Category Archives: baby #2

Maternity Photos and Family Photos

May 27, 2015

Our family did a little mini maternity and family photo sesh with Anne from The Photography Shoppe (website here facebook here) on Mother’s Day. It was raining and started storming at the end, but we made it through the session! Whew! I was 34.5 weeks pregnant at the time, so I had a pretty good bump going :) I was happy to get some more maternity photos and ALWAYS nice to add some family pics in there too. Check ’em out! And thank you Anne, we love the pictures!

// royal blue dress // denim toddler dress // blue hair bow //

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Baby Boy // 35 Weeks

May 15, 2015

How far along: 35 Weeks // Due date June 18

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: 24 lbs and my theme song is “Lean Back” (Do the roc-a-way, now lean back, lean back, lean back, lean back) That’s how I look lately! Trying to get my center of gravity back.

Last Doctor’s check-up: April 28 at 32.5 weeks – baby’s heart rate was 150 and everything checked out perfectly! Doc said he’s already head down. (UMB WHAT, getting so close!) Next appointment is May 20 and then we are down to meetings every week.

Maternity clothes: Looking at making it through this last month. These weeks are the hardest because you’re just so big! I plan on living in dresses and shorts and tanks this month since it’s pretty nice out now. I love this natural white dress, so pretty and classy for a romantic evening with the hubs. This striped one looks fun to wear to a little happy hour date night. This denim dress is calling my name for a lunch with the ladies downtown. Once baby is out, I might live in these beach dresses. They look nice and flowy to hide the baby weight until it comes off, plus they’re ultra cute in five different patterns/colors. I bought these denim shorts, but might round up some more fun ones like these black and white ones, or these floral ones, or these white ones. And I NEED TO FIND A SWIMSUIT! We have a cabin by the Lewis and Clark Lake and it’s almost boating season! This tropical print one is fab, and this blue and orange chevron one looks pretty cute, but my favorite is this ikat tankini! So cute with the ruched sides and colors. Not looking forward to being a swimsuit super largo, buuuuut, I can’t miss out on the boat and beach! Palm tree crop top in these pics found here. And yes, that is a hole in my leggings. But they’re too comfy to get rid of!

Sleep: I’m sleeping SO well lately. It’s like my body knows and is storing up all the rest it can get in prep for those late nights waking up with baby boy. Plus the cool weather at night with the windows open, my FAVORITE. I love the fresh air. Minus those birds chirping at 4am to wake me up to shut the windows, but at least it’s a pretty noise!

Best moment this month: We took some maternity/family photos on Mother’s Day last Sunday during a mini session (those are perfect! 30 minutes is about all Ivy and John can handle!) with The Photography Shoppe (website here, facebook here). It was rainy and gloomy, but those pictures are sometimes my favorite! I can’t wait to get them back! Last year we took maternity photos, newborn photos, 6 month family photos, and 1 year family photos with Finished Vision Photography and I LOVED them! (website here, facebook here). She’s SO great but has moved to the Chicago area (miss you Marie!). Photography Shoppe has always had AMAZING and such UNIQUE photos and I’ve known Anne since middle school! I can’t wait to see how they turned out and get some new family photos.

Worst moment this month: Procrastinating!!!! I need to get serious about washing all of his new clothes and blankets and finishing the baby’s room! All items have arrived that I’ve ordered and they’ve been sitting on the rug in his room for 3 weeks. Should probably get on that. He could be here any day! EEEEK! Second worst moment – sugaring! So I heard about this alternate method of hair removal and tried it and FAILED. Apparently it’s supposed to be less painful, but ladies, you know how it is down there when you’re preggo, NOT PRETTY, and swollen, and nasty, and yuck. Well, she did about half of the Brazilian and I had to tell her to stop it hurt so bad! Then I started crying!!! BAH! LOL. (How humiliating!!!) Such a wuss. I just wanted it GONE and since I can’t see anything down there, I thought this was a good idea. Not so much. So, back to shaving…blind shaving… ugh.

Babyboy35weeksmin-19

Miss anything: Bending over and reaching down without having to squat my legs wide open. SO AWKWARD and UGLY. This belly is IN THE WAY.

Movement: At 35 weeks, my app says baby is 18 inches and 5 1/4 pounds, so not much room in there anymore for his somersaults! I feel the jabs and kicks all the time still. I’ve gotten told three times this week that “He’s dropped!” Oh boy, oh boy, ooooooooooooooh boy

Cravings: Give me ALL THE ICE – smoothies, ice cream, slushes.

Looking forward to: END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!! Today is the last day of school! I can’t believe it! We have a teacher work day Monday, but basically done. It is so exciting but also really scary. I am staying home next year (read post here) to be with my babies and I am very very very happy about that! It will be so strange walking out these school doors for the last time, and I will probably cry, I really love teaching and working, but I know I will be SO SO SO thankful come August when school starts again and I don’t have to leave my 2 month old or almost 2 year old! I’ll miss my students!

