The 20 Week Scan - Baby #2

It only feels like yesterday when we went for our 12 week scan but believe it or not today I'm here to write all about the 20 week scan. It's crazy how fast this pregnancy is flying by, it really is. I don't know if it's because you don't count the days as closely with your second or if it's because you already have a child who takes up a lot of your attention. Perhaps it's a little bit of both?

On the 5th October we had our 20 week scan booked for first thing in the morning. We dropped Noah off at his Nan's before we went as children aren't allowed at the 20 week scan. I was so nervous whilst we waited in the waiting room, more so than I was with Noah. 

Thankfully I didn't need to wait long on a full bladder as I was called into the scan room a few moments later. I hopped onto the bed and the sonographer applied the warm gel (they have a water bath now which keeps it warm - I think I preferred it cold?) Within a few seconds we saw our baby on the screen, wriggling and squirming around. My heart skipped a beat and I couldn't help but smile when I saw her again.

The sonographer asked permission to begin the anomaly scan and told us she would check everything, take the measurements and photo's that she needed and then let us know how everything was. In those moments where everything is silent, when they are looking at everything with such concentration and into so much detail you can't help but feel like you can't breathe. My heart was pounding in my chest and I kept looking from screen to the sonographer to see if her face was giving anything away. The minutes feel like hours and you just want to know that everything is okay. 

Around 15 minutes into our scan the sonographer stopped and said so far everything looked fine but because of the babies position she couldn't get a comprehensive look at the heart and a few other things so I was asked to leave the room and walk around. Walking around with a full bladder is no easy feat and neither is deciding to climb a couple of flights of stairs for good measure either. It was quite nice to walk around the building though as it's where I gave birth to Noah. I'd roamed the same halls trying to kick start labour once my induction had started and I remember coming down the same stairs when we were taking Noah home too. It left the both of us feeling very nostalgic.  

After I'd walked about for a five minutes or so I was called back into the room and we picked up where we left off. The baby had thankfully played ball and was in a great position to allow the sonographer to check everything else that she needed to. Around 15 minutes later we were told that everything appeared fine and I can't tell you the relief I felt. She then asked if we'd like to know the gender and although we already know I of course said yes because two confirmation is better than one, less room for error! She had a look for a few moments and then said "looks like a girl to me!" So that's my instinct and two gender checks saying girl now. I think it's time to start buying pinks, frills and florals. Oh wait..  

13 & 14 Weeks Pregnant - Baby #2

I'm still playing catch up on the pregnancy blog post front because life has been crazy lately, but better late than never. I published my first trimester post last week so this week l've wrote my 13 and 14 weeks pregnant diary entry.

Baby
During the 13 and 14 week period our baby has grown from the size of a peach to a lemon and roughly weighs .81 oz. Within these two weeks the babies body has grown a lot and their head is now more in proportion. The baby has been working hard on their motor skills and I've already begun feeling those little movements. If I could peek inside my womb I'd see that my baby can now squint and frown and has even started growing hair, my little love.

Mummy

Coming into the 14th week of my pregnancy my nausea decided to call it a day and I couldn't have been more relieved. I'm finally able to eat proper meals and I've been thoroughly enjoying cooking our favourites such as fajita's, lasagna and roast dinners. I also really like being able to go food shopping without randomly feeling like I'm going to heave everywhere! Weight wise I've put on around 6lb so far which is no surprise when the only thing I could stomach was bread, crisps and sweet things. I've not felt as tired lately either which has also been great but on the other hand I'm so emotional all the time and my moods can change so easily. I've also got a bad back in various parts which I didn't have when expecting Noah. So far this pregnancy is a lot different to my first.

Last but certainly not least you can see for yourself that I've already popped and a bump is clearly visible. Though perhaps to people who aren't aware I'm pregnant I probably just look like I have a big pot belly! I've already felt those first flutters and wriggles too which I'm absolutely cherishing. I've also noticed a change in bump shape this time. It's all the way around rather than just at the front and I seem to be carrying high rather than low. I do wonder if this means I'm carrying a girl? We will find out on Monday as we are having our private gender scan! We are so excited to find out and will be over the moon either way! 

