Emerald Blair is Three Months Old

She is 10, going on 11 pounds. She still smiles and "talks" a lot and today (!) she laughed for the first time!

Emerald Blair is Two Months Old

Time really is going so fast, Emerald changed so much between her first and second month. It seems everyone is always saying that about babies, but I feel even more aware of it this time than with The Captain. Maybe because having a newborn next to a three year old makes me all the more aware of just how far he has come since he was that small,  or because being Mommy to two people makes life feel more than twice as busy! 

Emerald continues to charm us with her sparkling personality, we are so lucky to have her!

Emerald Blair is One Month Old

Her personality is becoming more and more apparent. She is very smiley and very vocal, not that she cries a lot, she usually seems to be in a happy mood - though when she does cry it is a really heartrending sound, but that she coos and squeaks and squeals a lot and in a way that is very clearly directed, for example, if she wants to be picked up. She has started getting more interested in the world around her, the mobile on her Mamaroo has started catching her eye and we have recently started putting  her on her playmat for short bits on her back or her tummy. She is not a huge fan of tummy time, but seems willing to humor the situation for at least a moment. 

She's Here!

Our baby girl arrived safely, on Wednesday, May 31st. I will update more soon, meanwhile, more pictures can be seen on my Instagram and her name reveal video can be seen here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r7SE9gy8bl8

What's In My Baby's Hospital Bag

the bag:

Fawn Design - Gray

This is my first backpack style diaper bag, i have heard that is essential when trying to manage a toddler and newborn at once. I am excited and scared to see how I like it, once I start using it regularly. I love the look of it and the few times I have taken it out for a test run, I have received tons of compliments. I just loved my StorkSak Tania (now worn out from 2.5 years of constant use) so much, it will be hard for another diaper bag to rise as high in my esteem, but I think this one has a shot. 

to dress the baby:

When I my son, I only brought going home clothes for him, one outfit in newborn and another in 0-3 mo. size. 

I wished I had our own stuff to dress him in at the hospital, especially when we had guest passing him around and taking pictures. This time, I am bringing what I want to make sure this baby can be dressed cuter and more covered than with just what the hospital will provide. I am also bringing newborn size things only, as my son was 6lb 1oz at full term and swimming in the newborn stuff by the time he lost 10% of his weight right after birth. I am guessing even if this baby is a bit bigger, she won't be too big for Newborn sized stuff. 

• 2 Footed "Sleep & Play" Bodysuit, Size: Newborn

These have fold over hand covers, which I may be glad to have if she starts scratching her face. I am not even going to try cutting her nails in those first few days. Otherwise, I don't know if we will dress her in these to sleep, like we will at home or just when we have guest or if it is cold. She may not fit them at all. My son couldn't wear his for a few weeks, his legs would get sucked up inside them.

• 3 Onesies, Size: "Up to 7lbs"

Watch this baby girl be 8 lbs. 

• 3 Pairs of Soft Leggings/Pants, Size: Newborn 

3 outfits in addition to the footed sleepers, is totally more that I anticipate using, and I don't know if she will wear pants, if it is really hot. But I like having back ups and options.

• 2 Hats and 1 Bow, Size: "Up to 7lbs". (Hats) and One Size (Bow)

I am really excited to put her in her own, much cuter than what the hospital will give her, hat. The bow is for pictures, and was one of the first "girl" things I purchased for her.

 • 1 Pair of Socks, Size: 0-6 months

Jusy incase we want them for either her feet or her hands.

to wrap the baby:

• Muslin Swaddles

One of these is cotton, like all the others I have had and loved before and the other is bamboo rayon, a material I not had this type of blanket out of before. It is silky soft, though I have heard it can snag more easily. Being summertime, these are the only type of blankets I think I will want, they are light, large and versatile.

diapering:

Diapers and Wipes - Honest Co. And 7th Generation.  I am bringing our prefered, unscented diapers and wipes incase either the baby or I arw bothered by the hospital provided ones. 

feeding:

• Nursing Cover 

By no means do I feel obligated to cover up for other people's comfort, but sometimes I would like to for my own. I am  actually pretty excited about this cover as it can also be used as a shopping gcart or car seat cover and seems like it may actually cover better than others styles I have previously tried. 

