I had high hopes of keeping up with a journal or jotting notes or something throughout this pregnancy, but it just didn’t happen. For whatever reason, I had no desire to document while I was in the middle of it. I do want to remember things about the pregnancy, if only to share with Lilly one day, so here are some highlights of the pregnancy.
1. Always remember we have an on time God. His timing is not ours and that was what we kept telling ourselves the day in December that I left the onsite clinic where I had found out I was pregnant. I had a strange suspicion and had told Zach that I thought it was possible. I had been sick with sinus junk over the weekend when we were in MS for Christmas and wasn’t getting any better, so I went to the clinic for some medicine and to find out what I could take. I had taken Cooper to Zach at work and went back to get them and go get lunch. I told Zach in the parking lot. We told Cooper in the car, but of course he had no clue what was going on. We did ask him what he thought we should name the baby and his immediate response was “uh oh”. That was our thoughts exactly. I was only about 5 weeks at the time.
2. We decided that since we would be seeing all of our families in the next couple of weeks, that we would wait to share our news in person. We did end up telling Mom and Dad at dinner that night. I didn’t figure I could hide the fact that I was already not feeling well from them, since we lived in the same house. They were surprised and of course thrilled. We were still in a bit of shock.
Zach designed a couple of logos on the computer and we got some stuff to make a couple of t-shirts for Cooper to wear when we told everyone. It was fun seeing everyone’s reactions and to see how long it took people to notice. Jess noticed the fastest and I think it took Aunt Cathie the longest to notice. I did have to just tell the MS family over FaceTime since we had been there for Christmas before we found out for sure. So thankful for technology and being able to tell them the news and see their reactions.
3. Early pregnancy symptoms included being exhausted, nauseous, and a little moody. I was still having a hard time accepting the fact that we were pregnant. It was not in our plans and it was just hard. I started getting sick a few weeks earlier than I did with Cooper. I said from the beginning that it was either twins or a girl. I was miserable pretty much all the time through the end of February.
4. During that time, I couldn’t even drink water without being sick. The only things that sounded good were Coke, Mello Yellow, and fried foods/sweets. I felt bad for drinking too much caffeine and was relieved after my first appointment and she told me to drink anything as long as I didn’t get dehydrated. I was eventually able to back off of all that stuff and drink water again. I remember craving tater tots and chicken strips. But the cravings pretty much stopped after the first trimester, except for strawberries with sugar. Yum.
5. Starting a new job with a new population was not an easy thing to do while being pregnant and sick most of the time. I had to tell my bosses pretty early, in case I had to go running out of a treatment session. They were very supportive and understanding. I also had to eat snacks a couple of times during the day to try and decrease the nausea. Thankfully, I had very understanding parents who were ok with me snacking in front of their kids!
6. After I finally quit throwing up and was able to brush my teeth without gagging, the reflux started and I started having lots of pressure and even pain at times. Both of these things pretty much just got worse throughout the pregnancy. I got to the point of waddling during the last couple of months. Couldn’t help it.
7. I felt the baby moving much earlier than I did with Cooper. I felt the little butterfly movements actually quite early. I loved it! It was like our own little secret language.
8. We were very relieved to see only one baby on our first ultrasound! And very grateful to have a healthy baby.
1. Always remember we have an on time God. His timing is not ours and that was what we kept telling ourselves the day in December that I left the onsite clinic where I had found out I was pregnant. I had a strange suspicion and had told Zach that I thought it was possible. I had been sick with sinus junk over the weekend when we were in MS for Christmas and wasn’t getting any better, so I went to the clinic for some medicine and to find out what I could take. I had taken Cooper to Zach at work and went back to get them and go get lunch. I told Zach in the parking lot. We told Cooper in the car, but of course he had no clue what was going on. We did ask him what he thought we should name the baby and his immediate response was “uh oh”. That was our thoughts exactly. I was only about 5 weeks at the time.
2. We decided that since we would be seeing all of our families in the next couple of weeks, that we would wait to share our news in person. We did end up telling Mom and Dad at dinner that night. I didn’t figure I could hide the fact that I was already not feeling well from them, since we lived in the same house. They were surprised and of course thrilled. We were still in a bit of shock.
Zach designed a couple of logos on the computer and we got some stuff to make a couple of t-shirts for Cooper to wear when we told everyone. It was fun seeing everyone’s reactions and to see how long it took people to notice. Jess noticed the fastest and I think it took Aunt Cathie the longest to notice. I did have to just tell the MS family over FaceTime since we had been there for Christmas before we found out for sure. So thankful for technology and being able to tell them the news and see their reactions.