Announcing baby #2

I've been harbouring a secret for quite some time now but I can now finally announce to the world that we are expecting baby number two, due 20/2/17. It all happened very quickly just like it did with Noah and we couldn't be happier. Prepare for many pregnancy related posts over the next couple of months as it's one of my favourite experiences to document! Here we go again, bring it on!  

Taking a look back

It is crazy to think that this time last year I was 7 weeks pregnant. It makes me so emotional thinking about it. I loved being pregnant, every second of it. It was the best time of my life, until Noah was born of course. I keep thinking about how those 9 months seemed to fly by. How we created someone so beautiful. How I carried and nurtured him all those days, weeks and months. How I thought I knew how it would feel to be a Mum and how much I would love him, but I didn't have a clue. Being a Mum to my son Noah is just unimaginable and I sit here and struggle to find the words to describe how in love and happy I feel right now. 

I can't wait until I get to experience pregnancy all over again but for now I just want to enjoy my baby boy but there's nothing wrong with taking a look back..

12 week scan - Baby diary 12 weeks

My very first glimpse of my baby boy. I remember going into that room so nervous. I was so relived when I saw my baby up on that screen and I shed a tear or two. It was so overwhelming and I had never felt anything like it before. It was instant, overwhelming love. The minute you see your child on that screen your world is all about them.

16 week private gender scan - Baby Diary 16 weeks

I was 90% sure I was having a boy from day one and even had a couple of baby boy dreams. I am terrible with surprises so we paid for a private gender scan to find out a little earlier. Of course I was right, he was a boy! We could tell he was a boy even before the sonographer told us, it was plain to see. It was lovely to see him again too. It was incredible to see how much he had grown in 4 weeks.

20 week scan - Baby Diary 20 weeks

Again we couldn't believe how much he had grown, he was huge! I was also nervous at the 20 week scan as they do so many checks. Thankfully everything was ok. I got the lady to confirm if he was a boy too. I thought two opinions, he must be a boy. The next time I would see him would be when he was in my arms but I didn't think that at the time.  

15 weeks

22 weeks

25 weeks

31 weeks

38 weeks 

One of my last bump shots at 39 weeks. Love this photo. 

In case you missed it you can read my birth story here, beware I am very honest! And of course here is my introducing Noah entry. I loved pregnancy, labour, birth and now being a Mummy! 

Pregnancy Diary: Week 22 & 23

26/7/13

22 & 23 Weeks Pregnant.

I have just come to the end of week 23 and decided to do another double post from my experiences of week 22 & 23. I literally have had no bad symptoms whatsoever! My energy levels are back to normal, I feel fantastic, no nausea, dizzy spells, no nothing. I am loving it! Really appreciating this easy going time as I know I have had it pretty good and I know that the third trimester can be tough.

The only thing that has really changed is I am starting to struggle getting up when sat or led down. The bump is starting to get in the way a bit more. I have noticed that I have begun sitting, crouching and even standing differently. Again I find it hard to notice if the bump has got any bigger as I think it's harder to tell when you see it every day but in the past few days I have felt a growth spurt. My belly has started getting tighter and it's begun to itch. Especially around my belly button area. I have also gotten my first stretch mark on my stomach. It's only tiny and I know it will be the first of many! I have been applying creams and oil but not religiously as I know that genetics play a bigger role in stretch marks. If you are going to get them, you will get them! This bump photo was taken at 22 weeks. I am having to wear Maternity clothes now too. This dress was bought from the Topshop Maternity range and it's so comfy! 

Baby boy is now 11 inches long and weights a whopping 1.1lb! His little "poke" kicks have become much stronger and you can now see his movements through my clothes. At first I could just feel him around my stomach area but as he is getting bigger I can now feel him at my ribs and as far around as my side. He is still the most active at night time. His kicks woke me up for the very first time last night! It was 3am and it felt like he was running a marathon inside me! He tends to sleep most the day and I hope that isn't the case when he is here! Awake all night and sleeping all day! I could literally just lie there all day just watching his movements. It's amazing. I love him so much! 

