Just The Two Of Us: 2nd Trimester Pregnancy Update

We are getting closer to meeting our baby girl! Whoohoo! I am now in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy and it is crazy how fast it's already going by. I figured I would keep everyone updated of how each trimester has been for me. Last time, I talked briefly about my 2nd trimester and I will go more in detail about how it's been.

The 2nd trimester has definitely been much better than the 1st. I don't feel as nauseous which is awesome. I started feeling more myself maybe around 18 weeks. The only times when I start feeling slightly nauseous is when I don't eat or drink anything for a while.

I have been eating a TON this time around. It's nice that now I can eat more foods. I have been eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, and grains which good for you during pregnancy. Normally, I was more averted to green food in the beginning, but now I eat more spinach on most days. I still have my crazy pregnancy cravings, especially for french fries, bacon, smoothies, and ice cream. I know, guilty pleasures, but for the record I don't eat them all the time. Sometimes I will even go back for seconds or even thirds during a meal. That normally doesn't happen... :) This baby is making me want more food! At least when you're eating for two that's what it feels like.

After eating more comes a bigger tummy. My belly has seriously gone through a growth spurt since I was at my 20th week! When I was in California recently, my family noticed that my belly was gradually getting bigger since the day we arrived. I am definitely looking more and more pregnant these days. At my last appointment, I weighed 132 pounds. I was losing weight in the beginning, and now I am gaining weight. I have gained 16 pounds since my first trimester! It seems like every time I go out shopping or to a restaurant, people notice my belly. Some will even ask how far along I am or tell me "congratulations!"

I've noticed that the bigger I get, the harder it is for me to get physically comfortable. I bought a body pillow for sleeping at night and it has helped me feel so much more comfortable. I feel like it also "cradles" the baby bump. Every time I sit down, I need extra cushion or pillows to help me relax. I have to stand and walk around every so often if I sit for too long. Sometimes it's even hard for me to get out of bed or stand up without feeling more weight and pressure. Hopefully I last the third trimester...

This baby has been moving around and kicking like crazy! I would say that this is the most fun feeling about pregnancy. I feel Baby Girl move more if I lay on my side or sit in a certain position. Her kicks are definitely getting stronger. Collin has felt the baby move a few times which melts my heart. I've noticed that she moves more when I eat or drink something. Maybe she likes the things I eat? :) Whenever I feel her move, it's a reassurance to me that she is healthy and growing normally.

My biggest symptom from 2nd trimester is probably tiredness. I feel like I am twice as tired these days. I try to go to bed earlier than usual which doesn't always happen. Then I regret it if I have to get up twice in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I also try to take naps during the day as well. I think one thing that makes me the most tired is the heat. Of course, Texas is very hot in the summer. We always keep our AC on inside so that's been nice. I've noticed that my body temperature has increased to a point where I need the AC on in the middle of the night. Whenever I am outside taking Chloe on a walk, I get a lot more winded and have to cut my walks short because of the heat.

I'd say the most questions we have been getting is "When is your due date?" and "Do you guys have any names picked out?" We do have names picked out, just not one solid name yet. We've narrowed it down to our top 3 names. We won't name her until she is born that way we know what she looks like and what her personality is like. Also, we want it to be a surprise by the time she arrives.

At my 26 week appointment, I recently had to take the glucose test. Those that have been pregnant know what I'm talking about. Those that don't know what it is, it's basically where they test you to see how your blood sugars are during pregnancy. It also determines whether or not you have gestational diabetes. Along with the test, you have take this sugary drink called glucola and you have to fast. I took my 1 hour glucose test where I fasted the night before my appointment. I chose the fruit punch glucola drink which actually wasn't bad. It tasted like Hawaiian Punch, just with more sugar. I drank that and than waited an hour to get my blood drawn. I didn't feel too bad during that hour, but I did feel this sugar rush going through my body. I was so happy to get food in my belly afterwords with a good amount of protein.

I get a call from the doctors that same day. They told me that my levels were a little higher than usual. I needed to be at a 140 and I was at a 145. So I had to come back in and take the 3 hour test... I'll admit that made me a little anxious and concerned that I may have gestational diabetes. I scheduled my appointment for the very next day. I fasted 12 hours prior to my appointment. Instead of the 50 gram drink that they gave me for my last text, I had to take the 100 gram drink which contains more sugar. As soon as I come in, they took my blood from the fasting test and then gave me the drink to start my glucose test. I drank the fruit punch flavor again and they took my blood sample every hour during the 3 hours. That time, it was more draining and I felt more nauseous, but it still wasn't bad. Collin picked me up from the appointment and we went straight to Taco Bell for lunch. I figured I deserved it after fasting for 15 hours. I was one happy pregnant lady.

The good news is I don't have gestational diabetes!!! I passed my 3 hour test with normal results. I was so relieved and ecstatic that everything looked good there and I was free and clear. There is just so much that comes with having gestational diabetes and I am glad I don't have to worry about it. We found out the results on the day of our wedding anniversary. So this called for a double celebration! We ate at this fun sushi place, got Ikea candy, and went shopping at Target. It was a very memorable night.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated on my pregnancy. I really can't believe that the end is near. It's all becoming more and more real the closer it gets. It's amazing how fast pregnancy goes by. I have been feeling nervous yet excited at the same time. We will be meeting our baby girl in just 12 weeks!!!

Baby Girl at 18 weeks! She was curled up the whole time during the ultrasound. She is already so adorable!

20 weeks preggo

I had just drank this whole bottle before taking the picture. Haha. It honestly tasted good.

Here we go...

But really, I needed this after fasting for so long...

After getting my results

Not only passing my glucose test, but it was our 4-year anniversary!!!

We ate at this new place called Kula Revolving Sushi Bar. You can pick sushi you want from a conveyor belt. It was so good and had sushi that was safe for me to eat. :)