16 Weeks and a "Babymoon"

Justin and I went on a babymoon last week to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  We stayed at an all inclusive, adults only resort and really didn't do much beside sit by the pool, eat and sleep.  It was exactly what we both needed.  At first I had a hard time just sitting still.  I'm so used making sure Jack's needs are being taken care of that it was odd to just think about myself for a few days and just be still.

(Our daily view from the pool.)

(The hotel.)

(Me and my boo.)

Before we had Jack, I told J that we needed to promise that once a year we would take some time to go somewhere just the two of us.  We both realized that with the new baby on the way, this would be our last opportunity for quite a while.  It was great to just be Justin and Lindsey again for a few days.

Upon arriving back home, I receive the BEST welcome from Jack.  As we left the airport, I carried him back to the car and he giggled the whole way and kept wrapping his arms around my neck, giving me big hugs.  My battery has been recharged and I am ready to tackle motherhood once again!

I have to give a HUGE shout out and thank you to my dad (aka Opa).  He came to Colorado and watched Jack for the first time all by himself.  Honestly this is the first time in my Dad's life that he has watched a toddler by himself for any amount of time!  He did AWESOME!  I was never worried about Jack's safety or happiness but more worried for Opa because taking care of Jack one on one is a huge undertaking.  Long days and endless amounts of patience but in the end Jack was happy as a clam and Opa ended the week a little wiser and ready to go home :).  Thanks again, Dad, I am immensely proud of you!

Our trip allowed for a little over indulgence in the food department and I have officially started to put on the pregnancy pounds, up 2 lbs.  My hair loss is slowing down but I'm starting to get nauseous towards the end of every day and my old friend "heart burn"has come back (I don't expect him to depart for another 20+ weeks).  Other than that, keep me fed frequently and I'm a happy camper.  At the 16 week midwives appointment BV2 had a very strong heartbeat of 155 and we can have our appointment to find out gender in the next 2-3 weeks…YAY!!!!

It sounds crazy to me and, while not out of the realm of possibility, it is still early but I swear I felt the little bean moving yesterday.  Pregnancy puts me pretty in-tune with my body and what I felt was not a typical gas bubble or digestion.  I hope it continues, it was my favorite part of pregnancy before and such a great way to connect with the life I'm growing.

(Rockin' the bikini at 16 weeks and damn proud of it ;))

Lindsey

14 Weeks

I am 14 week pregnant today and I feel like I am falling apart, physically falling apart.  I was going down to bed last night, I completely missed the last step and came down hard on my left ankle.  As I laid on the floor in a fetal position, trying not to pass out from the pain, I was convinced I had broken something.  I finally let J carry me to bed and spent the next 45 minutes contemplating going to the hospital.  Since it was 11 pm and we were limited on options for childcare, I wiggled my toes and decided I would live to see another day.

Today my foot and ankle are swollen and very sore and I am hobbling around like a three legged dog.  I am a mother of a two years old, I do not have time to be crippled!  In retrospect, I am thankful that nothing seems to be broken and based on WebMD it's just a sprain.

Jack came home with a cold and nasty cough after school this week and since we share kisses, food and drink, as of 5 pm tonight he has shared his cold with me too (again).  My hair won't stop falling out AND it is April 16 and we have 9 inches of snow on the ground.  Winter.will.not.end.

At 14 weeks my mood is less than perfection therefore this post shall be short and sweet a little bitter.

On a happy note, BV2 seems to be cooking well and the genetic testing came back a-okay.

( And here is the official Facebook announcement!)

Lindsey (aka "Crabby Mama Bear")

12 Weeks

The first trimester is quickly coming to a close!  Seems like just yesterday when we found out…the second time is going much quicker.  This mama is feeling much better these days!  Honestly, the worst of it seemed to stop around 9 weeks.  The all day nausea and soul crushing fatigue have pretty much disappeared and those were the symptoms making life particularly horrid.

Much to my delight, my skin has been so much better this time around and my boobs are back way earlier (sorry Dad!) but my hair is still falling out enough to make me cringe every time I pick up a brush.  I am up once a night to go to the bathroom even though I am constantly parched and even though I haven't put on any weight yet my appetite is back with a vengeance and I cannot get enough carbs!

(12 Weeks)

We had our 12 appointment today.  After a quick check in with the midwives, we headed over to the perinatal department to have the first trimester screening ultrasound.  I had a hard time sleeping last night because as I remember from the last time around, this was a big and fun appointment.  Second time around did not disappoint!

There was an intern helping with the u/s so we were able to spend some extra time watching the "bean".  The baby was SUPER cooperative (which was a far cry from Jack's 12 week scan!) and we were able to see so much movement.  It was INCREDIBLE!!!  Once again I was brought to tears and in absolute amazement that this tiny little person was growing so perfectly inside of me.

Today was extactly what I needed.  I have been having a hard time "getting into" this pregnancy.  But watching BV2 stretch and twist made it real…finally.  This experience is something to be savored because it is so fleeting and I'm happy to finally feel connected to the life I'm helping to create.

(Obviously, head on the right and legs with knees bent on left.)

(Looking down on the top of the head- arm and hand on left.)

(Another great profile shot!)

And here was the most amazing part of yesterday, getting to watch our baby dance around.  I could watch this over and over!  Enjoy :)

Lindsey

First Trimester Bliss

(This post is a wee bit past due but better late than never so that I can remember all of the joys of early pregnancy!)

Feb 2

Here we go again!  I'm pregnant!!!

This isn't my first rodeo and it isn't coming out of left field but man when you see that positive come back it is still a bit of a shock.  In all honesty I've had about 10 hours to absorb this life changing news and it isn't close to being reality for me.  It's something that I have to keep saying out loud in order to REMIND myself that…I'm pregnant!

I took a test 3 days too early and it came back "Not Pregnant" much to my disappointment.  But yesterday I missed my friend so I tried again and in less than 30 seconds life changed.

I think I'm shell shocked.  Don't get me wrong I am excited because we did make this choice for ourselves but I think at the root I am scared shitless which may be causing the numbness I am currently expriencing.  Tomorrow will be a new day…


Feb 11- 5 Weeks 1 Day

Once again, I am amazed by how quickly pregnancy symptoms appears.  My pregnancy with Jack was relatively easy so I keep reminding myself that this time around may be completely different.  However, some of the familiar symptoms have already reappeared.  The very first thing I noticed (a week before I got a positive test!) was hair loss.  It happened before and it's happening again…a really scary amount of hair loss.  My hair is my thing, so this is a tough pill to swallow.

Super human smelling abilities, a short temper and anxiety are also back.  New experiences (so far) include occasional metallic taste in my mouth and bacon now taste like fish which is EXTREMELY unfortunate because I love, love bacon.

Feb 15

Holy hotmess of hormones!  By nature I am a naturally an easy cryer but throw in some pregnancy hormones and look out!  The smallest amount of sappiness in any situation will send me over the edge. However, today an unruly toddler is pushing me to my breaking point (and actually has been for about a week now).

Today I feel like I'm drowning.  Reeling myself in after I lose my shit, I remind myself "Take a deep breathe, remove yourself from the situation."  But holy crap, this kid is testing my very last ounce of patience.

Once my blood pressure returns to normal, I then feel guilty for yelling or sending him to timeout.  Constantly reminding myself that I am a horrible mother.

Bring on the tears again.  Damn, it's only 3:30.  I quit for the day :(

March 5- 8 Weeks 2 Days (1st appointment with midwives)


We had our first appointment with the midwives yesterday and by chance we met with Jen, she delieverd Jack and was alway my favorite of the three.  She was just as wonderful as I remember and made me feel very at home.

We talked, did a quick exam, took some blood and then we got to see the "Bean".  Seeing the little heart flutter started to make it real for me.  I was like "Hmmm there really is a baby in there (and thankfully only one!)"  While we were doing the U/S, J showed me a picture of Jack and I said "That is why we are doing this again!  Because the first one is so awesome."

And that is so very true.  While it hasn't been all sunshine and giggles, that's just life…nothing worthwhile in life is ever just easy.  But when Jack walks into a room and says "Hi Mama!!!" or "Lovvvve You" I have to remind myself THAT is why we decided to have another baby.

(The "bean" is the tiny blob in the middle of the black oval.)

Lindsey