WELCOME ZOI!!!!

Zoi Rebekah Tregger is finally here!! :)

At my OB appointment on Wed, March 21 I was 158.8 lbs, 2.5 cm, stripped membranes, 50% effaced, -2 station. So in total, I gained 37 pounds which is 3 pounds more than I gained with Ian.

i’m in labor

My contractions started on: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

At this time: 7:30pm (only 4 hours after my membranes were stripped at my OB appt)

They were this far apart: 5 minutes

They lasted this long: 30-50 seconds

They felt like: extreme pain!

I knew it was really labor because: the contractions were regular, growing in intensity and were close together. At first I was in denial I was really in labor because I thought my contractions were only lasting about 10 seconds but when Nathan started timing them, they were in fact at least 30 seconds long.

When contractions started I was here: at home in kitchen

I was doing this: eating dinner

I was with: Nathan and Ian

The weather was: hot and muggy (about 70°)

The last thing I ate was: pierogies

When I realized I was in labor, I felt: extremely surprised. I didn’t think having my membranes stripped was going to work since it only works for 50%. I was also very worried for Ian realizing it was the last time it was going to be just me and him and that the next time I would see him, he would be a big brother and how much his life (and mine) was going to change. I also felt not ready mentally.

I called my practitioner at: 8:10pm

I received the following instructions: “We will call you back.” The nurse asked if my contractions were happening for at least 1.5 hours and I said, oh no, the hospital is about 45 minutes away so I wasn’t willing to wait that long. After she called me back, the instructions were: “Go to the hospital.” I couldn’t believe it! I was about to meet my baby!

I passed the time at home by: packing last minute things for myself and Ian, changing, folding laundry, and calling Melissa to let her know I was dropping Ian off soon.

I got there by: car. We left around 8:45pm, dropped off Ian (he cried which in turn made me cry) and got to the hospital at 9:30pm. Thankfully at that time of night there was no traffic.


Text messages after family and friends were informed I was in labor and heading to the hospital:


Mom: This is soooooo exciting! I'm praying for a quick labor I LOVE YOU MY SWEETIE!
Angela Helge: No way! Really? How do you know???.. No way! Are you leaving?.. OMG!!!!!! I can't believe I am here getting ready for bed and you are having a baby soon. So crazy. Hope all is going smoothly.
Douglas Craig: Hey awesome. Really looking forward to finding out the gender and the name. If possible please text me or have Nathan do it regardless of time.
Tara Craig: Yeah! At least it is good timing with Nathan being home. Is your mom watching Ian? You might have the baby on my mom's birthday.
Karla Sullivan: Thinking of you sweeting. Waiting for news of Zoi arriving. Love you all. Give the boys a kiss for me. Xxxooo
Cheryl Foster: Oh how exciting. Good luck. Can't wait to hear if it's a boy or girl.
Chipper Sullivan: Omg! Good luck / congrats!!! Can't wait to see that beautiful baby!
Sally Foster: Oh my goodness!!! Ahhhh! Good luck and sending prayers your way!
Lindsey Emerson: Hahaaahavahsgdgsgd Laura and I are screaming. Laura just left the car running in the driveway and rain inside to screaming to tell everyone!!! (I'm also thrilled to hear this glorious news!) Congrats, love you and good luck!!!
Hilarie Leone: Oh yay! I can't wait to know what it is! Let me know! Eeeeeeee!
Melissa Murphy: Best of luck. We will take great care of your boy!You are going to do great! Hugs!
Kelsey Mukai: Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I am beyond excited!!!!!!! I won't be able to sleep! Keep me updated even if it is two in the morning!!!! I want to come visit you too!!! Good luck you will do amazing! Let me know if you need ANYTHING and I actually took the day off tomorrow, how perfect!
Beth Lamfers: Yay, so excited. Has your water broke? Please keep me updated.
Jessica Fennelly: Oh yes! This is so exciting! I'm sending loving vibes your way :)
Gail Heneghan: Oh my God! Best of luck and please give me details when you can! I am so happy for you right now!
Julie Waltz: Yayayayayay!!!!! I'm so excited for you! Xoxoxoxoxo

my labor and delivery

first stage: labor

First (Early or Latent) Phase of Labor

First phase began: March 21 at 7:30pm since they were already 5 minutes apart

How I felt physically: exhausted, in a lot of pain

How I felt emotionally: freaking out, scared, anxious

I arrived at the hospital at: 9:30pm

When I arrived, here is what happened: I had to sign papers which was hard in itself since I was having contractions, then I went to the triage room for about 30 seconds. They realized I was in a lot of pain and probably further along so they then put me into a delivery room. When I was checked, I was 4cm dilated (I was 2.5cm at my 3pm appointment earlier that day).

