family.  I'm so excited!  
Differences in the pregnancy: Can I still say that nearly everything has been the opposite?  The biggest was how sick I was this time around compared to how wonderful my first trimester with Mac was.  Now that I'm finally feeling better, the differences are less dramatic, but still there.  I'm carrying this baby much lower than I carried Mac.  He was super high and I felt like he lived in my ribcage, which caused a lot of rib bruising and heartburn.  Mim is really low, which is less painful, but I also feel like she just going to fall out sometimes.  I constantly find myself wrapping my arms around the bottom of my belly to "carry" her around.  So weird.  I also have way fewer cravings this time around.  All I really want is lemonade...lots and lots of lemonade.  Actually, lemon-flavored anything sounds good.  My Pinterest board is filled with recipes for lemon cake, lemon muffins, lemon sorbet, lemon pie, etc.  I can't get enough citrus.   With Mac, I was tired during the day and awake at night.  With Mim, I wake up feeling pretty good, but am exhausted by 3:00 each day.  Mac's heartbeat was fast, hers is slow.  Mac was active during the day, she's active in the evening.  With Mac I craved salty foods, with Mim I crave sweets.  My belly with Mac was rock hard and I could push around on him all I wanted.  With Mim, it's big, but still pretty squishy and very sensitive - any pressure (even from clothes) makes me nauseous.  All these differences in pregnancies make me so curious to see how different they actually are once she gets here.  Since Mac is so much like me, I'm really hoping Mim's just like her daddy.  I could really use a laid-back easy-going baby.  

Thoughts, worries, fears:  Now that I feel her moving all the time, I think I'm much less worried/stressed about her physical well-being.  I still get nervous occasionally when I look at Mac and think that he's so damn perfect it's scary and how can I get so lucky twice, but I'm starting to get over it.  No matter what happens or how she turns out, she's going to be so incredibly loved, it won't matter.  Worrying doesn't help, so I'm trying not to.  I scheduled my c-section at my last OB appointment, so I'm slightly nervous about that, but less so than I was the first time around.  I'm really hoping I feel better after birth this time, since I won't have to go through 17+ hours of labor before-hand, but otherwise, I know what to expect.  I think my biggest worry right now is about breastfeeding.  I so want it to work out this time.  I'm hoping she's a champion eater and it works out for us, but I also know that if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world.  I'm going to try to be much easier on myself this time around.  And the stupidest worry I have is that someone will "steal" our baby name.  Actually, we don't even have an official name or anything decided, but every new baby girl our friends have eliminates one more name we could have used (hypothetically).  Even if it was a name I knew I didn't want to use, I feel like the pool of names is dwindling dramatically every day.  Isn't that ridiculous?  I'm possessive of names that aren't even ours.  Does anyone else think about this or am I the only crazy one out there?  I have quite a few friends expecting in the next couple months and part of me wants to just pick a name and stake our claim to it publicly so no one else can have it.  Although, even if someone else did pick "our" name, I'd be fine with still using it. Believe it or not, there's more than one Sara out there.  Shocking, I know! Such a silly thing to worry about.
Baby action: She's moving around like crazy these days.  I feel kicks and punches all over the place from all different directions.  I have no idea which way she's facing, nor does it matter, I guess.  Ryan's felt a few kicks here and there, but she tends to get shy whenever he tries to feel her.  She responds mainly to music and to Mac's voice.  Anytime she hears him talk, she kicks. This makes me so excited because I know she is going to be his biggest, most adoring fan someday, whether he likes it or not.  Last night she woke me up with hiccups at 4:30 a.m.  Super cute, but I wish she'd keep those to daytime hours.  I'm starting to be able to see movement from the outside, as she dances away in there.  Occasionally I'll get hit with a wave of nausea and then all of a sudden I'll feel her do a big flip and I'll instantly feel better.  Pregnancy is so wild!

Big brother's reaction: Mac loves talking about the baby.  Whenever we mention her, he asks to "see" her (which involves me showing him my belly button).  Sometimes now he'll just randomly pull up my shirt to see the baby, which is fine so long as we're not in public.  He always asks if the baby is kicking or sleeping, which I guess is all she really does in there.  He gives her hugs and kisses, which melts my heart.  He loves going in her room and saying "seesta room...pink!"  Whenever I ask him what he wants to name the baby he says "Boo Boo" or "Doo Doo."  He'll be disappointed to learn that those suggestions did not make our list.  Anytime we ask him if he wants a baby, he says "nooooooo!"  But he is very curious about babies and likes to look at them and pat their heads.  I'm hoping to take him to a big brother class at the hospital and maybe even get him around a newborn a little bit so he isn't absolutely shocked when she gets here. 

