23 weeks!

How far along?  23 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +17lbs! I am doing it...somehow, you knows but I am not making great big jumps in my weight like last time! only 1 lb this week!

Maternity clothes? Well I didn't find another pair of pants or a cardigan yet for home, but I found a super comfortable pair of light weight sweatpants on the clearance rake! They are soooo comfortable, I only wish they had more!

Stretch marks? I still have the old ones but I swear they are looking better than ever...I might be a BIO- OIL for life gal!
Sleep: It is all good. I of course keep ending up on my back, which is funny because I can not lay on the floor on my back without pain, but sleep that way most of the night and it doesn't bother me. 

Best moment this week: Seeing Eli on the ultrasound again. It wasn't super clear, but she had to check for his heartbeat because the doc couldn't get it with the doppler. He was moving around like crazy...even though I can not feel all of it, and had the hiccups, but no worries he heartbeat was still good in the 140's-150's
Movement: Eli he has had the hiccups a lot lately which is a great sign of his lung development 

Food cravings: McDonalds French fries. 

Gender: team peen

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? IN

What I miss: Not having the lower back pain and pelvis pain at random times. 

What I am looking forward to: Just enjoying this time that i have being pregnant especially since I don't know if we will be having another baby. It is a remarkable gift that I feel blessed to have. 

Weekly Wisdom: Write out a schedule of chores, fun things to do with your toddler, and things to do for yourself! It has really helped me feel more sain this week and I feel like i accomplished more because I could see things get taken off my list as I did them!

Milestones: We got our orders today. We will be moving to North Carolina after the arrival of this little bambino! So excited for the changes that are coming, and the new opportunities ahead!

22 weeks already!

How far along?  22 weeks! And don't get me wrong I don't feel like it has gone super fast, but the downwards side of the battle always feels like it goes faster!

Total weight gain/loss: +16lbs! I did it, somehow...I didn't gain 5+ but only 1!! That makes me super excited and gives me a little hope that maybe my weight gain will even out or level off since like I stated earlier I started this pregnancy off heavier! Now the goal this week is to not gain +6 lbs (that is what I gained with Noah during this week!) If i can keep that in check than I should be ahead of the game by about 8lbs or so depending. Fingers crossed here for a good outcome!

Maternity clothes? of course and I need to get another pair of pants or something for when I go home...I just hate buying more clothes when I won't be wearing them for a longer period of time...but I guess it will be worth it to be warm!

Stretch marks? I still have the old ones, and haven't noticed new ones...yet :)
Sleep: pretty good. i really can not complain about this area...Noah has finally slept a little longer this week and that seems to be helping me out in the long run too. 

Best moment this week: buying a few little things for Eli...and getting almost all of Noah's winter clothes for when we head home. I feel better about spending a little extra on toddler clothing knowing that a 2nd little boy will be able to wear them!
Movement: Eli is still giving little kicks a little more frequently but nothing huge yet. 

Food cravings: if I had to pick one thing it would be McDonald's french fries. Don't ask me why...and don't worry I don't get them that often.

Gender: a little slugger!

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? IN

What I miss: Being able to breath without feeling like I have to work at it when I am moving around. Between my allergies and just having the extra weight it makes it hard to catch my breath sometimes.

What I am looking forward to: Just bonding with Eli and preparing for his arrival. It is so different this time since I have almost all the boy stuff and we won't have a house let alone a nursery prepared for him. That part of the prep will have to come after he is born...but I think being in MI for this birth with all my family and friends will be super exciting!

Weekly Wisdom: Find fun activities to do with your toddler that don't leave you completely uncomfortable or short of breath and if you are having a 2nd baby of the same sex make sure to buy something small and special for that baby to help you feel like you are preparing and bonding with that child. 

Milestones: Everyday is a milestone in pregnancy. So happy to be another day/week closer to being in the "safe zone" of having this baby. Don't get me wrong I am not worried, but it is a good feeling to know that if anything should happen his survival is more likely to happen as each day passes!

21 weeks!

How far along?  21 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +14-15lbs. So my goal this week will be to not gain 5lbs! Since my weight gain in this pregnancy has followed so closely to my 1st pregnancy, i am going to try and break the cycle by not jumping to +19 lbs next week! Wish me luck!

Maternity clothes? of course

Stretch marks? the oldies but goodies
Sleep: so much better and I think I have my allergies under control again!!

Best moment this week: actually feeling Eli kick a few days in a row!
Movement: feeling Eli move and of course our impromptu trip to Maui! It was a great 1st family vacation! 

Food cravings: I wouldn't call it a craving because i had never had it before, but we went to the Melting Pot and it was delicious!

Gender: Boy oh Boy oh boy!

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? IN

What I miss: This week has been wonderful! Besides the super bad headache I had I have no complaints!

What I am looking forward to: Just enjoying this time as a family and preparing for all the changes ahead!

Weekly Wisdom: Take the time for RELAXING family vacations! Be present in the moment and just learn to enjoy the family that God has blessed you with!

Milestones: Just feeling better in general. Having a wonderful vacation with my husband and kids and feeling Eli move more and more!

Half baked at 20 weeks!!

How far along?  20 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +13 pounds

Stretch marks? the old ones are becoming less and less noticeable! So it is either from the Bio-Oil or because my tummy has filled them back out!

Sleep: it has all been good besides my allergies when I am waking up in the morning are killing me!!

Best moment this week: Picking out a name for our little guy! Eli Randall Sutton. I can not wait to meet him and have him in our arms.
Movement: Friday was my birthday and Eli graced me with 3 large summersaults in my tummy as I was waking up. It was a great birthday gift!

Food cravings: nope

Gender: We have a Wiener!

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? I don't think it is going to pop out with this pregnancy either but who knows we are only half way there!

What I miss: My allergies not being out of control!

What I am looking forward to: just looking forward to having two Sons!

Weekly Wisdom: Many people have told me that your 2nd pregnancy goes so much faster than your first, but I honestly don't think it feels that way. However, I don't have the worries I had with baby #1 like "why isn't he moving?" and constantly worrying if the baby was alright. I think it is way more comforting to mostly know what to expect the 2nd time around.

Milestones: I bought the first toy for this baby. I found a doggy/blanket/soother at Target that I decided to pick up for him. It was the first thing I bought for Noah too (his is a monkey) after I found out he was a boy. 

19 weeks

Okay so a little disclaimer....I knew that I wasn't as far along as the doctor said, and today it was proven at the ultrasound so from now on the post will be going off from where my due date should be 24 Feb 2012 instead of where the doctor insist on keeping it 16 Feb 2012. The Dr. here will not change the due date because I am not 9+ days off I am only 8. 


How far along?  19 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +13lbs

Maternity clothes? of course

Stretch marks? My old ones are there but I swear the bio oil is actually helping! They are way less visible than what they were!

Sleep: It has been pretty good

Best moment this week: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound. Finding our we are having a BOY, and learning that he is healthy with no signs to worry :)
Movement: hardly anything. 

Food cravings: not really

Gender: ALL BOY! 

Labor Signs: Thank Goodness NO!

Belly Button in or out? still in. 

What I miss: Not having any back pains while doing chores.

What I am looking forward to: feeling our little boy move. 

Weekly Wisdom: It is okay to have a moment of sadness when you realize that your baby is a different gender than you were hoping for because once you have that moment and let it pass, you will realize how blessed you truly are to be having a baby at all. Especially a baby who is healthy and thriving. After I let that moment go, I am super excited to be having another boy. I am excited that Noah will have a brother to play with and that my life will be filled with unexpected surprises! 

Milestones: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound and knowing that we have been blessed with another little boy. 

18 weeks

How far along?  18 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +10lbs...I would say I am disappointed, but I looked back at the way I gained with Noah, and I am gaining the exact same way. That scares me a little because I started off heavier this pregnancy, but I am bound and determined to take it off after this Bambino makes his/her appearance!

Maternity clothes? of course

Stretch marks? yep just my old ones still- and i actually bought Bio-oil. Who knows if it will help, but here is to hoping.

Sleep: I have been sleeping like a log lately!

Best moment this week: feeling little flutters but nothing grand, and being able to tell where the baby was a few times after I woke up from a nap!
Movement: just a few small flutters. 

Food cravings: not so much this week

Gender: Only God knows. Praying this baby will reveal it to us in two more weeks at our ultrasound!

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? NE

What I miss: Not having any back pains while doing chores.

What I am looking forward to: feeling this baby move more. I am convinced that my long torso gives the baby to much room, so I don't feel very much movement this early. 

Weekly Wisdom: Smile and Breathe... :)

Milestones: Just feeling better in general.

17 weeks

How far along?  17 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: I weighed in at the doctors today at either 7-8 lbs above my original weight, so I am not complaining especially since I didn't think about the doctor's apt the day before as I was enjoying some super salty gardettos!   

Maternity clothes? of course

Stretch marks? yep - old ones however, it is awful that they are less noticeable now because my stomach has "filled back out"! 

Sleep: I probably shouldn't even comment since it seems that when I do things take a turn for the worse! However it has been good the last handful of nights! I have only woken up about 1 time to pee and then I sleep until Noah wakes up...don't get me wrong that is by 5am but I will take it! 

Best moment this week: finally hearing this little love bug's heartbeat at the doctor's apt. it was strong and in the 150's. Noah was with me and when he heard it his face lit up and he said "BABY!" I guess maybe he is understanding more than I think :)

Food cravings: Chips - doritos and gardettos awful but wonderful at the same time. This kid just seems to want salt. 

Gender: Only God knows. 

Labor Signs: Thankfully no.

Belly Button in or out? NE

What I miss: Things are looking up some lately, maybe (cross my fingers) I am over the worst of it? I miss not having my neck and back hurt though. thankfully going to the chiropractor today to see if it helps!

What I am looking forward to: feeling closer to "normal"

Weekly Wisdom: remember to take time out and enjoy the child you already have. Don't let them get lost in your exhaustion and "to-do" lists. They are only this little at this time and you don't want to look back and know you missed it. 

Milestones: Hearing the heartbeat <3