32 Weeks Pregnant

This was actually around 29 Weeks

I told myself when I got pregnant with Jake that I was going to do a much better job documenting this pregnancy than I did Cooper's.  Cough, cough.  I obviously have not! You always think you'll never forget the little details, but unfortunately, they do get scrambled around in your memory, and sooner than you could ever imagine, they slip away.  I am one of those crazy women who absolutely loves being pregnant.  I treasure this special time so much.  I am very blessed because I don't get morning sickness, and overall, I have easy pregnancies (minus the need for cerclages and having quirky blood sugar).  Jake's pregnancy has been pretty different from Cooper's though.  With Cooper, I never felt sick at all in the beginning and food tasted better than it ever had.  With Jake, well, I wasn't sick, but there were a lot of times I knew I'd feel better if I'd just gone ahead and gotten sick.  I was very queasy and felt car sick a lot.  Nothing tasted good to me in the beginning.  With Coop, I wanted cheeseburgers, pizza, Mexican, and milkshakes.  With Jake, I don't love any food!  Early on I did enjoy biscuits, ginger ale, and oatmeal.  I have started a mild obsession with cookies lately.  I'm not sure if it counts as a craving or if my nesting has started.  I felt the need to bake a lot with Cooper towards the end too.  I've carried Jake different from Cooper.  Cooper was very low and stuck straight out.  Jake is higher and wider.  Even my sweet husband has made the comment that my butt has gotten big (I haven't let him forget that verbal observation either).  I was pretty swollen at this point of my pregnancy with Cooper and had put my rings away for about a month now.  I noticed the other day that my feet are starting to look slightly swollen.  I can still wear my rings though!  Even though I'm not swollen this time (which could very well be attributed to the different types of summers I was pregnant--Cooper's was insanely hot, Jake's has been pretty mild), I am definitely bigger this time than I was with Cooper (as far as my weight gain goes).  I never had back pain with Cooper, and I've had it with Jake since my second trimester.  It comes and goes and is definitely worse at night.  Cooper moved constantly.  If I went more than a couple hours without feeling him, I would start crying!  The boy never stopped!!  Jake is very calm.  He's never been a kicker either.  He stretches and rolls and wiggles, but he doesn't get crazy wild like his big brother did.  Both have favored my right side.  Even in ultrasounds, the boys seem very different.  Cooper was always putting on a big show.  Jake is modest and shy.  He likes to cover up his face and stays pretty still during his time on the screen.  Based on how it feels when he moves, I think he'll be bigger than Cooper was.  Our prediction on Jake's personality is that he's our easy going, laid back baby, which as Karl and I both say, is exactly what we need (and deserve) to go with our high maintenance, fully energized first child!  

Now for the details of what it's like to be 32 weeks pregnant with Jake, a fun little question and answer session so I have at least some documentation of this pregnancy!

How far along: 32 weeks exactly 

Total weight gain: As of last week, 24 pounds.  On the scale, I weighed the same as the day I had Cooper, but I started out 4 pounds heavier this time.  Nevertheless, I'm now bigger than I've ever been before!

Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, yes!  I thought I'd still be able to wear little loose-fit summer dresses at this point, but since I've filled out so much in the hip area, I have to stick to my limited maternity apparel.  I bought maternity jeans today since I've realized I'll need some cooler weather clothing for closer to my due date and a little while afterwards.  I figured if I had maternity jeans, it'll take a little stress off me to get back in my old jeans as quickly.  I could wear my old jeans 6 weeks after Cooper was born, but they weren't very comfortable and were pretty snug.  Even if I can get back in my old jeans that soon after Jake (which I don't think I will), it'll still be December at that point, so I need something other than maternity capri pants, skirts, and short dresses!

Stretch marks: Nope!!

Sleep:  I'm having a really hard time falling asleep at night, and I have to get up at least twice a night to go the bathroom.  There have been a few nights that I got up as many as six times to go to the bathroom.  I've started feeling more tired during the day again (not as bad as the first trimester though).  A lot of days I'll lay down with Cooper when he lays down and nap with him for about 30 minutes.  It makes the rest of the day a lot easier!

Best moment of this week:  We took our last vacation as a family of 3 last weekend!  We went to the beach, and although it rained and was cloudy almost the entire time, it was so nice to get away and enjoy some time with Cooper and Karl.  

Food cravings: Nothing really.  I laugh at how my taste buds have changed during pregnancy though.  Normally I love hot foods and can handle a good bit of heat.  Not with Baby Jake on board!  I can handle very little spice now without breaking a sweat and needing my water!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: A lot of things actually still make me queasy.  Steamed vegetables are probably the biggest no-no for me.

Have you started to show yet:  I refer to myself as Big Mama for a reason!  I get tickled because I'm definitely big enough and showing enough that everyone in public is comfortable asking me when my baby is due and how I'm feeling and if I know what I'm having.  I have had a lot of conversations with complete strangers in the past month!  My favorite was last week at the grocery store when I was checking out.  I was bent over the buggy grabbing stuff to put on the conveyor belt.  The first few things I put on there were for Karl for the beach trip-two different kinds of beer and some of those frozen drink mixes.  The checkout lady asked me if I was celebrating the first day of the kids being back in school!  I started laughing and stood up straight and rubbed my belly and told her not this year!  She laughed and apologized and said she hadn't seen my belly when I was bent over.  It was amazing how fast she realized those drinks weren't for me though!

Gender: It's a boy!  We are so excited to add another little boy to this family!  I love that my boys will have a brother to grow up with.

Labor signs: I have Braxton Hicks contractions that are more frequent in the late afternoon/evening.  The cerclage is doing a great job though, and my cervix is measuring better than ever! 

Belly button in or out: Oh my.  This is another difference in my pregnancies.  My belly button is just about poking out this time!  In fact, several people have commented that I have an outie now since you can see it poking through my shirt a little!  

Wedding rings on or off: They are on!

Happy or moody most of the time: 95% happy.  I am moodier this pregnancy than I was with Cooper but still not very much and mostly just when I'm tired.  My body handles pregnancy well.  I honestly think I'm moodier when I'm not pregnant!

Looking forward to: Finishing Jake's nursery and Cooper's big boy room!  We are also getting eager to meet Baby Jake.  I told Karl the other night that I just can't wait to kiss Jake's cheeks!  The thought of holding this sweet baby makes my heart swell with joy!