We decided we wanted to buy our nursery furniture this week too. I literally went on so many websites to find a good quality set that was not too expensive and I found the whole process so frustrating. There aren't many stores now that you can walk into and view the furniture before you buy and that was my problem. We decided to drive over to our local Babies R Us as they had some great deals on and I knew they had the furniture on show. We literally walked in and both wandered over to one cot in particular and we just knew it was the one for us. We briefly looked at the others but we had already made our mind up. There was an incredible deal on the set and we got the cot bed, shelving with changing unit and wardrobe for just £250! We couldn't believe the deal. My partners parent's promised to buy us the cot so we rang them to let them know that we had chosen and that the cot bed on it's own was £100 but they kindly offered to pay for the whole set! It was incredibly generous of them and I am so thankful! I think I got all teary! 

The picture does the set no justice whatsoever. The wood is a richer colour and it's a lot more sturdier. I think they need to hire a new photographer!

Everything seems to be coming together and the next step will be choosing the colour scheme for our nursery and decorating! That will be next week! 

Can't believe how everything is happening so fast. In 17 weeks I could be giving birth. In 9 weeks I will have finished work for a year. In 3 months our son will be here!
Well they do say time flies when you are having fun!

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Pregnancy Diary: Week 20 & 21

12/7/13

20 & 21 Weeks Pregnant. 

I'm writing this a little later than expected! I decided to do another double post again as 20 & 21 weeks were very similar. I need to keep on top of these posts. At the minute it has been hectic at work, home and had lots of commitments so the blog had been put on the back burner. But I am here to make up for the lost time! 

I've felt absolutely fantastic the past week or so. My energy levels are slowly going back to normal, I feel great on a whole, I've been in a great mood. I can't really complain! Well there is always something to complain about, my feet! As it has been so hot my feet and ankles have really suffered. The heat, standing up for long hours at work and pregnancy don't mix well. But at the end of the day they are only swollen feet and after a lounge around they go back to normal. What's a pair of swollen feet when you are carrying a little bundle of joy inside you, eh? 

Anyway onto the fun part! We had our long anticipated 20 week scan on the 28th of June! I literally could not wait to see our little fella again. I didn't feel nervous until we were in the waiting room at the hospital. So at the 20 week scan it is basically to make sure everything is okay with the baby. Firstly the midwife did all the checks that she needed reporting them back to the other nurse who added all the data into the computer. She measured everything from his thigh bones, to counting his little toes to even checking if he was still a boy. Which he is! Thankfully! Everything looked fine with the baby and all the while I was just in awe staring at the screen. I couldn't believe how much he had grown since the 16 week scan and I was just amazed by him. I can't believe how much I love him already. Later on Nick told me that he was worried that the sonographer was going to say something wasn't normal but honestly I was that mesmerised by our son I didn't even think that way. It was a great relief to know that everything they could check was fine and on track. True to nature he was being naughty again. She really struggled to get a good scan photo of him and kept having to shake him around to make him budge. He really is camera shy when it comes to these ladies! 

Here is our scan photo:

I think he looks like his Dad already, just from his little profile! A Nick Jnr! 

On each of our scans too he has been sleeping or lying with his hand beneath his head. That is how I sleep at night. I wonder if that is a habit he will have when he is here?

Another milestone on the 20th week as I began feeling proper kicks for the first time too! Not little butterflies but what I call pokes. The first time it happened it had me thinking was that a kick? But every day they gradually got stronger and stronger. On the 21st week they became even stronger. He also has a schedule for his active time. I call it his afternoon aerobics class and nightly yoga session. He is always most active after I have had a big meal or when I am resting. I am adoring the kicks. Enjoying them while they are nice and gentle and not uncomfortable.

I don't feel like my bump is getting much bigger but maybe cause I obsess with watching it grow everyday that I don't seem to be noticing as much. What do you think? I think it still looks rather big. The photo was taken at 21 weeks.

I'm extremely happy at the minute and really at ease. So overwhelmed with love for our little boy and so excited for our future. More than half way there now!  

Pregnancy Diary: Week 18 & 19

27/06/13

18 & 19 Weeks Pregnant.

