Twenty Weeks...halfway there!

How far along?: 20 weeks (a week late)

Baby is the size of a: banana

The Bump: loud and proud!

Symptoms: back and hip pain

Food Cravings: still, all of it. it's insane

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: nope!

Sleep: i typically wake up around 1:30 then toss and turn until the morning. not the funnest.

What I miss: nothing, really. i really like being pregnant once the throwing up subsides!

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: boys names are hard!!

Movement: sweet little love taps all day long, but nothing insane. it's fun watching my belly move a little here and there!

Maternity Clothes: i'd be screwed without them!

Labor Signs: braxton hicks already!

Best Moment of the Week: seeing our sweet baby on the ultrasound! we laughed because Levi was so active and difficult to measure during his anatomy scan...this baby just chilled and completely cooperated! what a lovie! Also, Levi has been fascinated with my belly lately, giving it hugs and kisses, then he lifts up his shirt and puffs his belly out. Makes my mama heart so full. I pray daily these two would become best friends.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: warmer weather!!! 

21 Months

My boy is just 3 months away from being 2! My heart can't even handle it! I LOVE this age and soooo look forward to the next stage as well, but I'm pretty sure I just delivered this little one yesterday, so it seems impossible that he could have grown up this fast!

You guys, he is a HOOT. I don't know if it's his facial expressions, his laugh, his stance, or a combination of it all, but you really can't be around this kid long without laughing at something. He scrunches his nose up and purses his lips, while standing tall with his belly hanging out of his shirt at least an hour a day. I just sit there and watch him sometimes, soaking him all in. He is just too much.

• He is all into fake sneezing. His "achoo" is rather silent so you need to listen up if you're gonna catch it!
• Levi "baa's" like a sheep, and affectionately refers to dogs and horses as "gwo" Albeit nonsense, it's consistent and I know what he means :)
• While he's still going through a picky eater phase (hopefully it's just a phase!), he still loves food. One day I heated up a plate of leftovers and brought them to the living room to eat while Levi was playing with his toys. When I sat down, he ran to the kitchen. Before I know it, he came back with a spoon in his hand, and walked right over to my plate and helped himself. I was dying.
• He started saying so much these last few months, although the last couple of weeks he has laid off a lot. But he's been able to say things like "hank ew," "alb ew" (love you,) "doggy," "ok," "huh?" occasional "mama & dada" (especially when he's whining,) guitar, gar (grape), and his all time favorite, "car." Everything on God's green earth is a car to this little dude. Bless.
• We're still going through the "I hate babies" phase. It's an uphill battle, but his fits around little ones have shrunk in intensity and length, so I'm gonna chalk that up as a win. I still fear a little for this new little one, though, and pray for a hedge of protection from the jealousy of the older brother. Poor babe's gonna need it.
• Levi is a determined little boy. He knows what he wants and doesn't know how to say it (awful combination.) Disciplining him has been a humbling experience because all my years of "I would just do this if my kid did that" has failed us and sometimes we wonder if we're doing it right. That being said, we've also seen a look of "uh oh" and even a little remorse when he's being disciplined, so I *think* we're heading the right direction. I was a really good parent about 3 years ago :) and now I feel a little clueless sometimes, but we pray a lot and beg God to work in Levi in spite of our best efforts so we are just trusting He will do just that :)
• That being said, this boy is SUCH a sweetheart. Levi is a snuggler and loves giving hugs and kisses. He'll be in the middle of playing when he will stop everything he's doing, run over, and rest his head on my shoulder. Just for the sake of being lovely. He thinks it's cool when I sing along to Daniel Tiger and loves to dance to music, taking the time to clap for himself when he is done. While he still has a long way to go when it comes to sharing, he does take the time to bring toys to little ones (once he's done throwing a fit) and is very gentle and sweet with them.
• My favorite thing these days is when I ask, "Where's the baby?" He stretches out both arms and rubs his hands on my belly. Be still my heart.

Have I mentioned I'm so grateful for this boy? :) Levi you are my joy and you make my world sweeter. I love you to the moon and back, Hammy!

Eighteen Weeks

Pic taken at 19+2...we've been busy!

How far along?: 18 weeks

Baby is the size of a: about 6 inches head to rump :) see, I can google :)

The Bump: is starting to bump into things.

Symptoms: really not throwing up anymore, with the exception of one or two times. halleljuah!

Food Cravings: seriously folks, this babe is a hungry one! I can't seem to eat enough

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: nope!

Sleep: starting to be more comfortable sleeping on my sides, but I can't wait until I can be a belly/back sleeper again!

What I miss: nothing, really.

Weddings Rings On or Off: on

Any Names Picked Out Yet: names are so tough. when I write out the ones I like, I want all of them. I'm just gonna need to have like 8 kids so that I can use up all my names!

Movement: you know it! over all, not as active as Levi (yet) Perhaps I have a mellow little babe growing in there?? Sounds blissful!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and let me just say a quick thanks to all those who loaned me clothes last time! You clearly carried me through because I really don't have much. I'm trying to hold off buying much until it warms up though since most of my pregnancy will be in warmer months! 

Labor Signs: Nope way Jose!

Best Moment of the Week: These last few weeks have been hard as we said goodbye to Brett's mom :( but we are grateful for this baby and the joy he/she has brought to us already!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: our ultrasound! sometime in the next 2 or 3 weeks :) But yes, sorry, we are still waiting to find out the gender until the baby's birth day!

Fifteen Weeks

How far along?: 15 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  I don't even know. I would guess maybe 4 inches? 

The Bump: big bumpin!

Symptoms: throwing up about every other day. nasty headaches.

Food Cravings: just give me ALL THE FOOD

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: nothing in particular these days

Sleep: What's that??

What I miss: that foreign "s" word mentioned in the previous bullet

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'm pretty sure i'm growing a kickboxer in there!!

Maternity Clothes: you know it!

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

Best Moment of the Week: finding out we get to go on a special trip with Brett's family!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: seeing this sweet babe on the ultrasound in a few weeks!! I've seen him/her once before, but Brett had the flu so this will be his first time!!

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