Boy or Girl?

 

Tomorrow we are having our 20 week ultrasound and will (hopefully) be finding out whether our little bambino is a girl or boy!

I thought it would be fun to see what you, my readers thought! 

Here's some fun facts about my pregnancy with little man and this little sprout:

June 28th when I was preggo with little man

July 9th - preggo with baby #2

Weight gain has been about the same with both pregnancies. I have had really similar symptoms as well- with my first pregnancy, I felt nauseous throughout the day in my first trimester and threw up twice. This time around, I had the same feelings of nausea during my first trimester that went away in my second trimester. This time, I threw up 3 times. Craving-wise, I craved cheeseburgers like crazy when I was pregnant with little man! This time, I craved bread and cheese feel-good foods in my first trimester and now I am craving fruit. 

So, what do you think? Pink or Blue?

*Our ultrasound is tomorrow evening, so I will probably post the next day with the exciting news!*

My Pregnancy Journal: 20 Weeks- The Half-way Point!

 I'm linking up with the “My Pregnancy Journal” meme over at Happenings of the Harper Household. I'm excited to be sharing and journaling some of my weekly symptoms and photographing my growing belly!

  20 Weeks!

This week our little "sprout" weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches - about the size of a banana! This week our little one has taste buds that are working and is gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day, which is good practice for the digestive tract. Our little baby is also producing meconium, the black, sticky substance that makes up the first bowel movements.  

 

About me & "sprout" this week….

Symptoms:  Not much this week. I have been feeling the baby kick a lot! The baby seems to mostly stay in the lower portions of my uterus...specifically on my right side. I will feel little, gentle rhythmic kicking throughout the day and it seems to increase at night. Hubby has even been able to feel a few kicks already! One night I woke up feeling like our little one was pushing with all their might again the uterus and it was so hard that I could actually feel a bump of the babies general shape! I have one strong, active baby inside of me!

 

Weight Gain: I am up to 143.6lbs. I haven't gained much in the last few weeks (and that is ok by me!). Overall, I have gained 18lbs and I am only half-way there! I read on one of my weekly update emails that I will probably start to gain about a pound a week from here on out ...oh my! 

 

Cravings! I am loving fruit right now! Strawberries, cherries, peaches, watermelon....yum! Going to the farmer's market every week is a real treat and I love picking up some fresh, local and organic goodies. I was also super excited to discover some super-duper yummy peaches in my CSA box this week! I was feeling like I was over my bread and cheese cravings...that is until hubby mentioned fondue! Ooooh! Then all I could think of was making some! It took a lot of self control to pass by all the cheeses at Trader Joe's! I may cave in though...we'll see how I do on our next grocery trip.

 

Food Aversions: Still no major food aversions. The only food that I sometimes have an issue with is eggs. Sometimes I just have to put aside the rest of m scrambled eggs or omelete in the morning. There's something about the smell or taste that can occasionally turn my stomach. So, I simply pass on the rest of my eggs and then I am good to go.

 

What made me cry this week:  No tears this week! 

 

Medical Stuff: I have my 20 week midwife appointment tomorrow!!! I am excited that I am already at the half-way point. I feel like it has gone by so fast. I need to talk with my midwife about some of the birthing class options. I was interested in taking the Bradley Method classes, but they are spread out over 12 weeks. With hubby's erratic work and travel schedule, that is really difficult to plan for. Also, that's a lot of babysitter time to pay for since the classes are 2 hours each. I am hoping that she can perhaps recommend another method/class that is a bit shorter. Have any of my readers taken a Bradley Method class or another class that you would recommend? What did you do with your little ones while you took the class? 

 

We are also having our 20 week ultrasound tomorrow! This will be our first peek at our little sprout and we will hopefully be able to find out if we are having a boy or girl! I am sooo excited!  

 

Thoughts from little man:  Not much new from little man. He seems to think mommy will be having a little sister or a monkey or a banana. Haha! I can't wait to see what he thinks about the ultrasound tomorrow! 

