We're having a baby!

Shane and I are thrilled to announce that we are expecting baby #2, due June 2nd. As of today, am 14 weeks along. I am so very excited about the timing of this baby. My sister Emily is due with her first baby, a little boy, 10 weeks before me. If my baby is a boy, they will of course be best friends. If it is a girl, then Lydia will have her fondest dream come true and get a little baby sister.

I have to say that I am surprising myself by announcing my pregnancy this early. With Lydia I didn't tell anyone until I was 20 weeks. Of course, with Lydia I didn't really show until 24 weeks. With this pregnancy, I started showing a couple weeks ago.

That hasn't been the only difference between the pregnancies. Actually, I am having a hard time thinking of any similarities with my pregnancies. With Lydia I didn't even suspect that I was pregnant until I was over 8 weeks along. We had been trying for 2 years to get pregnant, and I had just recently decided to stop taking fertility drugs to give my body (and hormones) a rest. A couple skipped periods weren't out of the norm. In fact, the only reason I even thought I might be pregnant was when (warning! This may be an over-share) I was stepping out the the shower and Shane's mouth dropped open. "Natalie. What is going on with your boobs?!" No joke, they grew two cup sizes overnight. I went to the doctor that day for a blood test :)

This time around, I was pretty sure I hadn't even missed a period, but I had been so completely nauseated for days, I needed to know the cause. I can't explain how ecstatic I was when I had a positive pregnancy test. I mentioned that we tried for 2 years to conceive Lydia. So many negative pregnancy tests and disappointments. This time around, we had only been trying for 3 months. It was such a relief to know it wasn't going to be so difficult this time around.

In the same token, I realized that I was probably only 4 weeks along and I was already sick and totally exhausted. With Lydia I felt great my entire pregnancy. I worked up to the day before I delivered, only taking one sick day the entire 9 months. I thought I was just one of those lucky women who had easy pregnancies. Apparently not.

I will say that I feel good now. I am still tired, but I try to take a nap everyday while Lydia sleeps and that helps immensely. However, for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy I was miserable. The worst of it hit during a two week period that Shane had crazy travel. He was home only one night in two weeks. I seriously had no idea what to do. I was so sick I could hardly get out of bed. Any smell put me over. I still had a (very needy) two year old who needed to be dressed, feed 3 meals a day, played with.... motherhood has no sick days. My house was completely destroyed. I was able to make food (barely), but clean it up was way too much time standing. I played on the floor with Lydia, me completely prostrate, but cleaning up was out of the question. Laundry? Don't make me laugh. My "morning sickness" lasted from the time I woke up until around 8pm. After that, I felt just well enough to do a few dishes, brush my teeth and then go to bed. I would have called a cleaning service, but I think that they have to be able to see the floor if they are going to vacuum and mop. My mom was able to come out a couple weeks after I was officially in the bell jar.

When I was 6 weeks along, I had my first doctors appointment and ultrasound. Lydia was there to see it and she got a special copy of the ultrasound just for her. My doctor also gave me what may be the greatest gift you can give a pregnant women. He said I wasn't 6 weeks along as my calculations would indicate. I was NINE weeks. Oh, that may have been one of the greatest days ever. Finding out I was 3 weeks further into my pregnancy, only 3 weeks from the end of my first trimester. Hallelujah.

Now I am just enjoying this blessed second trimester. I still can't believe we are going to do this all again. The sleepless nights, the constant feedings....the sweet baby smell, the soft baby cuddle, tiny hands, tiny feet. Putting our little newborn in Lydia's eager arms. Just thinking about it makes me smile. And cry.....just a little.

46 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

Luke and Hailie Girl said...

How fantastic for you guys! Congratulations!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 2:36 PM 

Brooke said...

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you guys!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 3:12 PM 

Are You Serious! said...

♥ Congratulations! How completely and totally exciting!!! That cracks me up about the boob thing!!! :)

DECEMBER 1, 2008 3:13 PM 

tristanjh said...

Congratulations...I am really happy for you!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 3:15 PM 

Lilith Silvermane said...

Soooo happy for you both! Lydia is going to be a GREAT big sister :) Congrats!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 3:31 PM 

ZogLady said...