• Soothie Gel Pads

These seriously kept me going last time in the early days of breastfeeding. So, I want to have Them on hand right at the start.

• Nipple Baulm

I have a tube of lanolin as well as a few samples of other kinds to try.  

• Re-Usable Breast Pads

I never really had a problem with leaking, I am bringing these to protect my clothes from the nipple Baulm. 

misc: 

• Wet Bag 

For bringing home her dirty clothes.

• Pacifiers

Two different kinds, I am really hoping she will like one of them. I am not worried about nipple confusion as much as I am about nipple damage fatigue getting in the way of breastfeeding. 

• Small Note Pad and Pen

Seems like the kind of thing to have on hand in hospital. 

• Hand Sanitizer Gel and Wipes

I find a new baby as great reason to embrace my germaphobia. The pump bottle is to have at the ready for guest before they hold the baby. 

• Baby Tracker Pages 

To help us keep tracking the first few days, when the doctor and nursed will want to known about the baby's intake and output. 

Five Girl Names I Love...But, Am Not Using!

This is a tag I have seen on YouTube and decided to do for you here. It is usually 10 names, 5 boys and 5 girls, but since it is no secret I am expecting a girl, I decided to save the boys for another time. While I will not be sharing Baby Burgess #2's name in this post, it might help you get some ideas, I am revealing a bit of our taste preferences and some rules Rob and I used for guiding our choice.

Honor

I love word names and have loved Honor since the first time I heard it used as a name, for Logan Huntsberger's sister on "Gilmore Girls", I am not even put off by the strong Jessica Alba/ star baby association. The deal breaker here is that it starts with an H, like Harper and we don't want to do an all H theme for our kid's names. I would potentially be ok with doing a theme either for all our kids or for all our kids of the same sex, but if we had a boy and then a girl with matching first initials, I would feel locked in. 

Hazel

You can see the big issue with this one right away... But, It's s color and a tree! Like my name! And there is a pretty decent chance she would have hazel eyes, since her older brother has. Even if it were not for the H problem, I have realized Hazel is the sort of name I love to see on another person's little girl but not my own. I think it falls a bit more into the  "old lady" name trend than my taste.

Eliza(beth)

This would be after, Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. I also just love the sound of Eliza, it is one of those names that feels good to say and hear. But, I have an Aunt Elizabeth, and another rule Rob and I have is not to use the names of any relatives (or even of anyone we know if we can help it). There are still a few names from the Austen universe on the table though.

Camden

I love this for a boy or girl, but especially for a girl. There is something about a girl with a unisex name that skews more masculine that delights me in some cases, such as this one. It almost makes it seem more both preppy and princessey, which are both things I like. For Rob and I, Camden would be a nod to the fictional school of Camden, a Bret Easton Ellis reference. Alas, we have an adorable nephew named Cameron, so Cam- names are off the table for us. Additionally, Camden feels a bit trendier than I would like, perhaps because it has so much in common with Caden and several other similar names that are popular right now. 

Georgia

There is something I find very appealingly sumptuous about Georgia, while it is also a classic and rather straightforward and sweet. But, Rob, generally dosent like feminizations of men's names. Also, it is a place name, and while it is a beautiful place and one where I have relatives, it is not one where we have spent a great deal of time or have a strong personal history.

What's In My Hospital Bag

I love reading these kind of post, partially to get ideas for what I might want to bring to the hospital and partially just to get a little glimpse into someone else's life through what they feel the need to bring with them when they go to have their baby. 

I am aiming for a VBAC, but also packed with a possible repeat c-section in mind and the knowledge that my hospital stay could be 2-4 days depending. I have separate bags packed for my baby and husband, which I plan to show in another post.

