22 Weeks

How far along: 22 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appointment is September 21st, and on the 28th for my 2 hour glucose screening 

Maternity clothes: Haven't purchased any additional maternity clothes but I do need some more roomy tops for work.  Hopefully I can find some things that are inexpensive and I can wear post pregnancy.

Stretch marks: I use cocoa butter cream in the morning and pregnancy oil at night.  Hope it works!!

Symptoms: Nothing really new.  Feel full very easily and constipation is really frustrating.  

Sleep:  Good, just trying to get to bed by 10 or 1030 at night seems to help.

Best moment this week: Went to Eastern Market on Saturday morning with my parents and we got a bunch of boxwoods and hydrangea plants.  Steve got them all planted on Sunday and they look awesome!!

Gender: Still unknown.  Found out my coworker (due in Feb) is having a boy.

Belly button in or out: Staying in so far

Food cravings:  No cravings.  Just wish I didn't feel so full so easily all the time.  I finally made this crockpot chicken noodle soup that turned out really good and wish I had made a double batch.

Movement: Here and there but I still don't feel like this baby moves as much as Joey did.

What I miss: Not feeling huge and full all the time.  I know it shouldn't bother me but having people tell me "you've popped!" or "you're really showing now" makes me self conscious.  I know it's bound to happen but it just gets to me.  Trying to work on that.

What I'm looking forward to: Cooler fall weather and possibly going to Eastern Market again this weekend.  

21 Weeks and Dr. Appt

How far along: 21 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Had my doctor's appointment today (8/24).  My scale says 10.5lbs, the doctor's scale says 9lbs.  

Maternity clothes: Continuing to wear my black Gap maternity dress pants.  Dug out the maternity jeans but haven't worn them yet.  The high panels are bothering me more than I remember.

Stretch marks: Using the cocoa butter and pregnancy oil 

Symptoms: Some lower stomach pressure/pain/cramping at times.  I'm going to talk to the midwife about this next Friday.  I think it's just my body telling me to slow down.

Sleep:  Pretty good especially now that it's cooler at night

Best moment this week: Spending time at the Dream Cruise last Saturday.  We had such a great time!

Gender: Not sure this week....starting to kind of wish we knew!

Belly button in or out: Too early

Food cravings:  Nothing special.  Love fruit and oatmeal for sure, but that's my normal regardless of being pregnant.

Movement: Usually mid morning and early afternoon.  I don't feel this baby moves as much as Joey did.  Wondering if all of the moving around I do is comforting baby to sleep.

What I miss: Sleeping more and sleeping in!  But waking up to Joey's little face is the best.

What I'm looking forward to: Continuing to get the house organized and we got our new leather sectional last Friday.  It is soooooo nice!  

Update:  Had my doctor's appointment today and everything is good.  I was scheduled to see a midwife but apparently she was either out or something got mixed up because I met with one of the doctors.  Which just happened to be the same gynecologist I was seeing before I switched to this practice because I didn't really care for her.  Go figure!  I made sure my next appointment was with a midwife.
I talked to the doctor briefly about my more noticeable pain and pressure in my lower stomach.  She said it's completely normal and that 2nd pregnancies are harder on your body.  And not being able to sit and relax whenever I want since I am chasing after and caring for a toddler is another reason.  I figured that's all it was but it was reassuring.  
The baby's heartbeat was 152bpm.  And apparently moving all around in there which I couldn't feel.  I don't think this baby likes having the doctor poke and prod at my stomach lol.  
I scheduled my next appointment for 9/21 (4 weeks away) and then my glucose screening test on 9/28.  Apparently the 1 hour glucose test I took when I was pregnant with Joey was resulting in a lot of false positives and not as accurate.  So now they require all pregnant woman to take a 2 hour test.  Bummer!!  I have to go fast the night before (nothing after midnight) and then go in at 8:30am.  They will give me the sugary drink and then take my blood after one hour and then again an hour later.  I'll have to sit in the office for 2 hours and I won't be able to eat or drink.  Definitely not happy about this and hoping it goes okay.  

