36 week belly comparison .... THOUGHTS?

Alright ... here ya go ... many have asked for it and I have not been faithful about taking belly shots every 4 weeks like I did with my first pregnancy! 

So, what do you think??  Any gender predictions now?

36 weeks with Sophia

36 weeks with Baby #2

 We are so excited to meet this little one but still enjoying my sleep at night!!

Another weird one ....

Well, 26 weeks into this second pregnancy and *probably* 14 left!  I can't believe I only have 14 weeks left. (I learned to expect a full-term pregnancy after we had to pry Sophia out on her due date!) Although, ask me again when I am out in 90 degree weather and I might not share the same sentiments! The tone of my voice may change!! :) Ha!

I have kept my vow to the Lord ... I have been slow to grumble and quick to listen/feel during this pregnancy (compared to the one with Sophia).  Although some of the nausea is still hanging on, I continue to find joy in this precious life growing in me!  I have learned not to take a single kick, roll, or punch for granted!

I have been grateful for some extra spiritual encouragement during this pregnancy.  I am currently reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  This book has really changed my outlook on life and has really made me a much more grateful person.  It really teaches you to be grateful for all the little gifts from above, no matter how small they may seem at the time.  I have begun to truly embrace everyday blessings!  Thanks Ann for encouraging me during this pregnancy and beyond!!

Although I am kicking myself in the rear for not keeping a pregnancy journal during my first one.  Something happens and I think back, did this happen before?  When did it happen?  How long did it last?  For those reading that are not yet a mother, keep a journal during your first pregnancy!! :)

Both pregnancies to date have been pretty similar with a few exceptions.  (1) I was completely done with N/V at 20 weeks with Sophia, this little babe has decided 20 weeks is for the birds ... hope I don't have this the rest of the pregnancy, especially for Nate's sake!  (2) THE CRAZY VIVID DREAMS are INSANE folks, just INSANE!  I remember having weird dreams with Sophia, but gees, I have crazy dreams EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and remember them to a "T" when I wake up.  Nate probably thinks I am crazy when I tell him my previous night's dream!  Some I must keep to myself b/c they are just too weird!! Ha!

Since we have decided to wait to find out the gender until delivery, it has been hard to nail down names.  We have a couple that we (well, maybe I really like), but nothing is for sure yet.  I have a feeling we will probably have 2 girl and 2 boy names heading to the hospital!

I am so excited to meet this little sweet baby and anxious to find out if it is a HE or SHE!!  I am really enjoying my peaceful evenings with my incredible husband, packing them full of games, talk, and laughter b/c I know life will get crazy and our fun times will be few and far between for a few months at least!  I am also soaking up every minute with my sweet, sweet Sophia!  Despite the fact pregnancy wears your patience thin, she always brings such a smile to my face and warmth to my heart as we spend each and every day together! Oh how I love where the Lord has our family right now ... I am so grateful to stay home with her for the majority of the time and only work a few times/month (for my own mental sanity!)  When I made the very hard (last-minute) decision back in March of 2009 to stay home and only work PRN, I never in a MILLION years would have expected to enjoy my life so much!  Thanks sweet Nate for allowing Sophia and I to stay home together while you provide for our family!!  A gift that can never be repaid!!

Being GREEN is a state of mind ....

I have been trying to find ways that my readers over at Go Long! Go Green! can easily become more "green."  This might be slightly controversial and I know it isn't for everyone!!   So, I have a way that many of you might not have thought about before .....

....  GETTING PREGNANT!


Yes, I know ... it isn't for everyone but it SURE makes this mama feel "green" for a solid 20 weeks!!   Now that I am well into week 13, the "greenness" (if that is even a word) isn't any better and might be slightly worse!  I hope you all can understand and are forgiving for my lack of attentiveness to my blog!  Blogging during nap time is a thing of the past for me right now .... It has honestly turned into 3 hours of couch time feeling "green!"

If this pregnancy is anything like Sophia's, I will feel like a million bucks come week 20 ... so it might be a little slow around here, but PLEASE don't leave me!  Please hang around b/c I have some good products, reviews, and giveaways in the future planned, including a fantastic pocket diaper or TWO!

Here are a few pictures of Sophia sharing the news .... (I apologize for the horrible pictures.  Her nose was running and her eyes are watering b/c it was only about 46 outside and of course yesterday was a day she insisted upon NOT getting her picture taken.  I had to pretend I wasn't taking them ...)

Hummm .... wonder what my shirt says??

Can you see it?  BIG SISTER!!

The best smile a mom could get at 6pm!

Of course when daddy gets home, he can get a smile!

Well, the news is officially out on the blog ... time to make it FB official! :)  Ahhhh ... the world of modern technology!  Some people say it isn't real till it is facebook official!  HA!

Hanging in there, but VERY GREEN these days!!

Where does all the weight go?

Many of my friends are pregnant right now and we always talk about the dreaded "pregnancy weight gain!"  Ok, for some it might not be dreaded ... but for most of us ... that is the part of pregnancy we least enjoy!

Recently, I was reading in one of my fitness and health magazines and came across this amazing breakdown of weight gain in pregnancy!!

I thought I would share it with you b/c it was rather encouraging for me when that time comes again for The Long Family! :)

Where Does The Weight Go?  You probably feel like all the weight you're gaining is excess poundage, but it's not!  This is what's supporting and nurturing your baby!


Breast Tissue: 1-2 lbs
Baby: 6-8 lbs
Uterus: 2 lbs
Placenta: 1.5 lbs
Amniotic Fluid: 2 lbs
Blood Volume: 4 lbs
Stored Fat: 4 lbs
Fluid Retention: 4 lbs 

Isn't that a great breakdown of everything?  Guess that is how they get the average weight gains of 25-30 lbs!

Finally, science behind a number! I LOVE IT!!

So ladies, still continue to eat healthy, raw, nutrient-dense foods, but the occasional splurge is totally worth it!

Rumors

After my recent bout with the oh-so-nasty GI bug, I have had quite a few awkward stares. A few have cocked their neck, lifted their eyebrow, and asked me with their eyes, "Are you sure you are not pregnant?" Well, I wanted to officially dispel any rumors that might be circulating ... Sophia will not be having a brother or sister in 9 months! The thought of that kind of makes the intense nausea from the weekend return! Please know that I will rejoice and be glad when God blesses us with another child .... but I am pretty sure it isn't His timing right now! :) Ha!

I know many of you are breathing a sigh of relief .... or maybe that is my heavy breathing slowing down!! Ha!!

Love,

A Family of THREE!