Cravings

Wahoo I'm almost halfway through this pregnancy! I think it's definitely gone by a lot faster this time around. I'm half way into my second trimester, and I finally feel, almost, like my old self again...minus the growing belly. It's been really weird the past several weeks after the morning sickness let up, I didn't feel pregnant at all--its been great, but now that my belly is getting bigger and more stretched out, I definitely feel pregnant.

I am SO excited to meet this little guy! Since I am no longer nauseous all the time my appetite has come back with a vengeance. I have been craving all sorts of junk food. Like chips and crackers, and juice. Not so much chocolate, but sour things like sour patch kids. I gave Stephen some for his stocking for Christmas, and I'm pretty sure I ended up eating two thirds of the bag. I felt guilty about it since they were Stephens, so I bought him a new bag, I had good intentions, I swear, but by the time he got home from work that day there was only a third of the bag left for him.

Seriously, chips. I can't get them off my mind. I hardly ever buy chips for this very reason; they'll be gone within a day or two and then I feel guilty and fat for eating them all. Also, tacos. I've been craving tacos a lot lately--just the hard shell, simple beef tacos or better yet, one made from Doritos! Oh that sounds so good....I may have to have Stephen make a Taco Bell run tonight... Despite my unhealthy cravings I really do try to eat healthy, and I don't cave in to those craving all the time, as much as I want to. In fact I marinated a few steaks for fajitas tonight, yum!

I get the question, "So are you nervous to have another baby, especially being so close in age?" All. The. Time. So let me tell you, NO! I'm not nervous about having another baby, sure it'll be an adjustment, but we'll all get a new routine that works for everyone and we'll all be happy. Zander will be a great helper and big brother, and Stephen and I will have to work a little more around the house and lose some sleep here and there, but that's life.

What I am nervous about is going through labor again. I don't know why, but it freaks me out a lot more than it did the first time. I am planning on doing a natural birth again, so I'm sure that's half of it. The other half, I think, is now I know what to expect when going into labor and remembering how much it hurt and thinking "I'm never doing this again" makes me nervous. I'm hoping all will go just as it did last time, because Zander's birth was perfect--I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'm nervous that I might wait too long before going to the hospital and not making it in time. It's about a 25 minute drive to the hospital, so you can see why I'd be nervous about it. There's only one change I'd make from last time, actually two: (1) do not get my membranes swept ever again, and (2) do not pack a hospital bag. Seriously, I only used two things out of the bag I packed--my slipper socks, and my robe. I used nothing else; I didn't even eat the chocolate I brought for my recovery. Obviously, I'll bring a bag, but there won't hardly be anything in there. The hospital provided everything I needed last time.

Zander. He's such a boy. I love his guts, but lately he's been driving me crazy. I don't know why, it could be because I'm pregnant, but I don't like to pin my faults on my hormones. He's somewhat gotten past the biting, and now he's on to pinching and scratching. My hands and wrists are covered in tiny scratches, scabs, and bite marks. I have no idea what to do about it. When we tell him no or that hurts he just laughs. Most of the time I don't think he means to hurt us, but he doesn't understand the word "hurt" or "ouch" that's funny to him so he continues to do it. I can't get through to him, so I'm hoping it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it soon.

He loves to be outside. He lives for our little walks around the neighborhood in the afternoons. It's been so warm here; it's been perfect for little outings. He never wants to go back inside the house because there's so much to explore. I'm anxious for spring so we can spend more time in the yard. He loves to throw things down the stairs too; it's his newest favorite game. He also loves to read his books especially if they're interactive like flap books or touch and feel. He's becoming so independent all on his own, and it's nice that I can give him a simple task like "put your shoes in the closet" or "close the door" and he'll gladly do them. I've also noticed that he likes physical touch; he is happiest when Stephen and I tickle him, or throw him on the beanbag, or chase him around the house,  or roughhouse with him, etc... He can play by himself all right, but I think it's a good thing he's getting a little brother soon to pal around with in the the next year and half.

My life is great; there isn't anything I would change. I love being a stay-at-home mom to one little boy. He is my world. And I have the absolute best husband. He works hard everyday to provide for us, and looks forward to walking through the door to see Zander every night. It's so cute, Zander is now giving kisses and hugs when you ask him to. Stephen and Zander already have a special bond and I love that.