I made it!

My maternity leave has officially begun! I made it to my promised last day of work and I have to say, it's not a moment too soon. My level of patience was nearing zero, and though my good natured students took it mostly in stride, I did have several loud crabby outbursts today. They are so happy that a new teacher is coming next week;). Also, being on my feet all day was getting old. I wore my running shoes all week, after realizing that even my comfy crocs were no support when carrying around this 30 pound bowling ball tummy.

Yes, that's right. 30 pounds gained. So far. I am officially now the heaviest I have ever been in my life. And Aiden has taken to asking to be carried everywhere. Sweet. I can't imagine lugging around an extra 60 pounds will put me into early labor or anything;).

Though technically, we wouldn't be that early at this point! Because I am now officially more pregnant than I've ever been as well, since tomorrow is 39 weeks and Aiden came at 38 weeks 6 days! So it could be anytime!

Happily, I have lots of sympathy from my family members. Aiden and Niti decided to walk in my shoes the other day - they only lasted a few minutes.


I think the experience really made them appreciate what their mommies are going through;).

Winding down at work

Today the Jordan Middle School staff threw a shower for the two expecting mommies on staff. Since I love to have work friends to share the pregnancy journey with me, one of my colleagues in the English department graciously decided to have a baby in October too. Baby Girl McDonough is due a few weeks after Baby Boy Tassa... and we've already decided they're going to prom together. Well, at least to a sixth grade Jordan dance;).

I'm officially full term this week, and definitely suddenly feeling it. The awful heat wave we've had the past few days probably hasn't helped, but I have taken a sharp turn for exhausted, emotional, fragile in general. I had planned to work through next Thursday... we will see if that actually works out!

And the countdown begins...

We are officially in the final month of pregnancy, and (knock on wood) I am feeling great. In spite of the fact that I am working full time at a job that doesn't really work well when you're seated, and the fact that I leave THAT job for ANOTHER "job" that doesn't work well when you're seated, I am actually feeling better than I did over the summer when most days I had neither of those jobs;). Go figure! This has me hopeful that baby boy #2 will be coming more or less on time, not too early or late...

We've finally gotten around to nesting: rearranging furniture, washing clothes, and digging out baby gear from the garage. Although we are not fully set up, I do feel better knowing the major pieces necessary for the first few weeks are in place. The rest will fall into place. Aiden seems to be taking a little walk down memory lane... he asked if he could lay down on the changing table today.


He looks so big compared to the last time! Hard to believe a new little guy will soon be gracing the nursery with his presence!

Who's Jumping on the Bed?

The other night I woke up around 2:00, which is normal, but this time, the bed seemed to be shaking, which is not normal. It felt like someone was jumping on the bed, but the room was perfectly quiet. As I lay there and regained some consciousness, it became apparent who was jostling me in my sleep.

Baby Pineapple. Jumping. Inside my stomach. And shaking the bed.

I never thought it was possible, but this baby might give Aiden a run for his money in the jumping department:).


Also, here's the 7-month belly shot. This is about the time in the pregnancy when I start to think, "I can't POSSIBLY get any bigger, right?" Heh, heh, heh.

Good News, Bad News

First the good - we are right on schedule with all vital stats:). Today baby large jicama did an acrobatic routine for Dr. Hoff, making it somewhat difficult to get a read on his heartbeat. As he could see the limbs and extremities bumping around in my belly, this was no cause for concern, and when he finally got the read, a strong 156 beats per minute confirmed all is well. At 32 weeks, the belly measures 32 centimeters - just perfect;). And I am up to a total of 20 pregnancy pounds gained!

Which brings us to the bad news. After a recent prescription to gain more weight, I have been assured I am doing quite fine in that department now - no need to pack on the pounds with quite such determination from here on out. I took this to heart and enjoyed a lovely salad for lunch... followed by a whole baguette and a quarter pound of Italian truffle cheese (which I'd never heard of before, but thoroughly enjoyed). I think I was 9 pounds heavier the day Aiden was born, so I have some room... still, at this rate, that gap will be covered in no time.

In other news, we moved the guest bed into Aiden's room, making way for the official transformation of bedroom #3 to nursery extraordinaire to begin! Unfortunately, this is what we have to work with now.


