{5} Weeks

How far along: 5 Weeks!
Weeks to go: 35.. give or take a few!

Baby is the size of: An apple seed

Gender Prediction: Girl
Gender Reveal: Not until birth...

Weight gain: No idea - I won't know how much I've gained until my first doctor's appt.

Starting to show yet?: Yes.. I keep thinking people are looking at me like I look pregnant. (I'm just THAT full of myself...)
Mood: Yikes!! Just ask my husband. He's probably convinced I have a split personality. I'm scared for him... that's all I will say!!

Maternity clothes: Not yet! But soon, I'm sure.
Cravings: Salads, Anything garlic tasting, Apples with PB, Starburst, Sweets... must resist.
Aversions: Starting to get a little nauseous just thinking about food in general.. I don't remember that starting so early last time around. By the end of week 5, ketchup wasn't tasting so good...
Signs/Symptoms: Dizzy, Tired, Ligament pains

Belly button in or out: So far out it's never coming back (hernia)

Sleep: Exhausted. Cannot keep my eyes open.

Movement: None yet, obviously.
Labor Signs: Nope. 

Best moment this week: Trice and I just had so much fun this week! We were pretty relaxed -- no big plans - but the best day was when we went to the park just the two of us and then went to a little coffee shop after. Trice also stayed dry all day! We went on a walk and to the park again a few days later and he stayed dry and went twice at the park! 

Worst moment this week: Hands down - the entire day on Thursday. It was a doozy - from the second I stepped out of bed. I hadn't had much sleep the night before. I stayed up too late to begin with, and there was a NASTY storm around 4:30 in the morning. We contemplated heading to the basement, but decided not to wake Trice up since it was passing quickly. Then Trice woke up at 6am. Nick was in the shower. I heard Trice cry so I got out of bed. That's the last thing I remember. The next thing I remember was Nick standing over me (dripping wet) saying, "Honey! Honey! ARe you ok? What happened? Do you know where you are?" (to which I replied, "Corning, Iowa.") He said I had flipped the light switch off and then he heard a thud. I landed on the back of my head (luckily on carpeted floor not hitting anything on the way down.) I had a nice big knot and a massive headache, but mostly I was concerned about a) my brain and b) my baby! Once I came to and processed the situation (by process I mean it's still a little hazy), we got Trice out of bed and noticed our second event of the morning (all before 6:30 am, I might add). The storm that morning was so strong that rain literally just came through our closed, locked windows. There were puddles on our kitchen floor. It had seeped under our island/cabinets. The living room was also wet. Later I found out so was our bedroom. Nick checked the basement and it was dry. I never dreamt our UPSTAIRS would flood... crazy. We own one piddly little fan, but we started it up in the living room while Nick soaked up the puddles with towels. Trice thought it was awesome because I gave him a bowl of cheerios, put him on the couch, and popped a movie in (that's a real treat around here). I sat next to him with an ice pack on my head, and he went and got his little piggy ice pack for me. SO sweet! He took really good care of me. I texted my dad first. Luckily it was Thursday, so he had the day off. He came over immediately because he's a rockstar. I called my nurse and she insisted I would NOT be driving to the doctor so either I could ride with her or my dad would take me. She called my doctor right away (thank God for neighbor nurses who have the doctor's number in their cell). I felt bad it was before 8am, but she didn't mind at all. She kept saying, "I know I'm your nurse, but I'm also your friend!" She went through the typical concussion questions with me and explained reasons it might have happened. The dr. decided unless I was throwing up or had vision problems or it happened again, I was probably okay to stay home since this can occur in the first trimester. 

Miss anything: Nope. 

{4} Weeks - Here we goooo again!

Nick and I began discussing and praying several months ago about when we wanted to grow our family. We knew that ultimately it was up to God, but we also felt we should figure a few things out and do what was best for our family.

It was Monday, August 11th. I spent the entire day at my friend Shelly's house - which is pretty typical in the summer. I throw Trice in the car. He's entertained ALL day and she feeds us. Pretty good deal. Why did she go back to work again?! Anyway, we watched some episodes of SYTYCD she had DVR'd for me since we don't have cable and downed a pan of reeses pieces brownies. Before I left, she gave me one of those strawberitas except I can't remember what flavor it was... anyway, she told me to try it. I took it home and put it in the fridge. I took a shower because I had small group that night and hadn't showered yet (also typical). Right after the shower, I had the urge to take a pregnancy test. I literally have no idea why. Anyway, I went about my business getting ready and didn't pay much attention to it. I was very surprised when I looked down and the word, "Pregnant" stared back at me! I braced myself on the sink and cried .. like a lot. Happy tears obviously. Then I panicked. OMG! Then I thought, "Well this is just a dream." Then I cried some more.

