27 weeks (2 days) - Baby #2

3rd Trimester!   2/3 of the way down...   We recently traveled back home (to Buffalo) for a last visit before Mackenzie arrives... it was also the last time we'd be able to make it home and have Brycen fly for free!   With Brycen, we scheduled a 3d/4d ultrasound, and keeping with tradition, did the same with Mackenzie.  Since 12 weeks, she has been head down... NOT at this scan (and mind you, I have a scan at every appointment).   I was quickly able to pinpoint WHEN she moved breech, as it was also the start of not being able to eat (since her head was IN my stomach) and the start of the most horrendous sciatica I have EVER felt.  

Since she was breech, we got awesome views of her LEFT side... she was stubborn and refused to show off!   We definitely got a variety of pics, but knowing she was breech, I was determined to do something about it!   My nephew had a birthday party at skyzone the following day, and after talking with the ultrasound tech, she didn't think it would hurt to take a few jumps on the trampoline to try and get her to move.. and wouldn't ya know?   it worked!   I can't confirm that she is head down, however she has definitely moved as I can eat and (for the most part) the sciatica is gone.   Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Friday, May 10, 2013 How far along? 27 weeks 2 day According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of cauliflower:

  Size: 14.41 inches Weight: 1.93 pounds  Food aversions - still sausage Cravings - chocolate Symptoms - NOTHING horrible to report beside the sciatica (which has gotten MUCH better) Movement - lots of movement Gender - GIRL (STILL!) Goal for the coming week - get motivated on the nursery Looking forward to - Glucose test on Wednesday... excited...NOT! How Brycen is doing - Eh, not too much different than every other update.   He knows there a baby, it's his sister, and her name is Kenzie. 

25 weeks (1 day) - Baby #2

Well, like my monthly toddler posts, my weekly baby posts have gone down the drain :(
To catch up since my 20 week post, I had another heavy bleeding episode shortly after my last post.   I had the pleasure of spending 8 hours in Labor and Delivery being monitored.
Unfortunately, as with every other episode there is still no reason WHY or possible explanation. It is incredibly frustrating and taxing to have issue after issue and be told "it's normal".  I don't understand HOW it is normal.  I was also given the heads up that should I have to visit L&D for more bleeding, I'd immediately be admitted and I wouldn't be released until I've had 48 hours of no bleeding... it's a good thing I wasn't kept this last time because I would've been there for over 3 weeks.
Yes, you read that right - my "normal" bleeding lasted 3 weeks.  
So given my history, if I have to head back, I'll be packing my hospital bags because I will be there a while. I guess if it leads to a happy, healthy, it is ALL worth it.
Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013 How far along? 25 weeks 1 day According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a cucumber:

Size: 14.02 inches Weight: 1.68 ounces  Food aversions - nothing new - still can't eat sausage though Weight Gain: 13 lbs Cravings - nothing really Symptoms - back pain still, but manageable.  Unfortunately, the sciatica is TERRIBLE Movement - lots of movement Gender - GIRL (STILL!) Goal for the coming week - be a better blogger Looking forward to - 3d/4d ultrasound How Brycen is doing - He hasn't been overly interested in baby lately, but that's ok!
I've actually be feeling pretty good lately with the exception of the sciatica.

Mackenzie at 24 weeks

I had a 24 week appointment with both my high risk dr and regular OB.  We discussed the on going complications and I was informed that I'm officially being monitored for pre-term labor.  While I haven't been given too many restrictions, I've been told overall to just take it easy.  My official diagnosis is an abruption -although it doesn't mean that's what I have, for medical reasons that's what it's classified as because there is no other explanation.  My OB and I have discussed delivery and after taking everything into consideration (current complications and history from Brycen), the goal right now is 37 weeks with the intention of inducing sometime after that.  Obviously our plan is dependent on Miss Mackenzie not having other ideas!  I'm glad to be past the 24 week mark (viability), but I know she has a LOT of growing left to do and hope she stays put for a while longer.
Here's a belly pic @24 weeks:

20.8

I'm a terrible blogger.
Somehow I've managed to step away completely for a month.
I feel guilty because after all, this is my journal and most importantly, my children's baby book!
I vow to get back into the swing of things.
The month of March was spent getting his big boy room complete. I'll have a reveal in an upcoming post!
We were also busy with Easter.   He got to color eggs for the first time... although I'm not sure if he enjoyed dying the eggs or breaking them more! We ran out of newspaper, so I decided to bring down the paint tarp from his bedroom - he had WAY more fun playing on/in the tarp!

