Pregnancy - 21 weeks

How far along?  21 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a fruit pie - around 430 g.  It stays a fruit pie between 21 and 23 weeks and goes from around 430 g to 600 g apparently.

Total weight gain/loss?  I was 63.7 kg last week and I'm 63.5 kg this week which isn't surprising as I've had a bit of trouble with my IBS causing an upset stomach.

Waist?  Too big for my work trousers?

Stretchmarks?  Not so far although I've been very lax with my tummy butter.

Maternity clothes?  They arrived this week and everything is great - I wore the trousers for work, they're big but the waistband tightens so that does the job.  I'm currently cosied up in my comfy zebra print PJs and I'm excited to get to wear some of the dresses.

Sleep?  Sleep has been okay over the last couple of nights albeit Oscar has been up at the crack of dawn (or a few hours before).  I've been reading my hypnobirthing book and practising some relaxation breathing at bedtime which has helped me to settle a bit more easily, hopefully even more so when I get to listening to the audio tracks.  I'm waking up a lot in the night but not usually for more than a quick fidget or a wee so I can't really complain.

Best moment this week?  Feeling like things are finally starting to settle with Oscar.  I'm aware that the upheaval of a house move, baby and starting school will probably cause us to go a long way backwards but at the moment we are getting him out regularly for fresh air by letting him play Pokemon Go, he's started eating a few foods that aren't sugary (cheese sandwiches, apples and grapes at home and generally eating or trying most things at nursery including cottage pie) and he's been generally calmer, very affectionate and more regulated.  He's also getting a great relationship with Zeus - he's learned to be gentle with him, always wants to stroke and cuddle him and Zeus often sits by his side and purrs when he strokes him.

Movement?  Things are definitely kicking off in this department.  I'm more aware of the movements on a daily basis when I'm going about my day and also he's quite regular in having a good wiggle before bed or if I'm just chilling on the sofa with Oscar in an evening. 

Food cravings? Nothing in particular.

Food aversions? Nothing any more.

Gender?  Boy.

Labour signs?  Nope, not for a good while yet I hope.

Pregnancy symptoms?  I'm really struggling with my tailbone when I'm sitting at my desk but I'm going to get my exercise ball pumped back up to keep in the office.  Otherwise just the general reflux, growing outwards in all directions and my massive boobs - I'm even growing out of my maternity bras from last time so I'm going to have to go and get measured again soon.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Sunshine!  The weather lately hasn't been too cold but has just generally been wet, miserable and windy.  I'm just generally looking forward to being able to go out and about without needing loads of layers, hat, gloves etc.

What I am looking forward to?  Maternity leave... okay so I have a way to go but because I'm now part time and have annual leave to use I've actually only got about 25 working days left and I'm hoping we will be in the new house by then so I can get some serious nesting done.  

Upcoming appointments/scans? I'm due back with the midwife in early April and then late April I have a growth scan and appointment with the Consultant.  It seems weird having so few appointments but it's nice not having extra stuff to coordinate, especially with COVID meaning I have to go alone and faff about with masks and lateral flows etc.
 
Weekly wisdom?  It is AMAZING what some deep breathing and quiet time can do.

Milestones?  Wearing maternity clothes!

Bump Picture:

Pregnancy - 20 weeks

How far along?  20 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a large popcorn - around 360 g, which is a huge 20% weight gain in one week!

Total weight gain/loss?  I definitely forgot to weigh myself this morning - I'm still not really looking pregnant so I think my weight is just distributing everywhere.

Waist?  Maybe I should just delete this... I'll see if I get bigger than I did with Oscar by the end but that's probably it.

Stretchmarks?  Not that I've noticed.

Maternity clothes?  I've finally ordered some - after ten days off work I could barely squeeze into my trousers yesterday.  However I had already ordered a few bits from Shein (a pair of work trousers, a couple of dresses and a skirt) so I'm waiting on those arriving.  Today I also grabbed a few bits online in the New Look sale so I've got another dress, a 3-pack of strappy tops (to hopefully go with the skirt), a pair of PJs and a long chiffon-esque pregnancy/nursing top too.  Altogether I've spent just over £40 for all of that so I'm quite pleased with it and hoping at least some of them fit/suit me.  I didn't really buy any maternity stuff last time aside from one skirt for work and a couple of stretchy nursing tops, which I still have, so I'm actually quite excited.  With it being winter last time I got away with just wearing stretchy strappy tops/t-shirts, leggings and baggy jumpers but with it being likely to be hot weather by the time I'm heavily pregnant this time it's going to be harder to be comfortable and still look presentable.  

