The difference between #1 and #2
That title is deceiving 
But this has nothing to do with potty training…I just wanted to jot down how this pregnancy has been different to my pregnancy with Will. Just so I don’t forget. And because it’s relevant to some of the quickie photos I had Jer snap outside of me in my ‘happy stage’ vs. any future ‘uncomfortably large stage’ photos that might make an appearance.
First – the biggest and most notable difference in this pregnancy is my lack of rose-colored glasses. With Will, I was IN LOVE with being pregnant. I seriously thought I never looked or felt better. I could not see my weight gain or my puffy eyelids or my swollenness or felt anything more than mildly uncomfortable. This time around, I see it. I see it and I feel it. Maybe it’s because I am older…or because I’m pregnant during an excruciatingly hot summer but I feel huge and every position is uncomfortable. I never struggled sleeping…this time if my pillows aren’t just right then neither am I. Plus, that feeling of excitement, that feeling that nothing could be more attractive than pregnancy, that overwhelming positivity is just not here.
Don’t get me wrong…I am THRILLED that we are pregnant and expecting another baby boy. But I think this time around I am looking forward more to the baby itself. This stage has just lost it’s romance if you know what I mean. Plus, every time I think about being pregnant I think of all those women out there that are waiting or trying or frustrated with their own journey. Those gals and guys have my heartstrings.
Besides the emotional part of it, the physical part is different too. For one, I am carrying lower than I did with Will. So I have more siatica pain. And I am hot all the time…it’s like I have a space heater strapped to my belly. And my rear end? Holy MOLY. It’s growing as fast as my belly is. And basically I am uncomfortable in clothing. If I could be naked 100% of the time, I would. Of course, I don’t think the FedEx guy would appreciate that.
This time around I am not craving salty foods like I did with Will. With him, I downed boxes and boxes of Super Pretzels dipped in mustard. And I wanted sushi…sushi with lots of soy sauce. This time – cold fruit and dark chocolate. I am loving Fruit Bars (Lemon or Strawberry are this weeks favorites) and COKE. Seriously…I want it all the time. Of course, I don’t. But there is quite a lot of time invested in thinking about how delicious a tall glass of ice with a cold coke poured on top would be. I can practically feel the fizz on my tongue as we speak.
Speaking of foods – let’s talk aversions. With Will there was a moment that I could not stand Burger King french fries. And I am a fan of the King’s fries. But for some reason they tasted ashy to me. This time, me and BK get along just fine. What I can’t think about? Meat. Ground beef to be exact. If I smell it cooking, I seriously wanna hack up a hairball. And then vomit on it. And that would be more appealing than ground meat.
Of course, this time around, I am tired. With a constant chase going on in the house (me after Will or my next hit of dark chocolate), I am exhausted. Usually I am a really good sleeper…but it seems like the time that I wanna crash is in the afternoon…when a certain two-year-old is wide awake…so I can’t. I was expecting the tiredness in the beginning (I had it with Will too) but this late in the pregnancy is totally unforseeable. I guess I just see it as God’s way of preparing to be up all the time when our little baby makes his appearance.
Now let’s talk Braxton Hicks. Seriously. Those suckers are no joke. I actually had my first episode with them this month and I was SHOCKED. Since my labor was more like cramps, I was surprised to feel something this early that was more intense than labor pains. And I never had anything more than tightness and a hard-as-a-rock belly with Will. This time? Three hours of crying. Calling my mom. Contemplating a call to the doctor or a visit to the ER. Wowza. In the end, we figured out that my lack of drinking water played a big part. Now if I feel them starting to come on, I down as much water in a half hour as possible and continue to drink all throughout the day. That’s tough for me because I am a desert creature…as in I usually could be completely content with one glass of water all day.
#2 has also brought along a surprising desire. As in Jeremy. As in I could literally jump his bones at any moment. I can’t get enough of him in the bedroom. Sorry mom. It’s true though…I am so lucky to have married such an amazing man and to have a family with him…but I am so so lucky that he does it for me. like that pit-of-my-stomach wanting. animal lust. the kind of thing most people only feel towards bacon. it’s uncontrollable.
