We are officially to the halfway point! How the heck did we even get here already?!
I feel like my belly look totally odd shaped in this week’s photos?!
Baby BOY is just over 20 weeks today and is about the length of a banana. And just for fun…a little comparison with the last pregnancy. I feel like my belly usually looks way closer to this lately…
Maybe it’s because I hadn’t eaten dinner yet. ;)
HERE’S WHAT BABY TOOTH HAS BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK:
- Baby Tooth weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now <—actually, we found out he was about 11 ounces at 19 weeks 2 days.
- He is around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby’s legs are curled up against the torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of the head to the bottom — the “crown to rump” measurement. After 20 weeks, it’s measured from head to toe.)
- He is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system.
- Baby is also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in the bowels, and will make an appearance in the first soiled diaper.
AND HERE’S WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING WITH ME THIS PAST WEEK:
Weight gained: At my appointment last Thursday, my doctor told me I was up about 12 pounds…which she said was right on target (I seriously LOVE the doctor I saw last week…the practice I go to has a rotation of 4 or 5, but she’s one of my favorites). She actually told me that at this point with Lucas, I had gained 16 pounds, which surprised me. Either way, it’s just a number and I feel great.
Workouts: Lots of them! I honestly can’t even begin to explain how great workouts have been feeling…not only for my body, but for my mind. I’m still doing a mix of DVD’s and YouTube videos (I’ll be sharing some of my favorites in an upcoming post), along with a few workouts I’ve pinned on my Pinterest workout boards. I also just busted out my pregnancy DVD’s the other day and started doing the Pilates one (my favorite!).
Symptoms: This week included a few:
- Some sciatica pain, which I never had with Lucas. It’s nothing major, more of an “I can feel it” sensation. It hasn’t hindered my workouts or mobility, so I’m hoping that it’ll stay that way as the baby grows.
- Super hungry, but getting full super quick.
- Emotional. I can cry at just about anything right now…including, but not limited to, commercials, Lucas giving the baby hugs, a shirt not fitting right…
- Short of breath occasionally, especially if I’m trying to walk quickly up the stairs while holding Lucas. Then again, now that I think about it, I think that’d happen whether I was pregnant or not.
Movement: Yes, although I found out at my appointment last week that my placenta is anterior this time around (in the front of my belly) so that explains why I haven’t been feeling nearly as much as I did with Lucas. The doctor said once he grows a bit more then I’ll be able to feel more, so for now, I just enjoy feeling the little wiggles every now and then.
Food Aversions: None really? Coffee is still hit or miss, and other day as I was eating eggs I had this really odd “omg these are gross” feeling (which lasted about 2 seconds and I finished them fine).
Food Cravings: Red meat, donuts (my MIL has been getting donuts with Lucas lately and there usually juuuuust so happens to be a leftover blueberry donut from DD’s…I think I had at least 3 of them last week), vanilla yogurt, peanut butter, salads, and cornbread.
Sleep: Not bad! Minus the typical need to pee like, once a night, everything else is smooth sailing for now.
Stretch marks? Nope…BUT, I do have some disgusting new spider veins on my legs. I’d always been prone to a few here or there, but I’ve suddenly gained a huge cluster of them a little below my right knee. They’re so gross…and I fully intend to look into having them lasered once I’m done bearing children. Call me vain (pshhh, pun fully intended), but they just make me feel like I’m about 80.
Miss Anything? Wine. Like, a lot. I think I miss it more this time around than the first, which I found surprising. Other than that, not too much this week.
Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: Finding out that we’re having another BOY! I had a feeling for the past few weeks, so I wasn’t even the slightest bit surprised when the technician told us. If I’m being fully honest (and I did mention this briefly in last week’s post), there was a part of me that was a little disappointed when we found out it wasn’t a girl. Just like I would have been if it wasn’t a boy, but for different reasons. Call me terrible, call me selfish…I even debated on writing this out at all, because the last thing I want to be is judged…but I’m just being honest. It breaks my heart a little to think that I may never experience that mother-daughter bond as a mom and not the daughter.
Obviously, the important thing is a healthy baby, and so far, we’ve been granted that gift. And while I may hope for a daughter one day, the love between a mama and her boy(s) is truly something I never could have imagined. And now to be able to experience that double? My heart may explode! So please, don’t mistake this for me not being happy or not wanting another boy…we’re honestly so excited about it! And I cannot wait to see Lucas and his little brother play together. I just figured I’d share my honest thoughts on the subject since, after talking with a few friends, it seems like they could also relate.
