20 weeks!

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against his torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.) A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats his entire body to protect his skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.) Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

I am just over 20 weeks now. Wow, I can't believe I've already hit the halfway point. Its so crazy. It seems like we just found out we were pregnant. Greg laughs though cause he says I already forgot how bad the morning sickness was.

The morning sickness isn't completely gone. Mornings are still tough. I wake up feeling sick. Not to the point of wanting to vomit, but just sick.

The baby is kicking a lot though. I love it. I love feeling him inside of me. Greg got to feel a really big kick the other day. He loves it too, and I'm glad he gets to feel it. And Ethan felt one too, though he says the baby is kicking when the baby really isn't. Its cute though. I just love how much he already loves the baby. He loves to say good-morning and kiss my belly. Its too cute.

To My Brother Ernie, A U.S. Marine

I had to say good-bye to you yesterday. I know that in the next month I'll still be able to hear your voice, but come July, you will be gone. They are finally sending you to Iraq.

I never thought yesterday would come. I knew you had joined the Marines, that we were fighting a war, but I never thought it would be your turn. You are now serving your country to your full potential. I couldn't be more proud of you. I know it isn't easy, but you never showed you were scared. And you always said, you joined the Marines knowing this was a possibility. I could never do something so brave.

I will pray every morning that you are safe that day. And I will pray every night that you are safe that night.

I pray that you will come home to us, that Ethan will get to grow up with you as his godfater, that my new son will know you as an uncle.

I pray that you are not hurt, though physical injuries we can overcome, I pray you don't have mental injuries.

I pray that what you see, what you have to do, what is done to you will not change the gentle, moral, sincere man you are.

I pray that you do not lose too many friends, that you can come back and celebrate with all of your friends you toured with.

I pray that all of these prayers are out there in the universe protecting you.

Again, I will pray every morning that you are safe that day. And I will pray every night that you are safe that night.

I love you very much. I hope you are safe and that you come home to us. I will see you in March.

Its A....

Okay, I did it, I caved. I couldn't help it, we were there and I decided I really wanted to know. I think I'm glad I did. I was expecting them to say girl, but instead, we are having a BOY!! Boy #2 is on his way. We got some great shots of him and his parts so we know for sure now. And trust me, though I thought it might be a girl, I am so very excited to find out its a boy. I would have been happy either way.

He's also a thumb sucker, just like his big brother. I can't believe he already does that. Its so crazy!!! I had to break it to Ethan that he's not getting a sister, just a brother - so far. He kept telling me "But no mommy, its a girl." I hope by the time the baby comes, he'll understand that its a boy. :)

A long but fun weekend

Greg and I had a very looong weekend. I am still so tired. I feel bad that he had to go to work today. I know if I had to I wouldn't make it.

Friday I helped my friend Lauren with her wedding rehearsal, and we had the rehearsal dinner that night. Then on Saturday we had Lauren's wedding to go to. It was a beautiful day for it. The sun was out, and the weather was perfect. Lauren looked absolutely gorgeous!!! Her dress was beautiful on her. And of course any day I have to hang out with my friends, and as Greg said, and with free food and free booze, is a good day.

Sunday, Greg and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. It will be two years tomorrow. I can't believe its already been two years, but at the same time, it seems like it should be longer than that. We went to lunch in Pleasanton at Pastas (my sister and brother-in-law watched Ethan). We split the caprese stack, crab cakes, and calamari. So Yummy! Greg gave me this necklace for our anniversary. I've been wanting a cross for a long time. And he loves to buy me sapphires when he can. I really love it. Its perfect for me. We did try to take a nap after lunch, but it was just too warm. Maybe we can catch up on some sleep this coming weekend.

Here's the belly!

Okay, I know I've been telling some of you that I'm totally showing, and for those of you who haven't seen me, I know you think I'm exaggerating, but here it is...

Granted, this is later in the day so it is just slightly protruding more from food, but this is how big it really is. I'm so surprised how big it is now. I'm at 16 weeks. I really don't remember being this big last time, though everyone keeps telling me the second time around you show a lot quicker. And this time it feels different. I feel like it is so much higher. There are even days when I feel like its riding up into my ribs. So uncomfortable. And yes, I have heard the old wives tale that a high baby means its a girl.

I still have a little bit of the morning sickness. Its not all day anymore. But every day, I have a couple of hours where I feel so nauseous I have to lay down. We have 2 1/2 weeks until our ultrasound. I STILL haven't decided if I want to find out or not. I really think its going to come down to the day of the appt. I am just so 50/50 right now!

Are your feet tired?

So the other day, I'm picking up around the house and Ethan is off playing by himself. (Quick side note, I'm so amazed how well he plays by himself. I mean, he has been an only child for 3+ years, but still....) So anyways, he walks up to me and says "Mom, are your feet tired?"
I kind of laugh thinking Where did that come from? but I turn to him and say "Yes honey, they are always tired."
He kind of gets upset and says "No, Mom! You aren't supposed to say anything!" So he asks again "Mom, are your feet tired?" He pauses "Cause you've been running through my dreams all night long!"
I was laughing so hard I started crying. I just couldn't do anything after that cause I kept thinking about it and laughing. I'm laughing right now typing this. And in case you are wondering where he got that - no my brother isn't using my son to pick up on woman - I got Greg, as a gag gift for Valentine's, this button that you press and it spits out 5 pick-up lines. Well I guess Ethan had been playing with it and just memorized one of the lines.
Man, that kid is just too cute!!!

Week 14

Week 14: Your baby is a whopping 3 1/2 inches long and is 1 to 2 ounces. S/he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. The eyes and ears continue to move and develop, the neck is still getting longer, and the baby's chin no longer rests on his/her chest. The hands are becoming functional, and the baby is beginning to learn to move/use them (probably more reflex than anything). At this point, our little one is receiving all of his/her nourishment from the placenta.
If you haven't already, you should be able to hear the baby's heartbeat with a doppler. Don't panic if you can't (I know, easier said than done.) ~ an ultrasound can confirm a beating heart if it isn't heard through a doppler.

Tomorrow is week 14, and in case you are wondering, the morning sickness is still here. I'm not throwing up anymore, but I feel so queasy still. And it seems worse than it did two weeks ago. Its kind of an all day thing now. I'm so over the queasiness. I can't wait for it to be done (and I sure hope its over soon and doesn't last 9 months.)

I also have my allergies to deal with. I never had seasonal allergies until I was pregnant with Ethan. And now they are back again this time around with a vengeance. It really sucks.

I am already getting my belly. I can't believe how quick it came this time, though lots of people say you show quicker after the first kid. Greg is going to start taking monthly pictures, so I'll post those as we take them.

Ethan has decided that the baby is a girl. I think that's too cute. We'll have to see if he's right or not.