27 weeks

How far along? 27 weeks.

Baby Hart is the size of:  A head of cauliflower.

Total weight gain/loss: It's been a few weeks since my last doc appointment and weight check- so the 12 pounds gained at that point, plus the 300 I've gained in the last 3 weeks;)

Maternity clothes? Oh yes, and today I literally declared to my husband that I was torn because this crazy heat makes me want to wear my maternity dresses and skirts, but then I would look extra weird if I didn't do my make-up... soooo to do my make-up and be cooler.... or be warmer and not have to do my make-up... decisions, decisions;) 

Stretch marks? Not yet...but so itchy!:/

Sleep: Got quite a few GREAT nights of sleep last week thanks to my fabulous in-laws taking Silas on a trip to Atlanta last week to visit my SIL's fam!!:)

Best moment this week:  Having such a nice break for a few days while Silas was with my in-laws.  I got to catch up on much needed rest and lots of stuff on my to-do list.  Jason and I had some much needed dates too!!  It was a huge blessing after these last few crazy months, and before these next few crazy months hit too!

Miss anything? Running not pregnant, in the not 800 degree weather, and without pushing a jogging stroller.  Yeah, those were the days;)

Movement: Still tons, and the baby has had several rounds of hiccups lately too!

Food cravings:  Bagels and cream cheese!  And you don't even want to know about the mammoth sized cream cheese container I got at Sam's Club;):)

Symptoms:  Sciatica, round ligament pains (grow belly grow:P ), achy back, Braxton Hicks, and a general feeling of weakness.  Ah the impending doom of the 3rd trimester coming;) 

Showing?  I'd say so.

Gender:  He's a he! :)

Belly button in or out? Out.

Wedding rings on or off?  On.

Adjustments? Trying to mentally adjust and prepare for the 3rd trimester that's about to hit;)

Emotions:  So excited for having an infant again!!! Can't wait for the newborn smells and snuggles!  Also a little terrified at ALL that is going on in these next few months: we're suppose to close on our house on July 18th, have a ton of work to do on it before our lease ends on July 30th, are suppose to also pack and move in that time of doing all that work, AND I'm taking a super huge, critical interpreter's certification exam in Atlanta on August 4th.  Holy cow.  And oh yeah, get ready for this baby too;)

Learned this week:  That deciding on a name this time around is going to be QUITE the challenge;)

So thankful for:  The amazing break my in-laws gave me and Jason:)

Looking forward to:  Going to my SIL's in Atlanta on Wedneday!!
 Other highlights:  Silas has suddenly become more interested in and aware of the "baby in mommy's belly"- someone asked him where mommy's baby was and he totally came over and patted my belly (and also lifted his shirt and checked out his own belly LOL).  He's also come over randomly throughout the day to pat and snuggle my belly.  So precious!:)

26 weeks

 

 

How far along? 26 weeks

Baby Hart is the size of: A scallion.

Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds as of a couple weeks ago.

Maternity clothes? Yes, and I'm kind of getting over it;)

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep: Great last night, and should be great the next few nights- my in-laws took Silas with them to Atlanta for a few days to visit my sis-in-law's family!  Yay for actually sleeping IN!!!

Best moment this week: Going to the Biltmore Estate with Jason on father's day and getting to do it kid-free thanks to my in-laws!

Miss anything? Not having the fear of heartburn when deciding what to eat;)

Movement: Almost always!  It's the fun moving stage too- not hurting (much) yet and just fascinating scoots and flips and slides...

Food cravings: Chocolate/sweets.

Symptoms:  Sciatica, heartburn, and a huge loss of balance;)

Showing? Yes- and interesting tid-bit: When I'm out with Silas I never get the sweet comments from strangers about it, but being out without Silas I get tons, like, "Oh, congrats!!" (with the awkward belly-point) or "You must be sooo excited!!".  Just interesting... I don't know it it's the "if it's your second it's not as exciting" philosophy or maybe just people think I'm a baby hoarder?;)

Gender:  It's a boy!!!

Belly button in or out? Out.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Adjustments? Might get a chiropractic adjustment while I have this Silas-free time;)  The belly is really starting to pull on the back!

Emotions: Excited, and a lil apprehensive about how quickly time is going and all the huge things going on before this guy comes!

Learned this week: That my pregnancy to-do list is MUCH different this time around then it was with Silas;)  My, how the 2nd pregnancy is night and day from the first!

So thankful for:  This break! I've gotten to rest and catch up on lots of important things, and still have a few more days of it!  So grateful!

Looking forward to: Snuggling my lil guy!!!  Can't wait for those newborn cuddles!!!

25 weeks

 

 

How far along? 25 weeks

Baby Hart is the size of: A rutabaga.

Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Yes, and it's getting interesting;)

Stretch marks? Not yet;)

Sleep: Not. Amazing.

Best moment this week: Having Jason off for the weekend, and thanks to a giftcard I've held on to for a while, and him watching Silas, I got to go get a pedicure at a spa!  Ah-mazing!! (And much needed- my feet were NASTY!;))

Miss anything? Having more options when getting dressed;)

Movement: TONS- he moves almost all the time! It's wild!

Food cravings: Burgers. Not sure why.

Symptoms:  Sciatica, heartburn, weird dreams.

Showing? Just a bit. ;)

Gender:  It's a boy!!!

Belly button in or out? Out.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Adjustments? My runs are definitely getting adjusted to run/walks.  Heaven help me.

Emotions: Excited!!! So many things to look forward to!!! :):)

Learned this week: Though not new news, I had a great reminder at church this week of the ministry of motherhood (the sermon was on missions and living on mission, and was just exactly what I needed to hear at this stage of mothering).

So thankful for: Silas started giving real hugs this week- and I REALLY needed that!

Looking forward to:  Our house inspection is this Friday on the house we're under contract to buy- can't wait to see it and walk around it again!!

Other Highlights:  I edited week 22 because I realized that I forgot to include our great news from the meeting with the specialist!  Definitely a highlight of that week!! 

24 weeks

                   How far along? 24 weeks                                                      

Baby Hart is the size of: An ear of corn.

Total weight gain/loss: 12 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Not yet but quite itchy again... hello, Aveeno.

Sleep: Well, we're back at our super noisy apartment.  And our fan we normally sleep with died.  And we transitioned Silas to a toddler bed, which kept me up the whole first night cause I was worried about him falling on his face in the night. So I'm tired... very tired;)

Best moment this week: Finding the "perfect" house we want to buy and getting it under contract!!!!!

Miss anything?  Raw cookie dough.  Laying on my stomach.  Vats of caffeine.  Sleep.  Not feeling huge.   

Movement:  All. the. time.  This kid is a mover and shaker, y'all.

Food cravings: Chocolate.

Symptoms:  The awesome sciatica has gotten MUCH worse this week.  I walk like a 90 year old lady a lot of the time, and actually I've even seen some 90 year old ladies walk better than I do.

Showing? Yes, and I'm pretty sure the huger I get the skinnier everyone else gets.  Maybe that's just part of being pregnant in the skin-baring summer.  Lovely. 

Gender:   It's a boy!!!:)

Belly button in or out? I think it's out.  I think it's officially out.
Wedding rings on or off? On.  But with this heat, it's leaving quite the mark when I take it off ;)

Adjustments? Adjusting back to real life after our trip to Iowa;)  Also adjusting to Silas having a toddler bed.  It's gone well over-all, though waking up to his cute lil face saying "hi!!" at 5:25am isn't quite as cute.

Emotions: Excited!!  So pumped about our hopeful new house we'll be in the end of July!!

Learned this week:  That running through this pregnancy and this hot summer with Silas in the jogging stroller is going. to. kill. me.

So thankful for:  Having a house under contract to buy and hopefully being out of this apartment in several weeks!!!

Looking forward to: Our hospital tour this Thursday night!  Can't wait to see it and imagine being back there to have our lil guy in a few months!!!

23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks

Baby Hart is the size of: A large mango.

Total weight gain/loss: Been a few weeks since my last appointment and weigh-in, but I have one this Wednesday and will know then:)

Maternity clothes? Yes, and my awesome mommy-in-law fixed my favorite maternity capris that were nearly falling apart- yay!!!

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep:  Slept AMAZING this week thanks to being at my in-laws!  They took Silas in the pack in play in their room so we didn't have to worry at all about him and could sleep in every morning!  And since we weren't at our noisy apartment it was sooo quiet at night.  Yayyy!!!

Best moment this week:  Getting to be in Iowa and catch up with family and friends!

Miss anything? Laying on my stomach.

Movement: TONS.

Food cravings: I'm one big prego foodie.  I can EAT.

Symptoms:  Been feeling pretty good!

Showing? Well someone said to me, in more of a statement than question form, "So the baby's coming soon?" Um, no.  I'm just a truck.