What I ate: nothing

What I drank: nothing

What I did between contractions: talked to Nathan, got ready to leave the house, called family members

Second (Active) Phase of Labor

Second phase of labor began: March 21 at 9:45pm

How many hours from beginning of labor: 2 hours

How I felt physically:

How I felt emotionally:.

I managed the pain of labor by: screaming and crying.

What I did between contractions: ate ice chips and was soothed by Nathan and my nurse, Nancy.

Medical interventions, if any: I was asked if I wanted an epidural yet and I said no. Then 5 minutes later, I said, yes, I want it now. Unfortunately, I had to have the epidural administered twice (both times Nathan was not allowed in the room) because the first time it only worked for the left side of my body. I kept feeling contractions on my right side. The anesthesiologist tried to adjust it but it just didn’t work so he had to do it again. Luckily, it didn’t hurt nearly as much the second time. The first time it was done at 10:15pm and the second at 11:30pm.

Other notes:  At 12:45am my water was artificially broken by the doctor as she checked my progress. She just did it with her fingers and said a ton of water came out. At that point I was 6cm, 80% effaced and at -1 station. Then at 1:10am I was 7cm and at 0 station. I kept having the nurse and doctor come in because I felt like the baby was ready to come out. I felt so much pressure and was ready to push. I was not able to sleep because of all this but luckily Nathan got maybe 45 minutes of sleep. My nurse, Nancy was absolutely wonderful. And I had Dr. Lily Wu (the one who broke my water). She was a resident.

Third (Transitional) Phase of Labor

Third phase began: March 22 around 1:30am (when I was 8cm dilated)

How many hours from beginning of labor: 6 hours

How I felt physically: awful. Felt like I could no longer handle all the pain.

How I felt emotionally: beyond ready to meet my baby and be done with all the pain

What I did between contractions: ate ice chips and was soothed by Nathan and my nurse, Nancy.

second stage: delivery

I began pushing at: 2:10am when I was 9.5cm. Again, I had an anterior lip which was causing me not to get to 10cm so they had my push anyways.

I pushed in these positions: inclined, legs up. Nathan held my right foot and the back of my head so it was easier for me to push my chin into my chest. Nancy held under my left leg and I held under my right leg. Pretty much exactly the same way I did it when delivering Ian.

I pushed for this long: about 20 minutes

How I felt physically: Absolutely exhausted since I got no sleep. I wanted to give up. I was in so much pain and kept saying I couldn’t do it. I felt bowel movements and so much pressure. Nathan and Nancy kept reassuring me that I could do it.

Who cut the cord: Nathan

Other notes: It was so much harder this time. I felt everything like I didn’t even have an epidural. In the room was Dr. Wu and Dr. Dorene Neptune-Hammond, Nancy, Nathan and another nurse who came in just seconds before I delivered.

the birth

My baby was born at: 2:30am

She was: 7 pounds, 14 ounces – smaller than predicted! Dr. Shafi thought at least 8.5 pounds as did Dr. Wu. She was 20 inches long.

My baby was delivered by: Dr. Dorene Neptune-Hammond, a doctor I had never met before.

How I felt physically: So relieved to finally have her out but still felt pressure of the placenta and bowel movements. Dr. Neptune-Hammond was assisting Dr. Wu as she stitched me up showing her how to make it perfect (they kept saying Dr. Neptune-Hammond was like the plastic surgeon of OBGYN’s because she always wants to put things back together just like they were before). I appreciated that but it took such a long time and it was pretty uncomfortable. I just wanted them to finish up. I was also relieved once the placenta was delivered.

How I felt emotionally: Ecstatic!!! I couldn’t believe she was actually here and laying on me!

How my partner felt:

Did baby cry right away?: Yes, but for only about 10 seconds. She had such a sweet cry. Then she was quiet for the next 2 hours! I kept saying how amazed I was at how quiet she was!

I was able to hold my baby: right away! And for at least 5 minutes which was absolutely wonderful. I kept kissing her sweet little face even though she was all wet.

How I felt: Complete and shocked it was a girl!

I breastfed my baby: at 3:30am and she latched on right away. I nursed on my left side with a cradle position since that’s my most comfortable side and position.