Oh congratulations!!! :D What exciting news!!! Side note: When I was pregnant with my second child I too was exhausted way mroe then I thought I would be. I had the prefect pregnancy the first time around so this threw me off. As well, I had such horrible 'morning' sickness that I ended up in the hospital. We're lucky in Canada as there's a 'little white pill with the naked pregnant woman on it' that I can take and it cures all! Amazing med's! I found with my second that if I kept some chocolate by the bed, I coudl take a nibble when I got up in the morning. Apparently dark chocolate helps with morning sickness. Helped me! AND I got to bite chocolate! Yay! *L* And made it through the days (my oldest was 18 months when my second was born!). Best wishes! :D

DECEMBER 1, 2008 4:01 PM 

Whimsical Creations said...

Congrats!!! How exciting for you!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 4:34 PM 

Artsy-Craftsy Merchant said...

Congratulations!!!! Great holiday news!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 5:04 PM 

Threeundertwo said...

Wow! Congratulations! What wonderful news. I'm so happy for your family!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 7:21 PM 

Jen R. said...

Congratulations! Another gorgeous baby is on the way. I had a horribe first pregnancy, that gives me hope that maybe my next one wont be so bad!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 7:38 PM 

April said...

oh my gosh- your life will change so much with two- and I hope this child is calm and sleeps all the time...

DECEMBER 1, 2008 7:41 PM 

lisagh said...

What wonderful news! Best wishes to you.

DECEMBER 1, 2008 8:20 PM 

Tanja said...

What exciting news, congratulations to you and yours!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 8:38 PM 

kristi lee said...

So happy for you! I'm glad you didn't wait until Monday to announce. Secrets are REALLY HARD for me to keep...especially with all the people we'll be seeing this weekend. OHHHH....MaryJane came by tonight and she thinks we're going to have a CRAZY crowd. She said she wouldn't be surprised if it was anywhere from 300-500 people! PRAYING she's right.

DECEMBER 1, 2008 8:41 PM 

Gilbert Family said...

Congrats! That is really exciting. I can't believe you were able to keep it a secret that long. I was on the phone telling my family 30 minutes after I found out (and I was only about 5 or 6 weeks along) I really wanted to hear those same words "you are further than you think" at my first appointment too but I didn't have such luck! This has been a very LONG 20 weeks for me. Are you going to find out what you are having?

DECEMBER 1, 2008 8:43 PM 

Misty said...

Congratulations! I am sure this baby will be equally as gorgeous as Lydia!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 8:58 PM 

Natalie Jane said...

Oh yes - we will be finding out the sex. Hopefully right around 20 weeks.

DECEMBER 1, 2008 9:09 PM 

beba said...

Yay!!!!!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 9:22 PM 

Paige said...

Congratulations! Having two is quite a ride!

DECEMBER 1, 2008 10:20 PM 

zoe hunter said...

Congrats!!We have two lil ones coming in our family too!! How exciting..:)

DECEMBER 2, 2008 1:54 AM 

Cheryl Lage said...

Oh congratulations to you! Found you via Lit & Laundry...you have a LOVELY (and growing!) family. :) Best and blessings-

DECEMBER 2, 2008 9:18 AM 

Tamara said...

A big congratulations to you and your hubby! What a blessing and enjoy the ride :)

DECEMBER 2, 2008 11:02 AM 

Sharla said...

Congratulations! And great post!! Reading this actually makes me want to get pregnant again and my twins are only 19 months old. Then again....maybe not. ;)

DECEMBER 2, 2008 11:07 AM 

Coloradolady said...

Congratulations! Your post brought back lots of memories of my first pregnancy. I was so sick I thought I was going to die. (for 9 months) sick everyday....I had a boy. The second time, I felt good, almost all the time....I had a girl. Best wishes for you and your family. I am happy for you!

DECEMBER 2, 2008 12:29 PM 

Hannah LaRue said...

Congratulations. Cant wait to hear if the baby is a boy or girl.

DECEMBER 2, 2008 1:50 PM 

Better Home Interiors said...

