Mile 14

Just over half way finished with pregnancy #2. Things have been smooth sailing, and I am really starting to feel pregnant. I'm not sure if it's due to my increased awareness, or this baby is a maniac, but it seems to never stop wiggling. I don't think it ever sleeps. With Charlotte, if I didn't feel her wiggle for a few hours, I thought nothing of it. This time, a few minutes goes by and I start to wonder. But it never leaves me worrying too long.  I made it to 24 weeks in normal clothes with Charlotte, and was hoping to do the same this time around, but I might not quite make it. At almost 22, I am down to 2 pairs of pants that fit comfortably. So, maybe I'll switch at 23 and call it close enough.

We have officially decided to not find out the gender of the baby, and subsequently, not name the baby until we meet him/her.  I am surprisingly okay with this.  I feel like I was 95% of the driving force in naming Charlotte, so this time, I really want it to be mostly on Jer. He prefers to meet the baby, then decide, so that's what we're going with. That's not to say I don't have some favorites in mind.

It's amazing how different it feels to be pregnant with a baby already in your life.  I am starting understanding the delicate and difficult balance of loving 2 children. With Charlotte, my whole world revolved around the pregnancy: scrapbooks, calendars, journals, preparation. This time, I have barely remembered to fill out a little calendar. I am also realizing that lack of scrapbook pages does not correlate with lack of love. I know I will love this baby just as fiercely as I love Charlotte.

And speaking of Charlotte, it seemed impossible, but she has gotten even cuter. She is exploding with new words and big personality. She loves to play and dance and sing. She is now requesting songs by name (or corresponding hand motion, as the case may be).

The other day Abbey had a sock in her mouth and Charlotte came running to me, "Abbey! Sock! Nono!" So we retrieved the sock-in-danger and I asked Charlotte to go put it in the hamper. Big smile, she ran off and abandoned the sock in an unknown location.  Later that day (hours later) we were getting ready to leave and I told her I needed to put my socks on before we could go. Light bulb! "SOCK!" and she ran away, retrieved the rogue sock, and came running proudly back to me. Genius.

Every night before Jeremy and I head to bed, we sneak in and say goodnight to her. I rearrange her blankets, turn her fan down, and tell her we love her. Most nights, Jeremy is dragging me out of her room, convincing me not to pick her up and squeeze her one last time. Last night, I went in alone, she stirred a little, one thing led to the next, and I spent the next twenty minutes rocking and snuggling my sleeping baby girl. It was magical. Her clean hair, her heavy breathing, her hand wrapped around my neck.  So incredibly blessed to participate in these fleeting moments.

What a gift.

Ready to go "side" and play

Spinning Charlie in the chair

More than half way there!

C'mon Mom! 

Stuck!

Rainy day fun