second pregnancy | Letters To Reesie

This is me. 24 weeks along.

I am laughing in this picture because selfies are just ridiculous, especially in my state. The inside-out shirt is the least of my problems.

When I was pregnant with Reese, my hair got shinier, my skin got clearer, and I was told on more than one occasion that I had that “pregnancy glow.” This time, not so much. I have painful, nasty looking spider veins on my legs, my face is breaking out like I’m in high school, and people usually just tell me that I look tired (I guess I’ll take that over “huge”, which was also a crowd favorite last time around.)

New Things: Braxton Hicks contractions have started and are not pleasant. I don’t really remember feeling them until much later with Reese, but the uncomfortable, tightening/clenching feeling is currently happening almost every day.

Weight: 14 lbs gained overall. I have been scared to look at the scale since I got my cast off 3 weeks ago, but it hasn’t been as bad as I thought.

Measuring: Average, which makes me happy. I measured large throughout my pregnancy with Reese and the doctors estimated that I was having a 10 lb baby (she was 8.5.) I have a thing for big babies though so aside from the actual birthing part, I’m hoping for another chunker.

Food Cravings: Any/all food. Prego problems.

Gender: No idea. Come February, baby number 2 will surprise us again, just like his/her big sister did.

I’m no fan of selfies, but this is what I look like now.

Yup.

Baby number two will be here in February and everyone is pretty excited around these parts.

Three months in, this pregnancy is a little different than with Reese and of course a little more difficult, but I haven’t experienced any nausea or morning sickness. Headaches and exhaustion are the worst of it right now, so I am considering myself lucky.

What’s Different This Time: There were basically no symptoms in the beginning of this pregnancy. Last time the gigantic, sore boobs started immediately, and I felt slightly nauseous in the mornings; this time I didn’t feel any different those first few weeks, until the tiredness set in.

What I’m Craving: SALT. Potato Chips. Cheese and Crackers. Grilled Cheese. Pickles (has anyone ever tried the homemade pickles from Whole Foods? They are amazing and I’m hooked.) Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (no other brands will do, and Andrew learned the hard way that box directions should be followed precisely, i.e. don’t try to skip the butter because I will know, and I will come for you.) With Reese I craved a lot of juices and citrus fruits and still ended up gaining 50 lbs so I can already tell that it is not going to be a good scene up in here in a few months.

What I’m Trying to Force Myself to Eat: Greek yogurt, Luna bars, greens, blah blah blah blah.

What I am Tired of Hearing: “Pregnant women only need 200 extra calories a day; that’s equivalent to about a cup of yogurt.” No wine, no coffee and now no excuse to “eat for two.” Thanks.

Weight Gained: 3 lbs according to me, we’ll see what the doctor’s scale says next week.

What I’m Doing: Still trying to run for as long as I can, and making an effort to get up and walk around more at work. I signed up for a 5K in mid September, so I have to keep running at least until then. Pilates, walking, pregnancy workouts on Skimble. These things are done only when I feel like it. 3 times a week is a great week.

What They Told Me This Time That They Didn’t Tell Me Last Time: No soft serve ice cream. Ummmmmmm, hold the phone. Dairy Queen is delicious and I feel bad for the fetus who doesn’t get to experience it. I don’t remember this being a restriction with Reese but I guess I could have blocked it out. Very sad. Not going to lie, I haven’t been following this one 100%.

What Reese Thinks: Not much. We talk about babies and sharing a lot, and Andrew bought her a book called “What To Expect When Mommy’s Expecting” which, in my opinion, is a little more detailed than necessary. Call me crazy but I’d rather not have my toddler telling people that there is a baby in mama’s uterus. Actually, just don’t talk about my uterus at all. Or know about it.

We are already dying to meet this baby but are taking more time to enjoy moments with Reese that are all hers. Six months to go and three months behind us.