Quick stats recap: Loves to sleep Love food - peas, fruit and yogurt size 5 shoe cloth diapers during the day, size 4 disposables overnight 18 month clothes - getting so close to 24 month/2T dirty blond hair hazel eyes 16 teeth - waiting on 2 year molars Nicknames: Bubba Talking up a storm

20 weeks (3 days) - Baby #2

Half way there!
I had a dr's appointment Wednesday, at exactly 20 weeks.   It was supposed to be the BIG ultrasound. Ya know, the one that most moms count down the days til.  The office staff, nurse, and Ultrasound tech kept asking if we were excited, and ready to find out whether it was boy or girl.  Each time, we politely said sure, but we already knew it WAS a girl.  Being "high risk" my MFM dr had already done the anatomy scan at 18 weeks and confirmed what I already knew from day 1 - we were having a healthy baby girl.
The tech was obviously disappointed that she wasn't going to be able to deliver the exciting news.. after all, I laid on that same bed 2 years ago and she was able to deliver the news of our healthy baby boy.  Our tech obviously loves her job, because she quickly said "well, even though you've already had all the measurements done, how about we just take a peak and see what she's up to".
We then spent the next 30 minutes watching our sweetheart flip, punch and kick.  The tech was amazed at how active she was and it was so incredibly amazing to have an ultrasound that was FUN - after all, every other ultrasound until now has been to confirm that everything is "normal".  We've gone into so many appointments worried to receive bad news... and even though we've received only good news, with everything that has happened over the past 9 weeks, it has been impossible to relax and trust that everything was indeed OK.
I'm finally feeling Miss M on a regular basis - gone are the days that I'd whip out my doppler JUST to check and make sure she was still with us.  Now, I'm gently reminded all day that she is indeed still there.
Hubby has finally started talking to Miss M and rubbing my belly.  It is so painfully obvious (NOW) that he was just as nervous and scared as I.. and while he never really said before that he was nervous, his reaction to the pregnancy now reveals that he very much was.
We're both getting excited for our 3d/4d ultrasound in May - it'll be here before we know it.
On an exciting note, while in our 20 week ultrasound, the Tech was able to capture an almost identical picture that I have of Brycen at the same time frame:

Top: Brycen @20 weeks
Bottom: Mackenzie @20 weeks

I absolutely love how you can count the digits on their right hands!
And since we were taking a peak, I made the tech confirm that it was indeed still a girl:

Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Saturday, March 24, 2013 How far along? 20 weeks 3 days According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a carrot:

Size: 10.51 inches Weight: 12.70 ounces  Food aversions - BBQ Weight Gain: 9 lbs Cravings - Cadbury chocolate eggs Symptoms - horrible BACK pain, lots of stretching belly pains Movement - lots of movement Gender - GIRL Goal for the coming week - Not consume the entire bag of Cadbury eggs I have :) Looking forward to - 3d/4d ultrasound How Brycen is doing - Overall, I think he's doing well.  He's been very cuddly lately and while snuggling with me almost ALWAYS pulls up my shirt and says baby a million times.