•iPad 

•Headphones

•Two generously sized shortsleeve t- shirts and one long sleeve

•One pair of yoga pants and one pair of maternity leggings

•One pair of fuzzy socks. I have been looking for slippers, since my old ones have worn out, but haven't found any I love. 

•One nursing tank

•One nursing bra

•A few large pads

•Belly Binder I am packing the big ugly bandage looking one left over from my c-section, I plan to get a Belly Bandit after a week or two, that way I don't risk buying the wrong size initially. 

•Four pairs of high waisted, cotton panties. I was not a fan of the mesh ones hey gave me last time.

•Swim suit top My hospital has labor tubs, I may get to use.

•Skirt that could go on the water. Also, for tub labor, clearly.

•Robe

•Flip flops for the shower

Makeup:

I loved being able to shower and put on makeup before having visitors, last time. 

Naked 3 is my favorite eyeshadow pallet and probably my favorite makeup item.

•Toiletries:

I don't have much for my hair, I am planning to wash it with the everyone shampoo/body wash, brush through some lotion and stick it up in a top knot. 

•Snacks:Coconut Water, Almonds, Dark Chocolate

•Wallet

Phone, charger and pocket juice

•Eyeglasses

25-35 Weeks Pregnant

~ 25-35 Weeks Pregnant ~

 It has been 10 weeks since I last posted an update. Whenever I do updates very often, I end up feeling kind of bored, often nothing big seems to have happened from week to week and I feel like I am repeating so much. But, in 10 weeks, things really have progressed and changed. the baby grew from rutabaga to honeydew melon size; I don't have that clear of an idea how big an average rutabaga is, but honeydew melons are pretty large, when you think about carrying one around in your belly, and I feel so much larger than I did back then and this baby's movements are so much more pronounced. I so love love feeling and seeing that she is bumping around in there, though I am looking forward to meeting her on the outside and am experiencing some late pregnancy discomforts, I still kind of wish this part of the pregnancy didn't go by so quickly, it is such a special time and I don't take for granted that I will be so lucky as to experience it a third time or that this is the only time this baby will live in me, no matter how many more I have. Discomfort wise, my lower back is hurting sometimes and I feel like I get fatigued more easily lately and have had a few almost Charley Horses. Happily, though, I passed my glucose tolerance test. As for cravings and things I have been missing, as the weather has gotten more springlike, I have had a few times when I really craved a drink. It has made me realize that season changes are the times I most want to imbibe, when cold weather comes, I start thinking it would be fun to have a spiked cider or a really good beer, ideally while sitting fireside and now, as it is getting warm again, I start thinking how nice it would be to sit on a patio with a glass of wine or by a pool with some sort of cocktail. So, when I get sad that the pregnancy is almost over, I try to comfort myself with thoughts of things I can look forward to about no longer being pregnant. the main one being of course will be the baby girl we are adding to our family. 

 Here I am, above, at 35 Weeks Pregnant (Baby #2)

Below are a couple pictures of me at 32 Weeks  with Harper (Baby #1)

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Easter 2017

Easter Basket Ideas - What's In My Kid's Easter Basket

My little guy has been very into blue things lately (a shift from his longtime favorite, red) and the first thing Rob and I got for his basket this year was an aqua blue plush bunny we spotted on display while out shopping a little while back. He has several Jellycat plush that we love, but this is his first bunny from them (they have them in many different colors and sizes).  From there, I went forward with a loose sort of blue bunny theme to inspire many of my choices for his basket. I was thrilled to find a bunny ear headband that perfectly matches the plush. Bunny Grahams are the closest thing to candy we are including, he is also getting carrot, applesauce pouches which I thought go nicely with the theme and since he is obsessed with both cookies and applesauce, I know he will love both treats. His plastic eggs will have hot wheels in them. Rounding things out, are the tried and true Easter basket staples of bubbles, crayons, a new toothbrush and book.

