My Pregnancy Journal for Baby #2: Week 38

Baby at 38 Weeks:

Baby BOY is as big as a Pumpkin!

He may have about an inch or so of hair already and he's slowly shedding that white goo on his skin (called vernix caseosa) but you might see some of it at birth.

Those smiles hide my discomfort... it's getting tough.

My Symptoms: Contractions, sore hips and legs when sleeping (SOO UNCOMFORTABLE), slow to get up from a sitting or laying down position, acid reflux, exhaustion... etc. I just feel really big and whenever baby boy moves, it's painful and he hits nerves and it's just becoming somewhat unbearable now.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I don't mind so much... as long as they fit, it's great!

Sleep? Sleep is very hard now. Switching positions is a must but is painful. Getting up to use the restroom is just a nuisance, and this week I've the worst cough of all time (which makes me nervous that these coughing fits have effected baby boy badly... like my stomach is tightening with each cough and he's getting squished or something). Can you tell this has been a pretty miserable week for me?!

Best moment last week? I'm just going to talk about this past week: Paul has been working ungodly hours (16 hr days) and he has given up on studying for some tests for a while because of the amount of work (this is good since he was only getting 4-5 hrs of sleep each night and now can get at least 5). However, it still makes it hard for us to spend time together because he works 6 days a week. So this past Saturday when he came home for lunch, he asked if Agnes and I would like to go for a walk tonight (after he gets off work at around 7pm) and get ice cream. It was so great to be able to go do something (and because he works so much, we were able to spend the money for an ice cream date) and spend time as a little family of 3 before baby brother gets here. :) 

Agnes found a worm on the walk.

Also, he spent the entire day Sunday with us (he usually studies all day), so after going to church in the late morning and taking a much needed nap as a family, we headed to the fountain park that evening. 

Movement? Not as much as last week, but it is getting quite cramped in there. When he does move, it is very noticeable and somewhat painful.

Weight Gain: 165 lbs. 1 pound added from last week. 

Cravings: Sweets, but when has that ever been different?

Food Aversions: Still Cilantro and Basil. I guess a lot of the common spices like Oregano, Cumin, Parsley, etc. are on my list of aversions. That hasn't changed and I haven't found any new aversions. I don't think my food aversions will ever change, pregnant or not unfortunately. (this answer has not changed the whole pregnancy...)

What made me cry this week: Nothing. 

Medical Stuff: Last time Dr. Kate measured my tummy, I was measuring at 37 weeks... she said that baby has probably dropped. We are both pretty impressed that I made it this far and now we are talking about inducing if I go past my due date (never thought that would even come up!).

Something I am excited about: I'm pretty excited about not having baby in me anymore so that I can maneuver my body better at night (it's been getting so uncomfortable and painful in my hips and legs). 

Something I am anxious about: All the change that is about to happen with Agnes... I don't want this to effect her negatively. I'm also a bit anxious about labor this time around. Last time was so great, I'm fearing that this time is when the ball drops and it's a bad experience. I'm also anxious about breastfeeding... not a fan of those first weeks :/

My Pregnancy Journal for Baby #2: Week 37

Baby at 37 Weeks:

Baby BOY is as big as a Winter Melon!

He's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking. He's getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for his first diaper!

My Symptoms: Contractions, sore hips and legs when sleeping, slow to get up from a sitting or laying down position, acid reflux, exhaustion... etc. I just feel really big and I have to get up very slowly whenever I'm seated or laying down and even then it's painful at times.

Maternity clothes? Those and only those. 

Sleep? It's getting super uncomfortable now. When I wake up to use the restroom (which is about every 2-3 hours), my hips kill me. These are the times I have to make sure I switch to laying on the other side when I get back.

Best moment last week? I don't remember too much about last week, but this past weekend was very nice (apart from a hospital visit). Pops and Maria came to spend the night with Agnes late on Friday night while Paul took me to the hospital because I had painful contractions. The next morning Pops and Maria went back home, but also took Agnes for an overnight visit, giving Paul and I much needed rest. We even went on a date 4th of July evening and had a very relaxing night in while listening to the fireworks go off. It was a nice, quiet (well, somewhat) night.

Movement? SO MUCH! And sometimes it's a pain, but so thankful he's healthy!