Thinking about: Little baby boy Briar and his parents (read story here). This would be the amount of weeks Megan was pregnant and lost their baby. I’ve been struggling with that this week and making sure to acknowledge every single kick our little boy kicks. This pregnancy thing can be scary and it really is a miracle that our human bodies can do this. I’m thankful for every little jab that takes my breath away. Keep cookin’ little mister.

Love you to the moon and back embroidery hoop here

Other baby #2 posts – 30 weeks // 26 weeks // 20 weeks // gender reveal // pregnant reveal

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Oh ya, I’m pregnant

May 4, 2015

So I’m one of those pregnant girls that you probably despise. The one that doesn’t get nausea or exhaustion or food cravings. Ya, one of those. But to soften the blow, I don’t get all the good with pregnancy either. That glowing skin and long, full shiny hair, and any craving would sure be nice about right now. And what is it with that theory that if it’s a different gender you have a different pregnancy?! How many times have you heard that! Well, not here, nope. Same exact pregnancy as last time with my baby girl Ivy. I’ll sure take it though, indeed, I enjoy pregnancy and have it pretty easy, thankfully. I especially love the kicks and baby belly (when it’s the cute 25-35 week belly, not the 40 week belly, oh god. Or that 12-15 week blubber belly either. Ugh).

I am on week 33/40+- of pregnancy, in my third trimester. And this time around, pregnancy is so different in my head and heart. I did this post at the beginning of my pregnancy, and I can say now, that pregnancy with baby number two is still quite different. Your first pregnancy is a sort of fairy tale, it’s all magical, those first kicks (huge excitement!!), and with everything being so new and fun and everything you have to learn and experience. I kind of miss that. The second time around, you’re just…pregnant. I had exhausted every book, app, and birthing class I could have on the first time around. And this time? I’m just hangin’ in there, occasionally forgetting I have a human growing inside of me, just going with the flow. I’m just…. pregnant.

Crib sheet fabric then custom made by Iviebaby // tomahawk blanket

I kind of miss all the magic. I was so caught up in it all the first time, everything was so exciting. Now, it goes by so fast and I certainly thank the pregnancy app for reminding me how many weeks I am each week. But it’s kind of nice just enjoying the pregnancy this time! Instead of getting so worked up about everything along with being pregnant, I’m much more calm about everything this time and just enjoy it day by day. And, I may or may not have had a little glass of wine here or there :)

For me on this second pregnancy, it has taken a little longer to get attached to the baby. I was in loooooooove with Ivy the second I saw that little plus sign on the pregnancy test, and this time, well this baby isn’t so “screwed” after all. I have fallen head over heels for this baby boy in my belly (why do I get a picture of Fat Bastard from Austin Powers in my head whenever I say belly…: / ). I can’t WAIT to meet him and I have so many hopes and wishes of what he may be like. The attachment has flourished and grown, and in fact, by golly, there is room in my heart for another little human being. It just took a little longer :)

Arrow Bracelet // Fingernail Polish // Ring

One positive for me this pregnancy has been embracing the maternity clothes! With Ivy, I just tried to squeeze into long wife beater tanks from Target and every maxi skirt I could find. Not to mention every pair of “give up sweats” that were out there. I was PREGNANT, wasn’t that an excuse?! Or so I made it one. This time, I had a goal of actually trying to look good, and shower, and do my hair, and still take care of myself. Let’s face it, they make maternity clothes for a reason, a big ass belly just CANNOT fit into your normal clothes sometimes! I just bought these cute H&M denim shorts, but aren’t these adorable too! Love the pattern! And they look really comfortable. These floral shorts with lace trim are to die for too. I am so excited to wear SHORTS! I love summer! Sooo, I’ve been trying harder, and it actually makes me feel more confident when you feel so ugly during pregnancy sometimes. We can rock this (gigantic) baby belly!

So if you’re in your second pregnancy too, you know how it is… These two posts, here and here, are hilarious stories about the differences between your first and second pregnancy, and yep. I chuckled because just about every one of them is true!

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Baby Boy // 30 Weeks

April 9, 2015

How far along: 30 Weeks

Gender: Boy

Weight gain: 22 lbs. EEEK. I gained 28 lbs with Ivy, so we will see how close I get to that with a boy. Again, I ran almost every day when I was pregnant with Ivy, and have only ran catching up to Ivy this pregnancy, so I might gain a bit more, and that’s ok!

Last Doctor’s check-up: March 28th at 28 weeks – I had my gestational diabetes screening and passed! WHEW. I hate drinking that nasty thick orange drink! Also, baby’s heart rate was 150 and he was moving all around. My mom said, “are they sure it’s a boy?” His heart rate has always been much higher than Ivy’s! But he is constantly moving! Next baby appointment is April 28th.

