30 weeks - omg... 10 weeks to go until the due date!

How far along: 30weeks
Gender: boy
Name: Beau David (we think...)
Movement: Still constantly. I told him that he needs to get it all out of his system now. Please.
Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs. The nurse practitioner was not upset, thank goodness, and said that it's probably all baby.  (and I added, maybe the ice cream I may or may not have eaten on a few occasions...)
Stretch marks: no
Belly button in/out: In, shallow.
Wedding rings on/off: on
Sleep: Yes! Although, I can't seem to make myself get in the bed early.
Food/drink cravings: Currently - veggies and fruit. I feel like I've carbed out and I really need to do a cleanse.  Like all I want are smoothies - homemade, of course.  Had a berry beet one from a local shop and it was so good!
Anything makes me sick: no
Miss anything: Not peeing every 10 min.
Mood: Better than last week. Did some serious thinking/reflecting on how I acted and am vowing to change that.  I did raise my voice at Ava just today, and Don stepped in and told me to walk away.  Just little things - but I can't rationalize with a 2yr old.  Something as little as "stand up, so I can hold you," just doesn't work out.  So... patience is not my strong point really.
Best moment this week: Otherwise having a great week being a mom.  Ava is sleeping just fine now, thankfully, and she's so animated and fun.  We had a great week.  Also, at my 30 wk appt, I got a lot of questions answered.  I have decided, after serious talk with my husband & mother, that I'll be having this baby via c-section.  I spoke w/the NP about it and there is no problem doing so.  I had such a time w/Ava and she was so little.  I'm just narrow and I don't want to go through the same, or worse with a bigger baby.  So at my 36wk appt, I'll have another ultrasound to see how big Beau is, and then we can set a date.  I feel that I have a pretty level head about it, and can equally weigh out the unknown of that, and the experience I went through with Ava.  I feel like some of my joy was taken from me, due to the pain that I felt for weeks afterwards.  I value my time and body more than to go through it all over again. Besides, now Ava can go trick-or-treating with her daddy, and we can watch the FL/GA game at home!!
Looking forward to: Seeing my dad & family this weekend for my step-bro's wedding. Staying w/an aunt & uncle to visit and then wedding festivities.  It'll be great to see them!  (And we ordered a tablet for Ava in the car.  That delivered today, so that'll be fun setting it up for her.)

29 weeks - already?!

How far along: 29weeks
Gender: boy
Name: Beau
Movement: Constantly
Total weight gain/loss: 10lb I think
Stretch marks: no
Belly button in/out: still in, pretty shallow already
Wedding rings on/off: on
Sleep: Oh yes. I need it.
Food/drink cravings: m&m's, and caffeine. I limit my intake to one a day, if that, so don't worry...
Anything makes me sick: nah
Miss anything: Still Ava's angelic behavior, listening and my sanity!
Mood: Um... not the best.  I had a very rough time this weekend, and it was insane. I snapped, and was ugly to my mother, and it hurt me so much later to know that I could be so ugly.  I totally blame it on the hormones, and I feel like this is a terrible excuse.  I cannot wait to be done with pregnancy. Thank goodness I'm almost 37 and am not going to go through this again. (until menopause, but omg let's not even go there!!)
Best moment this week: The plus side of my mother being here, was to prep Ava's new room. We purged a lot and got rid of so much. We even organized some things throughout the house. I was nesting big time.  It was great, and felt good to accomplish so much.  Much more to do still, but we finally got started.
Looking forward to: Doing more to get Ava ready for her move, and then finding some decor for Beau's room!

Ava is making sure that my top is just right, but I love how her face looks - like she's in awe of this bump! 

28 weeks

How far along: 28 weeks
Gender: boy
Name: Beau Hejtmanek -- middle name still tbd
Movement: Lots and lots! 
Total weight gain/loss: 10lb I think.
Stretch marks: no
Belly button in/out: still in, and shallow
Wedding rings on/off: on
Sleep: Yes, and napping on the weekends. Ava's sleeping again so that's a huge blessing.
Food/drink cravings: nothing crazy. I love bagels and coffee for breakfast.
Anything makes me sick: nah
Miss anything: walking normal,  sans waddle
Mood: much better than in past weeks. Thank the good Lord.
Best moment this week: hearing someone say Beau's name out loud (outside of my office). I had to think twice and when it hit me, I loved it!
Looking forward to: starting the registry! (Did it online... easy peasy)

27 weeks - Put a name on it!

How far along: 27 weeks
Gender: boy
Name: Beau Hejtmanek -- middle name tbd (but 1 out of 2 ain't bad) I wanted a strong, southern, handsome name, and daddy liked it, too!
Movement: Lots - and he's still so low.  All below my belly button. Fun times!
Total weight gain/loss: 8lb I think, as of yesterday's appt. And I think the nurse said I'm measuring a week ahead of schedule as far as baby's growth goes - or something.  It's all a jumbled mess of talk when I go in there. (esp when Ava's with me)
Stretch marks: no
Belly button in/out: still in
Wedding rings on/off: on
Sleep: Yes. And now I nap on the weekend.  I napped one day this week for 2 hours, and then slept thru the night - even with Ava crying two times!  Sleep is mah frieeeend.
Food/drink cravings: coffee, cookies sometimes!
Anything makes me sick: nah
Miss anything: Still Ava's angelic behavior, listening and my sanity!
Mood: omg.... I did a lot of praying thus far. My 2yr old is out of school this week and I spent one day with her - one day, and turned into the hulk!!  It's the hormones, and she's 2.  Terribly, testy 2.  I also snapped last week at work, but that was month end, scrambling stuff.  Oh, and week 26 so it doesn't count.  ;) haha  I will say that she's so super fun when she's in good spirits.  She's been staying w/a girlfriend this week and that's been awesome. This is one amazing friend!  Ava is happy, funny and fun when she comes home. I guess she just craves that stimulation of being around other kiddos during the day - which is great to know she's social.  And we're fine on the weekends, but she has a schedule that she goes by, and it's become apparent to me in one day.  Oy vey.
Best moment this week: settling on a name for baby boy!!
Looking forward to: telling the family Beau's name, and maybe picking out some colors for his room.

26 weeks

How far along: 26 weeks

Gender: boy

Name: Still undecided!  We truly don't know, but have narrowed it down to a few we like.  More like a couple.  We are stumped!

Movement: you bet!  

Total wt gain/loss: about 7lbs gained

Stretch marks: no

Belly button in/out: in - and getting more shallow!

Wedding rings on/off: on

Sleep: Yes, and I love it. Until Ava wakes me up in the middle of the night, crying b/c she's hungry or something. Oh this growing girl!

Food/drink cravings: Nothing in particular, but I get a little sweet tooth at night. Still love my coffee.

Anything makes me sick: no

Miss anything: Ava's angelic behavior...

Mood: better - but watch out still!

Best moment this week: every day is a new day! (oh, and I got a good review at work, and a bonus!)

Looking forward to: meeting w/my girlfriend this weekend to discuss shower details! 

25 weeks

How far along: 25 weeks
Gender: boy
Name: believe it or not, we have no idea. We have a couple we like but nothing in stone. (And no, that's not our way of keeping a secret.)
Movement: yes, a lot. All low which = fun.
Total wt gain/loss: up 7lb since prebaby
Maternity clothes: you bet! I actually only had a few tops (for summer) so I had to go refill my wardrobe. HAD to. I scored a ton of new tops from  destination maternity on a crazy sale!
Stretch marks: no
Belly button in/out: in, but Don thinks it'll be out this go around.
Wedding ring on/off: on
Sleep: well, unless interrupted by the need to pee, which is every night by 2a.m.
Food/drink cravings: nothing in particular but I'm loving Luna bars, and I love starbucks or Gevalia coffee. Everything gives me heartburn anyway.
Anything that makes me sick: no
Miss anything: sleeping thru the night
Mood: better, thank goodness. Calmer, Ava and I are better, and my patience seems to have returned. Phew!
Best moment this week: Don finally saw my stomach pop - baby must've kicked hard!
Looking forward to: picking out baby room decor  (that I can't seem to wrap my head around!)

Here we grow again! (24 weeks into it)

Baby #2, let's  do this!
Everyone pretty much already knows that I'm  pregnant again, pardon the delay in starting the posts.  As I'm even sitting here to finally post, I'm at 24 weeks.  So far, I have not kept up my end of the bargain (with myself) to do the same with baby #2 that I did with baby #1.  I am sorry little one.  But for the moms out there with more than one child, working full time and juggling the dramatic days of a 2 year old little girl, you hopefully are right there with me.  And if you're not, humor me and tell me that you feel me here. 

Don and I have always wanted more than one child, and given the opportunity to have 3, we would.  However, we're older now, I'm on the closer side to 40, and I just don't have it in me anymore.  So the discussion began for another child.  We both were on the fence with bringing another babe into our family. For the reasons mentioned above, finances, jobs, Don having started his own business just under a year ago, and the fact that we have a great little girl.  But come on, who doesn't at least want to try for another baby? 

So back to the discussion, being on the fence, etc.  In January, I bought another one of those ovulation kits I had mentioned when we were trying for Ava, and started tracking myself.  All the while, not 100% sure if we both wanted to go through with it.  I was on a slower cycle this time around, but nonetheless, we did what needed to be done for a try! (This was the 1st week of February.)  That next week, I took a test, way too early (of course) and it was negative.  Not a surprise, though.  I mean, it was just a week... Around February 18th, we were having a serious talk about baby #2.  Do we want this?  Are we ready, is it too late, do we bother? I was pretty much off the fence, or leaning very far into the "yes!" zone.  I think it was clear Don had made up his mind on, "nah."  I asked if we could try one more time, if this was negative, and he still wasn't sure he was into it.  The very next day - I decided I would take a pregnancy test.  Yes, just about 2 weeks after we tried, but I remembered with Ava, I found out like 9 days later, and it was accurate.  So test #1, said yes. Wha-wha-whaaaat? I was so nervous to tell my husband! I immediately went to one friend that I confided baby #1 with, and told her. Oh my goodness.  I took another one that evening, same thing.  Saturday morning, I couldn't hold it in much longer.  I was way too excited and way too nervous to keep this from him.  I was keeping the biggest secret - for fear of what? I don't know, but it was too much to bear.  I went and took another 2 tests. Yep, still positive.  I walked out to him, and handed it to him.  He asked me what that was, a grin on his face.  I said, "don't act like you don't know, I only took about 20 with Ava."  And he burst out with joy, "we're having a baby!"   A flood of relief, joy, excitement, love poured over me.  He was so excited. SO excited.  He told me everything was going to be ok!  I knew it would, he takes such great care of us already, and we are in a really good place in our relationship, in our marriage, in our parenthood, in our lives.  We shared the excitement, grinning at each other throughout the day and weekend, and would giggle when we caught each other's eyes.  That and of course, "oh shoot.  It's getting real now!"  Baby #1 is so exciting, you're all caught up in the newness of it, and you adjust to this new life, the messes, the lack of sleep, the joy, the moments.  Bring in another one, and it's real.  There's no turning back, things are about to get more exciting, more difficult, more crazy.  But we are in this roller coaster together.  All 4 of us!  And we wouldn't change any of it for the world.