Baby #2: Pregnancy Week 17

I didn't post last week since I was out of town so lets get caught up.

17 Weeks!

Baby's Growth:

-Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone
-He/She is growing some meat on those bones
-He/She is growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too. 

Symptoms: 

-I thought my headaches were going away. I went about 5 days with no issues and then had them again for two days in a row then haven't had them again since. The only thing I can think of that is different during the days without vs. with them is I am more active/running errands on the days I don't get a headache. But by the end of the day I am way more tired lol. Other than worrying about whether or not I'll get a terrible headache that day I am feeling pretty good!

Weight Gain:

- No Comment this week. :) JK I forgot to weigh myself this morning before breakfast which is what I normally do so I just weighed myself (we just ate dinner) and I was 12 lbs above pre-pregnancy weight so I am not counting this supposed 5 lb weight gain since two weeks ago. I'll try and remember tomorrow and update. Although it could be those Krispy Kreme doughnuts we just got... :)

Movement: 

YES! Well I think so. I don't remember what it felt like when I first felt Lillian but I am pretty sure I was already past week 20 before I felt her. The feeling is different than digestion almost like i feel something floating around bouncing off the walls. 

Gender: 

My next doctor appointment is tomorrow so I am going to ask to have our gender ultrasound at 19 weeks. 

Maternity clothes:

None yet. Honestly I hardly wear anything but t-shirts and sweatpants while home but when I do get out of the house its usually leggings, yoga pants, or my one pair of jeans that were a little big to begin with. They only fit if I don't plan on eating in them. I did wear a pair of shorts one day and poked out my belly too far and busted the button off :( so I'm trying not to ruin anymore clothes from here on out. Shout out to my friend Larissa who suggested buying my normal size shirts or one size up and getting a size tall instead of regular and that was some of the best advice. The shirt I am wearing above is a small tall from old navy and it covers my belly perfectly. I don't have to tug at it every 5 seconds worrying about being covered. I also have an awesome friend who gave me some maternity shirts to last me through the summer.

Moment of the week:

For some of the two weeks since I last posted I was out of town in Kentucky helping my mom and Aunt with an estate sale for the rest of my grandparents belongings. It was a fun filled week with lots of work and laughs. My aunt was unfolding an old rug out in my grandparents sunroom and found a mouse either giving birth or nursing babies!!! There was screaming, laughing, and possibly wetting of pants but we won't name any names. I got it on video but you had to be there to really capture the moment. Another big moment from this week was we found out our official closing date on the home we have been building is May 27th!!!! two months sooner than we expected but we are super excited and I have already started packing. 

5 of the 10 boxes already packed and ready to go!

Speech Delay?

I debated on whether or not to even write a post about this as Kevin and I both aren't that concerned about this but thought I'd put it out there for us to remember what we were told and ways to help that might help someone else. I am in no way an expert about anything below but this is what I have gathered from our experience.

The day before Lillian's 2yr well check up I had to do a development survey from our doctor's office. Basically asked me a bunch of questions about what Lillian can do physically, cognitively and behaviorally etc. Can she kick a ball, stack 7 blocks, say 20 words, smile at strangers, questions like that. There was a second survey about autism as well. Going into this survey I had no concerns about Lillian except maybe verbally. She talks a lot but none of it makes much since to a stranger but she had about 10 words that were clear English. By age two I think they (doctors) say they expect about 20-30 words. At her appointment our doctor did say she scored low on the verbal part of the survey so they would send a request for Early Intervention services. Long story short i explained my concerns to them over the phone they scheduled an appointment to come out to our home to evaluate Lillian. A speech therapist came as well since that was my only concern. The EI coordinator said as she was leaving that she is pretty sure Lillian was not far enough behind to qualify for Early Intervention. She had to score at around 18 months or lower to qualify. We finally got both reports back from the assessment and here is essentially what they said.

The Test was called Battelle Developmental Inventory-2 in the following areas here is where Lillian as a new 24 month old scored:
Physical (movement) - 33 months old no delay
Cognitive (learning) - 25 months no delay
Communication (language) 28 months no delay
Adaptive (self-care)- 29 months no delay
Social/Emotional (relationships) - 28 months no delay

There was a second test apparently called Preschool Language Scale-5 they did and she scored at 23 months in the communication area. So there is a slight delay.
Auditory comprehension: raw score 30 standard score 100 percentile rank 50 age equivalent 2.3
Expressive communication raw score 23 standard score 80 percentile rank 9 age equivalent 1.7
Total Language  raw score 53 standard score 89 percentile rank 23 age equivalent 1.11

Receptive Language they had no weaknesses listed she scored about her age level. Her weaknesses were in expressive language verbally but since it was not greater than 25% she did not qualify for Early intervention but we could do outpatient speech therapy if we wanted.

