Finding Balance: Wellness for the Everyday Struggle: 22 Weeks and Counting...

So, here I am, living the life, finally got a computer up and running, as it's been over a year since I had one to sit down and work at.

Big news?! My adorable, loving, silly son Legan is going to be a big brother, in just a couple of months. AND his new best friend is our 9 month old pitbull puppy Spock...who is unfortunately working on healing from a broken toe (you just can't make this shit up!).

So I'm going to try to do a quick life update and pregnancy update, these are going to be funny for baby #2!

Legan is 23 months old, he is ALMOST 2. He runs around like a maniac, climbs like a monkey, and is chattering all day long - we recognize maybe 10-15 words, but he's working on it - he's been in speech therapy for 2 months now.

I've continued working 1 day a week as a nanny (which has almost gotten easier as the boys are running around playing with each other nowadays!), and 2 days of bartending per week. Just finished getting all of our decorative stuff and things unpacked and put up in our new house, and only have 4 more boxes of things that my mom donated to me to get sorted through. Hooray!

Winter was 7 months long. It wasn't terribly drastically extreme, especially for the midwest, but it was cold and icky from Oct through April generally, which made it hard get much done, especially as I was out of town for weeks, then had the flu, then had pregnancy illness, then was out of town, and then had a new puppy to work with. So we got very little in the house done in that time, but we're making up for it NOW!

So here's the pregnancy update. :)

Size comparisons: Papaya, baseball mitt, standard hatchet head. I love the awkward comparisons. Or something. I totally copied this from last time, because I haven't a clue as to where I'm at this time.

Weight Change: Total gain of ~23 lbs. So like, gaining much faster this time.

Waist Change: No freaking clue, haven't measured in years. Literally. But a lot, ok? like, growing out of some of my old maternity tops.

Picture from 22 weeks with Legan

Side by side 22 week comparision, this year on left, Legan on right. Huge difference.

Maternity clothes: I was able to add like 5 things to my maternity stash from last time. Unfortunately, 2 shirts already don't fit, my capris (from the two years ago photo!) barely fit already, and I think two pairs of my old shorts also don't fit. Luckily a lot of my sundresses do.

Bra changes: My nursing bras that I bought around 18 weeks with Legan that have suited me great for all this time...barely fit, but I'm not buying more, because those are $80 new. No thanks. Sports bra from last pregnancy is barely fitting, but I got one postpartum that's still....OK. I'm still nursing Legan 1-2 times per day, so that kept boobs from growing for a long time, and then at 20 weeks they exploded to the biggest they ever were - like 3 days after Legan was born. I'm hoping Legan can help with engorgement this time around.

Stretch marks: Can't see new ones, and last time I only got them from surgery, so I'm guessing I won't see new ones...Guessing or hoping, not really sure.

Sleep: With my busy schedule, and chasing toddler, I'm capable of sleeping this time around. Legan is even generally sleeping well now. But Spock wakes me up 3-4 times per night due to his current injury. Ick.

Workouts: LOL! I have a toddler and a 65 lbs puppy....and I nanny and bartend. No thank you! I quit running when it was super cold because I literally didn't have any clothes that were warm enough and still comfortable to run in (either a sausage or a mumu was my option, and I refuse to run in either). I tried again when it warmed up, but my pelvis never healed up fully after Legan and this new pregnancy just stopped me from being able to run without intense pelvic pain for a full week after. Trying to walk a decent amount, lift and carry Legan plenty, lift bar stools and beer cases...and doing squats and incline push ups on my own a bit. Plus going to start going to a yoga class this weekend. That's all I'm doing. no running, no riding, NOPE.

Diet: Uhm, yes. I love food. So I'll eat stuff. Other than it was my birthday celebration this weekend, I'm generally getting a lot of veggies and lean protein. This week I'm also getting cake and ice cream. :) Hooray for that. I'm hoping my weight gain slows soon -but if I eat less I feel like total garbage, so this just is what it is. I started heavier this time too.

Best moment this week: Huge hugs from Legan while he yelled MAMA in joy.

Miss anything: Rolling over in bed without pain. And running.

Food cravings: Eh, not really. Sushi maybe, all seafood.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Uhm, eating too much will do that. But that's about it.

Sex Guess: Eh, this pregnancy feels different, so maybe it's a girl?

Labor signs: Nope. Less contractions even than last time, so hooray!

Symptoms: Gas, ungainliness, back sore, and the pelvic/hip pain is pretty common. Frequent urination, but it feels like less than last time.

Belly button in or out? Totally out, for a couple of weeks now.

Wedding rings on or off: On, and loose. Still doing fine there!

Emotional state: Eh, we have some serious placenta worries related to previous c-section that would ruin my birth plans, so I'm a bit concerned there.

Looking forward to: More constant feeling of baby, and getting another ultrasound to see if placenta is getting to a safer place.

And, here's some puppy, toddler and such pictures. Enjoy!