2 is my lucky number!

Ava was born on December 2nd
She is now 2 years old
I will soon have 2 children
Jax will be born on August 2nd

That's right folks, we now have an official scheduled birthday for this little boy.  That is, unless something happens and they need to reschedule which I am praying does not happen.  Dr. Watson was a joy to see this morning considering I hadn't seen her since my very 1st appointment waaaaay back in early December.   Here she is, isn't she a sight for sore eyes?

(There are 3 OB's that I see on a rotating basis.) She answered my few questions with confidence and got me very excited discussing the date of surgery and the time (7am).  This means no fasting all day like I did with Ava (she was born at 5:01pm), and somewhat of a normal hospital stay without wonky hours etc.  I am already starting to imagine the day and leaving for the hospital in the wee dark hours of the morning and kissing my sleeping little girl goodbye....I already get teary just picturing it.  My dramatic pregnancy hormones are making me feel "mom guilt" about Ava not getting all of our attention and what an adjustment this is going to be for her.  I hope she still likes me when she sees me holding her baby brother at the hospital that day.  I am also sure that these feelings are totally normal for me to have.

Aside from all of that the pregnancy is progressing beautifully.   He moves, kicks, and tickles me ALL.THE.TIME.  I am feeling pretty good, not really any complaints except the onset of reflux.  (A bottle of Tums now resides on my bedside table.)  This has also caused my appetite to slow down quite a bit (thank god!).  I am hoping my recent rapid weight gain and ravenous appetite was just caused by normal growth spurts.

The baby is now the size of one of my all-time favorite Italian dishes....EGGPLANT!

Your Baby: Month 6

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes. 

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New belly picture later on this week, promise :-)

Today marks 25 weeks exactly.

24 weeks=viability! (google is your friend)

This belly I am lugging around is getting heavy.  I've perfected the "bear roll" to get out of bed and I have achieved grunting status when sitting up.  Not much else to report, just starting to get uncomfortable and finding remedies any way I can.  I don't sit very lady-like anymore because my belly needs the room :-/  I plan to wear maxi dresses or peasant skirts until I deliver this little boy.

Next OB appointment is a week from today and I am so looking forward to scheduling D-day......then I know the end is in sight!  I have 3 months and 15 days left of this alien invasion.  He better be a momma's boy!!  haha

As Promised - Belly Pic (23 weeks, 1 day)

Here's my basketball!

Here is what he is up to for the next few weeks (Papaya):

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

And the weekly update stats:

How far along? 23 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: over 30 pounds I am sure

Maternity clothes? every day

Stretch marks? No thankfully

Sleep: well, just a pain to roll out of bed to pee 2 or 3 times

Best moment this week: Having Bobby's family & friends feel the baby kick

Movement: yes, lots & it tickles

Food cravings: back to Italian & pasta and also potato bread as of today

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: I get BH contractions when my bladder is full

Belly Button in or out? 1/2 way out

What I miss: being thin & fit

What I am looking forward to: our first family portrait as a family of 4

Weekly Wisdom: pregnancy is only temporary

Milestones: finally getting started on the nursery (vintage surf shack)

Have a fantastic week, everyone!!!

Mi Familigia

Hello from New York!  I think I have gained 10 pounds in the last three days.  Sad part is I am not kidding.  I have been eating two of these every morning for breakfast (only with eggs, cheese mayo and garlic):

Ok more on the food.  Tonight we feasted on Italian sauce (they call it gravy), rigatoni, salad, meatballs, fresh sliced mozzarella, marinated mushrooms, peperoni bread, zucchini, roasted red peppers, and so many other things I can't remember.  For dessert I indulged in two different kinds of ice cream, 3 bowls LOL.

Mostly everyone up here has been able to feel the baby kick.  My daughter is way off schedule and just partying it up with her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.  Here's a quick shot of my husbands entire family I was able to capture using my trusty timer feature:

Yep that's me on the far left in all black as to disguise my mass.

I am hitting close to 23 weeks which I believe is starting my 6th month.  At my next OB appt. I will be scheduling little man's "extraction" or better known as c-section.  I am shooting for August 2nd. 

I have to give a huge thank you to my friend Lauren for surprising me with my fancy new header and button.  She's purty talented, eh??

Stay tuned for an updated belly pic later on this week.  It's really out there now, about the size of a basketball.

21 Weeks and Feeling Great

I had my routine monthly OB appointment this morning.  All is checking out perfectly in the baby department.  I heard his heartbeat, it was a beautiful sound as usual.  I do have a doppler at home so I can hear it anytime I want but I've been saving it for OB appointments as to not let the novelty wear off.

