This time around

Today I wanted to document some things about this pregnancy.  Compared to last time, I have not documented this pregnancy much at all!  I take pictures occasionally, but I never post them and looking back I never know what week they are from.  I wish I were better about that.

Not a lot of weird cravings this time, just a few pickle incidents.  Navel oranges and various types of granola with milk have been my biggest cravings.  Most nights at 9pm, it's granola time.  And I usually just want lots of fresh produce!

I actually haven't many baby related pregnancy dreams! I think only one dream, where the baby was growing in a closet instead of my womb and we would open the door to check on it. That was weird.

I was feeling pretty good until around 24 weeks, then I had a real rough patch- lots of contractions and back pain, where I really thought I was having pre-term labor.  I then decided I needed to chill, rest more and stop lifting heavy stuff.  Once I adjusted my lifestyle and expectations, it got better.  It stinks realizing you have limits when you are used to being free, strong and independent.

For weeks it's been driving me crazy that I/we can't decide on a name.

Some days I feel confident about labor and delivery, and some days I'm pretty scared!  I've never gone into labor at home, having been induced last time, so I don't know what that will be like.  I also have a (possibly naive) hope that he will come a smidge early- just a week or 2.  It's either mother's intuition, or I'm delusional; time will tell.

This is what it looks like to be pregnant & have a toddler.  Plenty of time on the couch, with said toddler doing acrobats all over and around me.  Maybe a minute or 2 of snuggles now and then.

Being 7 months preg with Babe #2 is really different than with #1.

Know I know some things that maybe I'd heard the first time around, but couldn't really understand/believe until I'd experienced them.
For example:
1.  Now I know that I can physically do it...birth a baby.
2.  I know that I will fall helplessly in love with my baby
3.  I know that an epidural can be a really wonderful thing

When I was 7 months preg with Arthur, I was getting more and more nervous and concerned because The Day was getting closer.  I had no idea IF and HOW I would survive birth and motherhood.  Early in Arthur's pregnancy, I found comfort knowing that having the baby was still far away, and was even weirdly relieved when he was late being born, because I could put the pain off a little longer...  But this time around, I feel relieved that the end is getting near.  I'm excited to meet this new little wonder, and for Arthur to be a big brother, and to see how he is like alike and different from the rest of the family!

I know there will be pain when he's born, but just for a relatively short time and it will get better.

We have already adjusted to the parenting lifestyle, so that won't be a big deal.  I now know that everything doesn't have to be perfect (& I don't have to know everything) before he is born.  There is time later, and we will have to adjust with each phase anyway.

Also this pregnancy has been physically more difficult.  I have plans to take placenta pills after the baby is born (I know, gross) and cut back on sugar and I have a hope that in a few short months I will be feeling awesome.

Everything is different this time around.  We are in a home that's better suited for us, in a better financial place, both of our jobs are better (I was working full time when pregnant w/ Arthur; now I work part time from my home. Stuart didn't have a job when Arthur was born. It was scary.)  Right now we have a significant amount LESS stress in our lives than we did 2 years ago.  We are surrounded by wonderful people and family.  And I'd venture to say we've grown a little bit older and wiser.

2 more months.