Baby Items Purchased: Nada…and honestly, I don’t know if there are too many I really even need to go rush out and buy?! But I did grab another new pair of Motherhood Secret Fit Maternity Leggings. Love them!
Looking Forward To: Baby boy growing bigger so I can feel him more! Also trying to figure out the room and furniture situation between Lucas and his brother. Lucas’s crib is a convertible, buuuuuut, it’s not like he’s sleeping in it anyways. Plus, I can’t envision my tiny 2-1/2 year old in a full sized bed! So we may wind up getting Lucas a twin bed, and then letting the baby use his crib. We even have an extra dresser which will match, so we should be good to go! The only thing I can’t figure out is the rocking chair…I still love rocking with Lucas at night! But I can’t see justifying having two rocking chairs?? Hmmm…
Jade says
I was bummed when we found out what sex our baby was going to be, just because of losing out on the other alternative. Of course my now 1 year old daughter is the best thing ever in the world…when #2 comes around, I am sure i will feel similar either way! Totally normal!!
Brynn says
Congrats again- I cannot believe your half way! Second, I really appreciate your honesty. but no matter the sex, you’ll be an amazing mom!
Courtney says
Thanks Brynn :)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Glad you’re feeling so well! Definitely understandable about you having two boys – I love how open and honest you are! The bond between them (and you!) will be amazing!
Christen says
Halfway done! Congrats!
Suzanne says
OF course you will love your baby boy SO much but oh my goodness, mourning the idea of not having a baby girl is totally normal, too! Even when I was having my 3rd(and already had a boy and girl), I felt a bit sad when I realized that it was a boy and I would never do all of the “baby girl” things again. And like you said, if it had been girl you would have had the same missed feelings about another little boy!
And my goodness, you are such a cute preggo! You don’t gain a pound in your face, you lucky lady!!
Courtney says
Thanks so much for sharing, Suzanne. And you are too sweet, haha, thank you for the kind words!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Hopefully you have loads of stuff from Lucas so you won’t have to buy too much in the way of clothes!!! You’re bodies obviously craving iron with the meat cravings…slow cooker brisket, do it :)
Courtney says
Ohh, I have TONS of stuff from Lucas (which is even in the same season!) so we’ll be good to go with baby #2 :)
Erin says
I’m 20 weeks pregnant too and I can’t figure out what to do about the rocking chair situation either. I think I’m going to be very sad when I can’t rock my 2 year old at bedtime anymore – but we also don’t really *need* another rocking chair.
Jenna says
I think your feelings of not having a girl are very very valid and understandable. Don’t apologize for feeling that way! Would you consider a third baby in the future?
Courtney says
I’m not sure!? We’ve always said we envisioned ourselves with two kids, and sometimes the thought of a third totally scares me, lol. But I guess only time will tell!
Taylor says
Congrats on being halfway there! So exciting!! Lucas will love having a little brother to play with! Love your honesty!
Caryln says
Just a suggestion about the chair… I’ve seen people buy a nice chair and then buy a rocking chair conversion kit. That way later on you can remove the kit and use the chair somewhere else in the house. I’ve never done this personally but I have seen it done before.
Courtney says
Interesting…I’d never heard of this before?! Thanks Caryln!
Amanda Sumner says
Yay for a healthy baby boy! Brothers are so sweet! We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and Baby Sam is weighing in at 14 ounces. A little ahead, haha, but totally healthy! Boo to spider veins. I feel your pain, girlfriend. The ones on my back are definitely getting lasered!
Katie says
I totally get it. I am 21 weeks with my 3rd and when I was told it was my third girl, I kind of made a sad face to my husband, and he was like, “Katie that’s terrible!”. But, knowing this is our last, most likely, I would like to know what it feels like to have a son. But, I am thrilled that my 2 year old will have a best friend for life. My sister is 2.5 years younger than me, and it is nice to have that friendship through the years. But, I think especially when you don’t have at least one of each, you do get sad that you wont experience the other.
Courtney says
Thanks for sharing, Katie! I only have a brother so I never got to experience the bond of having a sister, but I’m sure it must be awesome :)
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says
My placenta was anterior with my baby as well! He was my first, and honestly I was getting nervous when I hadn’t felt him when others who were behind me in pregnancy had already felt their baby’s kicks. I really didn’t end up feeling Jack’s kicks until about week 26!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
DD’s blueberry cake donuts were basically my diet while pregnant. And oreos and cake ;) I’ve always loved donuts but it got out of control when I was pregnant.
