Want to see more of our family photos from the shoot? Check them out here!
Although we discovered Mckenzie's big-sister-in-the-making status around week 5 of my pregnancy, we elected to keep the news quiet until after my sister-in-laws wedding. So, while a very few select friends were clued in, our families weren't informed until week 13, at Thanksgiving dinner. Shortly after, we informed out of town family and close friends via Christmas cards, followed by the obligatory Facebook announcement. And now, here I am finally posting the news for all of you to read. I should admit, in true "second child" fashion, I have been a little bit of a slacker on all things baby bump and pregnancy tracker and have used the delayed announcements as a crutch in doing so. However, with my pregnancy now in it's 18th week and our anatomy scan scheduled for this morning - which means a subsequent gender reveal post coming soon (hint, hint!) - I have vowed to figure out something fun to commemorate the pregnancy, starting today - since my new weeks start on Mondays.
While I haven't done anything cute like my chalkboard tracker with McKenzie, I have been snapping quick selfies in the mirror most weeks and, despite my denial of the fact, am starting to see a distinct baby bump forming.
I am not sure if it's all the work I put in to lose the baby weight after McKenzie, or that I announced the pregnancy so late that my mind is having a hard time catching up with the fact that I am as far along as I am, but I feel like I am having a bit of difficulty coming to terms with the weight gain and growing waistline more so than I did the first time around. But alas, I know it's to be expected and is good for the growing baby, so I shall continue to workout (something I wasn't able to do with McKenzie - so yay!) and make a conscious effort to graciously accept the necessary (but temporary) growth. With the holiday season coming to a close and the abundance of sweets and treats no longer in my face all day, I will attempt to curb these dang aggressive cravings with healthy alternatives.
This is getting long, so I will end with the preggo survey I did with Z and see you all soon for a fun gender reveal post.
How far along? 18 Weeks
Maternity clothes? I haven't pulled them out yet, although I never packed away my belly bands or Gap sweaters, which I have been wearing a bit this past week.
Sleep: I wake up a few times at night for a potty break and have been having a tad bit of insomnia which leaves me exhausted during the day - thank goodness for toddler naps ;)
Best moment this week: We find out if this mini Mac is a boy or a girl today!!!
Miss Anything? Clear skin and the ability to end the day with an adult beverage.
Movement: A little bit here and there, but it's minimal for now.
Food cravings: Everything in sight?! But really, lemonade - but only the really sour kind and chocolate, lots of chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I get really bad hearth burn, but luckily the nausea went away around 14 weeks. This go around it was SO bad and literally anything would make me sick. Luckily, working out usually curbs any lingering nausea.
Have you started to show yet: Ugh, yes! But I am still able to conceal it pretty well with close, not that I need to of course, I just hate this stage where people just think, "is she, isn't she"?!? At night, it can look quite pronounced though.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty even keel for the most part, but the swings are crazy. I get overly emotional about stuff pretty easily, happy, sad, mad, any emption at all.
Looking forward to: The anatomy ultrasound, the gender reveal photo shoot and the Stroller Strides gender reveal workout/party.