And that's after several days of my summer break spent organizing and relocating office/craft room materials... Oh, baby boy. It's a good thing we love you so much we're planning to share our room with you for the fourth trimester;). Perhaps by then you'll have a room to call your own:).

One Quarter to Go!

We have less than 10 weeks to go (hopefully;)), and much like when I was pregnant with Aiden, we are not so "prepared" for baby's arrival. However, unlike when I was pregnant with Aiden, I now know that we NEED very few things actually arranged before the birth, so I am not feeling too worried. What is a little bit disconcerting is the fact that I will be back at work next week for basically the rest of the pregnancy, and I am feeling pretty tired and huge and uncomfortable already! It will be an interesting few months:).


Other than the usual fetal gymnastics which are pretty uncomfortable, but so amazing and magical at the same time, I am greatly entertained by some pretty lengthy hiccup attacks:). It is especially fun for me this time around - Aiden used to have serious hiccups in utero and pretty much nothing has changed in the last 2 years - he still gets a case almost everyday from laughing too hard. I can already imagine the brothers giggling together until they give each other hiccups:).

Baby Visits the Capital!

I enjoyed a bonding trip to Washington DC with baby Chinese cabbage this week! Other than the fact that the weather was quite hot and humid and therefore almost unbearable for someone in their third trimester, it was fun to pose at some of the tourist sites with my baby bump!

Baby and I reflecting on the legacy of Lincoln...



Saying hello to the Obamas...



Posing with my modern art scupture twin...



It was a great trip, but I am quite glad to be home for my last days of summer... hard to believe the school year will be starting in just a few weeks!

End of the Second Trimester

Well, we’re down to every other week appointments after today… Mama weighs 122, heartbeat 156, measuring 26 centimeters. You are growing well and are getting more and more active – I on the other hand have a prescription to gain a little more weight. I think I’ve found it harder to concentrate on getting the calories in, running after Aiden and obsessing over what he’s eating. In ‘N Out for lunch should get me on the right path;). Also, I feel a cheesecake dessert coming on tonight…

This week Aiden was sitting on my lap when you started kicking. “Did you feel that?” I asked him. He looked up and smiled so sweetly, then hauled back and punched me in the stomach. Fairly hard. I am not sure he totally understands what he was doing, but a part of me thinks he knows EXACTLY what he was doing! Don’t worry, baby, I will protect you from your brother… but I highly encourage you to do a little sparring before you make your entrance to our family – the practice will come in handy☺.

25 Weeks... time to slow down

We actually went in last week because you are growing growing growing! I had several Braxton Hicks contractions and lots of irritability, so just wanted to make sure things looked copacetic. Heartbeat 150, Mama’s weight 120, measuring 23 cm. And after some lab work, it sounds like everything else is looking good for the long haul too. You are really active lately, and enjoying some yoga positions that have me stretching on one side of my tummy or the other... or both at the same time. And you seem to like to wake up once Aiden has gone to bed… let’s hope you enjoy sleeping while he sleeps once you get here;).

21 Week Update

Heartbeat, 156. Mama’s weight, 118. Pelvis to top of uterus measuring 20 cm. Right on track, trucking along. Ultrasound results good. Summer is on its way;).

It's A Boy!

The big ultrasound! You were a squirmer, stretching your legs all the way back behind your head, kicking and punching the ultrasound machine, and even “grabbing your peepee”, as the technician said!


So yes, it is confirmed, we are expecting a little boy in a few months. It was so fun seeing your strong beating heart, your cute little profile, and you even stuck your tongue out at us;).




We can’t wait to meet you, little guy!

Four Months!

4 months along! Cravings recently.. . vinegar! I have had these crazy obsessions over Subway sandwiches – 6-inch turkey with provolone on wheat with pickles, extra banana peppers, mayo and mustard, and vinegar! MMMMMM!

Benefits of being the second?