I totally get you on the wishing the baby was a certain gender. I really have my hopes up for another girl, but then I think if I have one I will be sad my husband never had a son. Of course like you, I’d be happy with any healthy baby but it’s hard to not have expectations.
Courtney says
Aren’t they THE best?? I’m secretly hoping my MIL went and got some more with Lucas today :)
Jennelle says
I had my varicose veins treated after my second baby! Look into EVLT – surface laser or sclerotherapy treatments alone won’t solve the underlying issue, and you’ll end up getting more spider veins later on. EVLT uses a laser to treat the veins that CAUSE the spider veins, and then the doctor will follow up to treat the visible veins as well. I’m so glad I had it done! I didn’t realize that my legs felt tired and heavy at the end of the day until I had them treated and suddenly they didn’t. :)
Our girls are 2 1/2 years apart, and my oldest had never tried to climb out of her crib. I was adamant that we would just buy a second crib, but a seasoned mama talked me out of it. We moved the crib to the nursery, and bought a full-size bed for the toddler. It worked perfectly!
Courtney says
I googled EVLT as soon as I read your comment, lol! It looks like there are a few places near me that do it, which is encouraging! From what I’ve read, it sounds like you need to qualify for it, is that right?? Do you mind me asking if it was expensive? (I’d assume yes, haha)
Jennelle says
**I just saw the rocking chair dilemma. I totally bought a second one. :) It was an old wooden one I found on Craigslist and painted. I am glad we have an adult-sized chair in both rooms!
Yes, you’ll have to go in for a consultation / initial ultrasound and they will be able to tell if you qualify per your insurance. My insurance covered it, but some have obnoxious rules (like, you have to wear compression hose for three months before they’ll approve it). We have a high deductible plan so I paid full price until we hit that amount. I had to have five veins treated with EVLT, and then I had two follow-up sclerotherapy sessions. All told, it was over $20K! Thankfully, our deductible is only $5K and with kids we’d already made a dent in that before I started. :) There are limits on how many veins you can treat at a time, and there is a waiting period in between. And my doctor is in high demand, so I barely squeezed in the full treatment in 2015 even though I had my first procedure at the beginning of August!
I’m a huge proponent of EVLT, though. There’s no point in fixing the cosmetic issue if you don’t fix the underlying vein malfunction. You’ll just keep getting them. I’ve sent my coworker in, she is having her husband do it, and my mom just went for her consultation today!
Abbie says
Love these updates! So happy to hear the baby is healthy! I look forward to move updates :) I’m shopping for furniture now and I know you purchased furniture that would last a long time. Would you mind sharing what brand you ended up buying?
Courtney says
Thanks, Abbie! We bought Lucas’s furniture from Babies R Us. It was from the Baby Cache Montana collection…here’s a link! http://www.toysrus.com/buy/convertible-cribs/baby-cache-montana-lifetime-convertible-crib-espresso-2900-esp-12546425
Abbie says
Awesome! Thanks, Courtney!!
Catherine @ foodiecology says
You look great, Courtney, and I think it’s completely normal to feel “sad” about possibly never having a girl. Of course you’ll love your boys with all your heart, though. I have friends with all boys and then friends with all girls; I’m sure they’ve felt the same at times.
Glad you’re feeling mostly good! I had an anterior placenta with my first (& only, so far) and remember being scared because it was after 20 weeks before I felt movement.
Courtney says
Thanks, Catherine! Yes, I can’t wait to start feeling him more…it’s my favorite part of pregnancy!
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
Yay! So glad you’re feeling great and the pregnancy has gone well so far! You are glowing and beyond beautiful, girl! I always find it so interesting to hear the different cravings and aversions haha it sounds like you totally deserve a big ol’ burger this weekend to satisfy the red meat craving! ;)
Courtney says
Ohhhh, girl, that sounds SO good right now!! ;)
Em @ Love A Latte says
Looking fantastic! Congrats on another boy – so exciting!!! I’m 5 weeks behind you and I love reading your updates.
Courtney says
Awwww, yayyyy for you, Em! (P.S. – Sage is adorable!!!)
Annie says
I’m 24 weeks pregnant with #3 and have never had varicose veins…I’ve been rocking a massive ugly cluster of one for the last 10 weeks. At the end of a long day (especially when I run) it hurts! definitely taking care of it when I’m done with the baby thing!!
Courtney says
Ugh, they are the WORST, right?? I’ve already started researching places in my area that do it, haha!