 

Something I am excited about: The ultrasound tomorrow and getting to see our little one! I'm hoping I don't burst into tears from an emotional overload. :)

Upcoming Event: Natural Newborn Giveaway Event #NaturalNewborn

I am super excited to announce that I have signed up to take part in the Green Moms Network’s Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Going Green with the Grizls & Ashley Suzanne! I am looking forward to sharing about some natural, green and organic products that are perfectly suited for newborns! I am especially thrilled, since this will be a perfect way to help me prepare for baby #2 that is due in November! 

Event Details

Dates: August 17-31, 2012
Price: FREE!
Prize Requirements: Min $15.00 prize value; natural, organic or eco-friendly baby products
Hashtag: #NaturalNewborn


Signups are now open for bloggers interested in taking part in this great event. I would love to know if you signed up!

 Visit Happy Mothering for more information and to sign up!

Wordless Wednesday: Vegas Baby!

Extra 40% Off Tea Collection Sale

Fabulous sale alert!

 

Today is the last day of an amazing sale from Tea Collection! Tea Collection is offering an additional 40% off their sale items with promo code SUMMER40. Find adorable outfits inspired by various cultures. Shop for summer or for back to school outfits! There are so many adorable options like the Legong Dancers Tee for girls, and the Sukawati Mask Tee for boys. Don't miss your chance to take advantage of this amazing sale from Tea Collection! Hurry, the sale ends today! I think I am going to go do some shopping for our new little baby that is on the way!

Happy Shopping!

Wordless Wednesday: Who Needs a Fork Anyway?

{Belated} Wordless Wednesday: Down By the Bay

My Pregnancy Journal: 15 Weeks

 I'm linking up with the “My Pregnancy Journal” meme over at Happenings of the Harper Household. I'm excited to be sharing and journaling some of my weekly symptoms and photographing my growing belly!

 15 Weeks!

Little man was saying "cheese!" while I was taking my picture :) Just had to snap his picture!

This week our little "sprout" weighs about 2.5 ounces and measures around 4 inches -- and proportions are becoming even more normal, since the legs now out-measure the arms. Also this week, baby is squirming a ton! I think I've felt our baby move a couple of times too! It has felt like bubbles traveling across my belly or some pressure on the right side of my belly. I think out little sprout likes to wedge up as high as possible to hang out!  Also, our little one might even be hiccuping inside, although I can't feel that! Our little sprout is also making lots of progress and all of the joints and limbs can move now!

About me & "sprout" this week….

Symptoms:  Not much this week. I'm feeling pretty good! I went to see my midwife on Monday and it was an easy, simple appointment. I got the chance to ask few questions, my uterus is measuring at just the right spot and we got to hear our little one's heartbeat! Our midwife is so great- she let little man help get the doppler ready and turn it on. Our little sprout was hiding up to the right as far as they could possibly go- nice and cozy! I just love listening to the heartbeat, it's so fast and so amazing! Hubby keeps joking that I'm going to have twins...and our midwife assured me that I am measuring perfectly for one. :) 

 

Weight Gain: We have a new scale now and I found that I weigh 140.4 lbs! Oh my! :p Not a fun number to see on my scale. I started at 125 lbs and by 15 weeks, I have gained 15 lbs! Not that this is really a surprise for me, since when I was pregnant with little man I really jumped up on weight every month. With little man I started at 125 lbs and at the end, I was up to 167 lbs. - a total of 42 lbs. Soooo..I'm guessing I still have some weight to add to my body and belly. I have found that I need to start wearing maternity clothes- especially pants. Or, I at least need to wear stretchy clothes, if they aren't maternity (knit skirts and stretchy, cotton shirts). The selection of clothes in my closet that fit is definitely shrinking. :) 

 

Cravings! Nothing much this week. I have started getting hungry at night before bedtime, so I'm trying to make a protein snack. I am also loving all the summer fruit and it makes for a great snack. I picked up strawberries, cherries and apricots at the farmers market....yum! My birthday is coming up and we'll be celebrating up at my parents house. My mom wanted to know what I wanted to eat and burgers on the grill, corn on the cob and fruit sounds just perfect! I can't wait! 