1. Jellycat Bunny
2. Aqua Bunny Ears (from Meijer, I was so excited to find them as they perfectly match the plush bunny we got him)
3. I Am A Bunny by Ole Risom
4. Bunny Straw Cup (similar here)
5. Playdough Bunny and Chick Stampers
6. Annies Bunny Grahams
7. Carrot Apple Sauce Pouches
8. Battery Power Toothbrush
9. Crayons
10. Bubbles
11. Hot Wheels

Captain is 2 and 3/4, and I love that his basket this year is pretty simple and classic and that I think most of the things in his basket would work for an older or younger child just as well or could easily suggest items that would (for example, a different cup/water bottle/mug for an older child or teen, who could also be given more sophisticated art supplies such as nice quality colored pencils rather than crayons, there are so, so many things an older child might love that can fit into plastic eggs...you get the idea). I also wanted to mention, incase it is helpful to those of you putting together your baskets last minute, that I purchased all the things for this basket in store (Nordstrom, Target and Meijer). 

For more ideas check out this post about what was in his basket last year, when he was just under 2, and here is a look back on that Easter, including a look at the baskets Rob and I gave each other.

Boon Flair Highchair Review

One of the things I have learned about investing in baby gear, is to choose wisely when hoping to use something for more than one child. We didn't do such a great job choosing our old high chair. It was not asthetically pleasing, had a huge footprint in our small space and had a cloth pad type seat that did not hold up well to the necessary cleaning. For these reasons, our old highchair was near the top of the list of gear we hoped to replace for baby #2. 

We were so excited to replace our old chair with the Boon Flair and start using it right away with Harper. Because of the pedestal design and being a bit small sized overall, it takes up a lot less space than many other highchairs (our previous one included), making it a good choice for us as we have pretty limited space (we dine at our kitchen island). Due to the small size, it might not be ideal for a very large toddler, but I expect it to work for Harper, who is currently a petite 2.5 year old, until he transitions out of it before Baby Burgess #2 is ready to start on solids this next fall or winter. The tray is also small, which is not a problem for eating and makes it easy to wash the try too either in the sink or dishwasher, but not ideal as a workspace for Harper's art projects. It is also a little bit tricky - though not impossible by any means, to take the whole tray on and off one handed. 

As hoped It is really easy to wipe the whole thing clean. It also appeals to me that replacement seat pads and tray toppers are avalible in a variety of colors, though I am very happy with the orange color of ours, it is nice knowing we could change it up, if down the road we need or want something new. 

All things considered, I am in love with this highchair and I think Harper shares the feeling. I can't wait to see how it performs with a younger child, when Baby Burgess #2 is ready for her turn and I am so glad we will have a great highchair for her right from the start. 

Lately

It has been a sick, sad couple of weeks. Our family has been really sick, pretty much since Valentine's Day, one of us goes down, one after another and overlapping and getting sick again just as we think we are recovering. I am optimistic that we are coming out on the other side of it at this point, at least I hope so. Meanwhile, I have an uncle who is gravely ill from flu complications, weighing heavy on my heart. 

It is not all darkness around here though, Rob has surprised me with flowers twice since Valentine's Day, he knows unexpected roses are my favorite, especially pink ones and at a time like this when our lives could use some brightening I have been especially enjoying them.

The baby is moving and kicking or punching a lot, or maybe it just feels that way because she is getting so big in there (I will have another pregnant diary post up next week) and I have been doing a little online shopping for some things we would like to have before she gets here (perhaps I should do a baby haul post or video?). 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our little family had a great day together; I love these guys (and the little girl on the way) oh so much! Highlights for us included seeing "The Lego Batman Movie" and eating at a Brazilian place (our first time!). 

Now that Harper is in bed, Rob is about to crack open a Bell's Two Hearted, while I try to resist pilfering some of the sweet tart conversation hearts I gave him earlier. We let Harper have one little piece of chocolate, this afternoon and he was literally spinning in circles in the middle of the living room, laughing and holding onto his ballon string. 

I hope your day was sweet!   

