Mall of America Spree

Today we (Chad, Ellery and I) went to the Mall of America to walk around a bit and get some new maternity clothes. It was a success...for me anyways...Chad got NOTHING! I spent under $100 and got 12 new shirts and a pair of jeans. I think I am set for the rest of this pregnancy.
We also were looking for a "going home" outfit for this baby, but not finding out the gender means it has to be gender neutral. Otherwise I need to bring 2 outfits pending what exactly pops out of me. I am leading towards bringing 2 outfits because in the WHOLE mall, not one gender neutral outfit. Everything is blue or says "handsome" on it or it has glitter and ruffles on it. I will continue to look but I may need to find one really cute boy and one really cute girl outfit in my hospital bag. :)

Double Stroller Dilemma

I need a double stroller by the time baby #2 arrives. I know I have plenty of time, but I also like to shop for a deal so if I can figure out what I want exactly I can start searching for the best price and coupons. I know that with Ellery walking most of the time, but still getting tired like every other 2 year old other there, I need some version of the Sit N Stand stroller. Problem is that there are multiple brands and prices ranging from $100-$300+. I figure more than anything I need to go to the stores and try them out, folding them up and pushing them around. My current stroller is okay but I hate shopping with it because it is bulky and turns horribly. (I can only imagine a 2 kid stroller to be more bulky). Searching online,through consumer reports, and asking other moms on facebook I am thinking I need to check out the Joovy Ultralight and the Baby Trend. Both appear to be compatible with our carseat (very important) and both look like they fold up pretty small to fit in our car's trunk. Now question is how heavy and bulky the two are. Appearance wise the joovy one is ADORABLE and comes in so many colors! However, price wise the Joovy Ultralight is $249.00 and the Baby Trend is $150. So that is a big difference. I guess I will get Chad to make a trip to Babies R Us and try both of hem out with Ellery. Then I can pick which one is right for us and our growing family. :)

Bump Comparison

Today I am 19w2d and thought it would be interesting to take a bump picture, in the same shirt as I wore at that time with Ellery to show how much faster I am growing this time around.

Pregnancy #1 with Ellery:                      Pregnancy #2 with baby on the way:

19 Weeks: Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! It is Christmas Eve and I am 19 weeks pregnant (One more week till I am half way there!) The baby is the size of a large tomato. He/She is getting more and more active as the days pass by. Last night, I rolled over to my belly and the baby was not liking that...kick*kick*kick! However, I was torn, roll over and let the baby be comfortable or stay there and keep feeling the amazing feeling... I am guilty of staying for a couple extra kicks and then flipping back over. The same thing happened this morning when Ellery was laying on my belly as a pillow...baby didn't like that she was taking up his/her space. It is still not very consistent though. There are still days that I feel nothing. It will be nice to start feeling it more consistently and for others to get to feel it on the outside.
Next week we get to see the baby and officially get to make the inevitable decision to not find out the gender. (doesn't mean I wont continue to read up and test out any old gender predicting wives tales...)
Grow Grow Grow Baby!

Quad Screen Results

After yet another long talk and discussion, Chad and I decided to have the Quad Screen Test (quadruple screen, AFP4, or multiple marker is a blood test that can tell you whether your baby is at an increased risk for certain problems: down syndrome and trisomy 18, which are chromosomal abnormalities, as well as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida) for this pregnancy. I personally like to be as prepared and educated as possible. If there were to be something my child and family are going to have to face in life, why not do the research while I can and be mentally as well as physically ready for the challenges ahead of us. Everyone dreams of a healthy and easy pregnancy and child, does it always pan out that way...? NO but in my mind that is a risk you take when choosing to bring a child into this world.
I gave blood for the test at my 18 week appointment last Tuesday and have waited anxiously all week for the results (knowing they would be a bit delayed with the holiday season upon us). Today at Ellery's 2 year check up, the dr gave me the results in person. Everything came back negative! This was great news.
I know that the results are not 100% accurate. In fact, after researching more I found the quad screen detects at least 70 percent of babies with trisomy 18 and about 85 percent of those with neural tube defects. For Down syndrome, the quad screen detects about 80 percent of affected babies. But for now I am using this as positive information and am not going to stress about it. I am celebrating in fact with a large decaf iced coffee! :)

18 Weeks

This is a fun survey I used to take every month or so with Ellery. Thought this is a great point to start at 18 weeks. The baby is currently the size of a large mango.

How far along? 18 Weeks (Almost 1/2 way there already!)

