Well I thought it was about time I wrote about this second pregnancy. After all I am half way now! This 2nd time around things have been very different. First of all I was sooo much sicker this time. I got down to a weight that I’ve only dreamed about and never really thought possible. As nice as it was to weigh so little I was miserable being so sick. Shortly after the second trimester hit I started feeling better and was able to start eating again. Unfortunately I took advantage of food and gained back all of the weight plus a couple pounds. (I blame the cruise for most of it!) Plus, I haven’t been good at exercising this time around. I need to be better. I kick myself everyday for not going to the gym. I felt the baby move earlier this time around.I guess I knew what it felt like so it was easier to recognize. Ben also felt the baby much earlier than he did Hallie. He felt the baby kick at my 20 week mark.

So far I feel like this baby is already neglected. Now that I am feeling so much better I often forget I am pregnant. I am so busy with Hallie that I don’t think about the cute baby in my belly constantly like I did when I was pregnant with Hallie. This poor kid already has second child syndrome I’m sure of it. 🙂  I was going to post a picture of my belly but when I did it just looked like I was fat and not pregnant so I decided against it. I’m barely showing at this point. I feel way fat but I’m carrying the baby so low and in my back that my pouch is just starting to get big. I’m sure in the next few weeks I won’t be able to hide the belly any longer.

I officially switched over to the birthing center (where I had Hallie). My insurance makes me see a regular OB for the first trimester and then lets me switch over. It was harder decision this time around. I remember the pain so vividly from Hallie’s labor and delievery that I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it again. However, after much contemplation and prayer I decided to go back to the Birthing Center. I really did love the midwives and how special and comfortable they made me feel. I also love the fact that midwives see birth as natural and not as a medical procedure. I discovered I’m scared of hospitals. I’m scared they won’t follow my birth plan and I’m scared that one medication will lead to the next and before you know it they are telling me I need a c-section. Plus, with my insurance it’s just the luck of the draw which doctor is there when I deliver. Which I’m not a fan of! I like the fact that the birthing center is so comfortable and homey. I like that I have two women who are all about me and my labor. I like the fact that I get to move around without  IV’s and needles or monitors stuck to me. I also like that I get to go home so soon after I have the baby as well. This time I am going to try something called Hypnobirthing. It is a form of meditation that you train yourself on throughout your pregnancy and then perform while in labor. I’m actually really excited about it and most of the fear about labor has already left me. I start my classes in March so I will keep you updated with how it’s all going.

After finding out on Thursday that this baby is a boy it makes sense why this pregnancy seems so different. I’m excited to get a little Ben (although Hallie is pretty much a little Ben in appearance). It will be interesting to see how different Hallie and this new baby boy are. (Hopefully much different newborns!) It’s fun to see how excited Ben is to get a little boy. He jokes that he wants a kid that he can say “shut up” to. (Girls are too sensitive.) I told him that’s what brothers are for not kids. 🙂 He cracks me up.

Well, that was quite the journal entry for me. I guess it’s about time. I’m so grateful I feel so good now. It truly is a blessing. I’m also grateful for the new little man that is going to enter my life in 20 more weeks. 🙂 YAY for being a mom!