28 weeks already?

I decided a blog entry was overdue since today I am 28 weeks and officially in my third trimester. How fast was that? Didn't I just take that pregnancy test and see a very faint second line? Feels like it was just a few weeks ago.

I had a few "scares" since my last post. Everything turned out fine, but I thought I'd share them anyway...

First of all, about a month ago I fell down. I was walking with Raya in the stroller and Mike was walking next to me with Steve on a leash. Something spooked Steve and his reaction was to ram into my legs and knock me off my feet. Since I was holding onto the stroller (and wheels turn) I went down face forward while Raya was tipped skyward. Luckily she was just fine and didn't seem to mind the sudden ride. I however, was left with a bruised and bloody knee (and a hole in my favorite maternity jeans) and a few fingernails that were scraped thin on the rough pavement. I was 99% sure T2 was fine. Still, 1% doubt may as well be 100% for this girl. I went in the next day for a non-stress test (to check on the baby's heart rate and activity, as well as monitor for any contractions). Everything was just fine. And the fingernail ordeal inspired me to trim and polish my nails regularly. Always a silver lining!

Next, I failed my glucose screening - an indication of gestational diabetes. My levels came back elevated because I'm a super gigantic dummy and wasn't careful about what I ate before taking the test. I DID follow the instructions. I just followed them a bit too literally. It said not to eat anything with sugar in it for two hours before drinking the glucola. So what did I do? I finished a multi-grain scone at 9:15am then drank the glucola at 11:15am. How te-rarded can a girl be? My punishment for that was to go through a 3 hour fasting blood draw. I got pricked 4 times, leaving bruises on both arms that only recently faded (the blood draw was 3 weeks ago). A few days later, I got my results. No gestational diabetes, thank goodness! Expecting me to go through pregnancy without ice cream or smoothies is like expecting me not to wear my maternity leggings almost every day.

So here I am at 28 weeks and feeling good. Other than I can't sleep worth a darn, my back hurts a little and I'm extra exhausted/lazy most of the time. Once I plop my butt on the couch, I wish to leave it there as long as possible. But Raya has learned to say "'mon Mommy!" as she waves for me to join her on walks up and down the hallway while she pushes "Kee-Cat" (her Hello Kitty) in her toy stroller. Who could ignore that? It's just too cute. I've been going to prenatal yoga once a week. I love the classes and I'm really looking forward to the "Couples Yoga and Massage for Labor" workshop we're going to in July. So is Mike. Okay, that's a lie, but he has agreed to go which definitely counts for something. T2 loves to kick the bejeezus out of me and I love him all the more for it. I'm already getting the "are you sure it's not twins?" comments... which, you know, whatever. It's not funny but it doesn't piss me off. It's just one of those things that comes with being pregnant. And honestly, even the non-funny comments are an important part of the experience :)

OMG... there's a teeny tiny weenie in my belly!

18 weeks

Let me start by saying I am so completely thrilled. I was really worried I would be sad about the future we wouldn't have. Part of me really hoped Raya would have a sister and I loved the idea of going on girl trips later in life. But as soon as we found out we were having a boy, all I felt was pure joy. I get to experience having a daughter and a son! My husband gets to have a little buddy to play catch and watch sports with. Raya gets to have a little brother to torture and love (and vise versa). I am so completely thrilled.

Our little thinker - profile with a hand to his forehead

Kickin' it - T2's crossed feet

We decided to let the ultrasound technician tell us this time, instead of printing a card for us like we did with Raya (we still had them print a card for his baby book). I forgot how LONG these ultrasounds are. So many body parts to check on and measure! It felt like hours before we got to the good stuff (not that seeing my baby open and close his hands, cross and uncross his legs, and move his tongue around wasn't good stuff!). Mike and I were both thinking girl. It just seemed more likely for some reason. By the time we were ready to see, Lil' T2 decided to be modest. The ultrasound technician had to bounce my belly around to get him to open up a bit, and when he finally did she casually said, "So here's your baby's penis..." We both burst out laughing (I may have shed a few tears too). We were shocked! I LOVE that she said it that way... so casual. As if she were pointing out his nose. I will remember it forever.

I noticed something else that sorta surprised me. I'm sooooo grateful now that I already have Raya. She's my GIRL. I'll treasure my relationship with her even more now. Didn't think that was possible.

What's your prediction?

16 weeks

Here's what I can tell you...

-- I had mild morning sickness for a few weeks, but it was mainly just a faint nauseous feeling after I ate.

-- I've had no specific food aversions, other than just being extra picky about what I want to eat.

-- I actually craved vegetables in the first trimester, and still love anything tomatoee (V8, salsa, tomato soup, ketchup, bloody mary mix).

-- I am back in love with Thomas Cinnamon & Raisin bagels with cream cheese - my daily breakfast (I remember thinking after Raya was born that I could not understand why these items were so wonderful to me. Now I can't understand how they weren't!)

-- I want nothing to do with the brownies at the cafe down the street (which I was addicted to last time).

-- I eat Tim's Cascade Jalapeno potato chips every chance I get.

-- Too much pizza is so NOT a good thing this time around.

-- I don't miss drinking alcohol, but I do crave red wine (if only the non-alcoholic versions weren't so nasty!)

-- I do crave sweets periodically throughout the day, but in the form of candy, ice cream or cookies. NOT in the form of cake, pie or brownies.

-- I'm gaining weight slower, even though my belly is pretending to be 6 months pregnant already (I'm only in my 4th month).

-- I just finished my headache phase (fingers crossed) that I also experienced the first time around.

-- So far my complexion has remained unchanged. No dry, flaky skin like last time.

-- At my last check-up (yesterday), T2's heart was beating 150 beats per minute.

-- I feel healthy and upbeat and absolutely fabulous.

Now you tell me... Boy or Girl?

There's no wrong answer here. Part of me wishes I had one of each in there (a very small part of me who is crazy). Still, I'd like to know what you all think for fun's sake. We'll know the answer on February 28th!!

Here we go again!

Baby number 2 is on the way! I'm just over 13 weeks pregnant with Lil' T2. I decided to tell my office today because I'm showing so much already! Two of my co-workers said they had their suspicions. I guess baggy sweaters and big scarfs can only do so much :)

T2 is due August 1st! Everything has gone smoothly so far. I had some issues with nausea for a few weeks, but no major aversions. Just a lot more picky.

Here's a profile pic of T2 at 11 weeks

The second shot is of T2's bum and little frog legs

Everyone of course asks if I have a feeling whether it's a boy or a girl. I honestly don't. With Raya, my very first instinct was that she was a girl - but then I changed my mind somewhere down the road and ended up surprised when she actually was a girl. With T2, I didn't have a first instinct. I tried to force one but apparently that doesn't work. So my "feeling" that we are going to have another girl is based solely on the fact that virtually everyone else thinks I'm going to have a boy. Almost everyone thought I'd have a boy the first time too.

I've fantasized about both. My fantasies about having another girl are mostly long term... I imagine her when she's a little older and playing with Raya or when she's much older and I have a relationship with her like I do with my mom. My fantasies for a boy are all newborn and toddler age... what he'll look like and what it'll be like to need a pee-pee teepee for diaper changes. I can honestly say I love both fantasies equally and don't care which one comes true. I can also honestly say I will be a little sad about the one that doesn't. Raya says she wants a boy or a "tis-ter" - so apparently she feels the same way as me!

I'll try to post regular updates again like I did last time. I love looking back on my older posts so I really hope I manage to keep it up. I don't have a belly shot for this post, but my belly looks about the same size as it did at 18 weeks last time so feel free to refer back to February of 2009 for a picture :)

A few words of wisdom...

...brought to you by Miss Raya Claire.

15 months old today.

4 YEARS

Happy Anniversary Michael! It's been an amazing 4 years with so many great experiences... but adding Raya to the center of our heart takes the cake!

She's a ONE year old!

At this time one year ago today, I was posting my final blog entry as a pregnant gal... knowing that in a matter of hours I was going to meet my sweet baby for the first time. Since then I've had the best, most fun, most SPECIAL year ever. This girl has filled my life with so much joy and love. Even a bad day turns good when I'm with her. She's made me understand what's so important and what's so not important. And she's allowed me to finally let the big ol' dork within me out to play. Who cares who notices? We'll sing about remembering to buy diapers while shopping in the produce section if we want to.

Thanks Baby GT for bringing into my life so much more love than I knew possible. Thanks for giving me something to look forward to when I'm stuck at work and frustrated about being there. Thank you for loving me so much that when I walk through the door you wave and laugh/cry (craugh, if you recall) as you waddle your way to me. Thanks for loving your big brother Steve and giving him the attention Daddy and I sometimes neglect to give him since you arrived. And last but not least, thank you for sleeping tough in your crib so I could quickly write this blog and post it on your actual birthday.

Happy 1st Birthday Raya Claire!

I love, love, love you.