20 Weeks

We're at the halfway point! This pregnancy is going by so fast--tomorrow is already September, and then it's the busy run-up to Christmas, so I know January is going to be here in no time!

We had the 20 week anomaly scan last Thursday and everything looked fine. They're having me come back for a rescan in a couple of weeks because the baby's position was keeping them from getting a good view of his spine and kidneys (he was facing the front, so they got a good view of his face, heart, limbs and skull).They were able to confirm that it is indeed Paul in there, and not a girl. It was nice to have it confirmed--it would have been annoying if the private gender scan had been wrong! I don't mind getting another scan at 22 weeks, too--it's very reassuring and lovely to get a glimpse of him moving around in there.

I've been feeling good these days, with more energy and an increased appetite. George and I went to Taco Bell for lunch last Wednesday, finally giving into my craving for it--I'd been holding back, but it really was delicious! So far I've put on a lot less weight than I did last time and I'm feeling better in general. I'm still eating a lot, but I think I'm eating healthier foods and I'm more active than last time--I'm doing my prenatal yoga videos on most days, and walking to & from campus 3x/week. Hopefully things will continue going smoothly for the second half of the pregnancy!

18 weeks

According to the various week-by-week websites, baby's size at 18 weeks is comparable to anything from a cucumber to a pomegranate to an artichoke...However big he is, he's definitely expanding up and out. I'm definitely showing more this week, and it all seems to be up front and center, so it doesn't just look like weight gain. Last time around, the holiday weight gain over Christmas made it hard to tell if I was chubby or pregnant, but this time it seems more like a proper bump.

I've been starting to feel some movement every other day or so--it's lovely! Like last time, it seems to happen when I'm sat in certain positions, like in the car, or one day while I was studying in a cafe and sitting very upright. Looking forward to a few weeks' time when Richard and George can feel him kick, too!

16 Weeks

This morning we went for our private "gender" (sex) reveal scan--the NHS scans don't allow children in the room, and we wanted George to experience an ultrasound to make it all feel more "real" for him. We were also keen to find out if he's getting a brother or a sister, as that might help him understand what's going on, too. The sonographer was great about taking her time and making sure to get a clear image before telling us the sex--we had to go for a walk and try again, and then we had to go to Starbucks and have another cold drink and walk. I did some yoga cat-cow poses and on the third try, we were finally able to get a clear shot. It's a boy!

George didn't react strongly one way or the other, just smiled, but he enjoyed seeing the baby on the screen. Richard and I were both surprised (both times now I've thought it was a girl, so my intuition is inaccurate 2-for-2), but it's lovely to know and to be able to use "him" instead of "it" now! We also got to watch him for a long time, thanks to his legs being crossed and the umbilical cord being in the way--we got to see him kicking, stretching, bouncing around, and even sucking his thumb! It was so cute!

Sucking his thumb!

We had a fun time looking through George's baby clothes this evening--there are so many cute things I'd forgotten about, and I'm excited to use them again!

14 Weeks

Finally took my first bump pic for the blog! Last time, I took several of these "Before" shots, from week 6 onwards, because I didn't realize there would be nothing to see until week 16 or so...My jeans are starting to get uncomfortable now, though, so it's time to start documenting!

My symptoms seem to be less intense but lasting longer this time. Yesterday I spent ages in the Union shop looking for something to eat, because I was hungry and nauseated, but the sight of almost every food made me feel sick. I've been eating lots of fruit, yogurt, and hummus with pita bread, and my usual lunch has been a cheddar cheese ploughman's sandwich (cheese, chutney, lettuce and tomato on wheat--preferably mature cheddar). Last time I was off my coffee (even the smell wasn't appealing anymore), but this time I'm still keen on having my one cup every morning. 

Announcing Baby Bettie #2!

George is going to be a big brother in January!

First images of Baby Bettie #2, at 12 weeks and 4 days:

George is very excited to be a big brother!

He's been asking some great questions--we've told him how big the baby is and where the baby is, roughly, but the other day he pointed to my thigh and said "Is the baby's leg in there?" I love that concept of anatomy!

He's been talking and singing to the baby occasionally--at the end of the video when he's turned away, he says "I'm singing to the baby". So sweet!

We're so excited to finally be able to announce the pending arrival of Baby Bettie #2! We'd been hoping for another baby since last autumn, and I got my positive test on the U.S. Mothers' Day, May 12th--so appropriate! We're thrilled and can't wait to meet him or her! Baby is due 16 January 2020, but I'm assuming it will arrive late (Richard's more optimistic and thinks it will arrive a little early). George's due date was also the 16th and didn't arrive until the 26th--hopefully this one will be more punctual!

I'm 14 weeks tomorrow, so heading into the 2nd trimester--it's been different from last time so far. I'm not as tired (or maybe the fatigue is just as bad as last time, but I'm more used to being tired?) and generally not as nauseated as I was last time. I've been being careful to eat lots of snacks throughout the day, as I feel sick when I'm hungry. Last time it was Belvita breakfast biscuits (very portable!), but this time I've been loving fruit and Alpro yogurt. Some things have been the same--Biscuit is very friendly once again (yay!) and I've been craving Mexican and American food. We've had BBQ veggie burgers, sweet potato fries, watermelon, lots of tacos and quesadillas, and George's favourite, corn-on-the-cob. For 4th of July, I found root beer and we made floats--it was fabulous! I've been trying to eat healthily and stay active, however (swimming once a week at work, walking to and from work, etc.) and so far I haven't actually gained any weight. Last time, I wasn't active (1-2 hour naps every day...I wish!) or even working during the first trimester, I gave into cravings more often, and I put on about 8 pounds, so that's another difference this time around! 

4 Years Old!

George is 4 years old today!

He requested a Paw Patrol cake this year--chocolate with vanilla icing and Oreo filling

Birthday cards from the family

He's been loving "Hungry Hungry Hippos"--we've been playing it a lot, and we practice his counting with the marbles after each round

Richard and I are both nostalgic about our old Fisher Price medical kits, so we love it as much as he does!

The kits have changed very little in 30+ years--I love the blood pressure cuff!

George got lots of lovely books for his birthday from friends and family and we've been enjoying having new stories to read!

I loved the Harry the Dirty Dog books when I was a kid, so it's been fun to read them again! 

His big present this year was a Mini Micro Scooter!

He wanted to try it out immediately!

We had George's birthday party at Middleton Railway, the world's oldest working railway!

The Party Carriage!

 George and Neve--I just love these two little buddies!

Birthday cards presents from his friends--he got so many lovely things! We've been having a great time reading his new books and playing with his new toys and games! Neve gave him the Buzz Lightyear, which was awesome because he has Woody, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head, etc. but not Buzz. When he opened it, he was thrilled and started pressing the buttons, then stopped and said "Where's Woody? I need to show him!"  He ran off to his room to get Woody--it was so cute!

Favourites at age 4:

Food: Corn on the cob

Treat: Triple chocolate cookies

Colour: Green

Game: Hide & Seek

Car: Land Rover

TV Show: Paw Patrol

Book: "Winnie the Witch" books

Songs: "Shotgun" by George Ezra and "Giant" by Rag'n'bone Man

Friends: Dylan and Neve

Birthday week firsts:
First birthday party with friends
First cinema experience! We went to see "Toy Story 4" at The Light:

He ate a ton of popcorn and had a great time! We were so proud of how well he did!