Nesting…hasn’t happened. Not even a little. I have no desire to clean or get anything ready this time around. It’s weird but I don’t even have much drive to do the nursery yet. It’s very odd. Maybe it’ll kick in later? Maybe because of the whole tiredness thing? Maybe because I’d rather be throwing myself at Jeremy than at our dirty floors? All sound legitimate.
Last but not least…skin tags. SERIOUSLY. I thought they were an urban myth….like needles in gas pump handles or how calories fell out of broken oreos. And then I got pregnant. In a very sexy turn of events, I have had to clip two off my body so far…both in my underarms. They are the pits. Pun totally intended. And no, nothing says sexy like saying the words “witch’s warts” and “bloody armpits” in the same sentence.
SOoo…that’s all the uber-personal info you need to know for now. Anyone else wanna share your crazy pregnancy body issues or random cravings or lack of nesting? Or perhaps your second pregnancy was totally different than your first? Or you had intense Braxton Hicks too? Or perhaps you also hated ground beef but couldn’t get enough of your husbands meat? Sorry….pregnancy makes me more inappropriate. which is possible contrary to popular belief.
p.s. all these photos were taken by Jer in the backyard. Yes. I begged.
p.p.s. Wanna see old pregnant-with-Will maternity photos? Click here.
You are my pregnancy twin!!! Hotlanta is absolutely killing me this summer. My wedding rings hit the jewelry box months ago as I’m up two ring sizes just from the swelling. This is our first pregnancy after many losses. I thought I would absolutely, blissfully love being pregnant. That fairy tale bubble popped right along with my belly button! God has certainly blessed us beyond measure, but other things are being measured that make my jaw drop open… weight gain (how could I possibly weigh this much?!), panties (I cannot believe my butt is this big!), shoes (this heat and little girl have increased me half a size), bra notches (I’m out of room on the bra extender… again!), and on and on. As you said, you are thrilled to be waiting on a little one, agreed. Pregnancy has some challenges… AGREED!!! Last night I was pawing at my Pooh Bear of a hubby only to find him sound asleep. Why so tired? Because he works all day, cooks dinner, washes the dinner and collapses because the mere idea of any type of meat makes me gag! And, suck down that Coke! Fine, I’ll limit myself to one a day. Does it count if one is an Coke Icee and another is a bottle?
I couldn’t even finish a 20 oz by myself before I was preggers. As for that siatica, RUN to the chiropractor! I was cautious and hesitant, but the minute the numbness in my right leg (tingles from hip to toes) subsided I was addicted. These moments are exhausting and blessed (someone remind me while helping me get out of a sitting position!); I know this early Christmas present will be a life-changing, amnesia-inducing miracle! Blessings as you press on!!!
Katie you look great! And trust me I know hearing that gets old. I have 11 days left and I swear if there was a sure fire way to be done with this pregnancy I would be all over it. I thought everything was great the first time around and with this one I really can’t stand being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong we are so excited for the baby, but man do I feel like this one is dragging on. I had 4 months of morning sickness, no nesting urge to date, no energy, sciatic pain, I think I have gone through most of the things you described, except the skin tags. The Braxton hicks contractions have only gotten worse since I am getting closer to my due date. Ok now that I got all of that whinning out I feel better. I am not going crazy. Someone else feels similar. I hope you have an easier next few months and I can’t wait to see pics of your new little guy. My prayers are with you.
Katie, I’m so excited for you and love that you shared/overshared.