Dietitian Jess says
Congrats on baby boy! I think there are definitely pros and cons for having another boy vs having your first girl and I don’t care what people say- I’m 99% positive every parent feels that way!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
I don’t know about you but I found getting to week 20 flew by but the second half went a lot slower. Maybe that’s because I also went a lot slower! Lol!
Courtney says
Haha, noooo, don’t say that! ;) Then again, maybe that’s not a bad thing, haha!
Sara says
Totally understandable you’d be disappointed about not having a girl! I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve always secretly wanted a girl first, even though you’re not supposed to care. But I bet you’ll enjoy the two boys as much or more. :)
Alyssa says
I have been having the same issue with the rocker. I still rock my son here and there, especially when he is sick but feel like its silly to buy another glider. I was thinking i may just put the glider in our room and use it for both kids as needed.
Courtney says
That’s a good idea, too!!
KatieTX says
100% feel the same as you about having a second boy. My husband and I both feel like our family won’t be complete without a little girl in it. He wants one as badly as I do. I am ASAP excited for our boys to have each other to grow up together and share a bond. However, we both are very open to having a third and seeing if having a girl is in the cards for us. :)
Courtney says
That’s so exciting for you! We’re still undecided on if we’d ever try for a third, but I guess only time will tell :)
Ashley J says
Congratulations on your baby boy! :) I am 23 weeks pregnant with my second boy as well. I felt the exact same as you. I was slightly disappointed about the baby not being a girl, but in the weeks since we found out, the thought of giving my son a little brother and the thought of another boy to love and share that special mother-son bond with made me realize just blessed I am. I think every mother would love to raise a daughter, but I know it isn’t my plan, it’s His and I will find comfort in that, knowing that 2 little boys is exactly what I (we;)) are suppose to have right now. We will be getting my almost 2 year old a twin bed as well, and letting the new baby use his old crib. My son has boycotted his crib, so might as well get some more use out of it :) We have a rocker in my son’s room, but like you, I don’t think we really need two rockers, so we were thinking of maybe a rocking/recliner chair that can, at some point, be used as an actual piece of furniture in the living room! Congrats again, sweet mama! Blessings to you and your family, always! xo
Courtney says
Thanks so much for sharing, Ashley, and congrats on baby #2 for you!!
Kristin says
I swear, every time I read your bumpdates, it’s like reading my own! It’s crazy how similar our pregnancies are – both in terms of physical symptoms and emotionally! While we opted not to find out the sex this time around, I’m about 99% positive we got a glimpse of some boy goods during the ultrasound. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed, and for the same reasons you stated – I would love to experience the mother-daughter bond as a mother. But I absolutely adore being a boy mom and I think I’m well suited for it. A girl would be nice, but I’ll be very happy with my two boys (we’re done after this one!). So I totally get how you feel! Congrats on another sweet boy!! :)
Also have the SAME decision to make about a rocking chair! We still use Carter’s every night for story time, and aesthetically it goes really well in his room (and doesn’t go with the colors we’ve chosen for the new nursery). So I think we’re going to bite the bullet and get another. It feels like such an extravagant expense, but we use his every night for stories, and I used it SO much his first year for nursing and sleeping. Hopefully it’s an expense worth while! Can’t wait to see what you guys put together for the nursery!
I would love to see a post about your favorite youtube workouts. I’m struggling to find motivation this time around and need some new ideas/options. I ran through my first pregnancy and that kept me sane and fit, but that’s just not happening this time around.
Courtney says
It’s always so nice to hear from someone who’s feeling the same things as you! Thanks for sharing :)
I actually just realized that my parents have one of my grandma’s old wooden rocking chairs, so I may wind up putting that in Lucas’s room and use the comfy one for the baby and nursing and all that jazz. ;)
And yes! I am planning on sharing a workout post soon!
Sue says
Congratulations!!!!! It is so exciting. My twin sister didn’t find out if she was having a boy or girl until the baby was born and when she found out it was a little boy she was happy and sad at the same time. We didn’t have any brothers and she didn’t know how in the world she was going to raise a boy. Fast forward the story 9 months ahead and I gave birth to a little girl. I had a hard time getting pregnant so I was happy and in shock that she was finally here. When my daughter was 3 my sister found out she was having another baby and didn’t find out until the baby was born. When anyone asked her, she said another boy wouldn’t be so bad (specially after being around my daughter for a few hours)!!! LOL. My daughter was and still is a drama queen. LOL. I wouldn’t love her any other way. And my sister wouldn’t changer her family either. You will find the balance between your two boys and you will be a great mom to the new baby just like you are with Lucas. Everyone has their own feelings and they have a right to feel the way you do.