 

Food Aversions: None for me! Everything pretty much sounds yummy :) (probaby why I've gained 15 lbs, haha! 

 

What made me cry this week:  No tears this week! 

 

Medical Stuff: We talked with my midwife about the ultrasound - we'll be having it at 20 weeks! I can't wait! :) Also, something completely new (to me at least) happened to me - I got a milk blister! A milk blister is a blocked nipple pore where a bit of skin grows over a milk duct opening and milk gets trapped behind. It was super painful! I thought it was so odd that I got one, since it seems that it something that women can get when they're breastfeeding (which I am not with little man anymore). I don't know why I got it, but it cleared up in 4 days...thank goodness! Owwy!  

 

Thoughts from little man:  Little man was fascinated with the doppler this week. He was so cute sitting next to me on the bed and peering at my belly! My favorite was when he laid down next to me and pulled his shirt up to see his belly right next to mine! He still loves saying that there's a "baby in the belly" :) 

 

Something I am excited about: Starting to feel our little sprout move around more and our ultrasound in a couple of weeks!

Mmmmm... Yum! It's {Dessert} Love!

I found a new ice cream at Sprout's (our local health food store) the other day and oh boy, it is soooo good! I had been wanting to try some new varieties of ice cream for an evening treat and I definitely found a winner! Mmmm...Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge goodness! It was love at first bite and I seriously could have eaten the whole thing in one sitting! (thankfully I didn't!) I managed to stretch it out and make it last for three whole days (and I even shared with hubby). It's a bit pricey, but it was totally worth it and it was so nice to have a special evening treat! Every pregnant mama needs the occasional treat and I have a serious weakness for ice cream (especially when combined with chocolate and hazelnuts)!

Wordless Wednesday: Farmer's Market Finds

My Pregnancy Journal: 14 Weeks

I'm linking up with the “My Pregnancy Journal” meme over at Happenings of the Harper Household. I'm excited to start sharing and journaling some of my weekly symptoms and photographing my growing belly!

14 Weeks!

Little man jumped into the shot :)

This week our little "sprout" is about 3.4 inches and 1.5 ounces (about the size of a lemon), having almost doubled in weight since last week. Our little sprout has probably started sucking his thumb and wiggling his toes! The kidneys are making urine, and the liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too. Little sprout is also growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his body -- it will help him keep warm!

About me & "sprout" this week….

Symptoms:  I have definitely started feeling some aches and pains - mostly in the top of my belly and toward the bottom. It ranges from a quick sharp pain to more of a dull ache. I was interested to see if that was normal or not and I read that it is normal, since the muscles and ligaments are stretching to accommodate my growing little baby. (Phew! Glad to know it's normal!)

Weight Gain: Sadly, I don't know! Our scale just broke this past week (I hope it wasn't because of me, haha!) Now all it does it make the "thinking" symbol over and over until it turns off. I'll be buying a new one soon. (not that it's a fun purchase to make!) At my last midwife appointment, which was about 3 weeks ago, I was 134.2 lbs, up 9 lbs from the beginning of my pregnancy. Hopefully I haven't gained too much more weight! 

Cravings: During my first trimester I really wanted english muffins with peanut butter and honey with a glass of milk. (oh and burgers were pretty high on my list of "must haves") Now, in my second trimester, I have moved on to wanting english muffins with mayonnaise, mustard and cheese (sometimes with avocado). Cheese and bread products are just so yummy and comforting to me! One day at Trader Joes, I realized I had 4 different types of bread in my cart! (I did put one back) Since the weather has really started heating up, I have started wanting fruit - mainly, cherries and strawberries! Tomorrow is the farmer's market...I can't wait to pick up some fresh, local, organic fruit! Mmm....