Total weight gain/loss: +11 lbs (not happy about that, but its hard around the holidays with cookies and all)

Baby's heart rate: At my 18 week appointment his/her heart rate was 150bpm
 
Maternity clothes? Yes they are all I wear when I comes to my pants. Tops I can still get away with a lot of non maternity shirts. I have been putting a belt above my belly to really "show it off" :)

Stretch marks? None yet (or hopefully ever)

Sleep: I fall asleep early (8:30-ish pm) but am up at least 3-4 times a night for no reason and then usually by 5:30/6am I am wide awake for the day

Best moment this week: Seeing my belly "bulge" in a spot where the baby was. I couldn't feel anything, but looking down on my belly I saw a specific area sticking out further than the rest, Chad came over to feel it and it was a hard bulge like it was the baby. This was really cool to have him feel. 

Movement: I swear I feel something very random about 1-2 times a day but I can't say for sure if I have felt him/her move yet.  

Food cravings: Pop, Potato Chips, and Subway!

Belly Button in or out? Oh dear, it is definitely already starting to make its way out. I guarantee I will have an outie belly button in the next month or so. 

Wedding rings on or off? No swelling of the hands, my ring is actually lose (because it has been so cold outside lately)
What I miss: Lately I really just miss getting a good nights sleep. I just want one of those: a night where I fall alseep and stay asleep until at least my alarm goes off. 

What I am looking forward to: Seeing at our 20 week ultrasound how much he/she has grown since our last ultrasound. I also love, love, love when you get to see the little fingers and toes at this ultrasound. :)

Weekly Wisdom: The 2nd time around (pregnancy) isn't easy. You think going into it, "I've done this,  I know it all" but I don't remember everything, and things are definitely different this time around. But I can say that hearing the heartbeat for the first time, feeling the first kicks are all just as exciting and amazing as they were with the first pregnancy. 

First Kicks!

For the past few days I have wondered if I was feeling kicks or not. It was nothing strong or consistent before, so I would think I would feel something but then it wouldn't happen again so I guessed it was nothing really. Well tonight, laying on the couch, I felt a very distinct "kick" and then about 2 minutes later in the same area I felt it again. :) I will tell you that even with this being the 2nd pregnancy, it is still just as magical and exciting as if it was the first. :) I can't wait to start feeling this more and more in the upcoming weeks. But I really can't wait for them to get strong for Chad and Ellery to start feeling them! :)
Kick baby kick!!!

Beautiful

HO HO HO!

I was told today at school that I looked like Santa Clause today!
 HAHAHA
My outfit really did (red sweater, white shirt and big black belt) and the baby bump just added to the look! :)
Yay for still embracing the bump!

17 Week Bump

Oh how time is flying by and oh how good I have been feeling lately. I feel almost normal. Well normal, minus the fact that my clothes are tight, pants don't button and have to leave my cardigans open. :) Baby is the size of a pear this week. He/She is about 5" long and weighs about 5oz now. That is a lot bigger than when he/she was the size of a grape. Like I said I have felt relatively well lately. I Still sleeping a ton (bed time is definitely right around 8:30) but when I fall asleep it is really hard to STAY asleep. I wake up for no reason multiple times a night and then I am just wide awake. It is no fun at all.
My next dr. appointment is in a week. I go see Dr. Brandes on the 17th and then I will have all the genetic testing done and schedule my anatomy ultrasound. I am excited to see the baby again but sad because usually this is when we get the "its a girl or its as boy" announcement but this time we will have to wait till May for that. I am really hoping the dr just tells me the baby has his/her legs crossed and even if I wanted to know I wouldn't get to find out. Then it's like it's a sign that it was meant to be that we are waiting till the birth...only 23+ weeks away. HA
Grow strong little one!

Ice Cream and Baby Names

We have a boy name for sure (we have had it since our first pregnancy) but the girl names are always the hardest. We have a short list of ones we like but not just one that really sticks out as "the one". So tonight I am indulging in ice cream while I search for more girl names.

Embrace the Bump!

Mark it on my calender! Today is the day where I quit calling myself fat, and embrace the baby bump. I wore a tighter shirt today and a belt above the belly. I thought it was a cute outfit and many people complimented it. Many people and students at school also complimented on my "popped" belly. So it's here, and only going to get bigger...better get used to it and embrace it!

16 Weeks Bump

It sure is hard gaining weight and not fitting in your clothes as your pregnancy moves on. I am 16 weeks now and much bigger than I was at this point with Elle. The baby is the size of an avocado! He/She is supposedly moving a ton in there. I feel like I may be feeling little things sometimes, but nothing for sure. When I think I feel something I sit completely still and just wait to feel it all again, and nothing...oh well soon enough. Keep moving in there, kick a little bit harder, I would like to feel something soon! :D