Valentine's Ideas for Little Ones

bow, glasses, dogs, blanket, truck, book

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, Rob and I like to include Harper in the holiday, last year we made him a little gift bag (pictured below, follow the link to see everything that was inside) and we will most definitely similar in the future. If you have been reading this blog or know me in real life, you have probably figured out by now that I love planning gifts for my little guy. I think books always make such a good gifts, especially for little kids who will enjoy them over and over again, last year we gave Harper this book to go along with this plush puppy (who he sleeps with every night!), a few other books that would make perfect Valentines are "Snuggle Puppy" by Sandra Boynton and "Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You" By Nancy Tillman as well as the book linked in my collage above.

This year we have something a little different planned, we are going to one of our favorite places. We are going to the theater to see "The Lego Batman Movie", which is, I hope not too scary for our little guy! Rob really has his heart set on it and I will admit I am looking forward to it as well, I loved Lego Batman in "The Lego Movie". Plus there was a preview for it when we went to see "Moana" and Harper was really excited (thanks to Rob's example, no doubt). We also have fleece throw blanket, we are planning to give him, I haven't been able to find a picture on the Target website, but we found it in the toy section with the Batman Legos.

21-24 Weeks Pregnant

~ 21-24 Weeks Pregnant ~

I have been feeling a real sense of urgency to get ready for the baby to arrive. We still have a while to go, but it is going by so fast! These past few weeks I have not had a lot of notable symptoms, I am feeling pretty much as I was in my last update, fatigued but not sick. My 24 weeks OB appointment went well, which is to say pretty uneventful. Next month, I am scheduled for my glucose tolerance test and super not excited about drinking the glucola.

 I have decided to start including bump pictures, at least once a month. and when possible I will also include pictures for the same point in my first pregnancy.

Here I am, above, at 22 Weeks Pregnant (Baby #2)

Below are a couple pictures of me at this stage with Harper (Baby #1)

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17 - 20 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Diary

~ Seventeen, Eighteen and Nineteen Weeks Pregnant~ 

Were pretty much spent looking forward to our twenty week - mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Happily feeling the baby moving more and more and  not feeling sick all the time. The baby grew from turnip to a banana size at week 20.

~ Twenty Weeks Pregnant~

Half way to my due date!

This has been a great week, the a baby has been very active which helps reassure me that she is doing well in there. And, of course, we found out that she is a girl!  

See Previous Pregnancy Diary Entry

13-16 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Diary

~ Thirteen Weeks Pregnant ~

I have realized that peppermint tea that I have been drinking for "morning" sickness is was making my heartburn worse! 

Over the next four weeks, the baby will grow from the size of a pea pod to that of an avocado!

~ Fourteen Weeks Pregnant~

I have been happily enjoying Thanksgiving foods! When I was pregnant with Harper, I had an intense poultry aversion that made the holiday pretty rough for me, not so this time. I also think (fingers crossed) my "morning" sickness may be passing and my heartburn has not been so bad either lately. The thing that has most been on my mind is wondering when I will feel the baby start moving. With Harper, I felt movement starting at 15 weeks, so I am expecting it to be soon. I have heard you feel it sooner with each pregnancy, so it should be any time now! 

~ Fifteen Weeks Pregnant~

Not feeling so sick - still really tired, but that could be because my toddler has been getting up a 5am. Planning to tell people next week. Still not certain I have felt the baby kick yet, I am really anxious to start feeling him or her.

~ Sixteen Weeks Pregnant ~

This week we finally told people about the pregnancy, with this video! I have also been feeling a few flutters. I have not been very sick lately, and my heartburn has been much less.  I am still super tired, after a long day I will be so run down, it is hard for me to gather the energy to make dinner.  

