My due date is officially less than one month away!
It was one month from Tuesday in case you’re wondering — but I’m not naive enough to think the baby will definitely be here by then (especially since Nora seemed to enjoy staying inside for an extra week or so)… but still.
My due date is ONE month away! How did that happen?
On one hand, 1 whole month seems like an eternity to be so physically huge and uncomfortable…
But on the other hand, with only 1 month left, I feel like there’s a whole lot of mental and emotional preparations I need to make — not to mention stash a few more meals away in the freezer!
Two weeks ago, I shared my to-do before baby list — and I’m happy to say that I have almost everything crossed off!
The only thing I haven’t even started yet is the sewing projects… but I have ideas!
I also still need to file my business taxes (I already filed our personal taxes), but I’m waiting a couple pieces of information to arrive in the mail… everything else is ready to go to our accountant.
I’ve done a good amount of freezer cooking and tons of freezer baking — but I’ll keep plugging away at this over the next few weeks too.
And of course, the 2014 digital photo albums will always be a work in progress — but at least I’m finished with January.
The nursery is totally 100% finished (besides hanging some pictures of the new babe once he arrives) and it’s so dang cute I can’t even stand it! I never thought I’d have so much fun getting ready for a boy.
I’ve always ALWAYS pictured myself having girls, but that’s probably because I only had sisters and never really experienced baby boys ever. So far, baby preparation for a boy is equally as fun as it was for Nora.
My Pregnancy Differences:
I can’t get over how completely different my two pregnancies have been so far — which I’m secretively hoping means the two babies will also be very different 🙂
Pregnancy Symptoms:
With Nora, I never felt sick and was just a little tired for a couple weeks in the beginning. But this time, while I never actually threw up (I have an iron stomach, I swear) I felt pretty gross from mid July – mid September. I was also EXTREMELY tired for the first few months and am still way more tired now than I ever was with Nora (but I’m sure part of that is because of Nora.)
Food Cravings:
With Nora, I never craved any specific foods and I also never had a time when foods didn’t sound good. With this baby, NOTHING sounded good except hamburgers (specifically McDonald’s Double Cheeseburgers) for the fist few months. I definitely didn’t give into that craving all the time, but I visited the McDonald’s down the road more times in those few months than I have in the past several years of my life!
I’m also totally craving popsicles and crushed ice right now — and I never had that with Nora.
Different Seasons:
With Nora, I was pregnant all spring and summer — which was really nice for getting outside, going for walks, and breathing some fresh air. This time around, I was feeling gross and sick for most of the summer, and then the fall and winter have been exceptionally cold, snowy, windy, icy, etc. Pair that with a huge belly and a toddler who does NOT like cold, and I’ve basically been hibernating inside for the past 8 months… not exactly ideal, I know!
Also, I will say that spring/summer maternity clothing is WAY cuter and WAY more flattering than fall/winter maternity clothing. I just tell myself that it’s the bulky sweaters making me look so huge 🙂
Weight Gain:
Speaking of looking huge… with Nora, I gained exactly 23 pounds — and it was ALLLLLL belly. This time around, I’ve already gained 35 pounds (not necessarily all belly either!) and I still have a month to go! By my next Dr. visit, I have a feeling I’ll weigh more than Dave for the first time in my life — and although he is pretty skinny, he’s also 8 inches taller than me!
Weight Loss:
With Nora, I lost every single pound of baby weight (and more) due to her intense nursing requirements — so although I hope that losing the weight this time around will be just as easy, I’m not super optimistic since so many other things have been different with baby #2.
Labor and Delivery:
Nora’s labor and delivery was a breeze — or so I’m told. I obviously have nothing to compare it too (exept stories from friends and family) but it did go quickly and seemed to be relatively uneventful. We’re hoping for a repeat this time around!
Expectations:
I think this might be the biggest difference of all. With Nora, I didn’t know what to expect, so I just believed everything other people told me and everything I read in parenting books — which is OK, except when you end up with a baby like Nora. As I’ve mentioned before, I literally felt like a complete mothering failure for months and months before we realized Nora really was just “different”.
This time around, I have a lot more parenting experience, a lot more confidence in my own abilities, a lot more common sense, and an entirely different set of expectations for myself and life after the baby arrives.
I’m honestly not surprised (or even disappointed) that things seem to be very different this time around — it’s just so interesting to me how different the two pregnancy experiences have been this far.
Oh, and guess what… Next Week is ‘Baby Week’!
I have a fun week of posts planned for next week — all with the intention of celebrating Baby #2 here on the blog. I’ll be sharing some of my best tips for frugally preparing for babies, our full nursery tour (yay!), and a special post that is near and dear to my heart on Valentine’s Day.
