Baby #2: 35 weeks and 35 days to go!

We are another week closer! I am 35 weeks tomorrow, but I had a bit of time to post today so I am. I'm definitely feeling 9 months pregnant now. I'm large and waddling and just a bit grumpy. I don't think I felt quite like this until about 39 or 40 weeks last time! I hope that means I will go into labor earlier, but who knows.

I also have some new symptoms that make me think that the baby will come before 41 weeks this time: lots of lower back pain and period-type cramps. I'm hoping this means that my body is doing something to get ready earlier this time. When I was in labor last time I was barely 2 cm when I got to the hospital! So I hope that I begin to soften and progress a bit sooner this time. But I've talked to a few friends and they all mentioned crampy feelings in the last month, so I think it's normal.

I'm doing a lot to prepare for the birth this time around, with the hopes that I will be able to go into labor in December and have an easy vaginal birth! I've talked about my Hypnobabies practice, which I am keeping up with pretty well and loving! I'm drinking a ton of red raspberry leaf tea (which helps tone the uterus and make contractions more effective). I'm also seeing a chiropractor on Thursday that specializes in pregnant moms to help with the baby's alignment. I'm pretty sure Rosie is posterior (sunny side up) because I feel little hands near my pelvic bone and some other signs. I would like her to get moving anterior before my birthing time. Anterior babies are more likely to come on time the labors are easier and quicker with less pushing, you are also more likely to avoid "back labor" with a correctly positioned baby.

I'm trying to do a lot of postures and exercises to encourage the anterior position too, sitting on my birth ball, doing pelvic rocks (cat/cow yoga moves), not putting my feet up or laying back at all, and sitting Indian style or at least leaning forward. Apparently the worst position is reclining with your feet up. That's exactly what I did for much of the 2 weeks prior to Lila's birth! Oops.

We are gearing up for the holidays and looking forward to some family time before the baby waiting game begins. I'm really excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and get started on all of the fun Christmas traditions! Lila understands so much more this year and she is so excited. She can't wait to put up the tree and I am so thrilled to be able to share all my favorite holiday things with her.

My next appointment isn't actually until Dec 2, just shy of 37 weeks. Because of Thanksgiving, I wasn't able to get in earlier, which is fine with me. I will then begin weekly appointments until baby Rosie's arrival. I really hope that I only have 3-4 appointments left! I really really hope she comes before Christmas or at least before New Years Eve. I know I can't really do much about it, but please send good vibes!

Here I am at 35 weeks!

Baby #2: 34 Weeks!

Yikes! 3 weeks until full term and 6 weeks until my due date! I'm getting really excited, and I think it's becoming very real to us now that Thanksgiving and Christmas are getting closer. It snowed the other day and when Lila looked outside she said, "Where is the Christmas tree and where are the presents?" I made the mistake of asking her what she wanted for Christmas (because I really wanted to know if there was something specific) and now I think she is hyper-aware of the gift getting part of the holiday (oops).

I've actually gotten 2 Christmas gifts for Lila already (a Belle doll and a book) and I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting the other people on my list. I want to get my shopping and decorating/wrapping done by early December. I may actually start bringing my Christmas decorations up from the basement soon so I will be physically able to do some decorating instead of delegating it all to my poor husband. :)

This past weekend, Lila spent the weekend with her grandparents so Neil and I had THREE nights/days to ourselves! We really didn't know where to start or what to do with ourselves, honestly. It was really nice to just have some time together and to be able to clean and work on stuff around the house. We also went out to eat a lot and had a date night to the musical downtown and to the casino!

We did get some baby-related things accomplished. I got not one, but two diaper bags. One larger one for daycare and longer outings and one smaller bag for quick trips. These are the two I decided on (after almost 2 hours in Buy Buy Baby! LOL):

JuJuBe Hip (snagged it for $20!) is the smaller, simpler bag of the two. Here is the pattern I got:

And my bigger bag is the JJ Cole Mode bag.

So far I'm pretty happy with them. I even started (gasp!) packing my diaper bag with things Rosie might need in the hospital! I'm kind of against packing anything early because last time of course I packed ALL of my hospital bags early (36 wks). I was like every super over-planner first time mom and then had a bag of wrinkled stuff 5 weeks later when she finally made her appearance.

So I'm making lists of what I might want to take to the hospital, but mark my words, no bags will be packed until at least 38 weeks, and I might just wait until I go into labor.

For my own entertainment, here is what I've packed in Rosie's hospital diaper bag. And yes, I know the hospital provides diapers and wipes and even has those little wrap shirts, but I'm weird and I like to use my own stuff. I do plan on using their diapers and taking as many of those snot suckers as they will give me though!

Here is newborn baby Lila modeling one of the newborn outfits I'm packing. Yes, Rosie will be wearing hand me downs from day 1, poor thing!