I’m due Nov. 3 with our first baby…a little girl. I’m very excited but am not a super gushy, all-about-the-baby kinda gal. I don’t dream of lace and hairclips or have my nursery set up yet. I have started counting down in weeks though and am embracing the TON of knowledge and fun experiences I’m gaining (even the weird crap like sciatica pain and strangers yelling across the grocery store about my hormones and what to expect). I’m totally jealous of your sexy time though, it cracked me up to read. I’ve had the opposite happen and my sweet, wonderful, sexy husband is paying the price, haha. I try to make up for it with backrubs and bacon. Best wishes for the remaining time and thanks again for the honest and beautiful info! <3
I totally had crazy skin tags too!! The Dr. said they would go away and I wasn’t allowed to do anything about them until I had the baby. So they grossed me out for 9 months, then like magic they were gone…I totally didn’t beleive the Dr. and had been counting down the days till baby was born and I could see a dermatolicist, but I didn’t need to! I was amazed!
Katie! Your lawn! Oh! Mah! Gah! It’s gorgeous. What do you do to keep it looking so lush?
We’ve had a hot hot summer with loads of rain so it was the perfect situation for our bermuda grass!
xo – kb
This made me laugh. And say “Ewww” a few times. I am 20 weeks and I can sympathize…GA has been too hot. People out of the state don’t really get humidity and how you can nearly swim through it – ugh. This is my 2nd pregnancy and it is nothing like the first one…course I am 12 years older and the older I get the more I hate being uncomfortable. Glad your marriage is benefitting from pregnancy perks
Hubby and I are leaving tomorrow for Chateau Elan for a little couple time and I can’t wait 
Your hubs did a great job taking photos.
My boy was born August 24 – nearly 23 years ago! It’s amazing how many details of my pregnancy I remember. I could NOT stand any kind of tomato sauce. I was living in Ohio at the time – and it was so freakin’ hot, I could barely move. It was an incredible time – and then at the end, oh my god, you get a baby!
You’re looking beautiful. Savor the moments. xox
YOU ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL!
I just had my first in December and was totally shocked that I didn’t have a lot of the stereotypical pregnancy symptoms. I didn’t have any extreme cravings or aversions. I was never hot (often cold)… then again I was at my biggest in winter so I guess the extra blubber just kept me from freezing, and UNFORTUNATELY, I didn’t have a single desire to jump my husband’s bones… so sorry for him. I’m still getting over a total drop in libido since I’m still breastfeeding but am lucky to have such a sweet and understanding hubby.
Again, you are too stunning and I’m so thankful you shared your preggo comparison! P.S. We live in gwinett too! yay us!
I had skin tags with my first pregnancy. You might hold off on clipping them. Mine went away after the pregnancy!
Except for the skin tags and amourous feelings (I feel bad for my husband, but they just aren’t there), I’m totally with you. I have been feeling horrible that I haven’t been al wonderfully happy and glowy about this pregnancy, but really I just feel fat, tired and hot this time around. I’m chalking it up to the hottest summer on record up here in Philly. I can only imagine how it is in Atlanta. Thanks as always for so articulately expressing what so many of us are feeling!
I say rock the Moo-moo!( sp?) I’m pregnant with #3, just awaiting the little ones arrival and trying to get through the uncomforableness while stayed clothed. But what a blessed time that we will soon forget. I have a wonderfully sexy husband too, I’m sure they love our hormone induced lust!
Thanks for sharing! Great pics!
You are glowing! How many weeks are you now? This is my first preganacy and I’m at 23 weeks, so I really have nothing to compare it to. So far, nothing unsual has happened. Definitely no skin tags thank God! We are also having a boy! Can’t wait to see how your baby#2 looks like! I’m sure he’ll be as cute as Will!
29 now but 27 when these were taken (I think! pregnancy brain makes me forget everything!)
xo – kb
i am right there with you. baby boy number 2 due on nov 8. and i am fatter and bigger and grosser than i ever remember being with the first one. and yes….jumping hubby in the bedroom is on the top of the list! i feel your pain….only 11 weeks to go, girl.
I use to read your blog all the time but got a little busy. I just realized you are pregnant and that is so exciting! Maybe there will be a number 2 for us too someday. The pictures are so simple and beautiful! Congrats and good luck!!
Thanks doll! I’m so glad you came back to visit me
xo – kb