26 weeks pregnant
How is it possible that I am already about to start my third trimester with my second child? It seems like just yesterday that I wrote my first blog post gushing about Trig and confused about what to do since he lived so far from Rhode Island. I never pictured my life this way; 25 ;), married with 1 child and 1 on the way, living in Philadelphia 5 hours from RI, and not only married to a lovely blue-eyed Armenian but an active part of the Armenian church.
Yet here I am.
This pregnancy has been the opposite of the last one. I could share some complaints, but it has thankfully been really easy. At this time last pregnancy I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to attend my best friend’s wedding in Indiana due to some complications. I was miserable every day and every night. If I’m being honest I still hate pregnancy this time around, but it is far more tolerable. Other differences… I’ve only gained 10 lbs this time at 26 weeks compared to 22 lbs last pregnancy. I started at the same weight for both pregnancies (about 12-14 lbs above my wedding weight). My face still looks normal. I am still sleeping ok. I have taken about 7 belly pics despite good intentions to take more. And my belly is the same size as it was last time despite gaining much less so far.
I didn’t think we’d be going on a babymoon this time around, but Santa surprised me with one. We will be leaving Raffi with my father in law for an overnight for the first time and we will go away just the two of us for the first time since having Raffi. We’ll only be gone about 24 hours but I am really excited! I think Raffi will have fun too. It’s in a few weeks and I think about it every day.
My worries and fears are different this time around. I’m nervous for childbirth. I was excited last time. I am hopeful and ready to try again not to have too many interventions (namely Pitocin and an epidural), but my ultimate goal is to avoid a C-section for various reasons. I’m nervous to know when to go to the hospital because we definitely went too early last time.
I’m worried about having an 18 month old and a newborn and the logistics of it all. Raffi nursed almost every hour for months. How will that work for this little girl with a toddler running around? I also wonder about going to the pool this summer. How will I go alone and take care of Raffi in the water while also taking care of our baby? I know I want to spend the summer at the pool so I’ll have to figure it out. How will it all work? What are we going to do about childcare? I’m in two very important weddings at the beginning of the summer in RI and will have to manage childcare/pumping/etc while being a good bridesmaid. I have no idea how to do it all. I have avoided thinking about all of this until now because it’s just too much. I hope that it will all work itself out like it has with Raffi.
It seems like 2013 is the year of the second round of babies. A lot of my friends are having their second children, and it is so fun. We are going to have a big group of kids to all grow up together. Raffi will not only gain a little sister this year but about 5 more little friends. It’s going to be a good year. If you’re also thinking of getting pregnant, you can visit sites like https://yourlovingchoices.org/ for additional guidance.
Last pregnancy’s belly pics and updates can be found here.
You look fantastic – you did during your last pregnancy too. I am curious (as we’ll have to start thinking about baby 2), how did you keep your weight gain slower this time around? I gained way too much for what I needed last time and was just curious. ๐
@OliePants, Thanks! I haven’t done anything differently. I have no idea why my weight gain is so different. I really think my body is just requiring different things this pregnancy. I am craving more healthy foods but I haven’t noticed a significant change in my diet.
I also gained way too much last time.
Just READING this is overwhelming! But you’ll figure it out, Sabrina. Just enjoy the time and take each day as it comes!
Wow, that is alot to think about! I’m 26 weeks with number 1 and I’m pretty lucky that this pregnancy has been relatively “easy” so far. Let’s hope our pregnancies stay that way ๐
@Natalie @ will jog for food, Congratulations to you!
As mom to a 2 1/2 year old boy and a 7 mo old girl…you just figure it out as you go ๐ Some days I want to pull my hair out when one is crying and one is whining, or I’m trying to put the baby down to sleep and the toddler has to go potty. You just make it through one day at a time and everyone adjusts. I try to remember that lots and lots of women have made it work before me so I can too. Hang in there!
@Hilary, I’d love to hear how you handled potty training when you were either very pregnant or had a newborn. Teach me everything!
@RhodeyGirlTests,
Well, we started doing Elimination Communication at 4 months old, so we had #2’s down since 16 months and did pretty good with #1s when the baby was born (he was almost 2). After a few weeks of life with a newborn, we went cold turkey on diapers (we used cloth) and haven’t looked back. I think for my son, if he had a diaper on, he would use it. If he was in undies, he did better. Also, we let him go around the house sans pants and undies – he never had an accident when he was naked.
To start, I would offer the potty right at waking and before getting in the car. We keep an Ikea potty in the car – life saver! We don’t go anywhere without it. Now at 2 1/2, we only rarely have accidents (usually when out playing in the snow or something unusual like that) and maybe three times a month he doesn’t hold it till he wakes up. Good luck!
I can’t believe you’re 26 weeks right now. You look AMAZING (not surprised) and I’m so excited for you guys!
quite rare your husband has blue eyes, so cool! My husband is armenian as well and our daughter definitely got her big brown eyes from him! Congrats on soon to be a mom of two! You look absolutely incredible! What have you done differently to only gain 10 pounds this pregnancy so far?
@Jannali, Thank you. I don’t think I’ve done anything differently. I just have different needs this pregnancy perhaps. I always want more sleep and last pregnancy I always wanted more food ๐
Merry Christmas!
My answer? I have no idea how it can all be done with two kids either! But I know you’ll figure it all out. I can’t wait to see how you do it and take notes ๐
Wow! Not much longer to go! You look beautiful!
I just found your blog from a peanut allergy site. I also have a daughter with a peanut allergy and I NEVER thought I’d be a peanut allergy mom, either. It’s sad and difficult… but it makes me feel better to know I’m not alone.
Nice to meet you!
Looks like we are going to be in the same predicament. 35 weeks here with the second and the first will be a 15 months. God’s strength and supernatural power is my crutch because I KNOW that I cannot do it by myself. Whew. Blessings!
You look so fab!! Enjoy the babymoon
you look fabulous!
Thanks!
i was feeling so much of the same worry a little over a year ago when we were expecting our 2nd. ours a little farther apart (23 months) but you really do just figure it out. give yourself some grace those first couple of months. it takes time to adjust and for the hormones to level out ๐ i learned to walk around the house holding the baby and breastfeeding with one arm so i could do things for the toddler. the 2nd baby has to cry a little more often than the 1st but that’s just life. we are now expecting our 3rd which will be 19 months apart from our 2nd so we are about to have to adjust all over again!
oh-and my only real advice for potty training an older child with a baby around is to try to do before the baby learns to crawl ๐
I hear you. I had so many of the same fears – and my pregnancies were really different, too. The bad news is that it is really hard sometimes – the good news is that it all works out and it’s amazing, too. Hang in there.