Nope, not yet

No baby yet...we were hoping for this weekend....we'll see...

Just trying to be patient now =0)

Last week

Today's Monday. Probably the last work Monday for me. At least, for now.

Going to spend these last few work shifts wrapping things up and passing on duties to those that are going to cover me on my leave.

I sense our 2nd daughter is coming soon.

Why, you ask?

Well, this gal's body is just falling apart at the seams, and it seems the best way to explain it is to say that it's time for baby to make her exit. I caught a nasty chest cold this weekend, from who knows where, and have been suffering through those horrible nighttime charley horse cramps in the calf, all in the same leg, no less. I am hobbling around like a cripple. It is sad. In addition, this sweet girl inside is positioned on some sort of sensitive pelvic nerve that makes my inner thighs feel like they are being stabbed by sharp knives, and she's got my sciatic nerve all worked up as well. Her feet are lodged in my ribs and she is using my bladder as a play drum. Plus my sinuses are STILL clogged, after what has probably been 4 or 5 months of a persevering head cold....

But, I am doing my best to keep the most positive attitude possible, because after all, as the OB says, this all can be cured by delivery! And what better reason to go through all this, than for the gift of a daughter? I am so thankful that we were able to have children, let alone 2 sweet girls, so I am praying, praying, praying to God for His strength and peace at this time, because I'll tell you, right about now it seems like I am going to just lose it at any moment.

Hubby is my rock though, praise God. Love him! And my sweet Leila...still loving and cherishing every moment with her, before it's no longer just her!

39 weeks....fast approaching 40....

The hubby

I would just like to say that out of all the pregnancy articles I've read, pregnancy podcasts I've listened to, and pregnancy stories I've heard, I think there's way too much husband-bashing in pregnancy. I, for one, have no reason to bash my husband, now, nor ever. In fact, I would like to use this post to apologize to him for not giving him enough credit for just how wonderful a husband he has been to me, especially during pregnancy. My hubby has the best attitude about everything he does in life. He goes to work early every weekday, and returns in the early afternoon to take over Leila duty so I can start my shift from home. He does all the grocery shopping for the family and is meticulous about saving, including coupon-cutting and keeping an eagle-eye lookout for local sales. He enjoys cooking the family meals, and always has new and tasty ideas for what to put on our dinner table. When my preggo belly grew too large for comfort and the back pain intensified, thus making bathtime and climbing stairs with Leila nearly impossible, he didn't hesitate to take over for me, and has since been diligent about protecting me from any "heavy lifting", a.k.a. carrying Leila.

I could go on and on about how much I love him and how great he is, but the point is: I never forget to thank God for how He has blessed me with the most wonderful husband ever. I can't thank the hubby enough for being the best other half ever, especially during this second pregnancy. I know he's thrilled to be having another daughter, and I'm thrilled to be able to give birth to another one for him. May he always know I will never take him for granted. Never. Love you hubby.

38 weeks, 2 to go!

So my OB tells me the arrival of a second child is even harder to predict than the first. Great.

I'm so ready to have this baby.

Leila was almost 2 weeks late, but for some reason my OB thinks this baby will be on time or early. I have my doubts about that, since I don't feel anything close to what I'd call real labor, but who knows? It could happen! My OB is going to be out of town the week this baby is due so I'm hoping either she comes early or cooks a bit longer, like Leila did.

This time around, the baby is positioned much lower. The pressure from how low she is makes it feel like she is going to pop out of there any time. If you were to see me now, you'd probably agree that this pregnancy, as opposed to the last one, I am all baby up front, which has made it hard to bend over/reach my toes since week 28 or so. Most people tell me it looks like I shoved a big ball under my shirt. Last time I gained almost double the weight and pretty much carried it all over my body. I think the combination of: running during this pregnancy, chasing after Leila and Nalu, and lack of time to sit around and munch on whatever I felt like, has contributed to the decreased weight gain this pregnancy. That's good though: less to lose post-baby! At least I don't have to suffer through heartburn and shortness of breath, from a baby riding high in the belly. I have a super long torso, so I guess there's more room for her to stretch out. But, that doesn't mean I'm not consistently getting the kicking feet up in the ribs, or having my bladder used as a punching bag.

Some things I wasn't expecting this time around: those "fake" contractions that you get later in pregnancy? Not so fun. Actually, painful at times. Also:stretch marks: they don't really go away. Actually, now that I'm pregnant for a 2nd time, they look kind of scary. Anyone who says stretch marks are no big deal, or that they disappear once baby is here is just LYING! Oh, and I can't forget the back pain. Didn't have any of that last time, and this time it pops up so often, so randomly, and so intensely that it bring tears to my eyes....Ahh....the joys of pregnancy.

So unless my water somehow breaks, or I somehow start to have real contractions, I may very well be pregnant past my due date. That's OK though. I have some diapers for her, some clothes, and a place for her to sleep. That's it. Need a name, and to figure out how to fit 2 car seats in the car, and probably 10 other things I'm forgetting so it might not be so bad to run late again with this 2nd pregnancy...