How I felt: relieved she was able to latch on

The placenta was delivered at: 2:40am

Other highlights: Nathan was the one who announced to me it was a girl which was such a special moment. Someone moved the umbilical cord to the side so he could see her parts and Nathan at first hesitated to say, “it’s a girl” because he wanted to be absolutely sure. Then I checked her myself to make sure he was telling the truth! I really thought I was having another boy.

Who went with the baby to the nursery: I was pushed in a wheelchair (which took quite some time to get me in because my entire right leg was numb) by Nancy and Nathan pushed Zoi in the crib. We didn’t bring her until 4:45am so we got to be with her for over 2 hours! They were going to bring her earlier but because I couldn’t stand from my numb leg we got to wait.

labor memories

The hardest part of labor and delivery was: contractions while Ian was there watching me cry and go through the pain, having the epidural twice and pushing her out.

The best part was: not knowing if it was a girl or boy, holding her on my chest right after she was born.

The most unexpected part was: it’s a girl! 2 epidurals, feeling so much pain, and how quickly my labor was.

The funniest part was: Nathan hesitating to announce it was a girl

The nicest thing my partner did for me: constant support, telling me he’s so proud, dealing with me yelling at him (he called me “Ian” twice while I was pushing which drove me nuts!!), and remaining so calm.

The nicest thing my partner said to me: “I’m so proud of you.”

My message to baby: My dear sweet Zoi, I love you more than words can say. I loved you the moment I saw your beautiful face when I held you in my arms. You melted my heart right then and there and I will always love and cherish you.

Dad’s message:

Text messages after family and friends were informed of Zoi's birth:


Mom: OMG! She is so beautiful! I knew it would be a girl. Are you both ok? I'm so happy for you. I love you! Give her Yaya kisses. Her eyes look just like Ian's. She is soooo beautiful! Can't wait to hold her. I love her so much already. I can't believe you have your little girl. I keep crying cuz I am so so happy for you. She is the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen!
Angela Helge: Omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is so beyond gorgeous!! I can't believe you have a girl. I am so happy. I will call you later. Love you.
Douglas Craig: She's beautiful and has a beautiful name. Congrats. 
Tara Craig: So very excited for you guys! Call when you can :)
Karla Sullivan: She's beautiful. Congrats you two. Hope to see you soon.
Cheryl Foster: Congratulations to you and Nate and big brother Ian. Yippy it's a girl.
Chipper Sullivan: Congrats! My mom just told me, can't wait to meet her!
Sally Foster: Congratulations Becky!! Can't wait to meet her! :)
Lindsey Emerson: Congrats!! Love you guys! Now you guys truly have the best of both worlds ;)
Laura Emerson: I cannot wait to see this beautiful child.
Hilarie Leone: Congratulations! She is so adorable! I want to just eat her up! :) xoxo
Kate Blaszczyk: I hope you and baby Zoi are doing well! So happy for you!!
Melissa Murphy: Hi!!! Congrats! She is BEAUTIFUL, a girl! Yay! :) 
Kelsey Mukai: Oh my gosh!!!! A girl!!!! I am so so so happy for you!!!!! Awwww I have the chills! I want to come meet her!
Michael Mukai: Wait you had another baby? I thought you just had a pillow under your shirt
Beth Lamfers: Call me when you can, I'm so excited
Jessica Fennelly: Omg it's a girl? I'm so happy for you! She's so cute!!!
Gail Heneghan: She is absolutely stunning! Hope you are both doing well!
Melanie Moisan: Congrats I heard you had a baby girl! Send a pic!!!
Heather Coppock: She is amazing! And she's a girl!! Now we will have a boy and girl to play together.
Julie Waltz: She is so pretty. And I love her name. Congratulations!

fabulous firsts

First meeting with grandparents: Zoi met Grandma around 1pm the day she was born when she came with Nathan and Ian to the hospital. Then her Yaya visited on Sunday, March 25 and didn’t meet Grandpa until Friday, April 6. Then she met Great-Grandma on Saturday, April 7.

First meeting with other family members: Zoi was sleeping when she first met Ian. He walked into the hospital room and Zoi was asleep in the crib. Ian completely ignored her at first and then later on went over to the crib, threw a stuffed elephant in there and banged on the crib which startled her.

First visitors: Kelsey Mukai was our first hospital visitor followed by Liz Jegasothy.

My baby’s first poop: was March 23 and Nathan was back home with Ian when it happened so I had to change it.

Gifts received in the hospital: Flowers from Hae and flowers from Shiho Kawashima

we're going home!

I took my baby home on: Saturday, March 24 at 12:30pm

The weather was: In the 60’s.

Baby wore: a green sleep n’ play with lady bugs on it that I bought at Target

I wore: the same thing I wore in to the hospital

How I was feeling physically: not too bad. Recovery was a lot easier this time. Just a little uncomfortable when sitting down.

How I was feeling emotionally: A little overwhelmed but absolutely complete having my boy and girl.

Highlights on the way home: Zoi wailed the second I put her in the car seat and for the first half of the drive which caused me to cry. Luckily, Ian didn’t care. Zoi eventually fell asleep once we got on the highway.

When I arrived home, I: nursed Zoi and tried to adjust to life with 2 kids.

There to greet us were: Oliver and Peeka

Reactions of pets: same as before – they didn’t seem too bothered by her

Other things I’d like to remember about baby’s homecoming:

Not so happy to be in her car seat but luckily her screaming didn't bother Ian!

Hospital tour, eating a lot of spicy food, still pregnant....

On my March 6 OBGYN appointment, I weighed 158 lbs! I was shocked to have gained 3 lbs in 1 week but during my appointment Dr. Shafi said my baby was probably 7.5 lbs (so the baby gained 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks) and would probably be close to 9 lbs at birth! I definitely feel bigger with this pregnancy. I didn't feel that way though until the last couple of weeks. I thought my size was the same looking back at pictures but then all of a sudden my stomach got huge and even other people have said I'm much bigger this time around. Dr. Shafi says I should have no problem vaginally delivering a 9 lb baby though. Also at this appointment I found out I was 1 cm dilated (yahoo!!) and still 50% effaced. She will be on call March 19th so I can go into the hospital to be induced (Pitocin started right away to bring on contractions). I just need to schedule this 48 hours in advance. Nathan isn't too keen on me being induced that day since it's our wedding anniversary so I will talk to my doctor and see if there is another day we can schedule it (if we need to). I'm really hoping to go into labor any day now and am slightly frustrated as each day goes by and I'm still pregnant. But tomorrow I have another appointment and I believe they will be stripping my membranes to help induce labor depending on what my status is. I really hope I am further along.

Nathan and I went to the tour of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital on March 7 from 7-8pm. It brought back a lot of memories for both of us from when I delivered Ian. And being there just made me that much more excited to have this baby and meet him / her. I actually brought my 'hospital bag' with me just in case I went into labor while I was there. That would have been so convenient but of course it didn't happen. My friend Liz Jegasothy stayed with Ian while we were gone and she said he was a perfect angel. It just reassures me that he will be fine while Nathan and I are at the hospital when I'm in labor.

Today Ian lifted up my shirt and put his sippy cup straw on my belly button and said, "baby drink water" and then looked up at me and asked, "baby happy?" It was one of the sweetest things he's ever said and it made me so excited for him to meet the baby. I keep telling him he is going to be a great big brother. I always ask him, "is the baby going to come out of my belly?" And he tells me "stay house" (stay / live in our house). Then I ask, "where is the baby going to sleep" and he responds, "sleep crib." And when we are in the car I ask him who is going to sit in the new baby car seat. Most of the time he answers, "Luke" (his friend who did sit in the van next to him once in a car seat) and when I say, "no" he responds, "Mommy's baby."

The other day Ian and I went to the grocery store and then to Turf Time right afterwards. By the time I got home I was exhausted! It's getting to be so much work to move around that much. All I want to do is sit. But luckily the weather has been nice the last week so Ian is playing outside while, for the most part, I just sit and watch him.

Every time someone asks me, 'how are you feeling,' my answer is always, "so ready to have this baby" which is very true. Honestly, I'm quite surprised I haven't gone into labor yet. For the past few days I've eaten a lot of spicy food. Nathan made the same dish I swear put me in labor with Ian: chicken with rice, salsa and hot peppers. I've eaten 3 meals of it plus last night he made a spicy fish and tonight I had VERY spicy chicken fajitas with jalapeno peppers. I guess this baby isn't too affected by spicy food. Guess I'll just have to remain patient. But when I lost my mucous plug (which I thought I lost Thursday) yesterday (and more today??) I thought for sure I'd be going into labor shortly since I lost it with Ian the morning I went into labor. But apparently it can be up to 2 weeks before you go into labor after losing the mucous plug. I know he / she will enter the world when he / she is ready. Let's just hope it's not too much longer!

38 weeks, 3 days

37 weeks and completely ready (plus we finally have names picked out!)

I'm now a little over 37 weeks along and completely ready for this baby to come out. It's getting very hard to move around.