Katie says
First of all, do not feel bad about your feelings regarding the baby’s gender! You are perfectly entitled to whatever emotions you feel! Plus, I can totally relate. We’re due with #2 at the beginning of March, and it’s a surprise. I have 3 brothers so part of me is dying to watch our little girl have the sister relationship I never did…but I’d also hate to miss out on having a little boy (although, I am not ready to say this is my last!).
Also, I seriously have to put down my 2-year-old and gulp in deep breaths sometimes if I climb the stairs too quickly with her in my arms. Very humbling haha.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
It’s great to hear you’re feeling good, Courtney! :)
Mama Pat says
How about we get the rocker refinished? You can pick the color….
Sheena @ Paws and Pavement says
Awesome to hear that your workouts are going well and you are feeling good!
Kate says
Hi, long time reader here! I enjoy your updates, but was bummed to read your rant about your spider veins. I’m 38 weeks pregnant with my second baby, and unfortunately have them up and down my legs due to pregnancy, along with some painful varicose veins. I would hope that no one else would look at my legs and think they were disgusting because of veins I got from carrying my babies. I, like you, am self-conscious about them, but never thought of them as disgusting, and feel sad that anyone would look at them that way. Also, the way I look at it, there a lot more side effects to pregnancy that could be perceived as disgusting.
Courtney says
Hey Kate! Thanks so much for reading!
I’m sorry that my comment about the veins upset you. I can certainly understand and appreciate where you’re coming from…yes, we should totally be proud of what our bodies are capable of doing! Even if there are some side-effects we don’t necessarily love. None of that should be perceived as disgusting, you’re totally right.
Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with spider veins (and some varicose veins) long before I even became pregnant with Lucas (I can still remember noticing my first one in 7th grade!) and they’ve just recently gotten SO much worse. So I guess for me, it’s just something I’ve been dealing with (and have been quite self-conscious about) for a LONG time, and have always planned on looking into having them fixed once I was doing having children (since that’s what is recommended).
Congrats to you on your second baby…so close!! Best of luck to you, Kate!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
You look great, and I’m glad you’re feeling good with your workouts.
Cheers to another baby boy! Being a boy mom is such fun. :)
Jen says
Thank you for writing about this topic honestly. I have 3 girls (9,7,4) and a baby boy. Honestly, if we had a 4th girl we would have been thrilled and grateful, but also a little disappointed at not having the experience of raising a son.
We never found out in advance what we were having, and when I was pregnant the last time, we got all.the.comments. about hoping it’s a boy. The comments bothered me (and especially my husband!)-people made us feel like we would be disappointing them if we had a girl- crazy!
I have a ton of friends with all boys/all girls and their families are the cutest.
Hope you keep feeling good!
Bethany says
Congratulations!!!! We are having our first little boy is April! We are feeling so so blessed and so excited! Cannot wait to see our little momma’s boys! =)
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Congrats on getting half way, mama! How exciting for you all to have another little man in the house! I am sure Lucas will LOVE having a brother so close in age!
Katie says
Congratulations! I hear you on the rocking chair dilemma – every night my daughter and I would snuggle up and read in the rocking chair, and when her little brother came we moved her to a big girl room and he took over the nursery. She & I were both sad over it for a few days but now we love to snuggle up in her bed and read at night – just as cozy if not cozier :) And ugh I got the spider veins too with baby #2 – the things we do for our babies.
Shelly David says
I have a 4 month old & a 2 year old. I love it! I didn’t have to buy too much for the 2nd child (especially since they’re both boys).
Clara says
I think those feelings are totally normal! And having two little boys will be so much fun! I am sure they will be best buddies! And one day they might have a little sister too. :)
Gina says
You look great???? I also had two boys back to back (2 1/2 yrs apart). I totally went in to the second pregnancy preparing and hoping for a girl but about a week before we found out I started to feel more like it was a boy(mothers intuition?) anyways I was so happy because now they would each have a best friend for life. Being a boy mom is the best and I’m so happy I had them first because I also now have a daughter???? The boys are older 10&8 and my daughter will be 1 in a few weeks. I’m not sure what your family planning looks like but you may just end up with a girl eventually???? But until then enjoy the cars, trucks, footballs and baseballs, wrestling,scraped knees, and you being their first love and most important girl in their life!