19 weeks (4 days) - Baby #2

SO close to half way!
While this pregnancy is flying by, I'm so ready for the pains to go away.  It is SO MUCH WORSE than with Brycen, and it started so much earlier too.  I truly thought my 2nd pregnancy would be as enjoyable as my first... boy was I wrong!
While I'm happy that I can have children, and so excited to add to our family, I'm done with being pregnant. I have to take nightly muscle relaxers just to get sleep, because the back pain is so bad.  And let me tell you, if I forget to take a pill early enough, I am WIDE AWAKE, ALL NIGHT LONG.   BUT at least I'm sleeping at night and more importantly, feeling rested in the morning.
I think it's safe to say that both families are over the moon excited for our baby girl.  I'm so excited to have one of each, and hope that with their ages so close, they'll get along... at least for a little while.  Brycen points out a baby whenever he sees one, so we've used the time to talk about how he'll have a baby around soon.  Not quite sure he actually "gets" it, but we're working on it.
Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Sunday, March 17, 2013 How far along? 19 weeks 4 days According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a banana:

Size: 6.46 inches Weight: 10.58 ounces  Food aversions - BBQ Cravings - No real cravings lately Symptoms - horrible BACK pain, lots of stretching belly pains Movement - lots of movement Gender - GIRL Goal for the coming week - Get Brycen's new room done so I can start on Mackenzie's! Looking forward to - Ultrasound on Wednesday. and going home to Buffalo in May (3d/4d ultrasound too!) How Brycen is doing - Nothing new to report. He loves to point to baby and say sister and Kenzie.

12.7

Another monthly post... and again it's late. BUT, we finally have a working laptop again, so hopefully I'll get back to normal blogging. You vocabulary has EXPLODED this past month... every day is a few new words. You have started questioning where someone is, especially daddy and will walk around saying "daddy, are you?" Speaking of daddy, when he's around, mom is CHOPPED liver!  you are all about daddy, all day every day (unless you aren't feeling well, then I can manage a few cuddles and hugs).  While I love the break of you always wanting mommy, I have to admit that I miss being the "preferred" parent :)  One thing is for sure however, you ALWAYS seem to know when I need a hug or a kiss. You love sitting on your potty chair, and insist on going "pee pee" before bath.. while we haven't actually gotten you to go on the potty, we're getting close!  No pressure to potty train as of yet, but I think you're definitely getting ready.
Daddy has a new band venture and has been playing the drums a LOT lately.  I think it's safe to say we have a new drummer in the family.  You LOVE it and are always asking to go play the drums.
Pictures will resume next month since I now have a computer to upload and edit my photos on!
Quick stats recap: Still sleeping like a champ - hopefully this continues after the big boy bed transition! Love food - especially chips and popcorn! size 5 shoe cloth diapers during the day, size 4 disposables overnight 18 month clothes - getting so close to 24 month/2T dirty blond hair hazel eyes 16 teeth - waiting on 2 year molars Nicknames: Bubba Talking a TON (too much, LOL)

18 weeks (5 days) - Baby #2

Almost half way there... I cannot believe how fast it is flying this time around.
While I have said Baby C was a girl from the very beginning, nobody in either family was as optimistic as I (despite desperately wanting a little girl).  We had our anatomy scan this past Wednesday with my high risk doctor and I'm VERY EXCITED to confirm that we are indeed having a little GIRL!!!!
Introducing, Mackenzie Ann Chandler:

Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Monday, March 11, 2013 How far along? 18 weeks 5 days According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a mango:

Size: 6.02 inches Weight: 8.47 ounces  Food aversions - BBQ Cravings - No real cravings lately Symptoms - BACK pain Movement - lots of movement Gender - GIRL Goal for the coming week - finish Brycen's big boy room! Looking forward to - seeing Mackenzie again on ultrasound next week How Brycen is doing - He loves pointing out where baby is.. unfortunately, baby has been in his belly, my boobs, daddy's belly, and (fortunately) my belly... I think he's a LITTLE confused :)  He has started to show a LOT of interest in babies while out in public and we use every chance we can to prepare him for his sisters arrival in a few months.
I just completed my first craft project for Little Miss:

I absolutely love how it turned out and cannot wait to hang it on the wall.