Maternity clothes: I love my new pink maternity pants! I wore them for Easter and got a lot of compliments :) Plus they’re stretchy and soft. I love the pale pink and with spring here (minus this nasty gloomy weather we’ve been having the last few days) it goes with my pastel obsession right now! I paired it with this floral print cardigan for Easter and loved the combo (here’s another similar one). I’m into layering with a long tank and cardigan for spring and Forever21 and H&M have some cheap long tanks that come in a bunch of different colors. However, I’m jealous of all the cute maxi dresses out there right now! I wish I was wearing this gorgeous ikat maxi dress or this pretty watercolor maxi dress! Might have to buy myself one and hang it in my closet for some motivation to lose the baby weight afterwards : /

Sleep: Sleep is a tad more uncomfortable. I’m a side sleeper and this belly is getting in the way! And I hate when I wake up on my back because I know I’m not supposed to be! Ugh! I am putting on this Aveeno creamy moisturizing oil and this elasticity oil still each night. I love the lotion and the oil feels so good! Soaking in every good nights sleep that I can.

Best moment this month: Getting the crib sheets and changing pad cover! I chose this bowtie bear fabric for the crib sheets and this alligator fabric for the changing pad cover. I had Iviebaby custom make them because she’s pretty much the best!

Worst moment this month: I’m having weird numbness in my leg! GRRR! That darn sciatic nerve baby is sitting and growing on! It’s only been a few times, but it certainly feels strange and annoying!

Miss anything: My ab muscles. I feel like a beached whale trying to roll off the couch or bed lately. NOT attractive.

Movement: LOTS. At night he is just craaaazy! I hope this isn’t any indication of how my nights will be when he’s born. I might try googling, “sleep training your baby while pregnant…”

Cravings: All that Easter candy!!! I am not a fan of chocolate (weird, I know), but all of the other sweet and sour candies we got were inhaled. And, I LOVE popsicles! I got some Freezies (my favorite, other than bomb pops) and have had probably two a night the last couple of nights. Ok, maybe three if I have to finish Ivy’s. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

Queasy or sick: Ivy got a bad cold a few weeks ago with a hacking cough and we BOTH still have that nagging cough and tickle in our throats. I’ve had more colds this winter than ever! Otherwise, no sickness from pregnancy.

Looking forward to: Getting some artwork for the nursery! We had a blast on our trip to Minneapolis to get the dresser we wanted from Ikea, so now all the big stuff is done. Time to focus on the details! I want to do a gallery wall with several art prints because there are so many fabulous ones out there and I love the look of it. I like this gallery wall with big and small simple frames and I’m eyeing several prints to fill them with! I want them all! See my baby boy nursery pinterest board here.

panda abc // abc // chevron name // mountains // rad // eat you up // bear // fox

To do list: Register to donate our baby’s cord blood at Be the Match. We donated Ivy’s cord blood and plan to do it with this one as well. You have to be between 28-34 weeks pregnant so I’m just in the window now. This is something very special to us as John’s sister Becca underwent a cord blood transplant to battle her cancer, so we are very passionate about this donation! I encourage everyone to do it! It’s very easy and can save lives!!! Read more on the blog about donating here.

floral leggings // neon orange cardigan // white long tank // rose gold watch

Other baby #2 posts – 26 weeks, 20 weeks, gender reveal, pregnant reveal

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The Second Time Around

March 27, 2015

Lately, I have been really reminded of our birth with Ivy. That would normally be a heart-warming event (minus the excruciating pain), getting reminded of the first time meeting your brand new teeny baby and all the precious hugs and kisses, but for us, it was a more traumatic event and an emotional roller coaster (see birth story here). Although it was a short visit to the NICU for just an antibiotic to clear up fluid on the lungs, it was such a testing experience as a new parent, and I learned right away, that this parenting thing is full of curve balls on this not-so-straight path ahead of us.

This week, Ivy’s birth story was published on the Pregnancy and Newborn magazines website (see post here – a shorter version of my blog post), and now today, the magazine contacted me about potentially publishing it in their July magazine issue. I had submitted Ivy’s birth story a few months ago and I have been so excited and honored about it getting on the website, but seeing it up there this week and rereading it, has brought back so much heartache and now, so many fears about what’s to come as my next birthing experience is looming above my head.

I know Ivy’s story is a story that people could potentially relate to and a NICU birth experience is maybe more interesting and heartfelt to read than just a boring (but not so boring… it is birth for Pete’s sake! EEEK! But you know what I mean…) normal birth story, but I can’t help but hope that my next birth this June with our baby boy, is just a “normal one.” The boring one. The one where we get the smiling family photos, the “golden hour” skin to skin that I so desperately hoped for last time, and the one where we get to hold our newborn for hours on end and swoon at all of their teeny features. The one where all the right things just happen to go your way. The one where you get a healthy baby to enjoy and kiss and hug.

So I guess my last birth experience is still haunting me. It makes me ultra nervous about this next birth and getting little Mr. Koch here. Indeed I hope for a less traumatic experience this second time around, and I am sure I will be nervous, but I need to be reminded that sometimes things just happen. As I reread my birth story, I am reminded of what I learned from it…shit happens. No matter how perfect your pregnancy is, or how perfectly you took care of the baby in your womb, sometimes things happen and we learn from that. However intimidating this second time around is, I know now that I have a smart, sweet, curious, and cute little baby girl that makes it seem like that awful NICU experience never even happened. So I’m taking the optimistic route, and like our Mommas used to say, turn that frown upside down, and I’m going to look forward to the day we get to meet our little mister koch :)

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