Food Aversions: I haven't had too many food aversions. I'm not sure if that's good or not...haha! There have only been a few things that as soon as I took a bite, I spit it right back out. It was either that or throwing up. I figured that if I had such a strong reaction, I probably shouldn't finish eating it! 

What made me cry this week:  I don't cry too often, but since having little man, I definitely get teary eyed or emotional more easily! This morning while I was getting ready, I had the Raffi station on Pandora playing on my phone for little man and the song "Family Tree" by Frances England came on... and I got pretty misty! *sniff, sniff* I love that song!

Medical Stuff: Nothing to report right now. I do have my next midwife appointment coming up on the 4th though.

Thoughts from little man:  Little man loves saying that there's "a baby in the belly" or that he thinks it is going to be a "baby sister". :) He also likes to talk about how he's going to hold the baby, talk with the baby, walk with the baby or that the baby will go in our car. He already has so many plans for the new baby! 

 

Something I am excited about: My next midwife appointment in a few days, the ultrasound in a few weeks to find out if we're having a boy or girl and starting to feel our little sprout move! So many things to look forward too! 

Guess What?!

I'm sure you've noticed that it has been pretty quiet on The Little Hedgehog lately. I have definitely had a good reason (and exciting reason) for that! 

...

I'm pregnant!

 Hubby and I are growing our family and will be adding baby #2 to our family this fall! My due date is November 25th (funny enough, that is the same due date that little man had!!!). Little man was born 2 weeks early on November 12th, so it looks like we may be having a little turkey day baby...although I do hope that baby #2 isn't born right on Thanksgiving! I guess we'll see what God has planned! 

I'm 14 weeks along now and just starting my 2nd trimester! I can't believe so much time has already flown by! This pregnancy has gone exactly like my first with little man- during the 1st trimester I felt exhausted most of the day and nauseous (but not much throwing up - thank goodness!). The first trimester was a bit rougher this time around, since I couldn't really nap whenever I needed to, since little man needed his mommy's attention. :) I felt nauseous throughout most of the day - it helped if I snacked consistently and didn't let me stomach get too empty (great for the waistline). It has been so sweet to see how  compassionate little man is. If I was feeling sick and reaching for my saltines, he would say in such a sad, sweet voice, "Mommy's sick!"

 

I am usually a night owl and get my creative spark after little man is in bed. But, since becoming pregnant, it seems like things have flip-flopped around! Initially, I was was exhausted by 9pm and in bed by 9:30! That is usually when I did my blogging! Ugh! It was rough! But, I figured that this is my body's way of telling me that I need the sleep. During the day, with little man being so active and wanting mommy to play with him, I rarely have the time to blog. I am able to stay up a little bit later now, but my brain just doesn't get the creative kick anymore. So, I am trying to take an afternoon break and let little man play on his own a little while I get as much done as I can. :) Now that my 2nd trimester is starting, I am hopeful that I will have some more energy and have more time to work on The Little Hedgehog! So, while I will try to blog as much as I can and I definitely feel like I am getting some of my energy back, I may not be blogging quite as often as I used too. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day!

I am so excited for baby #2, our little "sprout", to be here! My belly bump has definitely sprouted out sooner this time around and I am starting to look pregnant, not just like I ate too many bowls of ice cream! Haha! Little man already knows that there is a baby in mommy's belly and loves to point at my belly and say, "There's a baby in mommy's belly!" We ask him if he wants a little brother or a little sister and usually he answers with, "a little sister." (we shall see!) He's so cute! Speaking of boy or girl...we'll be finding out in about 4 weeks! This will be our first ultrasound and I can't wait to get a peek at our little one! 

This time around, hubby and I have also decided to have our little one at a birthing center with a midwife and a doula. I love it! I love the natural take on birthing and it feels like such a personal and family-like environment. I am excited (an a little nervous too) to experience birth this way. I know November will be here before I know it, but in some ways, it can't come soon enough! Haha! Baby #2...we are so excited to meet you!

Are any of my readers pregnant, trying or did you just have a little one?