Kevin and I discussed it and we decided against speech therapy. My sister in law is graduating with a masters in speech pathology this month so we asked for some tips and we are working with Lillian to help increase her vocabulary. Lillian has her own language for some words and we just use the correct word when we reply to what she says or asks. If you don't already know she says "ah may" for thank you, and "bah" for please so at least she is polite. :) one word we are really not sure how she came up with is her word for Airplane, helicopter, or truck. They are all the exact same word and what it sounds like is "hotdam**t." NO CLUE why that word, we NEVER use that word/language but somehow it stuck for her. We are working very hard to correct that one. lol. We have noticed that the words she does say that actually sound like English are words she picks up on her own. She knows and says the color blue which I think she got from a tv show she watches about colors. And ball and Elmo from a book we read.

The only concern the speech therapist said may develop is that Lillian will get frustrated easily while trying to communicate and us not being able to understand. Lillian is now 25 months and we have already seen some improvement in just a month. So like a said not a big concern so if your little isn't talking yet no biggy. but you can look for help if that's what you want. If there are any developmental delays they do say it is better to correct is sooner rather than later.

Building a House: Picture Update

The last time I posted pictures was from our frame review back around the beginning of  March. We have been by the house a few times since and they have really made some progress.

These were taken March 28th.

exterior brick

and siding on

and drywall up

bonus room

Living room looking toward front door

These were taken April 8th

trim and doors up and some interior painting

exterior painting done

driveway poured!

These are the most recent taken today

walking in from garage

cabinets!

living room

dining room

living room again from front door

nursery!

bonus room

another angle of the bonus room 

We don't  have a move in date yet but they are moving pretty fast so hopefully by July if not sooner!

Baby#2 Pregnancy week 15

A day late but 15 Weeks!

Baby's Growth:

You probably can't feel it yet, but she's squirming a ton! 

She might even be hiccuping in there.

She's making lots of progress: her joints and limbs can all move now.

Symptoms:

Still having the headaches. They are brutal but i'm hoping they will end soon. The last two days of this week I haven't had one. I haven't been as tired and the days I don't have a headache I can get quite a bit done. My nesting has started as well. I've been getting some things organized and set out for our garage sale we are having this weekend. Kevin came home from work with boxes so I even packed up two boxes of some home decor things we don't need out. We don't have a move in date yet but once we do I'll be packing up anything and everything I can. I love packing because I feel like I have accomplished something and also decluttered. 

Weight Gain: 7lbs over pre-pregnancy weight. (hopefully we don't keep gaining a pound every two weeks)

Cravings: Nothing I've just had to have. 

Movement: No

Gender: We will schedule our next ultrasound at our next appointment in two weeks. Hoping to know gender by 19 weeks before we head out of town to see family. 

(Kind of a boring week to update.)

Maternity Clothes: we have had great weather but still not super warm for shorts (plus I don't want to shave everyday) so i have been wearing leggings around the house and I need more. they are the most comfortable and I hate to buy maternity clothes. So I am now looking for suggestions on where to buy long t shirts. I have a long torso and a regular length T won't cut it for me and my big booty. 

Sweet Moment of the week: I felt nauseous for just a moment earlier this week so I laid down and Lillian walked over to me and laid her head on my stomach then lifted it up and pointed to it and said "baby". That's the first time she has acknowledge the baby on her own. 

Baby #2: Pregnancy week 14

14 Weeks!

Baby's Growth

-She/He's probably sucking his thumb and wiggling his toes in there!

-kidneys are making urine, and his liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too.

-growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his body — it will help him keep warm!

Symptoms

Feeling good this last week. Only symptoms were heartburn occasionally and my awful headaches every other day. I don't feel as pregnant this week compared to the others. My belly only looks big if i'm wearing a fitted shirt and right after I eat.

Weight Gain: I am fluctuating between 5 and 6 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. 

Cravings: No cravings lately. I am eating better. But the starburst jellybeans I just bought sure are tasty! 

Gender: We won't know for a few more weeks. We don't care either way but there are pros for both. Kevin says he already knows what to expect with a girl so he's good with another girl. Plus we already have TONS of clothes. I like another girl so Lillian will have a sister. But a boy would be fun because it will be a new experience. I know people say boys clothes aren't as cute but I think they totally are! Plus I already have a nursery pinterest board for a boy and no clue what to do for another girl. 

