This week, I found out that my mom’s coming to visit at the end of May! We’re all so excited as it’s been awhile since she’s seen Adriana. They’re just going to have a ball together, especially now because Adriana is at that age where she loves to play and can do so many things. Eric and I are also hoping to get out for a date night. We don’t have any babysitting nearby so these nights are very few and far between!
Nesting: I literally haven’t nested at all since I wrote last week’s update. Here you were thinking I was some kind of early-onset nesting ninja, but I’m sad to report that I’m now a nesting dropout, heh. I guess my organizational spree was short-lived. Hopefully it returns soon because I have a lot more to do!
Sleep: Sleep has been about the same, although my pregnancy insomnia has improved a bit this week. I’m still waking multiple times in the night, but I’ve been pretty good at falling back to sleep. Adriana continues to sleep so much better than she was in recent weeks. We’re hoping this 18 month sleep regression is finally in the past. We all had such a brutal 2 to 3 months of sleep, or lack thereof. Right now we’re working on getting her to bed at a better time. During the regression she would often fall asleep really late, so we’re trying to ease her back into a better routine. I’m still holding out that baby #2 is going to be an award-winning sleeper…hahah. Sometimes you just need to dream!
Wearing: This new ASOS maternity dress which is so comfy (for reference, it’s pictured above in UK size 6/US size 2 – please don’t mind my Snapchat text!), and my black Old Navy t-shirt dress (from 2014 – you can see it in my previous 21 weeks post) which is so comfy to throw on during the day even though it’s looking a bit worse for wear. I’ve also started wearing my favourite belly support band during exercise again.
Names: We disagree on almost every name imaginable (anyone else??), but there is ONE name right now that we both like. Progress, people…lol.
Baby purchases: Eric bought a white onesie from Indigo that says “Started from the bump and now I’m here”. Super cute. Other than that, we haven’t bought a darn thing. Our friends gave us a gently used pack-and-play, which will come in handy for sure!
Worrying about: Not much other than some work stuff and keeping baby’s sex a secret, heh. I feel like the sex is going to slip out when my mom comes to visit at the end of the month! I’ve had an uptick in anxiety since early in the first trimester (which happened the first time too), and I’ve been coping via exercise and relaxation breathing. I’m not great at remembering to do the latter, but the daily exercise definitely helps! I also notice a big improvement in my anxiety when I eat a lot of healthy foods as opposed to sugary things.
Exercise: I’m still working out daily (15 minutes Barre3 online + around 30 mins. fast treadmill walking). I don’t always feel like working out, but I’m always so happy that I did it after the fact. I also take Adriana on a walk every morning now that the weather is nicer out. I feel like the activity keeps me sane.
Aches and pains: I get lower back pain on and off, as well as pelvic area stretching-type pains, but nothing crazy yet. I also now feel quite uncomfortable when I eat a medium- to large-sized meal. I get frequent indigestion too. I’ve been chewing fennel seeds for natural relief. My stomach just doesn’t have the space it used to! I’m switching to smaller, more frequent meals, and am hoping that helps. As I mentioned last week, my sciatica pain has gone down dramatically—probably 95% improved.
The bump: I feel like my bump is growing faster this time which I hear is quite common! I had the classic “basketball belly” with my first, and I have a feeling it’ll be even more pronounced this time around!
Here’s a shot of my basketball belly at 38 weeks last time…too funny!! Oh the comments and stares I got at that stage of pregnancy.
Mood: I’m not feeling as emotional this week which is nice! I’m still dealing with fatigue, but maybe not quite as much as last week. I credit this to an increase in veggies this week! It really does make a huge impact on my mood. The weather is also finally getting nice after a pretty rotten spring, so getting outside more has been helping too.
Doula or no doula: Thank you all for weighing in on whether you’d recommend hiring a doula the second time around. I loved reading about your experiences! I’m still on the fence, but I’ll keep you posted on what I decide.
Cravings: Basically: fruit. Grapefruit, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, this dark chocolate (I always have at least a few squares every day!), hummus and rice cakes, and sweets like cake and cookies (although trying not to give in all the time). I’m enjoying a big batch of my All Day Glow Green Smoothie each day lately! Love it so much!
Love reading your updates! I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first so I always love reading others experiences. You’re hair looks amazing in the first pic, can you share what type of curling iron you use?
Thanks!
Congrats Kate! That’s so nice of you to say. The pic was on my birthday so I decided to put more time into my hair that day! Hah. My curling iron is a pretty simple one from the Drugstore – a Conair Infiniti Premier. I think it is a 1 1/2 “ barrel but I’m not positive. I always wrap the front pieces of my hair around the barrel, and then for the pieces in the back that I can’t reach very well I just curl them the normal way. Hope this helps and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
I know you’re not entertaining guesses but for the record I’m guessing boy! I’m due with my baby boy in October and all I want is fruit all day everyday especially first thing in the morning! Thanks for posting, hope you continue to feel good!
Hah bring on the guesses! Fruit during a summer pregnancy is a must-have. =)
My belly was HUGE the second time around! My build is similar to yours, so that belly just STUCK OUT! Ha! And, baby was 9 days past due date so the comments were CONSTANT. Didn’t bother me though. I was patient and baby came when he was ready. Both my labors and deliveries went well and were unmedicated hospital births with midwives. We did The Bradley Method and I felt so prepared that I didn’t bother hiring a doula. My two cents is since you know what to expect this time I wouldn’t spend the money on it. Also, regarding names, we didn’t find out the sex of our second baby and we never did agree on a girl’s name. Glad we had a boy! Ha! Can’t wait to hear what you have this time! Take care! LOVE your blog! (oh btw made your strawberry oat bars last night for the first time! They’re wonderful!)
Hey Lori, Oh that’s too funny. I’m already looking forward to the comments near the end lol. So happy to hear you had such a great experience with both!! I appreciate your thoughts. :) And so glad you enjoyed the strawberry oat bars!! I made new ones for the next book. I think you’re going to love those even more!
Love the updates!! I am dying to know the sex of your baby because I follow your blog so religiously… I know you won’t tell so we’ll have to wait until September! Ahhh
Heh, I’m glad you have confidence in me not to let it slip because I am doubting my ability to keep it a surprise. ;) So happy you’re enjoying the updates!
Just thought I’d weigh in on the doula debate. I considered having one for my first delivery and was advised against it by my midwife. She said that although a doula’s presence can be a very positive thing she said sometimes husbands can feel excluded from the experience of childbirth because of the close relationship developed between the doula and the birthing mother. I’m not sure if that was my midwife’s advice to all moms or she just made that recommendation to me because she could see my husband was very hands on and unafraid to jump in a help me out. Nonetheless, I’m glad I listened to her. The birth was very difficult and I couldn’t have done it without him. I held on to his hand and stared into his eyes for hours looking for strength. My midwife came in and coached me occasionally but it was really my husband that helped me the most. He even ended up delivering our daughter with the careful guidance of our midwife. I gave birth to three more children after that and I’m glad I chose my husband as my doula for all 4 deliveries!
That’s such a good point Amy. My first doula was really great for letting Eric and I take the lead, and offer her help when needed. I barely noticed she was there sometimes!! I guess every doula can vary so much in this regard. It makes sense to find a good fit for sure. That’s awesome your hubby was so hands on!
It’s so nice your mom is coming for a visit, especially since you can get out for a date night! And I’m sure your mom would love to have some grandma-Adriana time. That basketball belly photo kills me haha. I can only imagine the looks you got.
Yes they are going to love their time together! It’s such a fun age, too.
I commented once before on the doula subject. I teach Lamaze and prenatal yoga classes here in Ottawa ON and am also a mom of three. It is never a bad idea to start getting massage or if you are comfortable with Chiropractic care that is great too. The pelvic and sciatic issues can be drastically reduced. As well if you’ve never done yoga before – cat cow and child’s pose can be great for hip and pelvic stuff.
I mentioned that I had a doula at all three of my births. I did have midwives for the last two but it was my doula who was with me at home until my midwives were available. It was my doula who told me I was doing a great job and who had my husband hold my hand when he wasn’t sure what to do. She held the bucket when I threw up and my midwife was taking notes. She held my hand and hair off my face while I pushed and my midwife managed the passage of our babies. My doula reminded me to reach down and touch my little girls head before she came out as I was losing steam and needed motivation (I worked). If you decide not to have a doula – I encourage you to have a trusted friend or family member. You will never regret having that extra person there to pick up the slack. Thanks so much for sharing your pregnancy journey!
Jennifer
Love your blog and am so happy to read about your second pregnancy! We are hoping to have another little one in the near future, and have been discussing the doula debate as well (we had one with our daughter). I’ve been on the fence about it because I felt like I was in control of my last labour, but my husband is the one who is pushing for one! He loved knowing there was an experienced coach there to back him up if he needed a break (he had a headache during my last labour and stepped out seamlessly to take an Advil)! So, it looks like we will be hiring one for that extra bit of support if things get overwhelming! We’ll also be delivering at the same understaffed hospital so the extra person to assist will be very handy.
WAHOO FOR PREGNANCY #2! <3 Thrilled to hear that things are going smooth so far. I – admittedly – almost always shop in the maternity section at Asos, Zara, Topshop, etc. Thom thinks it's ridiculous but the dresses are far comfier than their non-maternity counterparts. I just might have to copy you and get that dress.. ;) HUGS, LADY.
Thank you for your congrats my dear!! That’s awesome you shop in the maternity sections of those stores. I don’t know why it’s never occurred to me to do this before, but there are some great finds! One of my ASOS mat. dresses that I bought last pregnancy I wore all last summer too, and no one even knew it was a maternity dress. It’s pretty fun. Now I’m reading your comment and asking myself why I haven’t checked out Zara or Topshop maternity yet? This could be trouble… ;)