So, that's about it.  Sorry (not sorry) about all the ridiculously dorky bump photos, but I just can't help myself.  Loving the bump these days! Can I seriously just stay exactly this pregnant forever?  

44 comments:

  1. You're so cute!! I'm so glad your pregnancy is going well and you are feeling better. :-)

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  2. SO cute! And glad you're finally feeling better!

    And I can't wait to catch up with you and do photos! And to see Caroline's pictures! And to meet Baby Mim! So much to look forward to. :)

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  3. I love your ridiculously dorky bump pictures! So fun. And not at all dorky. I'm also a bit jealous you're one of those "love being pregnant" people. I'm more of a "yeah, i know it's the miracle of life but let's get this part over with" person. Probably because I get insanely fat, don't sleep much, and am generally just a bit miserly while pregnant. Such a peach. :)

    For hair accessories, there's an adorable etsy shop I love called Charlie Coco's. Ours are not organized or displayed in any cute way. They're just piled up in a few different bins in her drawers in an attempt ot organize the chaos. You'll be surprised how quickly those things accumulate. And we're not crazy bow people.

    I feel the same way about names. I'll hear a good one and think "how cute - but now I can't use it." Which is crazy but yeah, so am I. But I'm fairly judgy about names so more often I think "poor kid. that name sucks." HA. How's that for crazy?

    Glad you're feeling so good. You look awesome!

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  4. You do look amazing - so happy and content! Loved reading this update :-)

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  5. Such fun pregnancy photos! I cannot wait to see nursery photos!

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  6. Love your pictures, you look so cute! I'm a little envious you are only 25 weeks as the time is just going too fast now! I am not ready at all! I can't wait to see your photos, I hope to get our sneak peek soon! Can't wait to see your painted furniture. I had been contemplating painting some for Max's room and think I've decided against it. It's SO much work and time that I can't find!

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  7. You look great, Mama! And I'm not even pregnant & I have "name worry syndrome." ;)

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  8. THose are the cutest pictures! What is your secret? I looked like a beast.
    These posts are so interesting to read.I have been thinking what our #2 will be like. If we go that route.

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  9. Love it! And am totally with you on the name worry! We are struggling to name Littlest Miss and everytime I turn around it seems as though our friends use a name that was on our short list. Grrr...I know its not that big of a deal, but still. Thankfully, I think we are down to 3 names...but who knows if those will be the same 3 names by time she makes her debut!

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  10. Oh my gosh, how cute are you!?!?! You look amazing my friend! You are such a wonderful mom to Mac, I'm sure Mim will be just the same....breastfeed or not! Try not to be so hard on yourself. You did what was best for Mac and will do the same for Mim. xoxo

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  11. Love this post, you look so cute!! It's crazy how different this pregnancy has been for you. Where as my second has been the EXACT same. I must be having another boy!

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  12. You are the cutest!! Glad everything is going well!

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  13. I love this! You are not alone in name worrying syndrome. That is exactly the reason why we decided to announce that we are name our little girl Presley - to stake claim. :) But it's not even top 100 so I am not too worried that anyone else is going to want it. In fact if I google it the opinion of it is wildly unpopular (which makes me adore it even more!)
    I love Willow Crows for hair accessories a fellow blogger Megan makes them and she sent some my way when we found out we were expecting. I plan on putting them in a clear apothecary jar next to a smaller apothecary jar of pacifiers. Should work until she can reach wherever I have chosen to put them!
    You're so cute! So happy this pregnancy is a good one for you!!

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  14. Seriously, too much cuteness from you on this post. Also: I have my glucose test tomorrow and just ate a bunch of Easter candy. That's good ,right? ;)

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  15. You look so stinkin cute! I think our bellies are absolutely identical to how we are carrying this time around! Maybe that means a girl for me?? Who knows! I hear ya on the name thing. I just wish I could commit to one. Robbie has a favorite for each but I'm like like "eh they're ok". Naming is HARD!

    Can't wait to see how your pictures turned out!

    I pinned something on pinterest for how to store headbands/bows. She took command hooks and then strung wire across and used little clips to hold the headbands. Looks like it works well to me!

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  16. I love all the pictures!! They're so fun! I'm sure that the second time around you're much more relaxed and not so paranoid as the first time! You look gorgeous :)

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  17. You are precious!! I can't wait to see the nursery...I know it is going to be so cute!