Movement: nothing yet. It was a while before I felt Lillian move because I had no idea what to expect so hopefully I'll know it sooner this time around. 

Maternity clothes?: Haven't needed any yet. My pants fit fine unless they are jeans straight out of the dryer. My shirts fit fine too but even some clothes that "fit" don't look very flattering. I bought a long dress from Old Navy for Easter that I'm thinking will last me all pregnancy for church and weddings coming up. I'm not a dress person just for everyday wear but that may change being pregnant during the summer.

This was week 14 Pregnant with Lillian.

Easter Weekend

Saturday we attended an Easter Egg Hunt at church and Sunday after worship we invited some friends over for a nontraditional Easter lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken. Naturally we took lots of pictures and had a last minute egg hunt for the kids with nothing inside the eggs. They seemed to enjoy it all the same.

my sweet Lillian praying before the egg hunt

because of those you tube videos "surprise eggs" Lillian really enjoyed opening the eggs this year. She'll even open one and look to daddy for him to say "surprise" like they do on the videos. 

sweet buddies

happy we got a family picture even if Lillian looks like she is casting a spell. 

cutie!

found an egg in the tree

good times with good friends celebrating Jesus Christ. And for your listening pleasure a song I always think of on Easter. Easter Song

Baby #2: Pregnancy up to week 13

13 Weeks! (today April 1st)

Baby's Growth:
-Baby is as big as a peach
-forming vocal cords and teeth 
-already has fingerprints.
-intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their more permanent place, in the tummy.

Symptoms:
Name a pregnancy symptom and I am pretty sure I have already had it. Lillian was such an easy pregnancy. This one hasn't been difficult but it has definitely been different. I won't go into all the details but here are a few I have experienced.
1. Tired: I have definitely had my tired days. I didn't think I would feel so tired since this pregnancy I'm not working and I'm home everyday but I still have my occasional naps here in there while Lillian is napping. I wake up a lot in the middle of the night and sometimes will be up for 2 hours before finally falling back asleep.
2. Nausea: the Nausea didn't really start until mid way through week 7. It was not terrible enough to need medicine but it is a little worse than with Lillian. I don't feel hungry but once I eat legit food I feel much better for the next few hours.
3. Cravings: I have had more cravings this pregnancy than with Lillian. So far I have really wanted a Chickfila chicken biscuit and pizza. Other than that nothing sounds particularly bad but I have a hard time thinking of something that sounds good. Then there will be times when I see someone on TV eating I think "mmm that sounds good" no matter what time of day or night it is. I crave salty things or meat a lot more than sweets but sugary drinks always sound good which I'm trying to limit.
4. After my nausea went away I have had horrible headaches. I get them like every two days. I tried drinking more water, more/less caffeine, sleeping different, taking Tylenol and nothing seems to help. If this is what migraines feel like I feel so sorry for ya'll that get migraines on the reg.

Doctor Appointments: 
When I first found out I was pregnant I went to the doctor for blood work. They said I was about 4 weeks at that point. They prescribed me a supplement for progesterone as my levels were low and I stayed on them until week 13.

On February 27th we had our first ultrasound and appointment with the doctor. Baby was measuring at 8 weeks and 2 days. Current due date is set October 7th. Our first ultrasound with Lillian wasn't until she was already 10 weeks and you could tell it was a baby in the pictures where as this time at 8 weeks we could only make out the head and bottom. His/her heart rate was 177 seemed high I don't remember what Lillian's was at that point but I seem to remember it was usually around 145-155 throughout my other appointments. I think it is typically higher early on.

Our most recent appointment was Monday. I was 12 weeks and 5 days at this point. I was measuring at 13 weeks and baby's heartbeat was 161. I had some minor issues (spotting and cramping) the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before that had me concerned. I called the nurse and she was super sweet and helpful at not making me feel stupid for calling. She said to take it easy the next few days (no picking up Lillian for long periods) and if I was still worried I could go on in. I figured I'd just wait for our appointment Monday. Everything turned out fine but at my appointment I did have a new nurse check for the baby's heartbeat and she couldn't find it. Then another nurse came in and she couldn't find it easier. Finally the  ultrasound tech came in and found it fine, the nurses weren't going low enough.

Weight Gain: I am about 5lbs heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. I can tell my belly is bigger but if you don't know me you'd probably just think I ate an All You Can Eat Buffet that day.

Thoughts: We have been thankful for all the congratulatory words and well wishes. We are super excited and love seeing the excitement others have for us as well.