Second Time Around: Pregnancy

Ok so we're doing it again. Having another baby. And it's been really different this time around. I'm 35 weeks and my how the time flies the second time around. I honestly haven't kept track of the weeks. Each time I go to the doctor they tell me how far along I am, that's the only way I know! Unlike last time when I kept track of every week, day, second....

This pregnancy has been different in many ways, but mostly because I'm constantly chasing a toddler and well, there isn't much time to rest. This third trimester I've been exhausted. The doctor warned me but I didn't believe them! I'm much larger and still trying to do the same things, like pick up N and put her in the car, carry her places when she needs me to, walk her and the dog down the street. And well its just not as easy when you've got a baby in your belly!

One of the other things that is different is that I've done this before, so I think I'm an expert. I remember that I shouldn't eat certain things, but not sure why anymore. And every now and again I forget and have a sandwich with lunch meat or french toast for breakfast. And only after do I think, should I have eaten that?!

I also haven't taken one belly picture. First time around I think we took photos every week! 35 weeks in and not one posed photo of me and the belly. But I'm totally fine with that! Even though this is most likely my last time being pregnant, I don't seem to feel the need to record every second of it!

I'm also so ready to be done with being pregnant this time around. The nostalgia of it has most definitely worn off this time. I don't feel that glow that people speak of, I'm not enjoying it as much - as I'm chasing a toddler and am exhausted - or maybe it's because I know exactly what I'm in for this time. I know they say each kid is different, but having a new born with needs 24 hours and sleep being an option for mom, not a necessity in the newborn's eyes, isn't something that I look forward to. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited about 'Thing 2" as we're calling it - no we didn't find out the gender so Thing 2 it is. I can't wait for the little tiny feet and hands and person to arrive, to snuggle with and love - unlike my toddler who's favorite word is No, questions everything, repeats the same new sentence 100 times and won't snuggle with you anymore! I know this sound cynical but I do love her to the moon and back! I think the one reason I'm ready to be done with this pregnancy is because sleeping is super uncomfortable. Not just the getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom every few hours, more that I'm a back sleeper, and well, you can't sleep on your back when you're pregnant. ( I knew why the first pregnancy, but can't seem to remember why now - something to do with circulation to the baby being cut off....maybe?) And sleeping on my side gives me a terrible soreness in my lower back. Yes I'm using a body pillow to help with this but it's not comfortable no matter how I sleep. And I find once I do get up to go to the bathroom, falling back asleep is really hard if not impossible some days. My brain just turns on and starts thinking about: all the things I need to do that day, for the baby, for work, what I should make for breakfast, how the people in the movie we watched last night really got away with whatever they got away with... anything and everything. So I keep telling myself, once the baby comes, sleeping will be better...at least the few hours in between feedings will be better!

Products I love: Toddler (Summer)

This summer has been an amazing opportunity for me to really hang out with N. I've had the month of August off and we've spent as many days as we could outside. I signed her up for swim lessons at the local pool and she really enjoyed and payed attention (sometimes) to what the instructor said. She has definitely taken away - kicking, scooping (doggie paddle with hand motions), talking to the fish (blowing bubbles) & jumping in! She's even dunked over her head!

We spend a lot of time at the beach in the late spring, summer and early fall, so swim lessons was key not only for N to learn how to swim but for mom to be able to relax a little bit more on the beach. No she can't swim on her own, but she is more comfortable in the water and more cautious about it, knowing she can sink!

To help with swimming we got the puddle jumper life jacket. No its not something I'd let her ride my dad's power boat in, but its a super great swim aid. Ugh, I grew up with those styrofoam bubbles that you wear on your back. This is so much better, especially for those learning how to swim. Its a combination of arm swimmies (like the ones we used that you had to inflate!) and a belt that goes around their chest. The arms and chest belt are connected, so they can float but also are free enough to swim. N feels real comfortable in the water with them.

The other great thing we got this summer was a kids size kayak. Its a Wave, 6 foot, won't sink due to holes going through the center in a few places and won't tip kayak. N was playing with kids on the beach that had them and she didn't want to come off. We have adult kayaks and she likes going in it but she is way to small to really move or paddle or do anything in it. This is a sit on top kayak that she can get on and off and she can 'paddle' or at least have the paddles touch the water easily!