second pregnancy, first trimester (late post as we just announced it)

June 18th, we see baby #2 for the first time on ultrasound! It's little heart was beating at a steady 117bpm. We weren't able to hear it, but there it was on the monitor. The baby measured at six weeks and three days, which is exactly where it should be according to our charting. The baby was little more on the screen than a beating heart and a yoke sack, but only parents can tell you how sweet that little blip on the screen really is as you see your baby for the first time.


This has been a much different pregnancy than the first. I had no idea I was pregnant when I took the test with Gabriel, so we were in shock for a few days not really believing it had finally happened after trying for 9 months. I felt fine for weeks, just a few more trips to the bathroom than usual, but totally fine. I was really tired after a couple weeks passed however nausea didn't set in until 6 weeks and had faded almost completely somewhere around 15 weeks. Food aversions were difficult and all I could eat were some basic fruits, ramen noodles (ugh, the nutrition...), and life cereal.
 
This time around there wasn't any surprise. I knew there was a chance we were pregnant based on charting, but I didn't think it has really happened based on women's bodies being so out of whack when cycles start up again while still nursing. Then I got REALLY moody- and that is not generally how I am. After days of not being unable to change my crazy mood, I decided to change my environment. I "kidnapped" Shaun for lunch downtown, and then took Gabriel to the zoo. While nursing later, I prayed that God would help me to reclaim my mood or help me realize what was going on so I could change things accordingly and become a better person to be around. That's when I realized I was sore, that hadn't happened in about a year while nursing. There was much more than a chance that I was pregnant.

After putting Gabriel down for a nap and Shaun got home, I took off to the store and purchased two
tests to confirm things. I knew that it was too early to test, but test showed up positive early with Gabriel, and I had to know. The test read "PREGNANT" and I went to work fast so that it wouldn't totally settle in before I had told Shaun so we could freak out together. I was so excited! I made Gabriel a "big brother" onesie as no one in town had a t-shirt small enough for him, took a picture of the positive test and put it inside a card for Shaun. Gabriel had just started walking that week so I had to tell Shaun I was giving him a big present that just came in and to just go with the video camera. I put on a "rocking the bump" shirt and held Gabriel close so Shaun couldn't see our shirts until after he opened the card. It took him a minute to realize what was going on as he thought it was a late graduation present, but when he did he was shocked! I was so excited that I was able to surprise him again!

First trimester differences between this pregnancy and the last one:
-I am sick all the time, and eventually gave in and started taking meds to help. Still feel like I have the flu, but can mostly function and play with Gabriel.
-Gabriel is here and toddling, so he has to be watched every second. He is great though, when I'm out of it he brings me books to read together and when I run to the bathroom sick, he follows laughing thinking I want him to chase me (which is great because I don't have to worry about him getting into something when I'm not there).
-Bland food is all I could handle last time. This time bland food is EVIL! Smells bad, tastes awful, and spicy food is what is required. I am sick all the time, but I have fewer items that I cannot stand.
-Headaches, moody, and showing earlier. Although thankfully most of my crazy faded out half way through the first trimester.
-Last time I didn't get more than a tiny stretch mark until after giving birth. This time every stretch mark I got after being pregnant last time looks fresh again- totally weird!
-Last time I worked at a gym and worked out almost every day. This time I was happy to survive and all motion made things worse.
-Last time it took 9 months to get pregnant, and it was a shock. This time charting and being in tune with my body, we were pregnant the first month and not in shock as we knew it was a possibility.