Ian and I had a special day together at the Boston Children's Museum. But getting there wasn't all fun and games. The amount of walking I had to do to get from one train to the other took a lot of my energy and my legs were hurting a lot from it all. But thank goodness the Museum was a blast! I loved spending this time with just Ian; realizing that it may be the last time we do something really fun like this, just the two of us. It certainly has been a wonderful 2 years spending every moment with him. I'm quite nervous to bring this baby into our (Ian's) lives but I know he will adjust. He's going to be a wonderful big brother.

Ahh, jury duty.. Apparently being 'very' pregnant does not exempt one from jury duty. Luckily, I was only there for about 4 hours. Everybody was called upstairs into the court room which was about 2 floors up. 99% of the people took the stairs but when I stepped into the elevator people just smiled. I was 34 weeks pregnant - no way was I going up the stairs! By the time I arrived in the court room there were no seats left. So I waddled my way to the front mostly so people could see me and it paid off. Someone gave up their seat for me. And good thing because we were in there for 2 hours! 

During the 2nd weekend in February, Nathan and Ian went to CT. It was so nice to have the time to myself and to take long bubble baths while talking to Baby Due. It's going to be a while before I get that kind of alone time again!

Thank goodness for Melissa Murphy. She has agreed to watch Ian while I'm in labor. And it makes me so happy and confident to leave him there with her. We went to her house for a playdate and Ian completely remembers the house and all the toys there from when we used to go over there weekly when I babysat Annabelle. And the two of them play so well together. The last thing I need is to worry about Ian while I'm in labor, and I know I won't have to with him at Melissa's house.

Ian and I met up with Kate and Liam on February 19 (just over 34 weeks pregnant) at the Children's Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. Kate is only 4 weeks behind me and we were both exhausted by the end! The museum is 3 floors and the stairs are very steep and narrow. It was quite the workout.

Every time I see someone I haven't seen in a while (or even a week) they say, "wow, you have gotten so big!" Really? Yes, really. I look back at my pictures and I can see that my belly really has gotten quite ginormous. And I saw my belly in a full-size mirror for the first time when I was at my mom's house and realized how big I actually am. When my doctor asked me a few weeks ago if I felt I was going to have the same size baby as Ian (8lbs 2oz) I said yes. But now I think this baby might be bigger.

I had my 35+ week OBGYN appointment on February 22. I weighed in at 155 lbs! I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks! I was shocked. But Dr. Shafi isn't worried and said a lot of it is probably water weight and that I may even lose weight within the next week. Ian didn't come with me to this appointment since it was at 320pm and Kelsey was at my house. So she stayed there with him while he napped. And good thing because I had my strep B test. It just made the appointment a little longer. She checked to see if I was dilated which I wasn't, but I was 50% effaced which made me happy. The baby was head down and had a 145 heart rate. She also informed me that she can induce me after 39 weeks so we can avoid me going into labor on Ian's birthday. It's definitely nice to have that option.

Ian and I went to CT the last weekend in February since it would be our last time there before the baby arrives. We went to Kristen Chantrell's house for a play date and it was nice talking to her about what it's like to go from 1 to 2 kids. She made me less nervous saying that it was so much better having the 2. She felt more 'complete.' But insured me labor would be much quicker the second time around! I sure hope I make it to the hospital in time! Ian and I went to lunch with Mom and Dad at Chili's and I really wanted to order the buffalo chicken sandwich but I was afraid of the spice. I asked the waitress, "how spicy is the buffalo chicken sandwich, because I don't want to go into labor." She was able to bring the spicy sauce on the side so I could control it. I wasn't ready to deliver the baby at 36 weeks and certainly didn't want it to happen in CT without Nathan there!

On February 28, I had to bring Ian to the pediatrician because he was limping. They had to take x-rays but of course I wasn't allowed in the room. Hearing him scream from outside the room was torture and I just wanted to be in there to tell him it was alright. He eventually got through it and I was able to hold my boy again. Then afterwards I had my OBGYN appointment (I go weekly now). I weighed 154.6 lbs which means I lost half a pound! I was very thrilled considering how much I had gained at my last appointment. Megan Bride, NP didn't check to see if I was dilated but I was ok with it because I knew I wasn't. My Braxton Hicks contractions had been normal and not too intense. But I'm looking forward to my status at my next appointment.

After I turned 37 weeks, we pretty much finalized everything for the baby's arrival. The van was professionally vacuumed and cleaned and Nathan installed the infant car seat. My bag is pretty much packed as well as Ian's. It's so exciting!!