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Swings and Slings and Other Things I Am Excited To Try With Baby Number Two!

 sling, bottle, swing, burp clothes, high chair, silver cups, pacifier

With Harper, we were lucky to have use of a borrowed swing, it was a classic style and we loved it, this time we are looking to buy one and trying to decide between one like what we had before or one of the more modern style ones from 4 Moms. This type of swing has a much much smaller footprint which would be great for us since we live in an apartment.
I have had my eyes on a sling for a while now, I have a Moby Wrap and and Ergo Baby Carrier that I plan to use again, I love baby wearing and am hopeful that a sling will be a great addition to our gear. Honestly, previously, I was turned off by an image that I had of what slings look like that didn't fit with my style or self image. Then one caught my eye, and after that I started looking around on the internet and realizing how absolutely wrong I had been.
We do have a highchair for Harper, but I am including it on this list because of how eager I am for a replacement. I would list not holding up well as our our current chair's primary deficiency, but I am instead choosing to appreciate that between the issues with the tray not latching right and the cushions and straps not coming out well from being washed, it has reduced itself to a hunk of junk, justifying replacement. a replacement that will be easy to clean and not depress me with how unattractive it is every time I look in it's direction.
With Harper, instead of traditional burp clothes,we just used some random flannel receiving blankets which have since lived out their lives as household rags. This time I am planning om using cotton prefold diapers, which seem to be a popular option, and perhaps a few of the nice looking muslin sort.
Harper didn't really take to a bottle or pacifier, but we will be trying with this baby. both the Comotomo and Wubba Nub are styles I have heard lots of good things about so, I think we will start there.
I had never heard of them before when I won a set of silver nursing cups, in a raffle. They are supposed to be amazing for soothing and comfort in the early days of breastfeeding, and I think it is cool that they are made of real silver and can be recycled, by the manufacturer, into jewelry.

Flamingo Nursery Inspiration

Since finding out that Baby Burgess #2 is a girl, I have been really taking notice of all the pink baby things. It's not that I think little girls automatically have to be surround by the color, so much as that it is one of my favorites and am having having so much fun thinking about bringing more of it into our lives as we prepare this baby to arrive.  Maybe it is because they are fashionable right now, or maybe it is because they remind me of warm sunny days when it is anything but around here, but I have been really drawn to flamingos lately - they are bright and fun, but can also be tastefully brought into a space, I think you can say the same thing about the color pink in general. I am not certain I want to actually do a flamingo centered theme for baby girl, but I am tempted to at least bring some of these items into our space.

plush, brush, humidifier, pom pom bin, book, luxe blanket, muslin quilt

9-12 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Diary

~ Nine Weeks ~

At this point in my pregnancy with Harper, we were already telling people, but this time we are hoping to keep things under wraps until December when we can do a cute holiday themed announcement. I have been scouting on Pinterest for ideas and I am super excited about it!

In December, we shared this announcement photo along with a video 

announcement post and video

~ Ten Weeks ~

The baby is now the size of a kumquat. I have not had a kumquat in years, but I like them.


Still tired and nauseous at times, the only real news is that my waistbands are feeling a bit snug.

~ Eleven Weeks ~

For a few days, I was not feeling as nauseous and then one night after dinner it hit me again, so hard, I have been drinking peppermint or ginger tea to help fight it off and that helps a bit little (I later realized the peppermint was making my heartburn worse and stopped it). I am counting the tea toward my water intake too, I am really trying to make sure I stay well hydrated which can be a bit of a chore for me.

~Twelve Weeks ~

This week I had my second prenatal appointment and it was pretty scary. The medical student who was there with the OB could not find the baby's heartbeat with his doppler. I was just laying there on the exam table praying , but there was nothing, and then he picked up my heartbeat, then nothing. Finally, the doctor took over and found the baby pretty quickly. Needless to say, that was a huge relief.

*warning: vomit talk below*

The last night of my twelfth week, I threw up really hard core. It was so startling for me because as I have mentioned before, I don't tend to do that.  When I say hard core, I mean that I was sitting on the sofa beside Rob, we were watching "The Walking Dead" on Netflix and I was sipping on a cup of ginger tea, I had been feeling increasingly ill over the past few hours. Rob was eating his dinner (he works late and eats when he gets home) and the smell of his leftovers was really bothering me, butt not really more than smells have been lately. So, we were both pretty caught off guard when I suddenly projectile vomited onto the carpet in front of the sofa before high tailing it to the bathroom.

