38 weeks round two

I'm officially 38 weeks pregnant and not one bit comfortable.  This little guy inside me has been giving me contractions on and off for days now.  They aren't super painful...just a bit frustrating since they are not turning into true labor.  The countdown is on!

36 weeks round two

Let the countdown begin!  I can't believe Baby Dos is already so close to making his arrival.  I have been busy attempting to prepare for his arrival.  Clothes are washed, hospital bag is packed-ish, Eva's bag is packed-ish, and the house is ready-ish!  Other than nesting, I have been feeling more tired and not sleeping very well.  Obviously, these are normal pregnancy issues, but it doesn't mean they are fun.  As we wait for our little man's arrival I am anxious to see how Eva reacts.  She has been learning and growing so much since we found out she would be a big sister.  I know she will be a great helper and awesome big sis!

34 weeks round two

This week I had the littlest helper while taking photos!

32 weeks round two

32 weeks down...only 8 to go!  Ahh, can it be we're in the single digit countdown until baby boy's arrival? I have been thinking a lot about everything we were doing leading up to Eva's arrival...baby showers, stocking up on baby supplies, getting the nursery ready...the list could go on and on. Then, I started to think about what we haven't done for baby dos. We haven't stocked up on baby supplies (i.e newborn/size one diapers) or set up anything to Eva's or Our room for the little one.  On the bright side, at least I started thinking about what I haven't done, prior to this week it hadn't even crossed my mind.  I have now started a "to do/get" list for our little pumpkin, I think I can mange in the next few weeks (as long as Eva keeps sleeping well)!

30 weeks round two

(09/15/2015)

28 weeks round two

Wow, 28 weeks.  That means I have 12 weeks (give or take to go).  It is exhilarating and nerve racking at the same time.  Lately, I have been quite exhausted.  I attribute this to Eva learning and growing so much...oh and becoming quite the little rebel. Her new favorite word is "NO!"  Sometimes it can be quite a challenge to get her to listen or be nice.  I know she is testing the water and beginning to learn right from wrong, but oh man it is exhausting on top of growing a baby.

For our 28 week check up we had our second appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine.  With Eva I never really got nervous about my check-ups beyond 20 weeks, but baby dos has been quite a different story.  I'm sure hormones played a role, but I actually started crying a couple days leading up to my 28 week visit.  I was just filled with the unknown and my emotions came pouring out.  However, everything went great.  The doctor specifically looked at the baby's heart and growth.  I'm happy to say he is just right, weighing in at the 49th percentile at 2 pounds 9 oz (I'm not sure how they figure this out).  Also, his heart looks great!  He has been quite the busy body lately, it seems like he is always moving!  Although a bit nerve racking I'm glad we were able to have a more through check up.  We go back to Maternal Fetal Medicine at 32 weeks.  If everything is still on track I'll be back to my regular check-ups!

Check out 28 weeks with Eva...

24 weeks round two

Baby Boy Smith is continuing to grow!  I can feel him move more frequently (and Chris can see and feel him as well).
(August 4, 2015)

22 weeks round two

(22 weeks July 21, 2015)

This pregnancy produces new ups and downs everyday!  We have lots of news to share (some good, some exciting, and some not so exciting).

First, the good news, I do not have placenta previa (yippee).

Next, the exciting news...we know the gender of baby dos!  Our ultrasound tech at 20 weeks was not too savvy.  She wasn't very careful in making sure we didn't find out baby's gender.  She didn't actually tell us if the baby was a boy or girl, but I was pretty confident in what I thought I saw (if you know what I mean). So, since we had to go back at 22 weeks, we asked the tech to confirm our thoughts.  And, the verdict is...IT'S A BOY!

Last, the uneasy news, little baby dos has to be monitored more often.  A few abnormal things were found on his ultrasound at 20 weeks.  We went to maternal fetal medicine for a second opinion at 22 weeks and some of the findings from week 20 were still there with a couple new concerns.  The hard part is that it could be absolutely nothing.  The only way to know for almost certainty is an amniocentesis (although this still won't catch everything).  So, Chris and I have decided to only have the blood tests for possible infections done.  These can be treated before hand.  I don't want to spend the rest of my pregnancy having test after test.  Instead, we are content with additional monitoring of the heart and baby's growth.  And, once our little one decides to join our family, he will be more than loved and cared for no matter what.

20 weeks round two

Half-Way

Wow, can you believe it is 20 short weeks until Thanksgiving when baby dos is due to arrive? This week I decided to take a look back at 20 weeks pregnant with Eva...take a look.  What a difference! Seriously, I can't believe how much more pregnant I look this time around! Definitely motivation for getting back into shape the second time around!

Along with looking more pregnant I can feel things a lot sooner this time around.  I can already see my stomach move with kicks and jabs from baby dos (with Eva this didn't happen until week 22). Chris has also been able to feel baby move! I'm looking forward to our 20 week ultrasound to get a first glimpse of what baby dos looks like!

16 weeks round two

Last week I felt baby dos for the first time.  It was/is completely different this time around.  With Eva, her first movements felt like little bubbles popping.  This little one feels like a fish swimming in my belly.  I'm enjoying I know what is happening when I feel this little one moving.  It is also reassuring knowing he or she is growing and growing!

Pregnancy Round Two

The Smith Family is growing and so is my belly.  I am super excited to have a new baby.  But, I have been hesitant to write about this pregnancy like I did Eva's.  Partly because I am way more busy than the first time around, but mostly because it has not been easy.

12 weeks (mid May 2015)

This pregnancy has come with a lot of scares.  At about 9 weeks I began spotting.   After a few phone calls, the doctor decided I should come in.  Everything checked out okay.  I didn't really get an answer as to what was causing the spotting, but I did have a small bruise on my uterus.  Feeling relieved, I went home with a sense of reassurance.  A couple weeks later I went to the doctor again and all was well. Then, at around 13 weeks I began to bleed again. There wan't any pain, but there was a significant amount and it was suggested I go to the ER.
Sitting in the ER waiting room I tried to remain calm and attempted to think positive thoughts.  I repeated time after time, "I will have a happy, healthy baby in November."  I kept reminding myself many women have things a lot worse.  I thought about everything I was thankful for and tried to breathe.  After about an hour I was taken for an ultrasound.  The wait was agonizing.  As the technician began the screening my first question was if the baby's heart was still beating.  With reassurance she said yes...what a relief.  The exam continued for quite some time.  The tech needed to look at every nook and cranny of my uterus trying to figure out where the bleeding was coming from.  She continued to reassure Chris and I.  The baby looked great, the heart was beating, he/she was measuring 13.6 weeks, and my cervix was closed.  After some investigating she began to ask and explain about placenta previa.
As of now my placenta is attached extremely close to me cervix.  This is not an ideal location and can cause bleeding throughout pregnancy.  In 90% of cases the placenta grows with the uterus and moves away from the cervix. However, if it does not move it can cause issues with delivery.  In this case I will have to have a c-section. Ideally I would prefer to attempt natural child birth again, but I like that I can prepare myself for all possibilities.
It's hard to come to terms with the fact I may bleed throughout my pregnancy. As the days and weeks pass my worry comes and goes.  I can't be certain it will subside altogether, but I am hopeful as this pregnancy progresses things will continue to improve and correct themselves.  Each day that passes is a wonderful feeling, I am that much closer to having a happy, healthy baby.  In my most recent visit the baby's heartbeat was strong (even though it took a little work to find since we have another mover on our hands!).

16 weeks (early June 2015)

Special Announcement

The Smith Family is excited to share our family is growing!

Coming November 2015!