I thought I would do things a little different this week and write up a double post. Week 18 and 19 were very similar symptom wise so it will be a lot easier. 

I felt a lot better this week. I had the week off previously so totally relaxed and rested up. I think that worked wonders. All I wanted to do was sleep, sleep and sleep! I'm still finding everything tiring and I get out of breath easily. I can't wait for this burst of energy you are supposed to get in second trimester. When is that going to come? 

Had a tiny scare at week 18. I had some light brown CM after going to the toilet. When you see brown you automatically think old blood. I panicked, true to nature. We rang our midwives and kept getting the call diverted which was irritating but we finally got through. The woman I spoke to was lovely and reassured me that there was nothing to worry about! That there are so many changes going on that sometimes that can cause a little bleed. The fact it was brown and not red was a good sign too. I burst out crying after the phone call because I was just so relieved!

Bump isn't growing as fast as it did in early pregnancy but is getting bigger slowly. People are able to tell I am pregnant now without me having to mention it. I had a customer asking me how far a long I was and congratulating me at work, which was very sweet. I also had someone tell me how much I suit being pregnant and that I am blooming. I wouldn't say blooming but I agree that up until now pregnancy has suited me. I have had it good with no morning sickness, I haven't put on THAT much weight YET, I haven't had a break out in spots but what they don't know is that I have gone incredibly hairy and my boobs look horrendous! Ha ha. All part of pregnancy and like I have said before I have loved every minute so far! 

It's crazy how much I am in love with this baby. I haven't even met him yet and I am feeling the most insane amount of love. I would do anything for him already. I can tell I am going to be one over protective Mummy. We bought a doppler this week too and being able to listen to his heartbeat whenever we want to. Which is great when you need some reassurance and some bonding time. 

We were also lucky enough to win a moses basket on twitter this week which was fabulous! It means one less thing we need to buy. How gorgeous is it? Can't wait for it to arrive.

My lovely friend Claire made us some adorable cakes this week too. How incredible are they? Not only did they look amazing they tasted even better! At first I didn't want to eat them as they were so cute but once I got a taste I think we scoffed them in two days! 

I've enjoyed writing up this post and next time I write I will be showing the 20 week scan. We will be half way there! Can you believe it?!

Pregnancy Diary: Week 17

12/06/13

17 Weeks Pregnant.

I really struggled this week symptom wise. I was having dizzy, faint spells all week. I didn't feel like myself and felt utterly exhausted. I think it was a combination of it being a really hot week, work was very busy, I had been rushing around wearing myself down, taking on too much and had done a lot of days in a row. I think it took its toll on me. I ended up in tears as I was scared about the safety of our son while I was at work. I kept thinking to myself, if I faint while I am going down these stairs. It frightened me so much that I could be putting our son in danger. Protective mother alert! Already! I ended up going to see my GP and she actually signed me off work for a week and told me to take it easy. I had already booked the week off as holiday but either way I totally relaxed and took it easy all week. 

To me my bump still looks the same size but the shape seems to be filling out a lot more. It is starting to resemble a real bump rather than just a podgy belly. My stomach has also gone really hairy. Attractive I know. Thankfully they aren't dark hairs and they are blonde and it looks more like peach fuzz ha ha. 

Now we know that we are expecting a boy I went a little bit more baby clothes crazy this week. I have already bought a ton of unisex but now I knew I could buy for a boy I had a whole new excuse to spend more! I didn't hold back on buying a few cute outfits. I even bought some in 6-9 months for next Summer! 

Here are the some of the first proper boy babygrows I bought. We got them straight after our scan! I want our little lad to be animal mad as both his Mum and Dad are huge animal lovers. We got them from TK Maxx.

 Here is an adorable outfit I bought from Boots! I think in total it was around £35. It's all excellent quality and I think worth the price. Our little boy is going to be such a cool dude!

Not long now until that 20 week scan. We can't wait to see our little buddy again! 

Pregnancy Diary: Week 16

3/6/13

16 Weeks Pregnant. 

I'm still feeling a lot of the same. Fine apart from feeling exhausted all the time. Baby bump is still growing nicely but not half as fast as in those first couple of weeks. I think everything is evening out a little more now and I look a bit more in proportion. My cravings are now milk and cheese and I'm still not fond of meat. 