Oh, and I’ll also be hosting TWELVE fabulous giveaways on Tuesday and Wednesday!
Since I’m not having any baby showers with baby #2, I figured I might as well host a “virtual baby shower” of sorts and give away over $1500 worth of prizes and gifts to YOU!!
Many of the giveaways will be geared towards babies and new mommas, but there are plenty of other goodies for toddlers, all females, and even a few gift cards that would work for anyone!
For those of you who can’t handle all the excitement and anticipation, here’s a sneak-peek of the companies and products that will be included in the giveaways.
I’d LOVE for you to come back every day next week to read all the fun posts I have scheduled and enter the fabulous giveaways! Of course, feel free to share the goods with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, etc.!
Even though I’m getting really huge, feeling kind of uncomfortable, constantly out of breath, and basically tired all the time, I have to admit that these last few weeks are SO fun for me.
I absolutely LOVE making all the final preparations, washing and folding those tiny clothes, putting the finishing touches on the nursery, packing our freezer with food, running any last-minute errands, tying up lose ends on various projects around the house and with my business, etc. etc.
As you all know, I’m definitely a “planner” by nature — so all that planning I mentioned above is just right up my alley! However, I find it extremely exciting to not know exactly when this baby will come. My doctors said that from now on, they won’t try to stop labor — even if it starts a couple weeks early (which I don’t think will happen).
And at the same time, the thought of another tiny baby who needs my constant attention 24/7 is enough to make me curl up and cry.
At least I have a whole month left to prepare! 🙂
top image credit
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving says
One more month? Wow! It amazes me how quickly pregnancy passes. I hope that you get everything accomplished that you want before you meet your little boy!
Autumn Beach says
Hi, Andrea! If you think it’s interesting how different your two pregnancies have been, just wait! I can almost GUARANTEE that this sweet baby boy is going to be the TOTAL opposite of Nora. Of course, I could be COMPLETELY off here. BUT…it still amazes me every day how totally opposite my son and daughter are. Same parents, same house, same upbringing and yet it is SO cool to see just how incredibly unique God created them. As they grow older and develop their own little personalities, it kind of helps take the pressure off of me and my parenting as I am realizing this is just how God CREATED these precious people. Again…I could be TOTALLY wrong here, but I hope I’m not! I’m predicting a super sweet, super easy, good-sleeping baby boy for the Dekker family. 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Autumn, I wish you COULD “guarantee” me — but either way, this baby will be just a little easier because I’ll know a bit more what to expect and I’ll have so much more confidence in my abilities 🙂
Autumn Beach says
That’s right, girl. Either way, you’ve got this!
Rebecca Schrimsher says
One thing I learned real quick with boys is keep wash rag/ cloth/ burp cloth handy when changing his diaper to cover him as soon as the diaper comes off. I got very quick with the diaper open and then throw a rag on. 🙂 Little boys are lots of fun too. Just very different from girls. I know you guys are going to do great. Also you may be surprised at how much more content Nora is with a new baby because she has someone to entertain after the initial shock wears off. I pray God’s blessings on you all. Thank you for all the help you give.
Andrea says
haha — yes, I’ve already been warned about the diaper changing issues with boys 🙂 We have plenty of rags ready to go in the top drawer of our changing table!
Kimberly says
You mentioned being emotionally prepared for baby number two. Two things came to mind from my own experience of baby number 2. Emotionally, there was a period of adjustment towards my first born. I was very sad that i could not give him the time and attention that he was used to. Cried hard that first day or two I was home from the hospital.Daddy had to pick up that slack. For a short period, i found myself very irritable towards him as well, which upset me since before the birth i had much more patience for him. Those emotions settled out after a few months as he/I adjusted to the new demands of baby. Just dont be caught off guard by that. It does get better. The other experience I had was also with first born. Not right away, but a few months after the birth, my first born started acting like he hated me. A more experienced mom told me that with each of her births, the previous “baby” of the family did the same to her. They get angry because they arent “first” with Mommy anymore and it may come out in more anger towards you.
You may wonder where your sweet child went. But it does get better as everyone adjusts to the new “normal”. It is a process that can take a few months, though. That was my experience.
Mama Murrey says
Thanks for sharing this, Kimberly! I can second your experience. I’m relieved to know I wasn’t alone in having a period of being very irritated with the older child. He was my precious little pet whom I enjoyed so much, until I had this absolutely wonderful newborn who never needed time outs and only made messes in her diaper!
He also went through a period of being quite naughty. He is only four, but he figured out very easily that when I’m in my chair nursing, with all the essentials close by and the newborn all propped up on pillows, etc, THAT’S the time to be BAD. Because it’s too much work for me getting settled to pop right back up and make him stop or make him go to time out.
The baby is 3 1/2 months old now and we’re all doing so much better. Big brother loves the baby and truly is a big helper, and I’m learning to make time for him, too.
Andrea says
Thanks for leaving your thoughts — this is honestly something I haven’t thought much about yet. I was more worried about how NORA would feel with the new baby taking up so much of MY time. But now that I think about it, I can see myself having some of these same feelings towards Nora that you’ve expressed towards your older child!
Siobhan says
So excited for you! I just had a dr appointment today. Dr thinks I have a few more days to go & she was spot on when she said that with both of my girls…they are 4 & 2. I’m excited & also trying to tie up loose ends & enjoy these last few days or week that I have left. Looking forward to your baby posts next week 🙂 Take Care & enjoy the next month!
Andrea says
Blessings to you and your soon-to-be new baby!
Lydia @ Five4FiveMeals says
I have two boys and my pregnancies were SO different. My first was pretty easy, no sickness and then I had a LOOOOONG labor. The second was lots of sickness (I had to be hospitalized at one point) followed by a breezy labor.
Also, Andrea, I know I don’t know you personally, but I have been praying for you a lot! I am praying that you have an easy sleeper this go round and that the transition to two is smooth.
Andrea says
Thanks so much Lydia — I really appreciate your prayers and we’re also hoping for an easy sleeper this time around!
Blythe says
My two pregnancies were totally different. My first (a boy) was terrible! I had horrible morning sickness for the first 5 months (I finally had to take medication), and after that only wanted to eat tacos and chocolate milk. No wonder I gained 50 lbs :). I was a lot more tired too. But my second (a girl) was SO much easier in comparison. I only had about 10 weeks of morning sickness, my eating habits were way better and I didn’t crave junk like I did with my first. And I only gained 25 lbs with the second child. I completely believe that it’s because they were two different genders. Some of my friends who have had a boy and then a girl (or vice versa) have told me they had similar experiences. So I say blame it on the boy! 😉
However, even though both of my pregnancies were different, I had two happy healthy babies. I’m sure you will too! Best of luck as you continue to prepare for your little boy :).
Maria says
I’m curious if “Blythe” is your real name or an online name. I had a baby three months ago and her middle name is Blithe. If it is your real name, I think you’re the first person I’ve found with that name.
Of course I think it’s beautiful and have to wonder why more people haven’t used it. My husband and I agreed on the name about 3-4 years before we finally had a baby on which to use it, and I held my breath that whole time hoping no one I knew would use either first or middle names. Happily, no one did. And now we have a very happy little girlie whom “Blithe” (meaning joyful and happy) totally fits.
Shelly says
Can’t wait for baby week! Isn’t it amazing how pregnancies are different? I’ve had three and no two were alike. I just had my third last year at 40 and I will say it gets harder with age, so keep that in mind. FYI 🙂
Debbie says
Since I’m also a planner I can totally feel your excitement when planning, listing, and finishing your list to get ready before the baby arrives. We don’t have kids so I can’t relate to the excitement of the baby part. lol!
Julia K says
So excited for you all…..looking forward to the next few weeks 🙂
Audra says
So exciting! You are right about pregnancies being so different. I had two boys and they were so different. When I read about your cravings of popsicles and crushed ice, red flags went off in my head so I thought I would share. Have you had your iron checked out? Usually that craving means low iron. I had the same cravings with my first pregnancy and it turned out my iron was severely low. I was extremely tired and had a really hard time recovering (didn’t help that I also had a c-section). It took about a year and a half for me to recover and about 2 years for most of my energy to return. With my second, I requested that my iron was checked all the time. When it dropped, I worked hard to get it back up. My recovery was so much easier. Maybe you want to get that checked out…might help in the long run.
Andrea says
Thanks Audra — and yes, I’m well aware of the low iron = craving crushed ice 🙂 I’m already taking iron supplements and eating lots of cream of wheat — just crushed ice and popsicles too!
Audra says
That’s great that you know about the iron! It never dawned on me. Good for you for eating Cream of Wheat! I couldn’t stomach it, but I like spinach. 🙂
Andrea says
haha — I’ve always had “iron issues” and I just so happy to love Cream of Wheat!
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
I ran right down to these comments to say check your iron! When I told my OB about my ice cravings she checked me. The nurse called with the results to tell me they could not detect my iron! I had to take super supplements (repliva…three weeks on one week off). It has never gone back to normal and that baby will be turning 5 in May!
Donna says
So happy to hear you’re almost all ready to go. Enjoy the whole process – it seems like you are doing just great!