23 Weeks

 This week has been a little challenging for me. I woke up Sunday morning with severe lower back pain and some major cramping in my pelvis area. It was so bad that I could hardly function. So, Davy packed me into the car and off we went to Labor and Delivery. We got to the hospital and got all hooked up to the monitors and baby Remington was doing just fine. He had a normal heart rate and was very active. They checked to see if I was having contractions but they were very mild and nothing to worry about. They received the news that my urine culture came back and all that I have is the beginnings of a uti. What is frustrating is that I still have the pain in my lower back. I guess we will wait and see at my appointment next week what is going on in my body. My pregnancy with Jackson was literally so perfect. I had no health problems and in fact felt better than ever during the pregnancy. Obviously, that is not the case now. Even though I'm having some pain and had to deal with uncontrollable nausea for 10 weeks in the beginning, I wouldn't change this for anything in the world. It's just so worth it.

Here's the update!

 How Far Along: 23 weeks

Total Weight Gain: I'm down about 2 pounds now.

Sleep: I'm in pain and sleep intermittently. I go to sleep really early and toss and turn trying to get comfortable.

Stretch Marks: The same ones I received from Jackson growing in there, I think  :]

Best Moment This Week: Jackson woke up last night and got into my bed with me, snuggled in close and said, "I love you mommy". He sure knows how to make everything better

Movement:Oh yes. He is one crazy active little child. His movements are also a lot stronger and he loves to kick me in the bladder

Food Cravings: I'm feeling nauseous this week so the only thing I'm craving is Tootsie pops and jelly beans.

Gender: He's a BOY!

Labor Signs: Just some Braxton Hicks contractions

Belly Button: Still in but it's slowly progressing outward. It's getting smaller and smaller by the day!

What I Miss: This week I miss not having pain in my back :( I wish I could just go back to my normal pregnancy.

What I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to finding out the exact day this little man will come into the world. He has to come 7-10 days earlier than his due date because of a repeat c-section. So, for now the last day he can be an inside baby is July 25th.

It's a ....

BOY! Another handsome baby boy will be joining our family at the end of July and we can't wait. He was not shy at all for the ultrasound and he is perfectly healthy with a heart rate of 150. He's measuring two days ahead, at about 5 1/2 inches and 9 oz, he's already a big boy. His name is Remington Joseph. Davy and I both love his first name and his middle name is after my dad, which is something that is important to me. We've had some mixed reactions to the name Remington, but from the moment that we decided on that name (before we were even trying to conceive him, by the way) it has just felt right.

He has also been kicking and squirming a lot more lately and I'm sure we will have another active little guy on our hands pretty soon. Jackson loves to say baby "Brutha" and "Eminton" is how he says his name. A few days ago he came up to my belly and rubbed it and said "Ohhh cuuuute baby mom". I have an adorable 2 year old.

Update on Jackson: He is getting SO BIG! He's 33" tall and weighs about 27 pounds. He is also getting too smart for us. He "sings" the alphabet to the best of his ability, but it comes out with a lot of D's and P's, haha. He can also count from 1 to 18 but sometimes skips a few in the middle. He recognizes certain letters and numbers and makes sure that you know it. He knows and recognizes all of the shapes and colors but most of the time he tests you to see if you're paying attention to him by teasing you with telling you the wrong color. It's kind of hilarious. He has also started the dreaded "WHY?" phase which is also quite funny. We started just answering "Because." every time regardless of the question because he would never listen to the real answer anyway. Now when we ask him "Why, Jackson?" He tells us "Cuz!" He makes us laugh every day, multiple times a day and I can't imagine life without him. What a great blessing he is to us.

Well, I'm now 18 weeks along, so here's another update:

Sweet Potato

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Total Weight Gain: I've lost 8 pounds so far.

Sleep: I always sleep pretty well. I'm able to go into REM sleep quickly (I think) and I dream A LOT. I have some of the strangest dreams.

Stretch Marks: The same ones I received from Jackson growing in there :]

Best Moment This Week: The ultrasound was amazing. I cried (happy tears) when they told me I was (undoubtedly) having another son. Surprisingly, as much as I wanted a girl, I think I'm just as excited for this second little guy coming into our lives. Also, Davy feeling the little man kick him for the first time.

Movement: Oh yes! He's a really good little mover. Davy was actually able to feel him kick my belly yesterday. What a strong little guy we already have!

Food Cravings: Mexican food, Italian food, french fries, chili cheese fries, grapes, apples with peanut butter, cupcakes, vanilla ice cream, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, meatball sub, chicken parmesian.

Gender: He's a BOY!

Labor Signs: None. I have been feeling some Braxton Hicks but they're normal.

Belly Button: Definitely in!

What I Miss: Not having to pee every 1/2 hour to an hour.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Jackson meet his little brother and watching them grow up together. I am just really excited to hold this little one in my arms for the first time. I know it's quite a few weeks away, but I'm already so in love with him, I can't help it!