3. Early pregnancy symptoms included being exhausted, nauseous, and a little moody. I was still having a hard time accepting the fact that we were pregnant. It was not in our plans and it was just hard. I started getting sick a few weeks earlier than I did with Cooper. I said from the beginning that it was either twins or a girl. I was miserable pretty much all the time through the end of February.
4. During that time, I couldn’t even drink water without being sick. The only things that sounded good were Coke, Mello Yellow, and fried foods/sweets. I felt bad for drinking too much caffeine and was relieved after my first appointment and she told me to drink anything as long as I didn’t get dehydrated. I was eventually able to back off of all that stuff and drink water again. I remember craving tater tots and chicken strips. But the cravings pretty much stopped after the first trimester, except for strawberries with sugar. Yum.
5. Starting a new job with a new population was not an easy thing to do while being pregnant and sick most of the time. I had to tell my bosses pretty early, in case I had to go running out of a treatment session. They were very supportive and understanding. I also had to eat snacks a couple of times during the day to try and decrease the nausea. Thankfully, I had very understanding parents who were ok with me snacking in front of their kids!
6. After I finally quit throwing up and was able to brush my teeth without gagging, the reflux started and I started having lots of pressure and even pain at times. Both of these things pretty much just got worse throughout the pregnancy. I got to the point of waddling during the last couple of months. Couldn’t help it.
7. I felt the baby moving much earlier than I did with Cooper. I felt the little butterfly movements actually quite early. I loved it! It was like our own little secret language.
8. We were very relieved to see only one baby on our first ultrasound! And very grateful to have a healthy baby.
9. I opted out of all prenatal testing for the baby. We just decided there was no sense in worrying about it all.
10. I got VERY tired of people telling me that I did not look pregnant. I realize this is supposed to be a compliment, but at 9 months pregnant when you feel very pregnant, you want people to recognize it and give you sympathy. I literally had people at work who saw me every week who had no idea that I was pregnant until I warned them I would be going on maternity leave in about a month. Very frustrating.
11. We had a total of 4 ultrasounds during this pregnancy. During our 20 week ultrasound, they noticed a possible problem with her kidney development so they wanted to monitor it. I had another ultrasound at 24 weeks and 32 weeks. Both times the results came back good, but still recommended a follow up ultrasound for her at 2 weeks. Loved getting to show Cooper his baby sibling on the monitor, even though he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. She was sucking her thumb, covering her face, and keeping her legs crossed during the 20 week ultrasound.
12. We opted to have the tech write down the gender for us and we opened it during Cooper’s birthday party the next day with all of our families around to celebrate with us.
13. Cooper did really well throughout the pregnancy. He was old enough to know Mommy had a baby, which he called “Bobbie”, in her belly and could point to the baby, but really had no clue what that meant. For a while, he thought everyone had a Bobbie, including Daddy, Papaw, Mimi, and even himself. It was quite funny! He even did ok when I couldn’t pick him up anymore and when I couldn’t get on the floor and play. It helped that we had 3 other people in the house who were willing to entertain him.
14. We were blessed with two showers during this pregnancy. One from work and one at Ms. Nancy’s house for church friends and family. We didn’t really need any big stuff, so we asked for and received lots of pink and girly stuff. Oh so fun!
15. Zach picked out the bedding, Pixie Baby Bedding in Aqua by My Baby Sam, Inc. He found several and then we narrowed it down together. I fell in love with the colors! Of course, it was out of stock at most places but I did find a place online and quickly added it to our wish list. Grandmommy and Papa Chas got the bedding set for us and we love it!
16. Travels and Fun events during the pregnancy: Memphis for girls weekend with Jess and her bridesmaids. Jess’s Bridal Shower. Jess & Sean’s wedding. Greg’s wedding. Vacation to Baltimore, RI, Boston, & MA.
17. She was very active! She seemed like she never stopped moving. I could sit and watch my stomach moving and literally see her shift from one side to the other. There were a few times when I could see the outline of her foot just below my ribs!
18. Typical weight gain was 25-35 pounds for me and I think the final total was about 40 pounds, maybe a little less. I know a lot of that was fluid at the end! I could get a little upset about gaining so much, but I guess since people could barely tell I was pregnant even at the very end I don't have too much to complain about.