17 weeks - baby #2

Feeling GREAT this week!   I'm finally enjoying the pregnancy - amazing what no rashes, aches & pains, and bleeding will do to ones morale :)   Exactly one week from today we will find out if Baby C is indeed a girl... FINGERS CROSSED.
Although, I have to admit if it is a girl, after picking out names part of me is a LITTLE sad that I won't be able to use our boys name - since I absolutely fell in LOVE with it!  I'm sure I'll get over that!   I felt my first real kicks this past week - and let me just say boy or girl, this baby is ACTIVE. I will feel a kick on my left side, and moments later another on my far right.   God help us now!   Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Saturday, February 27, 2013 How far along? 17 weeks According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a bell pepper:

Size: 5.59 inches Weight: 6.70 ounces  Food aversions - BBQ Cravings - orange and grape Popsicles, salads Symptoms - first week with no complaints Movement - KICKS! Gender - thinking girl - will find out March 6 with another ultrasound March 20 Goal for the coming week - drink more water Looking forward to - cleaning out Brycen's room and decorating both rooms How Brycen is doing - He points out babies whenever he sees them, and when asked what's in my tummy will says Kenzie, sister, or baby.

16 weeks (+3 days) - baby #2

So I just realized that I forgot to hit publish on my 16 week post, so you're getting 2 updates today :)   Had my monthly dr appointment wednesday...  Love these quick appointments just to hear the heartbeat.   Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013 How far along? 16 weeks 3 day According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of a turnip:

 

Size: 5.12 inches Weight: 4.94 ounces   Weight gain - up 5 lbs since my first appointment @ 8 weeks Food aversions - BBQ Cravings - orange and grape Popsicles Symptoms - first week with no complaints Movement - flutters Gender - thinking girl - will find out March 6 with another ultrasound March 20 Goal for the coming week - drink more water Looking forward to - ultrasound march 6... And hopefully a weekend away!! How Brycen is doing - when asked what's in my belly, he says "sista"... Melts my heart!!

15 Weeks (+5) - Baby #2

I have been a horrible slacker on this blog since we lost our laptop :( I'm going to take a moment and really reflect and be HONEST on my pregnancy up til now.   It is 180 degrees different than my experience with Brycen.  I loved EVERY minute with Brycen and truly thought #2 would be the same (how naive of me).  While I haven't been sick, it seems like everything else that can go wrong has - and while I totally understand that it could be so much worse, I just cannot seem to enjoy this pregnancy. AT ALL.   And I feel guilty for that.   If it wasn't the sheer exhaustion in the beginning, it was the all over rash, and then the headaches started (EVERY day at 3pm), and then Brycen would come home from day care excited to see me, and I couldn't stand to be around him - not because I didn't want to be, but because my head felt like it was going to explode.  I feel like I haven't left the couch since I found out I was pregnant nearly 11 weeks ago.   I get that he will never remember mommy not playing with him, being able to pick him up, etc. but his father and I wanted another child... this isn't something HE asked for, nor should HE be the one to pay the price.    Serious mommy guilt to say the least.   On top of that, with the bleeding, I don't feel like I've let myself connect with this pregnancy as much because I'm constantly fearing that it's going to end.  I'm terrified of relaxing.   I feel like once one thing goes away, it's replaced with another symptom/annoyance/fear.   I'm just waiting for the break...   Weekly Stats and Reflection Date: Monday, February 18, 2013 How far along? 15 weeks 5 day According to countdownmypregnancy.com, baby #2 is the size of an avocado:  

Size: 4.57 inches Weight: 3.53 ounces   Weight gain - won't know until my 16 week dr appointment  Food aversions - BBQ (Anything smoked), Italian sausage (anything with fennel) Cravings - orange and grape Popsicles Symptoms - still spotting intermittently, sleeping like SHIT, headaches, rashes/hives Movement - flutters Gender - thinking girl - will find out March 6 with another ultrasound March 20 Goal for the coming week - drink more and eat better Looking forward to - feeling human and beginning to enjoy the pregnancy How Brycen is doing - He now says sister and Kenzie.  When asked where his sister/Kenzie is, he points to my belly.