We officially have names picked out!!! We only finalized maybe a week ago.

Alex Wesley Tregger

Zoi Rebekah Tregger

Hurray for finally having names! Nathan likes the spelling Zoi instead of Zoe because Ian is spelled with an "I" and it makes the "e" sound. Wesley is my Grandma's grandfather's name (so, my Great-Great-Grandfather) as well as her uncle's and 2 cousin's names. But we didn't find this out until about a month ago. Wesley was always on our list of names and up until the end, it was between Alex and Wesley. So once we decided Alex was the name, we thought Wesley was a good middle name only to find out later that it's a family name! :)

32 weeks

37 weeks

 Touching the baby

More interested in my birth mark than the baby

Awww hugs for Momma

Thomas got to take a ride on my belly

My sweet Ian knows there is a baby in my belly and that it will come out, live at our house and sleep in the crib. But I don't think he really understands what all that means. Reality will be setting in shortly...

Stomach bug!

On January 22 (31w, 2d) I felt Baby Due hiccup for the first time while I was taking a bath! I was very happy it was while I was bathing so that I could really concentrate on it and watch my belly move up and down. And Nathan was around so he was able to feel it too.

I've had a few OBGYN appointments since my last blog:
January 23: I weighed in at150 lbs. Yay, I gained 2 lbs in 2 weeks; right on schedule. Dr. Shafi told me to call when my contractions are 5-10min apart. I'll be calling at 10min so that I have enough time to get to the hospital.
And she predicts I will go into labor a week early just like I did with Ian. But how accurate can she predict, really? I'm hoping to go into labor 2 weeks early but we shall see! And the baby's heart rate is at 170 which she says the faster heart rates are usually girls. She is too funny. She is a great doctor.

February 1: This was an unscheduled visit. The night before I was up from 1a-3a with strong contractions. I could not sleep from the pain. Nathan had me go downstairs and watch tv to get my mind off it which did help. Then I woke up at 5a with nausea and major diarrhea. I honestly feared I was in labor. Of course I pull out my book which says in real labor you can experience nausea and diarrhea along with contractions which really got me worried. All of a sudden I'm thinking, where would I bring Ian at this time of day? I don't have any premie diapers or premie clothes... Nathan kept assuring me I was fine and to think positively. When I called my doctor office the next morning, they said I needed to come in and do fetal monitoring. Luckily, Nathan was able to come home from work early to watch Ian so I could go to my appointment -it would have been so hard to watch Ian while strapped to the monitors. When they weighed me I was still 150lbs which surprised me. But I figured it was due to all the diarrhea I had from 5a-12p. An exam was done and Megan Bride (NP) informed me I wasn't dilated. Phew! The fetal monitor showed no signs of concern and I was sent home an hour later with the diagnosis of 'stomach bug.' I was told to keep my feet up and stay hydrated. Phew, not in labor.

February 7: Today I weighed in at 151lbs which surprised me since my stomach bug came back Feb 4 and Feb 5. I had the worst diarrhea I've ever had and was sure that I had lost weight. But Megan said I must have done a good job hydrating myself since I actually gained 1 pound. And the baby sounded great (heart rate at 140) and I was measuring where I'm supposed to. The baby kicked her as she was listening for the heart rate which was funny. Ian is such a doll at my appointments (which Megan even commented on) and loves seeing the fish afterwards (they have a fish tank in the pediatrics dept and the pharmacy).

I had a strange dream: I was in CT and my water broke at 33+ weeks at 2am. Nathan was at his mom's house and not answering his phone so my mom and Angela brought me to the hospital and I was having triplets. Yikes!

My belly button has been half way popped out for a while now and seems to be slowly going further and further out. Nathan keeps telling me it looks like a nose and I think it looks like a dinosaur (at least from my angle). Yuck.

I don't know why but every time Ian touches my belly he has to squish it in. I tell him to be gentle and only rub the baby but he really enjoys pushing my belly in. He has given the baby a couple of kisses here and there which is so adorable. I'll have to get a picture.

Sweet little newborn outfit I bought to take the baby home from hospital in if it's a girl!

32w

Happy New Year! 10 weeks left...

Happy New Year, Baby Due! I cannot believe you will be born this year! I remember thinking the same thing when I was pregnant with Ian. "I'm having a baby this year." Only 10 more weeks until your due date!

When I was at the mall, the cashier man told me, "Well, I see you failed to have the baby on Christmas Day!" I told him, "I still have a few months left." Do I really look that big? Does it look like I'm due (or overdue for that matter) any day? I was shocked. But then again he was a middle-aged man so maybe he has no idea really about pregnancy sizes. I measure where I'm supposed to; I'm not too big.

