Baby #2: Random Moments & Belly Progress

As I write this, I am 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant with Baby Hubanks #2 -- and haven't written a single thing down about it!  Time to change that.

Briefly, because it deserves mentioning: We miscarried a (very weird) pregnancy last Christmas Eve / Christmas Day.  I say "weird" because things just never added up.  Dates, tests, approximations...  I felt like a crazy person waiting to see what my own body was doing.  When we did finally celebrate a few positive tests, it was short lived, as we clearly lost that baby a few days later.  It was draining and sad, but God is faithful and we 3 months later, we learned we were pregnant again.

I think that's the number one set of internal questions probably everyone who has a miscarriage thinks: what happened?, will it happen again?, and how long will this take?! So thankful that wasn't a prolonged, as those 3 months were faith-growing enough. The experience - short lived and comparably minor as it was - gave me a greater sense of compassion for the many I know who have experienced pregnancy loss and/or fertility issues.  I really can't imagine the long and much more arduous road many, many, many walk.  It continues to lend us some great perspective and deepened empathy.

We were cautiously joyful upon learning of this pregnancy in March!
I let Mikel know in the most romantic of ways:
Mar 16th -- screenshot of my text to Mikel.  He was feeling under the weather -- sympathy sickness??

Then, not really even trusting my eyes -- had to make triple sure.

 

Yep!

Due November 23rd, 2015 --- the Monday before Thanksgiving, and 7 days before Nolan's 3rd bday --- and I can't think of a better time to have a baby in Arizona!  This may be telling of how things will go in terms of documentation for this kid, but I haven't done well to get belly shots in regular intervals.  Here's the (random and somewhat pitiful) account I have so far:
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Mar 23 (5weeks): This photo is proof that I felt like crap.  No puking (never did with Nolan either), but hoooooly fatigue and introvertedness and hating all food options - ness.  Poor Nolan.  We laid in Mommy's bed and watched cartoons a lot.

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Mar 28 (5w, 6d): Like I said... just wanting to be in bed, preferably asleep.  I would put Nolan down for nap in his room, and then go STRAIGHT to my bed.  How do people work full time and manage this?!  - including myself, last time around!?  I honestly cannot remember. I feel like this was more pronounced this time around, but Mikel said I was just the same...  Maybe it's just that I didn't have the distraction of working full time + the guarantee of whole, entire, lazy days off.  ??  And a toddler to feed / entertain.  Who knows.

Khaki could totally tell I was feeling less than great, and she often assumed the role of Aggressive Snuggler, much to my chagrin.

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Apr 5 (6w, 6d): Easter Sunday! Granny was visiting us from Lubbock, and tho I was spending nap time in my bed every day, she thankfully didn't mind.  Bless her for being super duper easy company.  I did tell her our news during her visit (as though she couldn't have guessed!) - and she was sooo happy!

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Apr 8 (7w, 3d): Things got real at checkup #1!  Overwhelming to see and hear that little beating heart in that tiny bean.

 

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May 1 (10w, 4d) : I attended the first Beautycounter conference in Denver - and we got to spend a couple of days beforehand visiting Uncle Bruce, Aunt Lisa and Mokie in Boulder.  I was rounding the corner on feeling better, but not showing.

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May 5 (11w, 2d): Another check-up, and looking less bean-like.  Crazy how fast that morphs!

 

The u/s tech printed Nolan his very own copy of a photo, which he was super proud to show Nolan's Bear in the car.  From this appointment, we went to Costco for groceries.  I suggested we leave the baby picture in the car so we don't drop or lose it, but Nolan was INSISTENT that it come inside with us.  I let him bring it in -- and all the way through Costco, he rode in the cart, clutching the picture in his little hands, and repeating, "Howd on tight! Two hands! Don't dwop it!" So sweet!
However, when we got home, he promptly crumpled up the photo and threw it in the kitchen trash.  Ha!  So... we'll see!
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May 10 (11w, 6d): Mother's Day! And Mikel's generous gift to me.  I do love Skagen watches.

 

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May 11 (12w, 0d): Getting bigger...

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May 27 (14w, 2d): Day camping with the Gutierrez in northern AZ!  Including because I'm still wearing my normal workout shorts... so must not have much to show.

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 June 4 (15w, 3d): Well, hello there!

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June 7-14 (week 16), we went to TX to visit my family, and I officially popped that week.  I swear, every day I woke up and my belly was bigger -- ask my mom.

Wish I'd thought to grab a decent pic at the end of that week, but I didn't.  I do have this super cute one of Kara and me -- and the ruched swimsuit I had to run out and buy on the fly to be decent at the pool.

Got back from that trip and had to stock up on some summertime maternity clothes, ASAP.  Thanks, Mikel!

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July 1 (19w, 2d): Bid a good friend, Crystal O'Grady, goodbye as she prepared to move to Dallas.  She was one of my first friends when I moved to Phoenix, having only arrived 2 months prior, herself. Sad to see her go!

July 17 (21w, 4d):

Also July 17:

 

 July 23 and 24 (22w, 3&4d): Purgatory, CO

Aug 2 (23w, 6d): Scarlett is much less aggressive of a cuddler :)

Guess that pretty much brings us up to date!  I'll *try* to do better, grabbing those real belly shots, now that things are visible.  I'm out of real estate north-to-south, which means outward is the only way to go.  Yikes!