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  18. I'm pregnant with my second girl, and I have to say the easiest (for me) bow storage is clipping them onto ribbon that hangs from their 'letter'. This way I can easily see and grab any bow. I have an A and now an R and the 1" grosgrain ribbon is attached to the back and hangs down. It's weighted at the end with a crystal-like stone. I had one made at a little boutique, but I found an R at hobby lobby and I'm decorating that one myself. Plus, it's cute so it doubles as a little decoration. Headband storage was always a problem for me though.

    Also, I have a fear of someone stealing our name so we announced it ASAP so we could 'claim' it. You're not alone :)

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  19. You look fantastic! It seems like your pregnancy is just flying by!

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  20. 1. I love your bump photos. Keep em coming!
    2. I wish I had some cute suggestion for storing bows/headbands. We have a million of them and they have just always been stuffed in the top drawer of Lucy's dresser. Poor little bows. I saw that someone above mentioned an apothecary jar- I like that idea!
    3. YES to lemon! Totally with you on that one.
    4. Naming babies is tough business. Can't wait to hear what you decide!

    :)

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  21. OKAY. Let's talk about these photos. They get no better. Seriously, you are really stinking cute --- these made me smile!! God is good.... so thrilled for you and your growing fam!

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  22. here are some favorite Etsy shops for bows and headbands

    Willow Crowns
    Bub Bug Studio

    I also love this blog and Veronika has the cutest little girl..
    http://veronabrit.blogspot.com

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  23. My gosh, could you be any cuter? Nope! High five on passing your GD test, that three hour one is rough.

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  24. Love all the bump photos; you are looking beautiful, mama! I think I've mentioned this before, but I highly recommend reading The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (cover to cover) and attending a local La Leche League Meeting. If nothing else it will help give you some confidence with breastfeeding Mim. I pray that you will have the opportunity to have a wonderful experience this time around! I'm here for all sorts of support!

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  25. You look sooo adorable! It's hard to find a cute Cardinals tee, this one is awesome. So glad you went with navy/white, can't wait to see those photos. I felt that way about having to hold my belly up too and I got the Upsie Belly band, which has really helped when I'm very active or standing a lot...

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  26. Glad your feeling better! Love those fun bump shots! You look beautiful!!

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  27. Work it girl! Cute series of photos. Great news on the G.D. Test too!

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  28. You look so happy and wonderful as a pregnant lady! :)

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  29. You look great!!! Love that Cardinals shirt too! Is it a maternity shirt? If so, where did you get it :) How excited are you for this weekends weather for Easter? I know I am. It's about time it's nice out. Haha! Happy Friday and Happy Easter to you!

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  30. You look great! It's crazy how different pregnancies can be from one to the next. Mac sounds like he will an awesome big brother :)

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  31. You are beautiful...absolutely stunning!

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  32. You are adorable! Love the baseball shirt!!

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  33. How crazy cute are you?!? I feel like I could have written so much of this (except the name part ;) ). We have two healthy boys and the thought of actually getting another healthy child is just like we are too lucky. One has my personality and the other has Chris. They look completely opposite. I cannot wait to see what combo we get with this new little one! I can't see what your little mim will look like. I'm so glad you are feeling better (and have you thought of venturing to key lime from lemon?! Just a suggestion from one preggo to another - it's been my craving). Have a great weekend with your cutie!!

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  34. First things first. You are freaking adorable. Probably the cutest pregnant lady ever.
    Second: I'm so glad to hear how different your pregnancies have been (though it's not cool how sick you were during the first trimester). This gives a little hope that I will actually enjoy pregnancy…

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  35. You look amazing!!!! I'm with you on the baby names...I need to hurry up and have one so I can have a good name before they are all used up. ;)

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  36. You look fantastic!! And I loved this stage of pregnancy too. If all of pregnancy could be like the 5th and 6th months, I'd try to get pregnant a few more times!

    So glad you don't have to deal with stupid gestational diabetes. (And so glad I don't have full blown diabetes. woo hoo!!)

    My biggest worry with #2 was breastfeeding too. Still is actually, even though it's technically working for us right now. (I just don't love it.)

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  37. Love these photos- you are simply glowing! I just wish we could pick a baby name.... I don't think baby boy will be named until he gets here at this rate.

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  38. So I think bloglovin somehow lost your posts and I totally missed this until now! You are looking so cute and so happy! I love it. I'm so glad you're feeling better! Can't wait to see what Mim's nursery looks like!

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  39. Quite possibly the CUTEST prego ever!!!! I mean, just adorable! I struggled with the bow organization idea too, but ended up with a 3-tiered hanging fruit basket in the corner of Arden's room. It's done the trick! :)

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