Sleep?  Sleep has been hit and miss again.  I've had a couple of nights where I've slept well but then Oscar has been up early, a couple where I couldn't get to sleep because of my brain going round in circles about the house situation and then last night my hip was really hurting no matter how I lay.

Best moment this week?  Oh there have been SO many this week.  On Tuesday I finally received my autism diagnosis after almost 3 years on the waiting list, on Wednesday we had a scan showing our little bub is growing nicely and looks healthy, yesterday we got our offer accepted on a maisonette so we finally have the ball rolling for moving house and then today I found out that a few days ago one of my best friends safely delivered a beautiful baby girl!

Movement?  There's definitely getting more and more movement at the moment.  He's particularly active in an evening when I'm chilling on the sofa but I also get some little wriggles when I'm sat at my desk and things too.  I've had a couple of bigger kicks strong enough to feel on the outside which is much earlier than last time so I'm hoping Ant and Oscar will be able to feel them soon when they're more regular.

Food cravings? Nothing really - I've been trying to be a bit better this week so I've had lots of cottage pie with vegetables.

Food aversions? Nothing any more.

Gender?  Definitely still a boy - it was confirmed on the scan and I even saw for myself.

Labour signs?  No.

Pregnancy symptoms?  My bladder is definitely still working on overdrive but my repeat urine sample was clear so at least there's no infection.  The reflux has been a little less severe this week, probably because baby is wedged right down in my pelvis - he's still very camera shy and was really hard to see on the scan.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Having energy - I'm getting little bursts during the day but generally after half an hour or so of productivity I'm knackered.  I can definitely tell I'm not in the same shape I was when I was pregnant with Oscar and it's also obviously harder because I'm running around after Oscar too. 

What I am looking forward to?  Starting to get things in place for moving house and finally being able to prepare a little bit for baby.

Upcoming appointments/scans? I'm due back with the midwife in early April and then late April I have a growth scan and appointment with the Consultant.  The growth scan is now also a placenta check as my placenta should be 20 mm away from my cervix and is currently only about 17.3 mm.  It can't get closer, it can only get further away so hopefully things will be fine by then.  I've still not heard from the Anaesthetist but I'm not too worried about that.  The ward manager for the antenatal/postnatal ward also called me to discuss my issues last time and try to reassure me so that was helpful.
 
Weekly wisdom?  Patience is a virtue.  I don't have much of it but we know that good things do come around eventually and this week has really proven that to me.

Milestones?  We are officially halfway there!

Bump Picture:

Definitely looking a little bumpy but not exactly pregnant.

And once I'm dressed you can barely tell at all!

Pregnancy - 19 weeks

 How far along?  19 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a pancake, approximately 300 g.

Total weight gain/loss?  I'm 63 kg today so no change from last week and a total of 2.2 kg above my starting weight.

Waist?  Still no... oops.

Stretchmarks?  Not yet fortunately.

Maternity clothes?  Not at the moment but I'm definitely considering some maternity trousers for work.  I'm in the middle of a 10-day stint of non-working days so might really notice the difference when I put them back on.

Sleep?  Sleep has been okay for the last couple of nights but prior to that it was rubbish.  I've been struggling to get to sleep between needing to pee, heartburn and my brain going non-stop about the house situation so it's often been well after midnight before I've fallen asleep and Oscar rarely sleeps past 5.

Best moment this week?  We've had a few moments where Oscar has been really affectionate - lots of cuddles and kisses, checking I'm okay when I've hurt myself etc and it's been really nice.

Movement?  This is probably the biggest change this week - I'm feeling quite a lot of movement now.  I can't feel it on the outside yet but that might largely be because baby always seems to stop as soon as I put my hand on my stomach.  However, I've definitely felt more regular movements at least a few times a day, although today not so many so I'm keeping an eye on it but they've just been more gentle so I'm wondering whether he's gone back to facing my back again.

Food cravings? Co-Op cookies - hot with ice cream.  Still loving mac and cheese out of a box too.

Food aversions? Nothing really - my appetite has been pretty good.

Gender?  Still a boy.

Labour signs?  No.

Pregnancy symptoms?  Lots of bladder issues with needing to wee constantly and peeing myself when I sneeze - although I am now wondering if that's here to stay as I've finished my antibiotics and it's still happening.  The heartburn has really kicked in this week too - I've had Gaviscon most days and on one day I had to have it four times because I just couldn't kick the reflux-y feeling/pain/coughing.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Antihistamines!  I've been having really issues with itchy eyes, blocked nose and sneezing a lot and it's so frustrating not being able to take antihistamines, especially as my bladder fails me every time I sneeze.