I had an OB appointment on January 10 and now weigh 148 lbs. I was so shocked to find out I only gained 2 lbs in the last 2.5 weeks since my last appointment. Hurray! So I'm basically on the exact same weight-gain schedule as I was with my first pregnancy (according to my journal). I gained a ton in the middle around the same weeks and then slowed down and gained 1 lb / week. Phew! But now that I see the OB every 2 weeks I really have to try hard not to gain more than 1 lb / week. It's so much harder this time around though without the use (and time) of a gym. And it's too cold to bring Ian out for walks. My OB cannot tell at this point what position the baby is in but they really check for it around 32 weeks. So the next time I go in hopefully they check and hopefully the baby is face down. If not, there is still time for him / her to flip.

I deal with extreme back pain every morning until about 10a / 11a. The doctor said I could take Tylenol so that's what I've been doing although I try not to take it everyday. Then after my back pain goes away, the right rib pain starts. But luckily I've been sleeping better than I had with my other pregnancy since I'm actually not getting up 5 times / night to pee. Knock on wood it stays that way! But lately I've been feeling the baby push on my bladder and I get this quick sting. It's uncomfortable and hurts a little. The baby feels so much lower this time around which they say is common with subsequent pregnancies. I haven't felt hiccups yet which is weird but I'm sure I will soon enough. As I type this, the baby is kicking pretty hard. Sometimes Baby Due kicks (or rather kicks and punches) in 2 different places at the same time as if the baby is stretching or something. It's wild.

Nathan and I have narrowed down the baby name list a little but we still have a ways to go! We have 9 names on the girl list (Ruby, Ashley, Julia, Juliet, Mia, Lucy, Zoe, Lily, Olivia) and 6 on the boy list (Calvin, Wes, Alex, Miles, Chris, Zachary). And then there's the stress of a middle name! I know we'll narrow it down to one name for each but it's a little stressful. Picking a name is such a huge responsibility!

The other day I went through Ian's newborn and 0-3month clothes. I couldn't believe how tiny the clothes, especially the onesies, are! Did Ian really used to fit in those? I pulled out the green car one-piece that Ian wore home from the hospital on his first day home so that if Baby Due is a boy, he can wear that too. I have been shopping around for a newborn girl outfit but haven't found anything I'm absolutely in love with. Well, except for this one First Impressions one-piece but the smallest size was 0-3months. I think it will be too big for that first day home. I'll keep looking around. But going through Ian's clothes, I'm realizing how many clothes I will have to buy if it IS a girl. I thought I had enough things for her to wear but I only have a handful of yellow / green outfits. The rest are clearly boy clothes. I have enough onesies but that might be it. I'll have to go on a major shopping spree! Or maybe I'll get some clothes now and give them to Kate if I don't end up having a girl since she can use them.

Only 10 more weeks!!!!!!!! :)

Very active baby

On December 6 I went to a holiday party for Momtourage and was lucky enough to wear a pretty maternity dress lent to me by the Organizer, Lori. It was a lot of fun and I certainly enjoyed the food there!

That weekend Angela, Wayne, Megan and Katie came to CT to celebrate Christmas early since they were going to be in IL for Christmas this year. The girls were very excited to see my belly and offer their name suggestions. They are both thinking / hoping it's a girl. We shall see!

Bringing Ian to the different library storytimes / sing-alongs has been a little more difficult lately since Ian sits on my lap during the first half until he is warmed up. Sitting on the floor with him sitting on me puts a lot of pressure on my belly.

December 18 Ian and I visited Kate and Liam at their house. It's so fun to be pregnant at the same time again with her. Kate is due April 14, which is 3 weeks after my due date. She is having a girl and loves the name, Samantha. She said this pregnancy feels so different from the last one which is just another confirmation that I think I'm having a boy. But I''ll be VERY happy if I do have a boy since I have all the clothes, toys, etc that I will need. Plus Ian will have a playmate. But I will also be very happy with a girl. As long as the baby is healthy!!!

I went to my friend, Gail's house for a GNO / Yankee Swap one night and my friend, Melissa (I used to babysit her daughter, Annabelle) was there. She had a baby 3 weeks ago and you couldn't even tell! She was so skinny! I can only hope to be so lucky!! It took me forever to get back into my pre-pregnancy jeans last time...