I always come up with these awesome ways I want to tell Nick. I think we can all remember how I told him with Trice. I panic. This time I even prepared myself and had it all planned out for when the time came. And then I panicked. Like how do you keep that a secret for more than 15 minutes? Clearly I can't. I went out and took Trice to his room while Nick was cooking supper. I put him in a "Big Brother" shirt that my friend had given me from her son's clothes "just in case" we would need it. Nick said something like, "Nuh huh. You really are? How is that possible? I was in Germany for two weeks last month." Ha! Then he tried telling me there was no way a pregnancy test could detect it that early. Oh hunny. Then we hugged, kissed, cried, and Trice put an end to all that mushy gushy.

After I told Nick the news! 

How far along: 4 Weeks!
Weeks to go: 36.. give or take a few!

Baby is the size of: a poppy seed (exact same time we found out with Trice)

Gender Prediction: Girl
Gender Reveal: Not until birth...

Weight gain: No idea - hopefully none yet?
Symptoms: Tired, a little emotional

Starting to show yet?: Just bloated, but I will not be able to keep this a secret for long. I lost all my baby weight from Trice, but never the extra tummy flab you get post baby ... combine that with my hernia nasty belly button situation, and pop!

Maternity clothes: Not yet! But soon, I'm sure.
Cravings: Salads, PB
Aversions: None yet!
Signs/Symptoms: Exhausted, Moody

Belly button in or out: So far out it's never coming back (hernia)

Sleep: So so so so tired... 

Movement: None yet, obviously.
Labor Signs: Nope. 

Best moment this week: Positive pregnancy test, date night with my husband, telling my doctor/nurse the news, scheduling first appointment, Trice sleeping in until 7am, play date at a new park with Trice! 

Worst moment this week: I can't really think of anything ... maybe the two days Trice didn't nap. Those were rough!

Miss anything: Nope.

We are beyond thrilled to be adding another child to our family. Our hearts have so much love for Trice, but we know there is room to love another little. We obviously are experiencing every emotion right now from pure joy to pure fear, but we are ALWAYS thankful! I hope you will enjoy following along as we add to our already crazy family... I should add a sidenote that while I MAY write my cravings every week, that doesn't mean I consumed them. I strive to be a healthy eater during pregnancy ... we all have our moments/days...



So apparently I started this post before but never finished it.. I kind of like both versions - so here's the original:

I was getting ready for my small group Bible study .. taking a shower at my first opportunity of the day (5:45pm). After the shower, for no particular reason, I decided to take a pregnancy test. Of course, I didn't even have to pee so I was pretty sure there wasn't even enough to get an accurate reading. I knew it would be negative, so I went about my business getting ready. A few minutes later I looked at it and looked again.. and again.. and again. I was so shocked I didn't know if I should cry or scream or do both. Instead, I just hit my knees and prayed. I prayed for a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby, a healthy everything. I just prayed.

Literally since Trice was born, I think I had thought of a million ways to tell Nick the next time I was expecting. I wanted to do some big surprise. But, per usual, I just couldn't keep it from him. I mean, I had to tell SOMEONE. So I took Trice in his room and put his "Big Brother" t-shirt on him a friend had given me from her son's clothes (kind of jokingly) and sent him out of the room. Nick was so shocked he didn't really have words. He just said, "Is this real?' "Yep, this is real life, hunny!" 

So how am I feeling?

I found out at 4 weeks (because you know they go from the LMP .. so silly to me, but whatever. I never did like anatomy and physiology). This is exactly when I found out with Trice. However, with Trice, Nick suspected I was pregnant. I had an increased appetite, lots of dizzy spells, super emotional... 

This time around I didn't really notice any signs. Like I said, I just kind of took the pregnancy test .. for fun? I mean, who doesn't like peeing on a stick? I occasionally have dizzy spells anyway ever since having Trice so I guess I didn't notice any out of the blue. My grandma passed away, so how would I notice if I was extra emotional? I felt a little crampy, but I didn't think anything about it since I assumed my period would be starting. 

Since I found out, I've started having a few other symptoms. Holy exhausted! But how would I know if that's different than usual? I'm also sick, so that doesn't help.

Toward the end of the 4th week, I was really having some cramping. I'm sure I had this with Trice, too, but I'm a little more nervous this time around so I'm noticing EVERY little thing.

I am overjoyed to be carrying another miracle. I am the first to pray for those who are unable to conceive or have tried for so long, the shoulder to cry on, and I take pregnancy very seriously. I love, love, love being pregnant. I had such an easy, healthy pregnancy with Trice that I pray this will be the same - However, I know every pregnancy is completely different so there may be new things along the way, but that's what makes it special. I'm thrilled to be doing a few things differently this time around -- trust me, I've done way too many hours of research just in anticipation of trying to conceive again...

I also think it will be very different having a toddler around. I've already noticed I think about it a little less because I'm so focused on Trice.. maybe that will make it go faster? Although I'm completely terrified for that, too. I'm already thinking about how these will be my last months with Trice alone, so you bet I'm cherishing every single second. I think he is going to be an AMAZING big brother. Ever since I stopped nursing him, he has to have his hand on my tummy while we rock. Now I can't help but think how he's touching his little brother/sister (according to him, he wants a baby brother) and how they will just be best buddies.