Gender:  It's a boy!!! And no, I didn't "need" to have a girl!:) And yes, 2 boys will be just as fun and fabulous as the "perfect" American dream boy and girl!! (If not more;))

Belly button in or out? Um....I don't even know anymore. ;)

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Adjustments? Everything, always.

Emotions: Excited!!!  Can't wait to snuggle the new lil mister!!!

Learned this week:  That time is FLYING.  Second pregnancies definitely feel like they go a LOT more quickly than the first time around!!

So thankful for:  My in-laws and all their help this week!!

Looking forward to:  House hunting hardcore when we get back to Greenville!

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks.

Baby Hart is the size of:  A spaghetti squash.

Total weight gain/loss: 5 pounds as of the last appointment, but it's been a few weeks since that- I'm sure it's much more by now;-)

Maternity clothes? Oh yes.

Stretch marks? Not yet...

Sleep: It's about to be amazing, cause we're in Iowa visiting Jason's parents!  No truck noises outside all night! ;-)  And Mom Hart is gonna take Silas' pack n play into her room so we can sleep in the rest of our time here- wooot!!!

Best moment this week:  Having our appointment with the specialist go SO well!!! The baby is FINE as far as they can tell, and the procedure for the 6th digit should be minor!  Also, getting to visit everyone in Iowa again- it's been over 2 years since we've been here!  The last time we were here I was pregnant with Silas! :-)

Miss anything? Sneezing without peeing. Yes.

Movement: TONS.  And apparently taking off and landing in a plane makes the little guy wiggle even more!

Food cravings:  FOOD.

Symptoms:  Sciatica, though that's been better.  Some girly "discomfort" to use gentle lingo.  Pregnancy is so pretty;)

Showing?  Yes, oh yes.

Gender:  It's a BOY!!!

Belly button in or out? Still slightly in... but only slightly ;-)

Wedding rings on or off?  On.

Adjustments? Needing a chiro adjustment desperately!  Was going to go to one in SC before we left till I found out the fine print on their pricing- SHEESH.  No way.

Emotions: Excited!!!

Learned this week:  That flying with a 22 month old and being 22 weeks pregnant is MAYHEM.  Glad at least Silas and I both needed potty breaks all the time.

So thankful for:  A great appointment with the specialist!  Also a safe flight to Iowa and for the time here!

Looking forward to:  Enjoying this week here with family and friends!

21 weeks

How far along? 21 weeks.

Baby Hart is the size of:  A carrot.

Total weight gain/loss: 5 pounds gained as of the last appointment.

Maternity clothes? Yes, and I would like to ask:  what is the point of maternity pants trying to have zippers and snaps and the whole she-bang like a normal pant?  To feel sexy, eh?  Well that ship has sailed;)  To feel normal?  Again, gone.  I will tell you this, it does succeed in being super uncomfortable and annoying and not being able to be worn after the half-way mark of pregnancy.  Thanks, Old Navy.  Thanks.

Stretch marks?  Not yet, though still the itchy belly- lotsa Aveeno!

Sleep?  The body pillow has really been helping with the uncomfortableness, though it can't do much about the need to pee all night long;)

Best moment this week: Seeing my belly move when the baby kicked!

Miss anything? Raw cookie dough.  Want. It.

Movement: Yes, and got to see my belly bounce and move with him too for the first time!

Food cravings: Mexican.  Must have been thanks to Cinco De Mayo, because up until this week I've been totally off Mexican since I got sick on it the first trimester.  But this week, me and the love for Mexican are back with a bang (Meal plan this week included:  Taco/burrito bar, Mexican Mac N' Cheese, Quesadilla Bake, and Taco Soup).

Symptoms:  Sciatica, though that's finally getting better, and holy BABY BRAIN.  Sheesh, it's been bad.

Showing?  Yep.

Gender:  It's a BOY!!!!

Belly button in or out? Still weird... but mostly out..... but part of it's still clinging in... weird.

Wedding rings on or off?  On.

Adjustments?  I mean, pregnancy is really one big 9 month long adjustment.

Emotions:  A little frustrated at times by some of the typical American dream comments of how having a boy and girl is perfect/the perfect American family has one boy and girl/ blah blah.  Pretty sure no family's perfect, especially based on the gender of their kidlets, and pretty sure I'm pumped beyond belief to have two boys and brothers!

Learned this week: That it's going to be a long, hot summer.So thankful for:  All the prayers and encouraging words from family and friends as we have our appointment tomorrow morning with the specialist!

Looking forward to:  Our appointment tomorrow morning with the specialist- been fighting the nerves and worry all day, but I know God's got a plan no matter what!