You are a little kicker! I can feel lots of movement. I am also feeling much more uncomfortable at this point than I remember with my last pregnancy – can’t sleep on my back anymore and often need to prop my stomach with a pillow when I lay on my side. Also, I am super hungry, especially in the afternoons! Yesterday I stopped at Subway in between work and picking up Aiden and I literally swallowed a 6-inch turkey sandwich in the car in the 7 minutes it took to get from point A to point B… and then was still hungry! All that kicking must be burning calories☺.

Something I was just thinking about when I was reading Aiden a bedtime story and felt you wiggling around… you get to hear all these stories read aloud, songs sung together, conversations about the world around us… I remember reading about parents who read/sang/talked to their babies in utero, and also remember thinking I didn’t necessarily feel the need to do so when I was pregnant with Aiden. But now, by default, you are on the receiving end of all this wonderful stimulation! We expect big things from you, of course;).

Kicking up a storm...

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and Daddy felt you kick for the first time!

And today was our 17 week doctor’s appointment - 149 heart beats per minute, Mama weighed in at 113 pounds, being about 5 pounds over where we started, and 4 over last month. 11 cm to top of uterus. All’s well! Next appointment: ultrasound to find out boy or girl (hopefully!)!

Wild little monkey!

I definitely feel you little monkey! I know we saw you stretching and kicking on the ultrasound a few weeks ago, but it’s so fun to actually feel your movements. I still can’t feel them on the outside, but probably soon! My tummy is definitely getting bigger – I can’t wait to slip into my maternity dresses at the end of the day☺.

Flutterings?

Baby flutterings? Seems like it…. Will confirm/disconfirm in a week or so, I predict!

Cravings at Three Months

I think I just ate my daily sodium intake in kosher dill gherkins. I don’t feel so good. Sorry baby!

End of the first trimester!

A little peek at Baby Shrimp!

The 13 week ultrasound! What a great show you put on, little baby! At first you were curled up on your tummy making it difficult for the ultrasound tech to get the measurements she needed to take, but by the time Daddy made his way through the maze of the Stanford Medical Center, you had turned on your side and were demonstrating all your skills – stretching legs, waving hands, trying to suck your fat little fingers, even talking! So cute to see your little nose and watch your mouth opening and closing. So crazy to think you are just about 3 inches long! The tech made a guess you will be a boy – we don’t care who you are, but are happy to see you so wild and having a fun with all the room you have in my tummy right now. Enjoy it while it lasts, I know I will;).


Also, yesterday was the 13 week OB appt with Dr. Hoff – strong little heartbeat, 157 beats per minute. I have gained 1 pound since last month, so clearly those Krispy Kreme and McDonalds cravings haven’t made too much impact!

Moodiness...

We're almost 12 weeks along - nearing the end of the first trimester! Feeling fine, but tired and moody. It may have to do with Grandpa Dave being in the hospital. I feel sooooo blessed and appreciative Aiden and I got to see him last week. He was so happy to hear about the new little baby we’re expecting. But at the same time I'm sooooo sad for my whole family to be about to lose our Grandpa/Dad/Husband. My heart hurts.

Obsessing...

Driving home from work today, I was really obsessing about food… hmmm… I feel like ice cream… what, a Chinese restaurant? No, I feel like egg rolls… what, veggies and lettuce in the fridge? Yeah, I want a salad!! No “cravings”, just food obsession in general!

We're into week 10, and some all day nausea is setting in. It's not that bad, but just sort of ever present. If I keep my tummy full it helps☺.

Our First Appointment

We met with Marjan for questions, Dr. Hoff for our first ultrasound. We have a due date of October 18th! Having the ultrasound a week later than Aiden’s meant we could really see a little baby – little tiny arms and legs budding out! So great!


I'm feeling a little bit moody, and my pants not fitting quite as well… at least my tighter jeans are not comfortable to button☺.

A great surprise to start my girl's weekend!

First test – taken right before my “at long last, hurrah” girls weekend in San Diego☺. So then, I of course had to tell Dana, Darcie, Molly and Shawnie… but swore them to deepest secrecy!

Daddy told Saba and Savta that weekend, and then Daddy told Uncle Shachar. And about a week later, I spilled the beans to Nonni.

Early cravings and feelings… junk food!!! McDonalds… ewww! Also, just intense hunger out of the blue.

And so the belly pics begin...