2 newborn outfits (both have pants with coordinating snap top that covers the hands)
0-3 month outfit (just in case she's a hoss)
Knit hat for outdoors
Cotton hat for indoors
Two bows (for hospital pics)
2 swaddle blankets
Socks
Scratch mittens
Pacifier (will I not want this yet? I threw it in there.)
2 burp cloths
Wipes (I didn't like the hospital ones)
Nursing cover

I hope that's all I will need for the baby bag at least! I might bring a baby nail file, a heavier blanket, and maybe some lotion or diaper cream? I also plan to take my Boppy or have someone bring it after she is born. Since we are so close to the hospital, I'm sure Neil will go get things or I can have my parents bring me stuff from home if needed.

And lastly the infant carseat which is all ready to go complete with one of those cold weather covers to keep baby nice and warm - essential for a December baby!

I need to buy a few more things before baby comes like some newborn diapers, Aveeno baby wash, some new nursing tanks and bras for me and it'd be nice to get some new comfy pjs and robe for the hospital and for lounging at home.

There is a bit more to do in Rosalie's room, but mostly just hanging pictures and some finishing touches. I am working on a canopy to go above her bed too. We'd love to re-do the girls' shared bathroom, but I think that project will likely have to wait.

Other than that, I'm feeling okay. I'm getting some Braxton Hicks now, still lots of movement from baby, more pain/pressure in belly and pelvis, and apparently I'm snoring now. Sorry Neil! I think he is about to move himself to the guest bedroom.

I had an appt. this morning and other than gaining too much weight this time (I blame Halloween and unending appetite) everything is fine. Her heartrate was higher - 150s and my blood pressure and everything was still good!

I actually don't go back to the doctor until Dec. 2 because of Thanksgiving. I will be almost 37 weeks at that point and will be tested for Group B strep (was negative last time, really hoping this time too) and since they are down there, they might do a cervical check. I might do this one and then decline the weekly checks until 39 or 40 wks or until curiosity gets the best of me.

I really can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving and I'm getting so much closer to meeting this sweet baby girl! So so excited!

Oh and here is your giant pregnant lady photo for the day:

Wee... 33! Baby #2: 33 Weeks

We are somehow, inexplicably at 33 weeks! The countdown is truly on and we are getting so much closer to meeting our little girl! I'm getting really excited, and even though we are technically ready (we have a place for her to sleep, a carseat, and more clothes than she'll ever need) I'm not sure if any of us are truly ready for the life change that is upon us! I really can't believe that we'll be a family of 4 soon and I will have TWO children!

Look at the difference 20 weeks has made! My hair is really growing out and my body is definitely growing as well! I can't wait to have my face look thin again. My face and nose always get a bit puffy at this point in pregnancy. Oh well, 7 more weeks, right?!

I am feeling okay. I am noticing a lot of pressure in the bladder/cervix region and sometimes when I'm walking to my car (sometimes as much as a 15 min walk) I have to stop and rest because the pain is pretty bad. It's hard to stay seated or standing for longer than about 1/2 hour. Sleeping is hit or miss. 

Rosie's movement is out of control. She is wild, and from what I can recall, even more active than Lila. I know movement is good, but I worry about her getting tangled in the cord like Lila did which was the cause of the c-section. I know I need to block out negative thoughts, but this is truly a concern of mine! I also apparently make long umbilical cords which leads to hyperactive babies in the womb and could lead to more cord problems cause they can get tied up. I am seriously considering asking for an ultrasound to check on the cord before delivery!

This weekend Lila is getting ready to go and spend some time with all of her grandparents while Neil and I have a child-free weekend to get ready for the baby, work on projects and have some time to ourselves before baby arrives. I'm so thankful my parents were willing to do this!! I hope it goes well!

Here is my update for 33 weeks, I'll have more to share next week when I go back to the doctor for my 34 week checkup.

Baby #2: 32 Weeks

Well, it's now November, and I can officially say that my due date is next month! I had my 32 week appointment and ultrasound yesterday and everything was great. The choroid plexus cysts are GONE (so this might be my last ultrasound), baby is head down and her heartrate was in the 130s. She is measuring right on track at around 32 weeks and was estimated at 3 lbs 14 oz. Lila even went with me to the appointment and she was super cute and good during the ultrasound part. She kept saying, "That's my baby! Where did her face go? What is she doing in there?"

Everything else is going fine. Sleep is great some nights, awful on others. Some nights I'm only up once, sometimes twice. I am feeling a ton of big rolling movements from baby girl. I'm starting to get pretty uncomfortable when I walk around a lot and getting a little more swelling in my feet and fingers and stuff. All normal I think. I actually didn't wear my rings today because I was scared they'd get stuck!

My body is feeling more and more cramped, I have this weird almost a hot/tingly/burning feeling in my ribs almost all of the time. I'm not sure if this is heartburn related or just all of my organs being squished up there or if it's some kind of nerve pain. Baby Rosie's feet are also nearing closer to my ribcage. These are the joys of pregnancy, let me tell you!

I didn't take a photo this week, but I will be sure to share this giant belly next week for my 33 week update! I cannot believe that the I am only 53 days from my due date and 32 days until full term (37 weeks)! It's crazy!