What I am looking forward to?  Seeing little bub on the screen next week and hearing the news of my friend's baby arriving (she's due next week so hopefully not too long to wait).

Upcoming appointments/scans? I have my 20 week scan on Wednesday then nothing until April when I'm due to see the midwife, have a growth scan and see the Consultant.  I've also been referred to the Anaesthetist again but haven't received an appointment yet.
 
Weekly wisdom?  Don't beat yourself up because your baby already has second-child syndrome before they're even born.  When I was pregnant with Oscar I read the first four Harry Potter books out loud to him, I had quiet bonding time with my bump every night whilst massaging my tummy butter in, I talked to him constantly and bought so many beautiful things for him.  This time I've barely said a word to my bump, remember my tummy butter maybe once or twice a week and haven't bought a single thing for this baby (largely because of the house move and having so much stuff that we kept from Oscar).  However, that doesn't mean this baby is any less loved.  We just have much less time now we have Oscar and especially with the house situation too. 

Milestones?  Feeling lots more movements.

Bump Picture:

Pregnancy - 18 weeks

 How far along?  18 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of an ice cream cone, apparently around 240 g.

Total weight gain/loss? I was 62.2 kg last week and 63 kg this week so I'm definitely piling on the pounds!

Waist?  Nah.

Stretchmarks?  Not yet.

Maternity clothes?  No but I'm definitely going to be in the market for some, especially by warmer weather as my summer clothes are all snug.

Sleep?  Sleep hasn't been great.  Oscar has had a few really early mornings and my brain has been going crazy when I get woken at 3-4 AM then can't get back to sleep.  However, Oscar has been asking for Ant to play in a morning so I can kip on the sofa which is nice.

Best moment this week?  Finding a lovely apartment in a really nice area - obviously it has multiple offers so we likely won't get it, but we can dream.

Movement?  Still very little although I've found that I have a water infection so maybe that's part of the reason baby is a bit quiet.

Food cravings? Nothing in particular.

Food aversions? Nothing really.

Gender?  Little baby boy!

Labour signs?  No.

Pregnancy symptoms?  Same as last week although I've now realised the constant peeing, wetting myself when I sneeze and backache are probably more related to the water infection!

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Everything not being a fight, getting Oscar out to do anything in getting more and more difficult and, whilst I respect his difficulties and want to be a good parent, it is hard missing out on things.

What I am looking forward to?  Hopefully finally starting to feel some solid movements in the next couple of weeks.

Upcoming appointments/scans? I have my 20 week scan on 2 Feb then nothing until April when I'm due to see the midwife, have a growth scan and see the Consultant.  I've also been referred to the Anaesthetist again but haven't received an appointment yet.
 
Weekly wisdom?  Don't get complacent because it is second time round - I didn't even consider a water infection, despite feeling quite rough, because I just put it down to pregnancy and have been so focused on the house.

Milestones?  People seeming to notice my bump a little.

Bump Picture:

Pregnancy - 17 weeks

How far along?  17 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a slice of cake, apparently around 190 g.

Total weight gain/loss? I've not weighed myself today but I'll add it tomorrow if I remember. 

Waist?  Naope.

Stretchmarks?  Not yet but I wouldn't be surprised if some appear soon with the rate I seem to be putting weight on.  I don't seem to be getting a particular bump just yet, just putting weight on all over!

Maternity clothes?  Not yet but my work trousers are getting quite snug by the end of the day.

Sleep?  Sleep has been rather rough - I had a fall on Sunday and hurt my entire right side so struggled to get comfy for a few nights plus my brain has been going non-stop thinking about house stuff and baby stuff.

Best moment this week?  There have been a few (such as selling our house and the Consultant suggesting due to blood loss last time that I have a cannula straight away this time, which was going to be my request due to the dehydration issues) but I don't think anything will top seeing how excited Oscar was that he is getting a baby brother.

Movement?  Pretty much the same, still nothing really definite, despite trying to take some time to focus on it at quiet moments.  As soon as I start to pay attention to it everything stops.

Food cravings? Mac & cheese out of a box, still.

Food aversions? Nothing particularly so I'm trying to get some more vegetables in now.  I'm mostly just reluctant to cook or put any effort in because I'm using my energy elsewhere.

Gender?  It's a boy! 

Labour signs?  No.

Pregnancy symptoms?  I've got a few at the moment - restless legs, a bit of heartburn, super achey boobs and sore nipples, a bit of sciatica (albeit worsened by the fall), a little round ligament pain, a constant snuffly nose and an insane urge to nest!