See The Previous Pregnancy Diary Entry 
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5-8 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Diary

~Five Weeks~

This week the baby's heart starts beating!

Lately, I am not having as much cramping or feeling as intensely bloated as I was last week, but I am feeling more nausea and heartburn. With Harper (aka Baby Burgess #1) was was a bit nauseous (I remember feeling so sick through Thanksgiving dinner that I imagined I must look green. I only threw up once that whole pregnancy and that was when I was extremely, emotionally upset about something as well as feeling ill from pregnancy. Most of the time, I can feel horrible and it just doesn't happen. Lately though, I have been feeling like it might really happen.

My other main symptom is fatigue, during the day, I have been napping with Harper whenever I have the chance (though his naps have been hit or miss lately) and barely staying up past his bedtime.

~Six Weeks~

We have been thinking about baby names! I have been obsessed with names since I was a little girl, maybe because mine is unusual.
I am about 90% sure I know what we will name this baby, if they are a girl! We also have some boy names in mind. One thing I do enjoy about early pregnancy is being able to think about names without feeling intense pressure make a final choice.

I am so tired right now, but it is a toss up as to if it is more because of being pregnant or because Harper is up multiple times per night. One thing that is clearly different, I am having trouble falling back asleep after I wake up to with Harper or to use the bathroom.

I  had a few days of not being very neausious, and then an afternoon with a super upset stomach.

~Seven Weeks~

The baby is now the size of a blueberry!

Being in this early, most precarious stage of pregnancy where we are most at risk for a negative outcome and least able to tell what is going on (I felt a bit better, with Harper when I could feel him moving around all the time), I am trying hard not to dwell on miscarriage fears and really looking forward to but also nervous about our ultrasound appointment that will finally be happening next week.

I am soooooo tired, like having trouble functioning, sort of tired. And emotional, I have burst into tears twice in the past few days, both times it was because of situations that were legitimately upsetting, but not the sort that I would normally cry over. I have also teared up while watching a tv drama, which is something I might ordinarily do, s - still, taken with the other crying incidents, It certainly seems like a lot. I don't think I was this emotional when I was pregnant with Harper.

~Eight Weeks~

We finally, after waiting for what felt like forever had our first OB appointment and ultrasound. I was nervous going in, knowing the risk of early miscarriage and having had pregnancy loss happen to so many people I care about, it is hard for me not to be anxious about it. At this ultrasound they were also checking to see how many babies are in there. There is one, seeing and hearing his or her heartbeat was such a relief. I know it doesn't guarantee things will keep going well, but it was nice to know that in that moment things were looking good and from a statistical standpoint, the pregnancy's chances are better going forward.

I am still nauseous,  tired  having trouble sleeping. There is so much to think about, both exciting stuff and worries, with a new baby on the way. 

See The Previous Pregnancy Diary Entry 
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4 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Diary

 I have been keeping this pregnancy diary since I first found out I am pregnant, making notes around the end of each week. I am excited (you will notice I use that word a lot in this post!) to be sharing it with you now, starting with the earliest entry. I plan to post the rest of the past entries over the next few weeks, catching up to the present and then continuing to share for the rest of my pregnancy.

Finding Out

I had a random sort of heartburn, acid reflux type feeling one morning, 11 dpo (days post ovulation), the only other time I have ever had heartburn was when I was pregnant with Harper. So, I took a test, thinking even if I was pregnant the test might not pick it up. But there it was, a very faint line. I tested again the next day, and started planning how I would tell Rob the good news. With my first pregnancy, he was right with me when I tested, this time this time I wanted to surprise him a little. 

Telling My Husband

We were out for coffee, having just sat down at a table with out drinks, Harper beside me, happily munching a croissant, Rob was across from me, spreading cream cheese on a bagel. I pulled out my phone and said that I wanted to show him a picture I had taken the other day.

