Six weeks away from meeting our second baby means I've had a 34 weeks to think about what's different about this pregnancy than my first.
I'm not sure what I expected, but here's some reflection on the last 8 months.
Obsession:
- Far less this time around (with my first pregnancy I remember being fearful of breathing in the fumes at the nail salon).
- My thoughts about the baby are just that - more thinking about the baby joining our family and if it will be a girl or a boy, less fixation on being pregnant. Guess I know what to expect now which is exciting.
- No baby or delivery classes. We survived the first and the memories are still pretty fresh so we're good, no need for a refresher.
- I took pictures every week of my growing belly from 20(isk) weeks on with Will. I think I've done one set with #2. That makes me a little sad.
Preparation:
- We're weeks away from the big arrival and just ordered the baby furniture two days ago. Will's room was completely finished by the time I hit 32 weeks.
- Additionally, the registry is short, we're talking double stroller and diapers, that's pretty much it. I chalk this up to what Andy and I learned with Will...all you really need for the first few weeks are some diapers, a small set of clothes, a pack-n-play (or somewhere for the baby to sleep), and the infant car seat. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have ALL the baby gear from Will..it's all still current and up to safety standards which has made preparing the house for number two nearly an afterthought.
Physical:
- Weight gain has been nearly identical, but I wish now I had gotten really buff in the nine months between pregnancies. The extra 25lbs is wearing on me and I could tell a big difference after just the first 10lbs. We could also blame it on chasing around a one year old while being pregnant - not something I would recommend for the weary.
- Of course I also "popped" much earlier in my pregnancy (like at 10 weeks!) which I think a lot of moms say about the second pregnancy.
- Other small differences..I was so hungry my first trimester, I also had a lot more headaches then (that passed), and baby Cowx #2 sits differently than Will did - he or she has a favorite spot just to the right of and above my belly button.
- Oh, and the last difference, far fewer hiccups with baby #2. I wonder if that means he or she will have fewer than Will once he or she arrives (Will still gets hiccups almost daily, but it's usually from laughing too hard).
I know the next few weeks will go by exceptionally fast and soon enough I will have forgotten all of these things and replaced them with thoughts of our newborn baby girl or boy.
I'm not sure what I expected, but here's some reflection on the last 8 months.
Obsession:
- Far less this time around (with my first pregnancy I remember being fearful of breathing in the fumes at the nail salon).
- My thoughts about the baby are just that - more thinking about the baby joining our family and if it will be a girl or a boy, less fixation on being pregnant. Guess I know what to expect now which is exciting.
- No baby or delivery classes. We survived the first and the memories are still pretty fresh so we're good, no need for a refresher.
- I took pictures every week of my growing belly from 20(isk) weeks on with Will. I think I've done one set with #2. That makes me a little sad.
Preparation:
- We're weeks away from the big arrival and just ordered the baby furniture two days ago. Will's room was completely finished by the time I hit 32 weeks.
- Additionally, the registry is short, we're talking double stroller and diapers, that's pretty much it. I chalk this up to what Andy and I learned with Will...all you really need for the first few weeks are some diapers, a small set of clothes, a pack-n-play (or somewhere for the baby to sleep), and the infant car seat. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have ALL the baby gear from Will..it's all still current and up to safety standards which has made preparing the house for number two nearly an afterthought.
Physical:
- Weight gain has been nearly identical, but I wish now I had gotten really buff in the nine months between pregnancies. The extra 25lbs is wearing on me and I could tell a big difference after just the first 10lbs. We could also blame it on chasing around a one year old while being pregnant - not something I would recommend for the weary.
- Of course I also "popped" much earlier in my pregnancy (like at 10 weeks!) which I think a lot of moms say about the second pregnancy.
- Other small differences..I was so hungry my first trimester, I also had a lot more headaches then (that passed), and baby Cowx #2 sits differently than Will did - he or she has a favorite spot just to the right of and above my belly button.
- Oh, and the last difference, far fewer hiccups with baby #2. I wonder if that means he or she will have fewer than Will once he or she arrives (Will still gets hiccups almost daily, but it's usually from laughing too hard).
I know the next few weeks will go by exceptionally fast and soon enough I will have forgotten all of these things and replaced them with thoughts of our newborn baby girl or boy.
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