Thirteen Weeks

Cutest Photobomb Ever

How far along?: 13 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  A little bigger than last week....I think by now he/she is like a little more than 2 inches long? bizarre.

The Bump: popping out more and more!

Symptoms: throwing up every morning all of a sudden, ready for that to end. but less nauseous and more energy. it's a pregnant miracle!

Food Cravings: salsa, chocolate milk, gummy lifesavers

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: mostly Sophie's dog food and the smell of our pantry/fridge.

Sleep: Weird dreams and lots of pee breaks. hopefully those take a backseat here, soon.

What I miss: I'm not even much of a drinker, but I'd love a cold Strongbow

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: I have names picked out....getting Brett to agree is always the challenge

Movement: I had been feeling little pops and bubbles occasionally these last couple of weeks, but a couple days ago I started feeling real movement. I like to be to the point where it's actually consistent, but it's fun being in the middle of something then suddenly being reminded that baby's alive and well!

Maternity Clothes: There's a severe lack of motivation to dress cute this time around. I'm sure once the weather warms up and we actually go more places, I'll try to dress a little nicer, but day to day, it's sweat pants and oversized t shirts.

Labor Signs: Nope. Please stay that way until the last week of July :)

Best Moment of the Week: feeling kicks and having Levi hold my hand and rub my back when I puke. he's just the sweetest little boy.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: the magical 2nd trimester, where there's no place for vomiting and queasiness (right? ha!)

Eleven Weeks

Another baby. I am so elated. Levi is growing up so fast these days, there are times I just miss snuggling him and holding him close. He has been so kind to me these last few weeks when I've been sick and exhausted, by the way. He gets scared when I throw up, but then whenever I lie down on the couch, he brings me a blanket. It's the cutest. I will forever miss sharing those moments with him, but am ecstatic to share those moments with another little one. Don't get me wrong, it scares me to death to think about what it will be like juggling two kids, especially right at the start of football season! How will I ever go to the store? Will I ever eat inside a restaurant again? I will be outnumbered most of my day, and Levi will probably hate me and said baby for an ungodly amount of time. Speaking of which, have you seen Levi around babies? He yells at them and sometimes even swats his hand at them, especially if I'm anywhere near them. Oh Lord, PROTECT ALL THE BABIES.

I don't think I'm alone in my thoughts as I'm sure every mom having additional children has had these doubts pop up in her mind. I remind myself continually that I'm not the first person to juggle more than 1 child, and if they can do it, so can I (I think!?) :) If nothing else, I will have a valid excuse when I'm found in public looking disheveled since I haven't showered in days. So I'll have that going for me.

I will say, being pregnant for the second time is soooo much easier than before. I'm not talking physically, although lucky for me, this one has been much more kind to me. But just mentally, not being surprised by as many things and not worrying as much. Don't get me wrong, I still worry about this little one. I hope and pray daily that he/she is safe and healthy and growing big and strong. But I also know that this is all out of my control. This baby is in the Lord's great care, and no matter how many vegetables I do or do not eat or how much water I drink, this sweet life is in the Author of Life's care. So yes, I take care of myself. But no, I don't deny the occasional pop (or soda, for you southern folk) or google every symptom (other than my blotchy skin patches...HAVE YOU SEEN MY BLOTCHY SKIN PATCHES?!) Instead, I wake up in the morning and say in my head, "Today I am pregnant, and I praise God for this gift." And if He chooses to take this baby Home with Him tomorrow, I will have delighted in all my days with this child and will weep and rest with the One whose grace is sufficient.

How far along?: 11 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  Lime, I think?

The Bump: Starting to look a little less like a food baby and more like a real baby

Symptoms: Nausea, occasionally throwing up, super sensitive to smells, blotchy dark patches of skin (wtf!?), heartburn, exhausted (although starting to have more energy these days!)

Food Cravings: No real cravings, just comfort food

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: dog food, smell of our pantry, even the smell of my makeup, garage, Sophie's breath...oh, also the scene in Elf when Buddy eats gum off the subway rail in NYC...that one sent me running!

Sleep: Waking up to pee at least once a night, which then it's hard to fall back asleep. If I don't wake up to pee, I wake up around 5:30 unable to go back to sleep. It's the pits.

What I miss: Nothing really

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: I have names picked out....getting Brett to agree is always the challenge

Movement: I've felt little bubbles, wondering if it's the baby or just gas. I like to pretend it's the baby and that I'm a proper English lady who doesn't experience this said gas.

Maternity Clothes: I brought out my maternity jeans a few weeks ago, only to realize they were no good because they were, are you ready for it? RIPPED AT THE SEAMS. My poor prior pregnant belly really did them in. So I bought some new jeans and leggings to get me through...I'm hopeful warm weather will be here sooner than later (a girl can dream?) and I can just stick to maxi dresses and skirts

Labor Signs: Nope. Please stay that way until the last week of July :)

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat with the doppler yesterday at my first appointment

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Getting to the 2nd trimester :)

Fox, Party of Four!

That's right folks! We are delighted to be expecting Baby Fox #2 this summer! You guys, it's been so fun not really telling people much about this baby up to this point. I have thoroughly enjoyed every awkward glance and double take at my rapidly growing belly. Thanks for the laughs. ANYWAY, the journey here was different than expected, but it's been amazing watching the Lord unfold this little one's story right before our eyes. I'll be writing more about that soon here, hopefully, somewhere among the midst of changing diapers and throwing up. (If you'd like to go back and read the First Edition, Click here!) Until then, here's a little recap on the last few weeks, and our little Fox's first portrait...

8 weeks along! I know, I know, WHAT IS THAT right? 
The little leg buds are on the left, if that helps?!

First Belly Shot...10 weeks along!

Overall, I have felt pretty good. Of course, compared to the last time, getting eaten alive by a pack of wolves would have been classified as pretty good (dramatic, much?). But for realsies, there's certainly been nausea and vomiting, but not nearly to the extreme I had with Levi. So no complaints here! This pregnancy has been different from Levi in other ways, too. The nausea dies down when I eat. With Levi, eating just caused the cycle to start all over again. Because of that, I've gained 3lbs so far; with Levi, I lost 8. This one, constipation. Levi, diarrhea. This one, yucky complexion. Levi, glowing skin (and I would have never used the word yucky pre-Levi. Oh, motherhood.)

The big question everyone asks then is, "So do you think you're having a girl this time?" It's a fair question, but I really don't know. Mostly because I don't have much time to think about it. When I do, logically it seems I could be having a girl. But I always pictured myself being a mama of boys. So next summer, we will see!

That's right, it's "Surprise us at Delivery" mode over here! Well, I'm still struggling to get Brett on board, so feel free to encourage him and tell him how awesome it is to wait! I've always wanted to do it this way. With Levi, I caved, but I am standing strong! :) Because it really makes no difference to me. I know how much I'd love a daughter, but I also know how much I love having a son! So be it trucks or tutu's (did I even spell that right?), sign me up!

I hope to keep up the blog with updates as this little Fox continues hibernating in the den, but right now I'm clocking in. Yes at 9:03 on a Monday night. It's been quite the day over here, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

"My future hangs on this, You made preciousness from dust, 

Please don't stop creating me..." -Rend Collective