20 Weeks and Anatomy Scan

We had our anatomy scan on Friday (8/10) with the same ultrasound tech, Kate, as with Joey.  She is super nice and easy to talk to.  She showed us baby's heart, spine, stomach and said the heartbeat was measuring at 153bpm.  Baby also weighed in at 12oz.  Joey was 152bpm and approximately 12oz.  So basically exactly the same!  Steve thinks boy now.  I really don't know.  We decided not to find out and Kate told us to turn away when she was in the pelvic area.  I wasn't as tempted to look as I was with Joey.  Part of me really wants to know but then another part remembers how exciting it was to find out when Joey entered the world.  
This baby was far more active than Joey during his anatomy scan.  You could see him or her  kick their legs and jab with their arms.  We could also see baby's upper lip and nose at one point and watch him/her breath and swallow.  It was amazing!
I got through the whole scan without feeling sick or uncomfortable.  There were a couple of times that when she was pressing on my stomach with the transducer I sort of jumped because it kind of hurt.  It's not the best feeling to have your stomach pushed on for 20 minutes.  But I got through it and we got an adorable picture of baby's little foot and a profile picture.  I hope baby looks just like Joey :)


How far along: 20 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next doctor's appointment is 8/24.

Maternity clothes: Finally broke out the maternity Gap dress pants I wore when I was pregnant with Joey.  Much more comfortable than the Bella Band sliding up all day.  However I only have black pants so it's limiting for what I can wear to work.

Stretch marks: Using the cocoa butter and pregnancy oil 

Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary.  Feeling quite large though and it's only the beginning!  

Sleep:  Not as great this week but hoping for it to get better

Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the big screen during our anatomy scan.  

Gender: Still feeling a girl but I would definitely be happy with another little boy

Belly button in or out: Too early

Food cravings:  Nothing.....I'd really like a personal chef to cook for me so I might actually think something sounds really good!  I did make tacos on Monday and only had ground beef so I defrosted and cooked that.....big mistake.  The smell made me feel sick and completely turned off to all foods.  It was not a fun experience.

Movement: On and off during the day but I don't usually feel much at night.

What I miss: Not having to pee every hour or so.  It's much harder to escape to the bathroom with a toddler!

What I'm looking forward to: This weekend is the Woodward Dream Cruise.  I can't wait to see Joey's reaction to all of the cars and motorcycles.  He LOVES both!!

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Not liking the scale so I think I'll just wait for my dr. appts like I did with Joey

Maternity clothes: Continue to wear the Bella Band.  I don't have any summer maternity shorts or capris so I've been wearing my yoga capris, a couple long skirts and I can still button some shorts.  So ready for the fall weather!!

Stretch marks: Cocoa butter!

Symptoms: My nose is doing much better, which is a relief!  Overall not too bad though I did notice some cramping/pains in my lower stomach this past weekend that was actually pretty painful.  I think it was due to not drinking enough water and pushing myself a little too much.  I felt better after I drank water and sat down on the couch. 

Sleep:  Pretty good.....wishing I could make myself go to bed earlier but the Olympics are so good!

Best moment this week: Steve got to feel the baby kick/jab on Sunday.  We were sitting on the couch and I knew I had felt a couple outside movements recently and he was able to feel them too.  He was amazed!  Baby had a few strong kicks/jabs that kind of made my stomach turn.  It's an odd feeling, but probably the most amazing part of being pregnant.

Gender: Still feeling a girl but I would definitely be happy with another little boy

Belly button in or out: Too early

Food cravings:  Sweets and then salty, but nothing overwhelming.

Movement: Mostly mid morning and mid afternoon.  I am predicting this baby is born mid morning.  We will see!

What I miss: Not feeling worn out so quickly and I am making it a goal to get in great shape after this baby is born.  As long as everything goes okay.

What I'm looking forward to: We get to see baby on the big screen this Friday.  Can't wait to see if he or she looks like Joey did. 

18 Weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Still up 6-7lbs on my scale

Maternity clothes: Wearing the Bella Band with my work pants.  It's kind of annoying because I'm always pulling on it to readjust and make sure it is comfortable.
  

Stretch marks: Cocoa butter!

Symptoms: The stuffy nose issue is a little better.  I've noticed more sciatica nerve pain but it's probably because I'm on my feet more with Joey and lifting/carrying him.  Constipation is a little better....I am eating prunes and drinking warm water with lemon which has helped and I hope it continues to!

Sleep:  Not bad, just need to get more of it!

Best moment this week: Can't think of anything major this week

Gender: Really unsure this week

Belly button in or out: Too early

Food cravings:  No cravings but I'm glad I can eat mostly normal again.  And cook!

Movement: Here and there but not as much as I noticed with Joey.  Either this baby is quieter or is soothed by all the moving around I do so he/she doesn't move as much.  I notice more movement mid morning than any other time.

What I miss: Having more energy and not getting lightheaded easily

What I'm looking forward to: Our anatomy scan is next Friday!