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Sleeping in a bed - Oscar and I have now been sleeping on the sofa for weeks at his request and it isn't exactly idea at any time let alone when pregnant.

What I am looking forward to?  Hopefully finding a new home soon - we are going to embrace apartment living to save up for a couple of years and it is a whole new adventure.

Upcoming appointments/scans? I have my 20 week scan on 2 Feb then nothing until April when I'm due to see the midwife, have a growth scan and see the Consultant.  I've also been referred to the Anaesthetist again but haven't received an appointment yet.
 
Weekly wisdom?  Take what life throws at you and make it your bitch - our finance issues with the help to buy scheme have meant that buying a house right now just isn't going to be feasible without really settling for something we aren't keen on, so instead of moping about we got ourselves excited about getting an apartment instead.

Milestones?  Finding out the gender!

Bump Picture:

Pregnancy - 16 weeks

 How far along?  16 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a Belgian waffle - around 140 g at the moment.

Total weight gain/loss? 61.8 kg so quite a bit on since last week but that's to be expected over this period.

Waist?  Nah.

Stretchmarks?  Not yet.

Maternity clothes?  No, just comfy stuff.

Sleep?  Sleep has been okay actually.

Best moment this week?  Spending the weekend visiting my dad and stepmum.  Oscar loves spending time with them and we even went to Morecambe beach!

Movement?  I'm 99% sure I'm feeling some movements but they are few and far between still.

Food cravings?  Pretty much the same - savoury stuff, cheese, butter.

Food aversions? Nothing particularly but I'm not that fussed about a lot of things any more.

Gender?  We are still convinced it is a boy but we get to find out for sure tomorrow!

Labour signs?  Nope.

Pregnancy symptoms?  I actually had to have some Gaviscon one night this week but that's not surprising as it was around 16 weeks that the heartburn kicked in last time I think.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Work - I'm really ready for getting back into a proper routine now, the last two days have been much better getting out to work as normal.

What I am looking forward to?  Finding out baby's gender tomorrow!

Upcoming appointments/scans? Gender scan on 8 January then Consultant on 10 January, midwife on 12 January and 20 week scan on 2 Feb.
 
Weekly wisdom?  I don't think I've really got any this week, my brain is all over the place!

Milestones?  Feeling some movement I guess, but it really isn't anything significant yet.

Bump Picture:

Pregnancy - 15 weeks

How far along?  15 weeks  

How big is baby?  The size of a doughnut!

Total weight gain/loss? 61.1 kg so weirdly a 0.2 kg loss since last week.  I'm also pretty constipated at the moment so that will be contributing to the weight gain.

Waist?  What do you think?

Stretchmarks?  None that I've noticed but a few prominent veins.

Maternity clothes?  Not yet but after all the Christmas food I would definitely appreciate some stretchy trousers.

Sleep?  Sleep has been reasonable considering it's been Christmas and Oscar has been quite overwhelmed.

Best moment this week?  Christmas - I cooked a banging dinner, if I do say so myself!

Movement?  I'm still wondering if I'm feeling little prods but nothing I can really confirm yet.

Food cravings?  Still all about the cheese, mac and cheese out of a box.  Also crisp sandwiches with cold, salted butter.

Food aversions? Nothing really although I'm still not really interested in my cereal.

Gender?  Boy, surely.

Labour signs?  Nope.

Pregnancy symptoms?  My boobs are still sore - my nipples feel like bullets at the moment - and I'm starting to get a bit achey around my back and hips especially at night so have ordered a pregnancy pillow.

Belly button in or out?  In.

What I miss?  Caffeine.  I don't recall ever really, heavily craving caffeine during my first pregnancy but with Oscar being very overwhelmed with the festive season it has been a really, really long week and I'd have killed for a can of Monster Ultra (the white one).

What I am looking forward to?  Going to my dad's for the weekend tomorrow and getting back to some sort of normal routine next week.  I did a day back at work today and it was a lifesaver.

Upcoming appointments/scans? Gender scan on 8 January then Consultant on 10 January, midwife on 12 January and 20 week scan on 2 Feb.
 
Weekly wisdom?  You will forget you are pregnant second time around.  I have moments every few days where I just "remember".  I certainly haven't had time to think about it constantly.  I did for the first few weeks but certainly for the last month or so it's just been a thing that's there in the background as we have been so busy with Oscar, the house and Christmas.  Also, it may be NYE but you definitely don't have to stay up until midnight!

Milestones?  First time I've been pregnant over Christmas - and presumably the last unless I gestate like an elephant.

Bump Picture:

Baby bump or festive chunk?!