Well let's get to the good part! As you may know (if you read my pregnancy diary) we paid for a private gender scan via baby bond and we finally got our answer this weekend! No more speculating and guessing, we now know for a fact!!

On Sunday the 2nd of June we drove down to Preston for our long anticipated gender scan. All the way there we were guessing and getting so excited. I was also really nervous. I really really wanted to know what gender but once you know there is no more guessing and that part of the pregnancy ends which is sad. Bit strange to think like that cause I still really really wanted to know. We got there in good time which was good as the clinic was nearly impossible to find. Even with a sat nav, even with google. We googled the clinics number and it wouldn't ring. We googled the clinics address and it said it was closed on a Sunday! It was panic stations! So we were dashing around on foot trying to find this clinic all on a full bladder. 

We eventually found the building and was sent straight up to our appointment. I filled out a few details and we went straight into the ultrasound! No messing around and it was very straight forward. I led on the bed and my heart was pounding in my chest! Nick was sat next to me looking as equally nervous. In a matter of seconds our little baby was up on the screen. It is such an indescribable feeling when you see your baby up there, your heart just swells with love. The ultrasound technician was a lovely woman and was so much more helpful that the NHS technician I had a couple of weeks back. She told us that she likes to have a good look a few times before she announces the sex so she can be as accurate as she can. She was having a good look at baby and straight away you could see what was there! Nick looked at me with the biggest grin on his face and the technician told us to guess as it was pretty obvious! Nick said, "It's a boy!!" And he is indeed! There was no mistaking that he is a boy! She went on to tell us that little baby boy was sleeping. We could see his little mouth suckling and heart beating. It was incredible. She also told us everything looked fantastic, which always makes you feel better! 

We are both so happy and in our element. We obviously didn't mind either way if we were team blue or pink but to finally know and to be able to picture your future family with a bit more clarity was amazing! We then drove back home to tell all our family the good news and everyone is so so happy! 

Pregnancy Diary: Week 15

24/5/13

15 Weeks Pregnant.

15! Not long until we are half way through! My symptoms have taken a few step backwards this week. I started to feel sick again and became picky with my foods. For the first 13 weeks I was obsessed with fruit and fresh fruit juice and could not get enough but now I seem to be addicted to milk and cheese. Funny how your cravings change so frequently. Before I was pregnant I loved Indian food but now I am all about Chinese which I never really bothered with before. Very odd! I've always been a fruit lover and still can't get enough fruit, I must be having at least 8 portions of fruit a day. 

Bump seems even bigger this week! Believe it or not! No sign of the growth slowing down. I am going to be gigantic come 30 weeks. Nick will have to push me around in a wheel barrow to get me to and fro! Baby is now the size of an orange and is 2.5oz!  

On the next post I will hopefully be announcing the gender of our baby! As in only a weeks time we will be having our highly anticipated 16 week gender scan! I am so glad that we paid that little amount of money to find out the gender a whole month earlier. It is also a lot more accurate so I will feel more confident with this scan than a typical NHS scan. Then 4 weeks later we have the 20 week scan to look forward to! Lots of exciting times ahead! 

Pregnancy Diary: Week 14

18/5/13

14 Weeks Pregnant.

Not much has changed from my last weekly post. I am still feeling great and have hardly any pregnancy symptoms which is great! No nausea, still no morning sickness and my appetite is normal. I am still exhausted all the time but that is to be expected. I am still waiting for the burst of energy you are supposed to get in second trimester to come and save the day! 

My bump is growing well and is rather large for what stage I am. It's so comforting to rub my belly and think of my little baby growing in there. It's so humbling and I can't get enough of my bump! Although it frightens me how big my belly may end up if it is so large already!

Our baby is now the size of a lemon, little lemon baby. We are both still counting down the days until the private gender scan. We can't wait until we find out what we are having. We can then start visualising our future as a family with either a baby girl in the picture or a baby boy! I used to think boy, boy, boy all throughout the first trimester but now I am starting to think pink! It could be a baby girl, only time will tell. So very exciting! 

See you next week!