Weight Gain: I weighed myself at the doctor's office the last time I went because the nurse forgot (I guess?) and it was up to 164 lbs. I gained 4 lbs. in a week. All for the baby!!

Cravings: Loving the junk food and the sweets :P

Food Aversions: Still Cilantro and Basil. I guess a lot of the common spices like Oregano, Cumin, Parsley, etc. are on my list of aversions. That hasn't changed and I haven't found any new aversions. I don't think my food aversions will ever change, pregnant or not unfortunately. (this answer has not changed the whole pregnancy...)

What made me cry this week: Frustration when it comes to not being able to do things easily with maneuvering this bigger body, an infuriating incident I heard that has to do with family, and lastly a tragedy that has hurt my relatives in New York. Very sad and praying so hard for them!

Medical Stuff: Well, this past Friday night, July 3rd, I thought it was the real deal. My contractions were getting closer together and more intense. It was getting late (I had already put Agnes to bed) so Paul and I decided that, after calling the hospital, we should pack and go in. My friend, Treva, came to be at the apt. with Agnes and we honestly thought that that was it! It wasn't and even though I am now at 4cm and 75% effaced, I was not progressing within the 2-3 hours I was there. Therefore, we went home. Frustrating and expensive!! UGH. I will make sure my water breaks and I'm in excruciating pain before going back there (Ha, just kidding... maybe). 2 hospital visits with this pregnancy so far! 

All smiles, but feeling very defeated!

Something I am excited about: The real deal when it comes to meeting "Baby Brother!" Also, coming up with a name for this little prince.

Something I am anxious about: All the change that is about to happen.

My Pregnancy Journal for Baby #2: Week 36

Baby at 36 Weeks:

Baby BOY is as big as a Honeydew!

He's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on his own. His skin is getting smooth and soft and his gums are rigid. His liver and kidneys are in working order and circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too!

I took these pictures on the day of turning 37 weeks. I guess I just forgot to do my Sunday after church bathroom photo shoot. BUT here is a picture of our family #selfieSunday:

My Symptoms: Contractions, sore hips and legs when sleeping, slow to get up from a sitting or laying down position, acid reflux, exhaustion, 

Maternity clothes? I'm now wearing Paul's boxers and t-shirts to bed and that's when I know it has to be almost time for this little guy to come. 

Sleep? I'm starting to have difficulty staying asleep due to hip pain and rolling over is extremely uncomfortable. But I'm not experiencing insomnia so I'm very thankful for that, I'm too tired to stay up at night.

Best moment last week? A wonderful Father's Day celebration with Paul's parents and sister. They came out for the day to celebrate (and celebrate my birthday) and even took Agnes out for a few hours to give Paul study time and me down time. Very nice.

Movement? SO MUCH! And sometimes it's a pain, but so thankful he's healthy!

Weight Gain: Last weigh in at the Doctor's was 160 lbs. 4 weeks and the same weight... I guess that's normal for the second child.

Cravings: No real cravings. I'm just hungry a lot for snacks and when I do eat, I just keep on eating. 

Food Aversions: Still Cilantro and Basil. I guess a lot of the common spices like Oregano, Cumin, Parsley, etc. are on my list of aversions. That hasn't changed and I haven't found any new aversions. I don't think my food aversions will ever change, pregnant or not unfortunately. (this answer has not changed the whole pregnancy...)

What made me cry this week: Nothing.

Medical Stuff: Saw the Dr. last Wednesday on June 24 and all looks well with baby boy measuring on time and Doctor Kate is confident I'll make it to 37 weeks at least, but she thinks baby will still come before 40 weeks. I also started laboring Sunday afternoon with regular contractions starting at around 1-2pm and they didn't stop until about 9-10pm. They got as close at 2 minutes apart at one point but the intensity hardly ever changed so I guess it was false labor. Uncomfortable, though, and frustrating at times.

Something I am excited about: Meeting this little guy in hopefully at least another 1-2 weeks!

Something I am anxious about: A change in routine, sleep deprivation, not giving Agnes enough Mommy time, and being all around a bad mommy when it comes to two kids instead of one. I'm just anxious about the new life we will have when baby boy comes.