I have a made a pretty important decision.  I have decided to get my tubes tied when I have this baby.  2 is enough for me, one of each, I am done.  Factory will be officially closed!

I also spoke with the doctor about scheduling the c-section. We looked at the calendar and August 2nd seemed like a good day.   I will be officially scheduling it at my next OB appointment.  Wow this all getting real..........and FAST.

Another thing I can barely believe is that I am up 30 pounds already!  I don't feel like I've gained that much, and I don't look like I have but trust me that damn scale does not lie.  I tried closing my eyes when they were weighing me, and when I thought they were done I opened my eyes but the girl was just sliding the thing to the next increment!!  Ackkkk!!!  My doctor said he is not concerned at all as I was very fit & in shape to begin with plus I gained 50 pounds with Ava so this is just par for the course.

Here's my 30 pounds of belly, hips & butt

How far along? 21 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +30 (ughhhh)

Maternity clothes? every day

Stretch marks? No thankfully

Sleep: well, love it

Best moment this week: Having another mom at Ava's gymnastics not being able to tell I was pregnant

Movement: yes, lots & it tickles

Food cravings: girl scout cookies

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? in but slowly making its' way out

What I miss: wine & working out hard

What I am looking forward to: not being pregnant anymore, wine, getting my body back

Weekly Wisdom: pregnancy is only temporary

Milestones: tentatively scheduling the extraction (c-section)

 

This week we are a banana! 

Your Baby: Week 21

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

20 Weeks - Halfway!

Woo hoo I am 1/2 way done with this baby growing business.  Actually more than halfway because I will be scheduling my c-section around 10 days early.  I am feeling great, no complaints whatsoever except that my belly is getting heavier and I can no longer lay on my back.  Rolling over from side to side is about a 6 step process too.  I have to "swing" myself out of bed at night to pee, but luckily it's only been once per night for a while now.  I've slowed my fluid intake after 8pm to ensure a good nights' rest.

Our trip to Disney was a blast.  Ava got to meet everyone - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and all of the princesses.  She LOVES the princesses and talks about them every day.  She also loves her baby brother I just found out.  Here's what went down a few moments ago that brought the tears.....

Ava was laying next to me in our bed as I was watching a video on my laptop of a twin ultrasound. 

Ava: "Baby Jax"
Me: "Baby Jax is in my tummy, right here" (pulled my shirt up and pointed)
Ava: (puts her hand flat on my tummy) "I love you, Baby Jax"
Me: (choked up) "aww, he loves you too, baby girl"

I see many more moments like this in the future, I hope I can document them with video.

I need to get started on little man's nursery....any ideas on a theme?  I'm coming up blank.

Here's a belly pic I took this morning before my daily feasting commenced :-)

20 Weeks, 1 day

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

I am so excited to announce that I won the giveaway I posted about last week.  I never win anything so this made me a bit giddy.  And as it turns out I already had plans with Lauren this afternoon so she's going to hand deliver my new Scentsy plug in to me.

In baby news, I am feeling a ton of movement from my little man.  At random times he'll kick, punch, roll, whatever just reminding me, "hey, I'm still here FEED ME PLEASE".  Ask and he shall receive.  Ughhh I know I am probably gaining too much weight so I need to quit eating pizza and cookies and egg mcmuffins.  Maybe I'll get the jogging stroller out of the attic, dust it off and take Ava and Ellie on daily walks.  See the thought is there I just need to execute the plan.

We are now a Sweet Potato!

Your Baby: Week 18

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

In family news, we have a Disney vacation planned.  I am really looking forward to it since I haven't been to Disney since I was 16.  I have planned a few surprise embellishments for my little lady and we're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge with a view of the giraffes and other animals.

 

 

In doggie news, Ellie went to her first day at daycare today.  We toured the facility on Saturday and were thoroughly impressed with the level of sincerity, cleanliness, and flexibility of everything.  When I dropped her off, she was going to be introduced to a boxer and a pug that were in her area.  I watched from the car and she was in heaven, tail nubs were wagging in excitement as everyone exchanged butt sniffs.  Now, what do I do with my day until Lauren gets here?  Oh yea I know, go on that walk I talked about, haha.

Last but not least, here's a hump day bump day picture for you.  I think I am going to resort to taking these pictures in the morning before I embark on my eating marathons.  The belly seems to appear a bit more tame.  Deceiving?  Yes.  Trickery? No.  :-)

18 weeks, one day - with Jaxon

 

18 weeks, 3 days with Ava

Have a magical week, everyone!!