"OK", he said,  gesturing for me to give him my phone.

"Umm, you should put your bagel down...because I don't want cream cheese on my phone" I said, really just wanting him to be focused on the moment that I handed him this:

when I said the line was faint I was not exaggerating

After a few seconds, understanding to flashed across his face.

"you're pregnant!?" He shot out of his seat with a huge smile and a big kiss for me. Followed by his asking why I decided to tell him at the coffee shop, because, according to him you take someone out in public to share bad news not great news. But he did concede that I succeeded in catching him off guard. 

How I Am Feeling

Physically,  the most acute symptom I have had so far is cramping and backache which I also had early on in my first pregnancy. I have also been a little thirstier than usual and feel a bit bloated.

Since telling Rob, the pregnancy has started to feel so much more real, I also had bloodwork done, a few days after my positive test to confirm the pregnancy and make sure everything seems to be progressing as it should. Now, I don't get to go back for my first real doctor's appointment and ultrasound for almost a month. It is going to be so hard to wait that long! I understand that they wouldn't be able to see much of anything at this point considering that Baby Burgess #2 is about the size of a poppy seed. But, we already love this little poppy seed so, so much!

baby is the size of a poppy seed

I am nervous, because it is super early in the pregnancy, but so excited! I am really looking forward to feeling feel the baby moving, having a cute bump and having shared the news with friends and family. Rob said he is afraid he will spill the secret, because it is basically the first thing he wants to say to everyone he talks to, I couldn't agree more. And it will be interesting trying to keep this under wraps the next few months.

See The Next Pregnancy Diary Entry 

Is The Baby a Boy or Girl?... Balloon Pop Sex Reveal Video!

Since we decided we would like to find out the sex of this baby at my mid-pregnancy ultrasound, we thought it would be fun to test out a few prediction methods in the weeks before. 

Heart Rate: 

Supposedly, 140 or below and the baby is a boy and if it is above the baby is a girl.

At my 12 week appointment, the baby's was 157, so by this method the indication is that the baby is a girl! 

However, while I don't remember what Harper's was exactly at this point, I believe it was in this range as well. 

Baking Soda Test:

If baking soda and the pregnant woman's urine fizz when mixed together, it is a boy if not, it is a girl. 
When I tried this one, my mixture was very fizzy, indicating a boy! 

Ring Test:

If the pregnant woman's wedding band, when tied to a string and dangled over her belly, swings in a circle it indicates a girl, while back and forth indicates a boy.

This one also gave us a boy result!

Family History:

This prediction method could possibly have a little more science behind it than the others, considering that it is the father who contributes the variable X or Y chromosome that determines the baby's sex. 

Looking at the recent generations, specifically the sex of the babies born to male Burgesses, it seems the Burgess line runs high to boys (that is a turn of phrase I read somewhere once and have always wanted occasion to use). However, our sample size was pretty small and I have seen other families thing they were destined to have a particular sex, experience dramatic reversals. My stepfather's family thought they could only make boys ... then came my sister and several female cousins on her heels. Still, it is hard not to wonder if there could be is something to it.
On the other hand, my mom had her first baby, a boy, at 30, followed by me three years later. I have noticed that families sometimes seem to follow certain patterns. It would be interesting if I were to have have girl now, shortly before my son, who was born on my 30th's, third birthday. I guess that gives us a mixed result for family history.

"Chinese Gender Prediction Chart"

There are several variations of this type chart to be found, they all basically predict the baby's sex (it really peeves me when people refer to sex and gender interchangeably, but I digress) based on the month of conception and mother's age at the time. I used the one from The Bump.

It previously predicted Harper would be a boy and predicts a little brother for him is on the way! 

So...three out of five test predict we are having a boy, one was mixed/inconclusive and only one predicts a girl. We would have been delighted with either and eagerly awaited the day we would find out. We had so much fun making our pregnancy announcement video that we decided to share our excitement with another video: