20 weeks

How Far Along: 20 weeks...halfway done

Maternity Clothes: My maternity pants are too big still but regular pants are not an option...my shorts are getting a bit tight but hopefully they will last for the rest of shorts season.

Best Moment This Week: seeing so much progress in the house and baby boy allowing me to work some.

Weight Gain/Loss: -5 lb

Gender: BOY...so excited!

Movement: Kicks have been more forceful but still not the frequency of Zack's kicks

Food Craving: depends on the day...could be burrito or saltines

What I miss: doing too much...working at the house has been great but a non pregnant Lindsay would do a whole lot more.

Sleep: uncomfortable/and naps have been less frequent

What I am looking Forward to: being settled enough to focus on decorating the nursery

Symptoms: vomiting, fatigue, nausea, food aversions, sore back, headaches, nose bleeds, bad circulation

Same/Different: Basically anorexia with Zack and Bulimia with this one

Tummy Shot:

This might actually be 19 weeks

You know you're pregnant when...

1) your toddler adds "throwing up" with mommy as one of his favorite morning activities
2) greasy food and processed cheese seem to be the only cure for nausea
3) "but you just ate" is something your husband says several times a day
4) you start referring to your toddlers nap time as "our" nap time
5) as annoying as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is...you look forward to the 30 min. rest time
6) your toddler is no longer eating proper meals because he shares your hourly snack (don't worry I save the greasy food and processed cheese for after his bed time)
7) you treat yourself to an Auntie Annie's pretzel and scarf it down so no one can ask for a piece (meanwhile no one should ever ask for a pregnant ladies snack...Zack is the only person that can get away with that)
8) your toddler ruins any dinner he would have had because he found and ate your bedside saltines
9) you start to wonder if your "I need to eat/sleep meltdown" is worse than your toddlers
10) you can no longer listen to country music/watch hallmark movies without tearing up (although the "Love" saga marathon while Adam was gone was totally worth it)
11) your husband hates having crumbs in the bed but has no right to say anything about it (or several other annoying habits) for the next several months
12) you are appalled that anyone would mow THEIR lawn during YOUR nap.
13) you asked your husband a question and after he gives you an answer you wonder what it was that you asked
14) it's acceptable to pick at food at a dinner party before dinner is served, run to the bathroom without excusing yourself and return after vomiting to continue picking at the food

I'll keep adding to the list as more things happen...ahhhh pregnancy...all you can do is laugh about it.

17 weeks

How Far Along: 17 weeks

Maternity Clothes: My shorts fit under the belly so people are going to have to ignore my bright white legs (no tan = no skin cancer...and no getting yelled at by my dermatologist)

Best Moment This Week: painting the nursery (and Zack's big boy room) and feeling the first kick

Weight Gain/Loss: -8 lb (I've started gaining)

Gender: BOY!!!!!

Movement: yep! Our little kicker skipped the butterfly stage and I am feeling actual kicks...this kind of worries me for when little man gets bigger and stronger.

Food Cravings: greasy food and processed cheese (did I mention I am having a boy???)

What I Miss: Eating a full meal at a normal time, feeling like a person

Sleep: I feel like it may be too early but I am getting really uncomfortable in bed. My hips hurt and I constantly switch sides plus I am getting up to use the bathroom a couple times a night.

Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, vomiting, bad blood circulation in my right leg

Same/Different: I didn't have trouble sleeping this early on and I thought Zack had a powerful kick but so far little man is showing off his punting skills (I saw Z as a soccer player I see little man as a kicker on a football team...they have a more powerful kick..right?). At this point we have no names that we are in love with...I think we pretty much decided on Zachary as soon as we knew he was a boy.

Tummy Shot:

16 Weeks

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Maternity Clothes: I tried on some pants at old navy so I could order something. I have really popped this week and I'm pretty sure they will be necessary soon.

Best Moment This Week: seeing my healthy little BOY at the anatomy scan.

Weight Gain/Loss: -9 lb

Gender: BOY!!!!!

Movement: Not yet but I can't wait

Food Cravings: nothing but I have a bigger appetite.

What I Miss: Eating a full meal at a normal time

Sleep: alright. My naps are to 30 min. and I can skip them but that means no evening crafting.

Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, vomiting, bad blood circulation in my right leg (exactly like with Zack)...new this week: bloody noses

Same/Different: same: boy different: I know little one will be born small so I invested in a couple newborn outfits at consignments...it's usually difficult to find boys clothing in good shape, but NB sizes are pretty much like new. I head to another consignment this Friday where I expect to pick up a few more tiny clothes.

Tummy Shot:

I set the timer for this one and Zack thought it was hilarious!

My Duke Appointment

At my last regular dr. appointment they mentioned the results from my N&T scan showed that there was nothing to worry about but did show an abnormal hormone level for one of my hormones. Basically the doctor said he wasn't worried but it was strange. Just to be safe he had me sent to Duke Perinatal Consultants for a detailed scan. Everything (the organs, the measurements etc...) looked perfectly normal. The doctor said that this specific hormone has a correlation to fetal growth. Since my level was a little low he wanted me to come back at 28 weeks for another detailed scan to make sure little man is still growing. After I told him about Zack's low birth weight (5lb 11oz at 39 weeks) and that he had stopped growing all together at 36 weeks, the doctors eyes lit up. He said well that is a second red flag and we will for sure keep a close eye on this baby.
As a mom (even though my Hong Kong dr assured me Zack's size was not due to anything I did or didn't do) I blamed myself. I am really thankful I didn't know at 16 weeks pregnant that Zack was going to be small (24 weeks of worry...not what a preggo needs). Now that I have had experience with a tiny baby and now that I know he will be perfectly healthy and grow just fine out of the womb I am not as worried. In fact I am relieved that the specialist will keep a close eye on the growth because I thought I would have the same issues with this pregnancy but without the ultrasound at every visit they might not catch it. I also like that I have an answer as to why Zack was so little and now I will be prepared with a few preemie outfits so #2 won't have to wear big clothes for two months like his poor big brother.
My little 7 percentile little baby is now a 95 percentile running toddler. The doctors, Adam and I are all confident that even though #2 might be a tiny baby...he will grow into a healthy running toddler...I just pray Zack and little guy run in the same direction.

It's a BOY!!!!

And we couldn't be more excited! I was deep down hoping for a boy (although was afraid to admit it because I would be super excited if it was a little girl...and had even planned "her" nursery decor). I have always imagined myself as a mom of boys and as a teacher I tended to bond with the crazy little boys whom everyone loved but were relieved the little guy wasn't in their class. When I was pregnant with Zack I imagined he would be a rambunctious little boy that was undeniably lovable and totally wore you out. With this one I imagine he is less active (I mean I was actually worried when the ultrasound tech was easily able to see the things she needed to without him moving or covering his face with his hands) but will learn how to climb, run, throw etc...earlier due to the influence of a big brother.
As you can see by the "w" formation that there is no doubt #2 is a boy.

I am mostly excited for Zack and Zack jr. (as Adam calls him). They will be around 22 months apart and although I am sure there will be many disagreements, I am also sure they will grow up as best friends.
Now to come up with a name...we have several awesome girl names that we both love.

15 Weeks

How Far Along: 15 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: Nothing fits well...not maternity clothes not my clothes (well pants at least).

Best Moment This Week:

Weight Gain/Loss: -9 lb

Gender:

Movement: Not yet but I can't wait...it's my favorite thing about pregnancy

Food Craving: I've eaten more this week but I still can't say there is something I want other than snow cones...and basically because I am so dehydrated and water doesn't seem to do the trick.

What I Miss: There were a few nights this past week that I could really have used a margarita.

Sleep: awesome...great at night and 1 nap a day (although there were a couple days I could have skipped it last week...I figured Adam's gone the last thing I need is to wear out before Z goes to bed).

Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and new this week the blood circulation in my legs isn't all that great...meaning I have to switch sides a lot at night and can't cross my legs.

Same/Different: there are still so many people that don't know!  I feel like people think I must be a lazy complainer because my facebook status updates have been about naps or complaining about working at the house...I keep thinking I should mention I'm pregnant so people understand why the lack of AC is really sucky.  With Zack at this point the whole world knew and if they didn't I stuck out my belly in pride. 

Tummy Shot:

Oh...Did I forget to mention...

WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!

Adam and I are very excited.  I have been sick again but Zack keeps me smiling.  Turns out we have another active little guy (or girl) on our hands.  Sometimes the doppler can't catch a heartbeat because of the movement so I have had extra sonograms...meaning extra baby pictures.
Since our scanner is in storage here are pictures of the sonograms...

I am 14 weeks and I recall telling Adam at 7 weeks that I won't be able to keep the secret as long as I did with Zack because I will see everyone and want to tell them...meanwhile we could never figure out how to bring it up or slip it into conversation so here we are already in the second trimester finally telling everyone.
I knew at 3 weeks when I got sick after skipping breakfast (which with a toddler happens quite a bit).  The first 10 weeks I was so ready and able to tell my friends but we wanted to tell family first.  Once we told family Zack got sick then we went on vacation, then we went on vacation again so that's how we kept the secret this long.
Anyway little one will come sometime around January 22! 

14 Weeks

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: No but I am losing weight which means I have pants that hang down and a belly that sticks out...attractive.

Best Moment This Week: Finally telling friends, and a couple great buys at the big consignment sale in the fairgrounds.

Weight Gain/Loss: -7 lb (uggg...this is a lot more than I lost at this point with Zack)

Gender: Well, I feel boy but my friend did a special string and needle test that is supposed to tell you the birth order and gender of all the kids you'll have and the test said GIRL...so far it hasn't been wrong with anyone.  I'm not going out to buy pink but I sure was tempted by some cute summer clearance dresses.

Movement: None yet but the day is coming!!!!!

Food Craving: I'm just going to leave this blank for a while...

What I miss: eating food that fills me up and looking forward to meals, feeling like a person

Sleep: still great!  I wake up before Zack so I spend some time laying in bed reading or watching TV before the boy wakes up.  I also take a nap while Zack has his...which means I get nothing done, but it doesn't really bother me until my poor husband is searching the clean laundry pile looking for socks that match.

What I am looking forward to: Boy or Girl...I am ready to pin nursery ideas and pick a paint color...which is also exciting.  I bought a gallon of paint for Zacks room.  This will be the first room I have been able to decorate for him...meanwhile I can't use the exact colors in my vision (navy blue walls may not help with resale)

Symptoms: NAUSEA...I am so ready to be done with this.  The string test also showed that this little one will be my last (again I am not sold), I would be OK with adopting other children but I really want to have a nice pregnancy.  I still have hope for this one but Sunday was the worst day in both pregnancies...I vomited all day (plus Adam was away on business).  I almost called the dr. but didn't really have the energy.  I also almost called my Dad to see if he could come spend the night with us in case I needed to go to the hospital.  Thanks to the nausea medication I felt much better on Monday.

Same/Different: Lots more vomiting but I also feel a whole lot better in between.  With Zack I felt like crap most of the time.

Tummy Shot:

13 Weeks

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: Nope

Best Moment This Week: More pictures of baby and a healthy report!

Weight Gain/Loss: -6 lb

Gender:  I am wondering if it's a boy since I want to eat the same foods and I feel the same way...no clue though.

Movement: None yet (other than what I see on the sonogram machine)

Food Craving:  I can't eat most foods but I ate a full helping of green curry with veggies, and I want snow cones and slushies all the time and I eat several bowls of cereal a day.

What I miss: eating

Sleep: back to normal after vacation...Thank Goodness!