Yay!! There is nothing as sweet as a little one so fresh from heaven! I'm so excited for you. I've got 3 and wonder still how the time can fly so quickly!

DECEMBER 2, 2008 3:20 PM 

Cindy said...

Congrats!! Baby #2 is so very exciting and totally different because it no longer is just you and the baby. You'll do awesome. Don't be afraid to ask for drugs after this baby gets here : ) They help get you through the first few months. I'm glad to hear that you are onto the blessed 2nd trimester and over the yucky pukes and tiredness. Enjoy your pregnancy. It's exciting to hear you and Emily will have babies so close together. Eric you know just had a boy in September and we are having a boy in a few weeks, so I'm so glad they will have each other at family gatherings because it's been a long stretch of girls before that.

DECEMBER 2, 2008 7:11 PM 

emily said...

Congratulations!! That is so exciting. I'm predicting you are going to have a boy since your pregnancies are so different. I was horribly sick with #1 (boy) and felt great with #2 (girl). Congrats again, I hope things go smoothly!

DECEMBER 3, 2008 5:59 AM 

The Shabby Princess said...

Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations!!!!

DECEMBER 3, 2008 3:12 PM 

MaggieM said...

Congratulations Natalie! I am very happy for you and your family. Here's to a smooth pregnancy:)

DECEMBER 3, 2008 4:47 PM 

Heidi said...

this is fabulous news, congrats and hope that you feel well the rest of the time.

DECEMBER 3, 2008 5:31 PM 

stephland3 said...

Congrats! That is so exciting, I would love to have another baby. I think 3 is good for now:)

DECEMBER 3, 2008 8:48 PM 

The Linabooty's said...

Congrats Natalie and Fam! So happy for you! Can totally relate to the trying a long time for the first one and being so relieved when the second comes easier. Now just beware of how EASY the third could come:) Good Luck and Rest!

DECEMBER 3, 2008 9:42 PM 

Barbara said...

Congrats to you and your family. I was reading some other posts about the sickness. I was totally opposite. Horrible, horrible sickness 24/7 for the entire 9 months and had a girl. She was soooo worth it though!

DECEMBER 3, 2008 10:21 PM 

just me (Angie) said...

congratulations! I am so happy for you guys.

DECEMBER 4, 2008 12:24 AM 

Jennifer said...

CONGRATS!!!! So exciting!

DECEMBER 4, 2008 12:35 AM 

heather said...

yay!! I am happy for you. Congratulations! I wish you an easy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

DECEMBER 4, 2008 2:08 AM 

Madeline and Family said...

Congradulations! I am so happy for you.

DECEMBER 4, 2008 5:51 AM 

Becky said...

Congratulations! What a blessing! My boys are 26 months apart and I think they'll be the best of friends. And like you, my first pregnancy was a dream, but my second was a nightmare! I am so happy that he is here and healthy-I now have 2 beautiful, perfect children, and that's enough for me. :) Congrats!!

DECEMBER 4, 2008 8:10 AM 

jenstamps said...

Congratulations! What better gift for Lydia ~ Big sister!

DECEMBER 5, 2008 2:28 PM 

The Todd Family said...

That is so exciting Natalie!!! I was looking at your Christmas pictures (SO cute by the way!) and thinking that Lydia just LOOKED like she needed to be holding a younger sibling. ;) Good luck! It's a ride!

DECEMBER 5, 2008 4:53 PM 

Josh and Lindsay said...

Congratulations!! I got way excited for you when I read the news.

DECEMBER 5, 2008 5:25 PM 

Adam Archibald Family said...

Congratulations!!! That's wonderful! Lydia can come play with Brynli anytime if you need a break, nap, anything.

DECEMBER 5, 2008 7:24 PM 

LOLiTA said...

Awww...Natalie! Congrats girl! How exciting!

DECEMBER 7, 2008 11:30 AM 

?MomOf4? said...

Congratulations! How exciting!

DECEMBER 7, 2008 6:10 PM 

Randi said...

Hi, I wandered over from Mormon Mommy Blogs. Congratulations! How exciting! And P.S. Your daughter is gorgeous! Absolutely adorable.

DECEMBER 13, 2008 6:34 PM