McMansion dweller

I grow average sized humans who make giant homes for themselves and then live in the basement. Heartburn has started, I can't climb a flight of stairs without getting winded, and taking Harlowe shopping last weekend almost killed me. She has all of this room but she prefers my bladder and cervix as her punching bags. Awesome.

Seriously though, this kid has some violent tendencies. She hits for the knockout! I feel like my whole body jumps when she kicks me. And yet, still nothing on the outside! I don't know what the deal is.

22w and 3d. Crazy. Four months left. This week I've been asked if I was due next month, told I look like I'm going to pop, and that I'm huge. I KNOW. At least I can milk the whole 'help me, I'm pregnant' thing for a long time?

The chiropractor has really been helping my back, which has been really helpful for sleeping. I feel like a normal 30 year old woman instead of a 98 year old. Plus they're across the street from this amazing bakery that I may or may not frequent for lunch...

Progress on her room is slow to start. I know it doesn't really need to be finished before she arrives because she'll be in our room anyway, but I still want it done! We got the closet system, it's halfway installed. Eh, one day it'll be ready.

Oh, and we decided on her name. Okay byyyyyyye!!

Half baked, folks

More than half, actually. Harlowe was 5 days early, and I'm banking on this kid doing the same. I know, I know, it doesn't matter, all pregnancies are different, blah blah...call it wishful thinking?

Oh yeah, it's another GIRL!! No telling dreams or any signs this time around, but how about a funny Harlowe story! The tech looks around, says 'this is a girl baby'. We tell Harlowe, 'that's your sister on the TV!' Without missing a beat, 'no, that's a baby!' Smart girl. She wanted a brother, probably so she wouldn't have to share her princesses, but she's coming around. I'm having a blast planning another nursery scheme, and very excited to be able to use all 29 tubs of clothing we've accumulated over the last 2.5 years again.

If you hadn't already heard, my sister, Jamie is due with a boy just 2 weeks before me, and Chris' sister, Laura is due 3 weeks after that! We'll find out in a couple of weeks what that cousin is packing. It will be a very busy few months for everyone!

Speaking of busy, this girl is working on her green belt in karate. She will violently protest what I eat if she doesn't approve. I think we're almost at the feeling kicks from the outside stage, but every time I think, oh that kick would have been a good one, and put my hand on my belly, she goes quiet. Oh well, soon.

That's all for now, here's me and my belly button, making the great escape already... This kid is SO HIGH UP on me, and yet my uterus is only at my belly button. WTH is all that extra space for?!?!

Thank god I have maternity pictures scheduled with our amazing photographer to the stars, Michelle Newell. My bump pics this time around are not outside on the deck with the DSLR, but selfies in my jammies in the fricking bathroom while Chris puts Harlowe to bed. Poor kid, but I guess this is what having 2 is like!

Bonus Ultrasound!

**This post might be a little gross to the non-moms (since moms tend to tell each other everything about their pregnancies and births and gross baby poop stories) so just be forewarned. Not disgusting, but maybe you didn't want to know me that well?!**

This pregnancy has been tougher than Harlowe's the whole way, starting with conception. I've had some spotting the last few weeks, brought on by nothing, lasting for no time, generally nothing to worry about. My OB scheduled my anatomy scan a week early to check on the placement of my placenta to see if that was the source of the trouble.

Yesterday I started having some cramping and terrifying thoughts of bedrest started creeping in, so my doc okayed an ultrasound to see if there was anything to be concerned about. Spoiler alert! There wasn't. Perhaps a cervical polyp (which I refuse to google, because gross) but nothing that affects baby. So I got some extra pics and an hour away from work, yay! The ultrasound tech was poking away and asked if I wanted to know the sex. It was the slowest nooooooo I've ever given because Chris wasn't with me. Now THAT is willpower, people! Only 1 more week until we find out...

Here's bubby, face on the left, profile on the right.

And me at 18w4d. I felt some kicks last week, and this week s/he's been going crazy! Little acrobat.

And a comparison shot, because I like them! I can't do the fancy side-by-side thing, so just use your eyeballs. The gray shirt is from 19w6d with Harlowe. I'm clearly larger this time, but also higher. Wives tale? We'll see!