What I am looking Forward to: decorating a temporary nursery and toddler room for my kiddos (yay for a practice house!)

Symptoms: still major morning sickness...looks like it is following me into the second trimester.

Same/Different: Same- getting worse into second trimester, foods I like, Different- I feel OK after getting sick.

Tummy Shot:

12 Weeks

How Far Along: 12 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: Still not big enough

Best Moment: Seeing my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins...they really enjoyed Zack but something tells me they will all take a long nap after we leave.

Weight Gain/Loss: -6 lb

Gender: ???

Movement: can't wait!

Food Craving: NOTHING...I have been really sick this week.

What I miss: eating grandmas cooking at the lake

Sleep: Z-man has been waking up between 4:15 and 5:30 am...so I'll have to catch up after vacation. 

What I am looking forward to: renovating Adam's house to move in and sell...I am having a field day on Pinterest.

Symptoms: major morning sickness

Same/Different: these last couple weeks have become very similar to my first pregnancy, however rather than sleeping through the nausea I am chasing a toddler.

Tummy Shot...forgot, but here is Zack's impression of mommy:

11 Weeks

How Far Along: 11 weeks

Maternity Clothes: No...my clothes are getting uncomfortable and maternity clothes are too big.

Best Moment This Week: going to the Milton reunion...we got to introduce Zack to the family and share our news about the new little one.

Weight Gain/Loss:

Gender: I am leaning toward boy this week but according to the quiz I took online I could be having either a boy or a girl and according to the Chinese calendar I am having a girl (however it said Zack was a girl as well)

Food Craving: I have been thinking a lot about hush puppies lately.  I don't want meat or anything warm.

What I miss: riding in the car without unbuttoning my pants

Sleep: wonderful

What I'm looking forward to: spending a week with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins at Lake Plesant.

Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, growing belly

Same/Different: I was hoping this pregnancy would be different but this week was all too familiar.

Tummy Shot:

10 Weeks

How Far Along: 10 Weeks!

Maternity Clothes: No...my pants are falling down because I must be losing more weight, and belts are uncomfortable.

 Best Moment this Week: Taking Zack to the lake for the first time...I kept thinking how next summer little one will be 6 months old and might enjoy watching his/her fearless big brother swim.  I remember Zack loved laughing at big kids around that age. 

Weight Gain/Loss: I finally bought a scale and according to the scale I am down another 3lb's but I am going to measure our scale vs. the doctors scale next week at my appointment. 

Gender: No idea

Movement: Not yet!

Food Craving: Doritos...which is strange because anything else with flavor hasn't been very appetizing.  I was feeling so much better with this pregnancy until the last couple days.  I hope they were flukes.  Monday was BAD! I was back to eating apples.  On a humorous note Zack has been imitating lately and made me feel a little better by imitating my puking noises and now whenever he is in our bathroom he bends over the toilet and coughs.  Nothing like a little laughter.  ***On another note I went to the store fully intending to pay full price for a bag of Doritos but there was a $1 peely coupon on the shelf during super doubles...can we say FATE?

 What I miss: Chicken...I didn't realize how much I ate chicken until it made me want to puke.

Sleep: Wonderful!

What I am looking forward to: The Milton Family reunion!  No one in this side of Adam's extended family has met Zack and we will get to tell them about this pregnancy!  Meanwhile I was planning on telling my friends this week and I can never slip it into conversation...it was so much easier when we sent a mass e-mail from China...tacky but it had to be done.

Symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting (I was hoping I was out of the woods), fatigue.

Same/Different: I added this section because I was feeling so much better and eating so much more but the last couple days seemed all too familiar. Honestly, when I was pregnant with Z I read that women with morning sickness are 80% less likely to have a miscarriage, so lately I have been worried that something is wrong with the baby ("I shouldn't feel GREAT!").  I think I needed to feel a little sick so that I don't worry. 

Tummy Shot: Yesterday I felt like Crap and today I have pool hair so maybe next week...maybe.