(totally dropped the ball on getting a decent photo this week, so I just grabbed this Snapchat one! If I take any over the weekend I will pop a better one in.)
Boy, we were all relieved to put last week behind us! I’m happy to say that this week is going a bit more smoothly. Adriana is healthy again, and back to her happy-go-lucky self. It’s so nice to see that smile again. She’s such a ham. And somehow, this mama is full term!! That is also a cause for celebration.
How I’m feeling: If there was ever a poster child for having huge brain fog, I tell you, it’s me. Preggo brain is REAL. I thought I had it earlier in this pregnancy, but oh no, this is the real deal. Eric and I have been doing a lot of calculations for the renovation stuff, and my brain is just not functioning as quickly as it usually does. It’s a bit frustrating. He likes to do everything in his head, but I’m like…NOOOOO, I have to put this on paper and draw it out to visualize it! I’m so thankful I’m feeling good and relatively energetic (aside from some 4am insomnia this week) because it’s helping me power through my days.
Home life: We continue to have delays with the renovation, and we’ve had some things ordered that will take longer to arrive than hoped. But rather than worry about the reno dragging on past baby’s arrival, I’m now just trying to make peace with the situation and do whatever we can to streamline things! I’m trying to wrap my head around the possibility that baby could come home at any time and we’d just have to deal with the big mess and construction noise. (Mind you, this goes against every nesting urge in my body right now! lol). I was hoping the basement guest room and bathroom would be ready for my mom’s arrival at the end of the month, but now it doesn’t look like they’ll be ready unless we can get a rush on the countertop (it takes 2 weeks normally). After the countertops are in, then the basement carpet needs to be installed, so it seems unlikely that all of this will be finished by the 26th! Maybe we can convince her and my stepdad to come for Christmas. ;) I suggested to Eric that we set up our tree in the basement this year and have Christmas morning down there, and he loved that idea! I think it’s going to be so cozy, and we’ll also have a lot more space than the main floor living room provides.
Midwife appointment: I went for an ultrasound this week and it was so nice to see baby again! I hadn’t had one since 18 weeks and it felt like forever. Baby is growing well, is still head down (yay), and is estimated to weigh 6 1/2 pounds right now. I’m told baby often gains 1/2 a pound per week going forward. Of course these estimates can be way off, so we’ll see! I did have my ultrasound at the hospital and was told by my midwives that their machines are top of the line. Also, the ultrasound tech could not confirm the gender due to baby’s position…darn it! Haha. I’ve been using the EPI-NO since last weekend and it’s going…okay. I finally discovered the side-lying position is the way to go for me. I’m doing about 15 minutes a day right now—here’s hoping it helps or I’m going to be ticked! lol.
Symptoms: Holy moly, my symptoms really amped up this week! I texted my mom last weekend and said, “I hope I’m not going into labour because I’ve been getting menstrual cramps all morning long.” Luckily, I wasn’t in labour, but my body is definitely starting to prepare itself. I’ve also had a return of nausea, which happened to me around this time with my first pregnancy, too. It’s annoying because so many foods don’t appeal to me right now. I’m getting a lot more Braxton Hicks, period-like cramps, and shooting groin pains lately, too. Things are definitely heating up in there! Baby also feels LOW.
Exercise: I’m still walking 25 minutes every morning and doing 15 minutes of Barre3 online every other day. I sound like a broken record, but I love this workout routine so much! It honestly feels like the perfect amount, leaving me energized and strong and not worn out.
What I’m wearing: The humid, hot summer weather returned this week…boo! You’d never know it was the second week of September. I hear it’s supposed to cool slightly starting Sunday, and I’m sooooo looking forward to that. I’ve basically been living in the same things day after day…shorts and maternity tees and maternity dresses. I’m bored of my clothing, but can’t really be bothered to buy anything else at this point! Now I need to start thinking about nursing-friendly fall clothing as I don’t have much from last time.
Cravings: This week I’ve been all about the pumpkin protein smoothies! I’m also going crazy for roasted, salted pepita seeds. My body must need the zinc or iron because I can’t get enough.
Best thing I ate/drank all week: Dried cherries. I went on about these during my first pregnancy, and I still love them this time around. They honestly taste like a healthier fruit roll-up or something.
Baby prep: Eric and I were just talking about how we literally haven’t done a thing to prepare for the baby. Oh, that poor second child! Haha. Well, he/she will be showered with love and that’s what matters most. Meanwhile, Adriana seems to be prepping for baby in her own funny ways! The past couple weeks, she’s really taken to her baby that her Mimi gifted her last year. She drags that thing all over the house, and loves to “put baby to bed” and “tuck her in”. It’s way too cute.
Hospital bag packed? Nope! Now that I’m full term, I better get on it soon. The main thing holding me back is that my overnight bag is trapped in the master bedroom closet, which is currently sealed off due to the renovation. I could probably go in and get it out, but…#lazy. We also need to pick up the carseat from the storage locker and install it.
Crafting projects: Unless you count putting a print inside a frame and then being too lazy to hang it up, then no. ;)
Days left until due date: 16
PS—you can read my 37 weeks update from my first pregnancy here. (<– jealous that I was wearing long sleeves and jeans in that Sept. update!)
Hi Angela, I received the new book yesterday. I love the flaps on the front and back covers – these are such a plus – no more dog-earing pages. How are you dealing with your home renovation in terms of keeping the dust and debris out of the rest of the house? I’m big on indoor air quality and planning a reno – I almost don’t want to do the reno so that I can avoid the dust and stress that comes with it. Congrats on all the big and wonderful changes!!
Hey Therese,
Aww thanks for the book love! I hope you enjoy the recipes. :)
Great question about the reno containment. It’s always been one of my main concerns (air quality/dust/etc) during a reno…the thought of all that dust and stuff freaks me out a little. We’ve now been through almost 3 major renovations and we’ve learned a few things along the way. The great thing about the basement reno is that it’s contained downstairs and we keep the door closed. If it was going to be an extra dusty day (such as sanding the drywall), we would turn off the furnace to avoid it circulating in the house. It made for some sticky days, but we figured it was better than having it pump through the house. Eric has also been great about vacuuming down there with his shop vac a couple times a week. If they were doing anything with a smell (which thankfully has been infrequent), we would open the windows and set up a couple big industrial fans to clear out the air. We put down dropcloths on the floors from the entry way to the basement to protect the floors, and they’re shaken out each day. Another thing we do is ask the workers to make as many cuts outside as possible. So tile cutting is done outside, but they still do a lot of cutting in the basement for things like drywall and door framing because it would probably double the time if they had to walk upstairs and outside for each cut. It’s give and take. :)
For the master bathroom, we took apart all of our bedroom furniture and wrapped it up. The mattress is also in a sealed mattress bag. And as I mentioned in the post, our master closet is also sealed off too. During the demo, Eric also put up a plastic drop sheet to seal off the area.
I’ve found the main thing is vacuuming a lot on the main floor. The dust has been pretty bad lately, so we just try to vacuum as much as we can at night and stay on top of it.
I also brought in a few new house plants that are supposed to contribute to cleaner air. :) Any little bit helps! I’ve actually been more relaxed with this reno than the last one…I think because the last one was our kitchen it felt a bit more disruptive (since I like, live in there, haha). I hope this helps and goodluck if you embark on your own reno!
I’m changing my guess to another girl, surely you would have bought more for a different gender by now! Glad all looks well, looking forward to the big reveal! And so many congratulations on the book release! So amazing
haha interesting! ;)
Thanks for your congrats too!
I love how chill you are right now (or at least you seem to be). What will be is what will be. Baby OSG 2 will have lots of love and that’s all that matters. Holy crappie though you will have another baby in 16 days!!! Big congrats to you and your family.
I have my days, trust me! ;) Thanks for your congrats Tiffany!
I am not anywhere near pregnant, and for some reason still enjoy reading these. I’m so very happy to hear you have made it to full term, and this time seems like you had less discomfort than last go around. I can only imagine some of the stress and frustration with the renovation at this stage in the pregnancy. I think making peace with this project is great practice for what life will be like with 2 little ones. Bravo. The older I get the more practice I get. . . and the happier I am. You look fantastic, by the way!
You look amazing!!!
Can you share your pumpkin protein smoothie recipe? (or share where to find!) Thank you!
hilarious about the second child.
i did prenatal yoga for my second
with a bunch of first time moms
who would talk a LOT
about
all of their nursery prep/
themes –
and my update was something like
“we put a crib in the guest room of squalor
and will pick up some diapers
on the way home from the hospital.”
BOOM>
5 months later – we are stil
nailing it, and our second
daughter is the
happiest ever.
also – if you have a name, fabulous –
but don’t stress. you can always
change it up like we did.
uhh..BHAHAHAHAaa…
https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/these-parents-changed-their-daughters-name-when-she-was-3-mo?utm_term=.irVKdX1ZJ#.udo0DvKjz
sending you tons
of full term love.
SO EXCITED!
and when you see your
two together…
BEYOND MAGIC.
xxx
So exciting! Wishing you the absolute best!
This may sound ridiculous, but I really wanted a natural childbirth for my second. I read several birth stories, including yours, and they just all encouraged me that it was possible.
And it was! My second was born faster and easier than my first (although definitely more painful without an epidural ;)).
I’m loving this blog! It brings back memories. I’ve sent the link to my cousin who is expecting. She’s a few weeks behind you so you’ll probably freak her out a little, especially when she reads the symptoms :D
Hi Angela!
I just got the new cookbook this week and have already made the Mac and Peas with the fantastic cheese sauce! This is a great recipe! So easy and so, so tasty. I’m anxious to try more recipes in this book. I have the other cookbook and use it often. My two oldest daughters and I frequently text back and forth a recipe we want to try. Just this morning one daughter sent me the link to the Chocolate Chia Pudding! Now I want to make that. Have a fabulous day!
Barb
I’m so excited for you and baby #2! I’m due with baby 2 in 3 days and convinced I’ll be pregnant forever. Thank you so much for your recipes, online and in the cookbooks… I’ve been super picky and nauseous too, and I’ve been making (and eating!!) at least one of your recipes almost every day. Your portobello burgers with kale-hemp pesto saved me from indulging in greasy fast-food cravings!!!
Also, I think you just inspired me to start packing my hospital bag….
After reading all of these posts I’m putting a guess in for gender as boy. You keep using phrase of “boy, ___” and I feel like it’s a hint you’re dropping under our noses. If it is a boy, I’m biased as a mama of a little boy, you’re in for a sweet treat of the love of a mama’s boy :) either way congratulations and good luck when it’s go time!
Love your baby updates! :-)
I would also love if you could share your pumpkin protein smoothie recipe, as soon as the weather starts to chill I’ll buy up all the pumpkin and squash I can find at the market ;-)
Where did you get the EPI-No? I am in the United States, and I saw on their website that they don’t ship to USA (or Canada).
My midwife ordered it for me (I’m sorry, I don’t know where from unfortunately!)