My Little Snow Angel

Snow has to be one of her favorite things here, aside from Oma and Opa's barn and the horses.

Mama and Baby Update

So, today we are 36 weeks and 5 days. That means that we could have a new baby in our house within the next 3 - 5 weeks!!!

I just got home from the doctor and everything is normal. Weight gain, BP, etc was all within normal range. They hooked me to the non-stress test machine to monitor baby's heartbeat, as well as contractions. Normally, in the US this isn't done unless you are high-risk, or if you have gone over your due date. It is standard procedure here. I am beginning to have mild contractions and the doctors said that we have a very active baby. Yikes! Please, not another Izzy!!!! I am really hoping for a calm baby this go around, but you get what you get. I love my little Izzy, but she is really a handful. I am a bit effaced, but have not dilated any. I have read it is pretty normal to efface early with a second/subsequent pregnancy. However, many second time mom's do not dilate until "real" labor has begun. We'll see what happens. The doctor also did another ultrasound. She has the same cute little nose that Izzy had in her ultrasound pictures! And she is around 2650 grams/5 lbs 13 oz. I think she will be about the same size as Izzy, which is perfectly fine by me.

Despite being a bit uncomfortable I am trying to enjoy and make the most the last few weeks with Izzy as a only child. Sometimes I look at her and think, "Poor kid. She has no clue that she is getting ready to be "dethrowned."

I hope I make it at least to my due date, but even better to Jan 3oth. My parents will be here on the 29th and it sure would be nice for them to be here when the day comes. I am also thinking that Feb 1st would be a great day for a birthday, since Izzy's is Sept 1st.

No pics this time, b/c I really don't look any different than I did last time I posted one. We'll get one up in the next few days.

For those who are wondering, we have a name. It will be Alina Kate and we will most likely call her "Ally."

So, on to another week...

Snip-snip and Chop-chop

It has been a couple of months ago, but "Little-Miss-All-Grown-Up" got her first real hair cut. We talked about it before we left home. I told her that they would use the scissors to cut her hair, but that it wouldn't hurt. I told her that it would be really hard, but she would have to try and sit really still for more than two seconds. Then, I told her she would be even more beautiful than she already was. She said, "Okay, Mama!" with her little 2 year old attitude.

Here are some pictures:

It has actually grown about 3 inches since, but no more hair cuts for a while!!!

THE "OFFICIAL" COUNTDOWN BEGINS

ONLY 30 DAYS LEFT!!!

So, up until this last week I was feeling fairly good and sleeping pretty well too. I am simply amazed at how much things can change in a weeks time. I feel like my belly is literally going to explode and sleeping....well, what is that? It is also just amazing that a first and subsequent pregnancy can be so different. As my doctor told me last week, "A second pregnancy is a completely different experience." I would have to say that his words pretty much sum it up.

I can't really say that I am any bigger at this point than I was with Izzy and my weight gain is exactly the same as with her. So, I can't complain too much. The best part is that there are still NO stretch marks! Yippeeee! If history repeats itself I probably won't get much bigger from here out. With Izzy I actually lost a couple of pounds in the last few weeks. I am pretty sure that my belly button is going to be gone in the next few days.

Both our doctor and midwife say that everything seems to be going as it should. My iron was a tad bit low, which explains why I have been extra tired lately. I am beginning to feel the Braxton Hicks contractions pick up and they are much more uncomfortable than they were with Izzy. Some are actually so uncomfortable that I have to stop what I am doing and focus on the "pain." I am hopeful that my body will be more prepared for labor this time. I am pretty sure that I have served my dues in the extra long labor department...72 hours is really enough for a lifetime!

So, I present to you my 35 1/2 week belly!

The sweater just won't button anymore.....

3 New Posts

Be sure to scroll down and see them all. I still have lots of pictures to post, but catching up is taking a while. Martin's computer is officially dead. Looks like the graphic card has bitten the dust. So, we'll soon be investing in a new computer (not what we had in mind so close to Christmas.) Ughhh!!! Until then, I will be posting old stuff as I can.

The Bump - Week 27

We are getting there. Almost done with the 2nd trimester and I am feeling it. Seems like I get a little more tired each day. I feel pretty good. Aside from being tired (sleeping at night is getting pretty hard), I am feeling my muscles and ligaments stretch. I am usually pretty good for the first half of the day, but as the day progresses I begin to feel it. I know that a lot of it due to playing with Izzy and just taking care of her. Oh, and I feel huge most days. Martin and I were looking back at some pictures of my pregnancy with Izzy today. Both of us think that I didn't get much bigger with Izzy than I am right now. It feels that way too. Still no stretch marks!!! Hoping I get lucky this time around too!! Though, I don't think I will have a belly button for too much longer. Looks like it is just going to disappear.

Our next appointment is the coming Thursday. We are going to see our midwife. I hope all is well and am really hoping that this little girl is trying to turn. She has been in a "transverse lie" position for the last weeks. She still has plenty of time to turn, so I am hoping that she decides to. I think she is still a little side-ways though.

Please excuse the "rough look." I just wasn't into fixing up until later in the day.



26 weeks, 3 days

Heidelberg

We went to Heidelberg a few weeks ago. It is a really nice city. As most of you know, there is a US Military base there. It was nice to hear other English speaking people amongst the mix. We didn't do too much. We visited an old castle, which was really neat. We didn't take a tour since Izzy was with us. We just walked around the outside and enjoyed the scenery. Afterward, we walked into the city and did some strolling around. It made for a nice and short getaway.

Some pictures of the castle:









View from inside the castle:







Me and Izzy:



Izzy enjoying herself:







Taking a little ride in one of the stores: