Many moms told me that pregnancy with "number 2" would be different than the first time around. I was skeptical (which is likely just part of my personality). In some ways, this pregnancy is different, but in many ways, it is much the same. Here are some reflections:
Cravings: I craved spicy food and fruit with Henry. This Jellybean likes salty crunchy foods and lots of carbs. There were a few weeks that all I thought about was tacos, and yes, I indulged the little bugger.
Fatigue: The first trimester fatigue with both "bundles of joy" was awful. I remember with Henry, closing my door at lunchtime and taking cat naps on my desk, hoping I wouldn't wake up with paper creases on my face. This time around, I didn't take any desk naps, but I walked around like a zombie for at least 2 months. I am still in awe that I somehow went to work and got stuff out the door. Thankfully, my energy came back in the second trimester with both Henry and this Jellybean.
Morning Sickness: I am one of those blessed women {don't judge} that doesn't get throw-up sick with pregnancy. That's not to say that I felt great all the time. There were many days when I felt gross. Nauseous. Wanted to go home and pull the covers over my head (the fatigue didn't help in this regard) and wake up 8 weeks later. But, I never threw up with Henry. And I haven't thrown up with this Jellybean. Luckily, that gross, not so stellar feeling, has gone away in the second trimester just as it did with Henry.
Headaches: This is a new symptom for this pregnancy. I don't remember getting headaches with Henry. I have experienced periodic headaches with this pregnancy. Not debilitating migraine headaches, but still annoying. I feel bad for those who struggle with headaches on a regular basis. I am lucky that I rarely get headaches in my non-pregnant state.
Baby Movements: I felt Henry move around for the first time at 19 weeks. I remember distinctly being on the Max, reading a pregnancy related book on the way to work one morning and feeling a sensation much like a few gas bubbles moving in my lower abdomen...but then there was no fart. This Jellybean decided to make his/her presence known at the end of 13 weeks. Very similar sensation. At first I didn't think it was possible to feel the baby that early, but then it happened again, and again and again. Usually just once or twice a day. At 16 weeks I can feel the Jellybean move more regularly (at least a few times a day) and it feels more like a gentle pushing, rolling sensation.
Baby Bump: I showed early with Henry. I remember feeling discouraged reading pregnancy magazines and books that said it was unlikely that I would need to go shopping for maternity clothes until month 5 or so. Ha! I purchased my first maternity pants at 9 weeks, but couldn't bear to pull them on until 10 weeks. I tried squishing myself into my normal pants and skirts for another couple weeks, but by 12 weeks, I was in full time maternity pants. This Jellybean wanted everyone to know he/she had invaded my body as early as possible, so this mama pulled on the maternity pants at 8 weeks and haven't looked back. Yes people, I've been in maternity pants for 2 months already!!! I have a very distinctively round belly. And ginormous knockers, just like with Henry.
Itchy: I remember being really itchy with Henry. It is no different this time. I am itchy, itchy, itchy. I feel like I have ants crawling on me. No amount of lotion, cream, salve helps. I am just itchy!
Moodiness: Hormones are an interesting thing. I feel like I am generally a pretty level-headed, even-tempered person. In pregnancy, I find I am more sensitive and less patient. In particular when I am tired. I try my best to keep perspective and recognize when the hormones are taking over versus my brain. Relatively speaking, I don't think I am nearly as moody as some women, but I do find myself getting chocked up at sappy commercials on TV or hearing stories about families in need on the radio.
Heart Rate: Henry's heart rate hoovered in the 150's while in the womb. This Jellybean is also hoovering in the 150's. However, Henry was way more chill and relaxed in the womb. This Jellybean is always dancing, kicking, and squirming around every time my OB tries to find a heartbeat using the Doppler or take a peak with the ultrasound.
Gender: I was convinced that Henry was a girl before my 18 week ultrasound. Clearly, I was wrong. There is nothing girlish about him, he is all BOY! I am convinced this Jellybean is also a girl, but we all know how my prediction ended up last time. Ryan also seems to think this one is a girl too. Mostly because everyone in his family has one of each gender. We hope to find out if our predictions are correct in just three weeks. Eeeeeeeek!
Neurosis: Yes, I am a neurotic human being. I obsess about stuff. From what color to paint my kitchen, to what pre-school I should enroll Henry in, to what I should make for dinner next Sunday. It was no different when I was pregnant with Henry. I actually took it up a notch when I was pregnant with Henry. I obsessed about all things pregnancy and baby related. I devoured pregnancy and baby books, magazines, blogs, websites, etc. I never ate sushi, lunch meat, unpasteurized cheese, artificial sweeteners, significantly limited my caffeine intake etc. I stayed out of salons to avoid the fumes. I would cross the street if someone was smoking so I could avoid the second hand smoke. With this pregnancy, I am much more relaxed about stuff. I trust things will work themselves out just as they should. I haven't read one pregnancy related blog or magazine. I do reference a couple of my generic pregnancy books from time to time, just because I like to know what is going on developmentally. Like the fact the Jellybean is developing eyelashes this week and can hear my voice now. How cool is that!?! I've eaten a turkey sandwich, over-easy egg and drank a diet soda all in the last month or so. I fairly regularly have a cup of caffeinated coffee. I stood behind a smoker on an escalator the other day. And I might just go get myself a pedicure in the near future. All in all, I am not nearly as neurotic this pregnancy as the last. I still try to eat well, get a bit of exercise, take my vitamins, drink water and get some rest when I am tired, but I not obsessing every second of every day. I am thankful for this difference.
don't you love how much calmer you are this time around with things? And now you think it's a girl.....!!?!???
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