On December 23 I had another OBGYN appointment. Now I weigh 146lbs! I gained 7 pounds in 3.5 weeks. I was utterly shocked! But Dr. Shafi says it's nothing at all to be concerned about and a lot of it is probably water weight. I sure hope so! So far I've gained 25 pounds in 27 weeks. Now if I can only gain 1 lb / week from now on I will be ok. I also had my glucose screening test. When Ian saw my cup (of that orange sugar drink) he kept saying, "cup, cup" and wanted my cup. I don't think he would have liked it too much! Dr. Shafi was having a hard time getting a strong heartbeat on the monitor so she just wanted to check the baby's position via ultrasound. What a special treat to see my baby again! She couldn't get a strong sound because the baby's head is up and is facing my back. But she said there is plenty of time for the baby to flip head down.

Merry Christmas, Baby Due! We all really enjoyed Christmas with Ian this year. But I kept thinking how next year I will have TWO KIDS to celebrate with! It seems so unreal.

My rib and back pain are soooo annoying. I have extreme back pain all morning (which Dr. Shafi said to take Tylenol, baths and heat compresses to relieve otherwise I'll need physical therapy) and by the time the back pain is gone, my right rib starts hurting! But at least I don't have leg cramps (so far...) like I did with the last pregnancy. But this back pain is awful especially because Ian wants to be picked up and carried. I have been taking Tylenol though here and there and it really helps.

Did Ian move around this much in utero? My heavens, this baby seems to never stop! I wish Ian could feel the baby kick and understand it. But I love how he lifts up my shirt and says, "baby." Lately though he pushes on my belly; like trying to squash it down! LOL!

When people ask me how I'm feeling, lately my answer has been, "I'm so over this pregnancy and ready to be done." It's true. I cannot fathom another 3 months. It's so much harder this time around. I'm absolutely exhausted physically. Bending down to pick up Ian's toys or food he's dropped is a full on workout it seems. And my moods are up and down - poor Nathan. I just don't have a lot of patience and it doesn't take much to tire me out. But it really is all worth it for Baby Due. I just cannot wait to meet him / her!!!

26 weeks, 3 days

28 weeks

Nathan feels baby kick

Anokhi Bock was visiting her in-laws again in MA so I got to bring Ian down to visit with her, Bela and Asha. Turns out Anokhi is also pregnant and due only 4 weeks after me! So it was nice to talk about pregnancy-related things. The second she saw me, she said, "My gosh, I am already so much bigger than you!" Which is funny since I feel like my stomach is huge.

Nathan felt the baby kick on November 18. He has admitted that it kind of freaks him out a little to feel the baby. He says it did last time too. I guess I can see that. But it's so nice that other people can feel these movements too. And I feel like this baby moves around a lot more than Ian did when I  was pregnant with him but it may just be that I notice it more this time. There was one night the baby woke me up in the middle of the night kicking and I couldn't go back to sleep for about 2 hours from all the movements! The baby isn't even born yet and is already keeping me awake in the middle of the night!

Me, Nathan and Ian drove to PA this year to be with Aunt Val and everybody for Thanksgiving. Going on long car trips while pregnant is quite annoying since it's impossible to get comfortable. But we all had a wonderful time and the baby enjoyed the enormous piece of cheese cake I had after my Thanksgiving meal! And Hae finally got to feel the baby kick.

At my November 30 doctor appointment, I was very nervous to step on the scale considering all the Halloween candy I ate as well as the big Thanksgiving dinner. But I was pleasantly surprised when it read 139 pounds. I only gained 3 pounds in 4 weeks! Hurray! Now I'm hoping I continue to gain only 1 pound per week. The baby's heart beat also sounded great at 140. Ian really enjoys listening to it.

My friend, Gail Heneghan had her 3rd baby, Connor, and I got to hold, feed and burp him when he was just over 2 weeks old. It was a little strange holding a baby that little and trying to burp him. Of course, Ian was jealous the whole time I had the baby. He kept tugging on my hand for me to get up and play with him. I hope he's more understanding when his baby brother/sister arrives! But it really was quite amazing to hold little baby Connor. And Melissa Murphy had her 2nd baby, Grace, via c-section just yesterday. I can't wait to meet her and see how Annabelle is as a big sister. All these new babies makes me that much more excited to meet Baby Due!

I am very physically exhausted at this point. Carrying Ian up and down the stairs is a huge chore but he refuses to go down the stairs most of the time. And putting him in his car seat is a work out. I'm going to have to adjust how I do things so I'm not constantly out of breath and feeling like I need to lay down.

20 weeks, 4 days

24 weeks, 2 days