This trimester passed by so quickly, I hardly gave it any attention (laughs). Next thing I know, I’m 30 weeks. Woah! 10, give or take, more weeks to go! Let’s go! Before we get there though, let’s recap on the second trimester.
You can listen to this blog, with more in depth experiences, on the podcast and read my first trimester recap here.
The Sex of Our Baby
Although the sex of our baby wouldn’t have mattered to us, we had a hunch we were having a boy… At least I did. My husband was mentally preparing for another girl (laughs). I’d always had a feeling that our next kid was going to be a boy, however. With the ease of this pregnancy too? I figured I was carrying a boy.
Just like our first pregnancy, my little family and I dined at Olive Garden to reveal what sex our baby is. I had this feeling of, “I knew it!” but experienced other feelings as well, which you can read about here. Shiina, on the other hand, felt a bit relieved (at least from what I noticed). Like I mentioned before, he was mentally preparing for another girl… More sass, attitude and fights with mommy (laughs). How could he handle three ladies altogether? He was already outnumbered and trying to keep the peace (laughs).
On a serious note, however, I think Shiina’s excited for a little boy. Even though he says he wouldn’t have minded having another girl, I think deep down he’s ready to be a boy dad too. Maybe this one will look like him… let’s hope? (laughs)
While we thought that we’d keep this baby’s sex a secret until his birth, we knew we wouldn’t be able to wait another couple months. I’d definitely let it slip with my mom or sisters without even trying… Which happened with my older sister (laughs). So, Shiina and I prepared how we’d surprise our families. We filled black balloons with blue confetti so our parents could pop them.
Symptoms
As I mentioned in the first trimester recap, I didn’t experience too many pregnancy symptoms this time around. However, my heartburn is still very strong and my back pain. I remember experiencing sciatica with my first and I’m preparing for it everyday. I’ve felt it occasionally, but not as consistent as my first.
As for kicks and overall movement, this boy is extremely active! No matter what time of day, or what I’m doing, he moves. Unlike my first pregnancy where I knew when to expect movement, this boy has no schedule… Let’s pray he does when he arrives (laughs). Not to mention, he’s not afraid to make it known that he’s there. For instance, whenever I lean forward, he’ll kick. Whenever the doctor or nurse finds his heartbeat, he’ll kick in that exact spot. Again, he makes himself known.
Preparing for Baby
This trimester, we barely did any preparation for our baby’s arrival. If anything, it was buying a few items like onesies, bottles, breastpumps, and setting the crib. I think it’s because this is our second time around and we didn’t feel at all rushed, although the pregnancy itself feels faster than my first.
With having a boy and another baby in general, we’re having a baby sprinkle. Diapers, wipes, clothes, shoes… all the things, are expensive. Also, we were frequently asked when we’d have a baby shower or what our registry was. Might as well get together with loved ones, catch up and celebrate baby boy! Once the baby sprinkle happens, in our third trimester, we’ll be more prepared for our baby boy’s arrival.
Daily Life
Everyday looked different from one another, but one thing was consistent – my growing bump. Honestly, it isn’t as big as my first. It surprised me, and my aunts too. Even so, I’m starting to feel the weight of it and see the weight of it. It’s impacted how I do tasks at work and at home. I ask for help a lot more now than I did before, all expected.
I hoped to meditate and stretch every evening, similar to what I did with my first. I strongly believe that’s what prepared me for labor and delivery, and why I was as zen as I was. With a toddler? It can be difficult to get to do that. Even when I do, my daughter joins and tries to help… But it’s really the opposite as she’s a distraction. I use that to my advantage, however, and act like she’s speaking or helping me like a doctor/nurse would. It only makes my mindset and meditation techniques stronger.
With every passing day, I notice that my baby girl is no longer a baby girl. Soon we’ll welcome her baby brother into the world and she’ll be a big sister. I cherish every moment that I have with her because I know that it’s just us three for now. It’ll change soon. I know it’ll be an adjustment for her too. She’s used to being the only kiddo in our home and given all our attention. We do our same routines everyday, and slowly implement “baby brother” every once in a while, like reading to baby brother.
