How far along: 34 weeks! 6 weeks really feels like forever away, but I know March will be here before I know it.
Weight gain: 15 pounds
Sleep: I wish I could say it was wonderful. It's not. L was actually sick (again) with multiple ear infections and waking up pretty much every night screaming in pain, but praise the Lord, that seems to be a thing of the past -- as of this week. He had tubes put in, so we are hoping that those will prevent all those nasty infections. Anyway... even though he's sleeping again, this mommy is not! Yay for lots and lots of potty breaks!
Side note: We go through toilet paper at a ridiculously fast rate because of this. I was talking to Randy about it the other day, and he was like, "Becca, just use less! Less is more!" Um... in most cases I would agree... but toilet paper?!
Food cravings: Anything, really... I've been super hungry the last couple of weeks... I was like this at the end of my last pregnancy, too.
Symptoms:
Tiredness: I don't remember it being this way with L, but I've forgotten a lot in two years!
Moodiness: This goes along with lack of sleep.
Exercise: Still getting 4-5 days in a week... but my sciatica is really flaring up when I'm on the elliptical... makes it so much harder! I've just been keeping up with doing stretches -- it's the only thing that really helps. And I know it'll get better soon!
Movement: Ouch, baby.
What I’m looking forward to: Sleeping on my back. With Landon, I always ended up on my back, and it never bothered me, but this time, I get really faint and short of breath. I guess it's my body telling me I need to switch to my side... ha.
What I miss: Not bumping into things with my tummy ;)
As the weeks fly by, I'm realizing that it's not going to be just Landon and me anymore... and that makes me a little sad. But I also know that I'm giving him one of the best gifts in the world... a little brother. Of course, I do realize that he won't be aware of this for a while. And this fact will mean hard days, long nights, and lots of other lovely things. I had a rough post-partum time with Landon (he had a hard time nursing for the first couple months, super colicky, etc), so I'm not expecting it to be perfect with this one, either. (Um... okay, well, I don't know that anyone has ever described post-partum as "perfect.")
So... I'm asking for your help, mamas with two or more. What helped ease the transition from one to two? Anything you would have done differently? I will take all the help I can get!
34 weeks with Landon on the left, Colton on the right.
You're going to do AWESOME! Seriously. The first two weeks (after my mom left and Dan went back to work) were really hard for me. Just plan on taking life very, very slowly at first.
ReplyDeleteOne of my life savers was arranging "books time" for Annalisa. She stayed in her bed for a while with a stack of books and a special animal. She loved it, I loved it...
In the morning I would snuggle with just Annalisa for a while while M slept. She never really acted like a baby, but she did want a little more attention. I think the hardest thing was trying to leave the house. You'll probably be so much better at that than I was! It took me about an hour to go to the grocery store. Crazy! ; )
But really, it gets so much easier and it is so much fun watching your kids become real friends. It's the cutest thing on earth.
I'm so excited for you!!!!
EJ
You look so good!!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to one of my friend's blogs who just had her second baby. She asked the same question and a bunch of people left some really good advice. Thought you might find it helpful :) http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2013/01/moms-of-2-or-more-how-do-you-do-it.html#comment-form
You're going to do great. Never underestimate the power of prayer to help calm your emotions when you feel overwhelmed. I also had to consciously think, "relax" and let Jude love on Si and not be too uptight when he was giving him kisses and hugs when they weren't the gentlest things in the world. :) Don't try to control everything. Pick and choose your battles. Go for walks when you can... it's amazing how many behavioral things can be solved simply by letting Jude run out some energy at a park or something, and the baby liked it too, plus it's good for you! :) Love you, friend. You'll do great.
ReplyDeleteP.S. don't feel like you're a bad mom at all if you utilize the TV in those first few weeks to be able to get some rest while the baby's sleeping. ;)
i think the biggest thing i can tell you is to plan for NO plan. it's so hard to have an idea of how a day or night is going to go, and then it completely crashes down around you. so...if you are open to anything.....you won't be disappointed. i also had to readjust my thinking for si and sj. i thought they would co-exist so well.....wrong was i. i even wish now that i had been a bit more sensitive to si's needs as opposed to making him grow up so fast in those first five weeks. but it does get better, and now that naps are routine, i actually get to rest again, and you will find those extra minutes for lcd that he needs from you. God gave you C, so He will give you the grace to do it....just don't forget to ask for it.....(i did, many many times a day!)
ReplyDeleteThank you ALL! Seriously... you are such an amazing help. And when I have hard days, I'll know I'm not the only mama who has been there. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo