15 days til my due date. That is plain crazy ya'll. I am freaking out a little. This pregnancy has flown by. I was just going back and reading old posts and I re-read my post from January about our struggle to get pregnant, crazy how fast things change and now here I am with a full heart and full belly getting ready to welcome our second child. I am filled with so many different emotions right now from being so excited to being scared shitless to somewhere in between.
If I am being totally honest pregnancy the second time around for me has been much harder. For one I was so nauseous in the beginning, then the varicose veins started popping up and they are really painful. Plus from the get go I have had extreme pressure in my pelvis. Nothing that requires bedrest or anything but still it has been hard. Add a three year on top of that and I am constantly exhausted. My mom said the other day " you sure sound tired, are you? " and I said Mom the answer to that question is always yes I am freaking exhausted all the time. I hate to even complain when others are on bed rest and have much worse issues but this pregnancy has definitely been more taxing on my body.
I snapped this picture last weekend, it feels like a basketball in my stomach!
WORKING OUT
With Sterling I walked 4 miles everyday. This pregnancy I have hardly worked out, it is too painful to walk for long. Up until about 6 months I did the Tracey Anderson DVDs about 2-3 times a week but then exhaustion set in. After taking care of Sterling and tending to the house I am just too tired most days to workout. I do have a routine I do 4-5 nights a week which consists of leg lifts, squats, arm exercises and stretches. It is really the only exercise I do just trying to keep things toned. I just don't have it in me this time to be very active. I do look forward to breaking a good sweat with a run post baby and getting my figure back.
FOOD AND WEIGHT GAIN
With Sterling I gained 37 pounds while I was pregnant, totally in the normal range but I still didn't want to gain quite as much this time. My goal was 25 lbs but uh that was unrealistic for me obviously:) I am at the 30 lb mark now at 38 weeks and hopefully won't gain much more than a pound or two. I have eaten pretty healthy this pregnancy besides my major indulgence of sweets and kids cereal. Seriously I am obsessed with kids cereals, I eat a bowl most nights after dinner. I have found with your pregnancy your body is going to gain weight and do what it needs for the baby so don't stress about it. You will gain weight but it will come off afterwards.
BABY NAMES
So many people have asked if we have a baby name picked out and yes we do. I actually knew from the moment I found out it was a girl what I would name her. Our close friends know the name but I probably won't reveal it until she is born.
HARDEST PART
For me this is two fold. It has been hard being present and in the moment with Sterling during this pregnancy. I am most tired in the afternoons and just want to turn on the tv and lounge. It is a whole different ball game being pregnant with another child at home. I have had a hard time with this and felt guilty for resting when I should be entertaining him. I just don't have the energy like I used too. Equally as hard I have missed my wine and vodka. After a long day a glass of wine had become my go to stress relief. and it was not just the wine I miss it was the happy hour aspect of chatting and catching up while you enjoy your drink- and no mocktails aren't the same.
DRESSING THE BUMP: BEST MATERNITY INVESTMENTS
I really have not bought any maternity clothes this time around, I found them unnecessary when so many clothes are made to fit loose these days. I did splurge (and I mean my parents splurged ) and bought me the
JBrand cut-off maternity shorts. Worth every penny I promise you. I have worn the heck out of them since I was 11 weeks pregnant.
This time around too I have been about showing the bump off in form fitting clothing. This is the only time we don't have to suck our stomachs in so why not show it off! Two of my favorite dresses to showcase your bump (and both are non maternity so you can wear after as well):
It is crazy this time around I am much more anxious about labor and delivery and I have done it before! You would think I would have been more scared the first time around. I just hate needles, and IVs, and hospitals. I feel like a ticking time bomb.
I have talked with my doctor about a possible induction before Thanksgiving if she is not born before then, anyone had an induction before? It sure would make planning things for Sterling easy.
Other than being nervous I am so uncomfortable and so ready to meet our baby. I even started packing my hospital bag this week- and yes that is wine a necessity post labor and delivery! So stay tuned on this crazy ride hopefully in the two weeks or so I will be happy to announce the birth of our precious daughter!
One thing I know for sure and what makes me most excited is knowing this little guy is going to be the best big brother ever!
Lastly, I have to give one shout out for the sale that starts today at Hampden Clothing, my favorite local store! Tons of stuff just got marked down to 40% off! Locals you must stop in and non-locals you can shop online, they always offer free shipping!
A few of my favorites! I own the
Rag and Bone Stripped Dress and love it! It works great for pregnancy too! But what I really want is the first Rebecca Taylor Blouse. Just scroll thru and click on pictures to take you to website:)
Happy Friday Friends!