19. I loved getting to hear her heartbeat at every doctor’s appointment. It was what I looked forward to each time.
10. I got VERY tired of people telling me that I did not look pregnant. I realize this is supposed to be a compliment, but at 9 months pregnant when you feel very pregnant, you want people to recognize it and give you sympathy. I literally had people at work who saw me every week who had no idea that I was pregnant until I warned them I would be going on maternity leave in about a month. Very frustrating.
11. We had a total of 4 ultrasounds during this pregnancy. During our 20 week ultrasound, they noticed a possible problem with her kidney development so they wanted to monitor it. I had another ultrasound at 24 weeks and 32 weeks. Both times the results came back good, but still recommended a follow up ultrasound for her at 2 weeks. Loved getting to show Cooper his baby sibling on the monitor, even though he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. She was sucking her thumb, covering her face, and keeping her legs crossed during the 20 week ultrasound.
12. We opted to have the tech write down the gender for us and we opened it during Cooper’s birthday party the next day with all of our families around to celebrate with us.
13. Cooper did really well throughout the pregnancy. He was old enough to know Mommy had a baby, which he called “Bobbie”, in her belly and could point to the baby, but really had no clue what that meant. For a while, he thought everyone had a Bobbie, including Daddy, Papaw, Mimi, and even himself. It was quite funny! He even did ok when I couldn’t pick him up anymore and when I couldn’t get on the floor and play. It helped that we had 3 other people in the house who were willing to entertain him.
14. We were blessed with two showers during this pregnancy. One from work and one at Ms. Nancy’s house for church friends and family. We didn’t really need any big stuff, so we asked for and received lots of pink and girly stuff. Oh so fun!
15. Zach picked out the bedding, Pixie Baby Bedding in Aqua by My Baby Sam, Inc. He found several and then we narrowed it down together. I fell in love with the colors! Of course, it was out of stock at most places but I did find a place online and quickly added it to our wish list. Grandmommy and Papa Chas got the bedding set for us and we love it!
16. Travels and Fun events during the pregnancy: Memphis for girls weekend with Jess and her bridesmaids. Jess’s Bridal Shower. Jess & Sean’s wedding. Greg’s wedding. Vacation to Baltimore, RI, Boston, & MA.
17. She was very active! She seemed like she never stopped moving. I could sit and watch my stomach moving and literally see her shift from one side to the other. There were a few times when I could see the outline of her foot just below my ribs!
18. Typical weight gain was 25-35 pounds for me and I think the final total was about 40 pounds, maybe a little less. I know a lot of that was fluid at the end! I could get a little upset about gaining so much, but I guess since people could barely tell I was pregnant even at the very end I don't have too much to complain about.
19. I loved getting to hear her heartbeat at every doctor’s appointment. It was what I looked forward to each time.
20. Braxton hicks contractions started much earlier this time, like around 4 or 5 months.
21. Zach was great throughout everything. It’s not easy living with your in-laws, pregnant wife, and 2 year old!
22. Overall, I have to say this pregnancy was a little easier than my first. Even so, I still do not particularly enjoy being pregnant. Some days are better than others, but pretty much never feel that great. The end result is definitely worth it, though!
23. While we definitely would prefer to have been in our own home at this point, I am so grateful for the extra support that my parents have provided. From cooking dinner to entertaining Cooper to grocery shopping and oh so much more, they were a huge help throughout this pregnancy.
24. The last couple of weeks were about as hard as the months of being sick. It was just so hard feeling contractions and pressure and always wondering if this was it. I know everyone was just as anxious as I was, but it was so hard not knowing what to tell people. The mental part of it was almost as hard as how horrible I felt. I am so grateful for my supportive husband and parents who gave me space when I needed it but were always right there for me.
21. Zach was great throughout everything. It’s not easy living with your in-laws, pregnant wife, and 2 year old!
22. Overall, I have to say this pregnancy was a little easier than my first. Even so, I still do not particularly enjoy being pregnant. Some days are better than others, but pretty much never feel that great. The end result is definitely worth it, though!
23. While we definitely would prefer to have been in our own home at this point, I am so grateful for the extra support that my parents have provided. From cooking dinner to entertaining Cooper to grocery shopping and oh so much more, they were a huge help throughout this pregnancy.
24. The last couple of weeks were about as hard as the months of being sick. It was just so hard feeling contractions and pressure and always wondering if this was it. I know everyone was just as anxious as I was, but it was so hard not knowing what to tell people. The mental part of it was almost as hard as how horrible I felt. I am so grateful for my supportive husband and parents who gave me space when I needed it but were always right there for me.
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