Not the baby. Me. No peeking on the baby’s part for a very long time, thankyouverymuch. (ok, so like, a month.)
A quick update on our ultrasound last Friday: All is well in placenta land. We needed it to measure 3cm away, and it was 13cm. THIRTEEN! The technician quickly saw that everything measured fine, so she let us peek around at baby for a while. Such a blast. And O My Goodness he has grown since 15 weeks ago! Quite literally, his head took up the space on the monitor that his whole body used did last time.
{fresh baked OBaby}
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about self-care. About not being a martyr. About taking opportunities to relax and get away when they are offered to me. About accepting help. About putting on my big girl panties (O yes, I went there) when I need to without thinking ‘poor me’ the whole time.
Really I’ve been doing a lot of replaying of OBaby’s first months and trying to learn what to do differently. I have put so little thought towards onesies and cute baby gear this time that it’s kind of embarrassing. This is partially because we own most of what we need, and partially because I have learned that kind of preparation isn’t as important as I once thought.
I’m trying to mentally and emotionally prepare to have my world rocked.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not negative or pessimistic about the idea of having a 2 year old and a new born (most of the time), I have really just surrendered to the idea that I have no idea what is about to hit me. The best I can do is remember what worked and what didn’t last time, and to have very, very flexible expectations.
Or maybe zero expectations?
No. No, I have expectations.
I expect that my heart will darn near explode when I see my three men together. And that’s enough for me.
You are so right. Go in with only the expectation that you will love beyond measure…and enjoy the chaos, trials and celebrations. I can’t wait to meet freshO.
I can’t wait. You are going to be an awesome awesome mama of two. Seriously.
so excited for you! praying for you in this exciting time leading up to your sweet baby’s birth!
You’re going to do amazing.
& while I’m not pregnant again, I do understand how onesies & nurseries just aren’t what they were for the first baby. You realize that everyone was right – decor doesn’t matter, having name-brand sheets doesn’t matter, having THE carseat that everyone registers for doesn’t matter. & your baby will come into the world just fine, even if you haven’t purchased & sanitized a Sophie teether.
Blame it on the pregnancy brain….but I quickly glanced at the picture and thought “WAIT A MINUTE!?!!? Gummybear’s here!? Confusion!?” yeah. I’m so blonde and so pregnant!
I’m So thankful your US went well!! I’ve been praying – so i’m SO happy!
And honestly? This is our FIRST, and I feel guilty about not gushing about cute onesies and outfits and the whole sh’bang… I think baby will be fine.
Praying Baby Hosmer comes a little early, so we can have twinsies :O)
SEE YOU IN AUGUST!!!!
k
Don’t feel bad, I thought the same thing for a minute!! Even AFTER reading the caption under the picture. And I’m not even pregnant.
Can we say ROUGH day?? lol
The fewer expectations you have the better. Honestly, the first 2 weeks were the hardest when i went from 1 to 2. And from 2 to 3. So I am expecting that for going from 3 to 4. You will do amazing Mama.
Love you.
Allison, most mothers take a whole lot longer to even START thinking about self-care and asking for help and trying to be flexible in the midst of all the chaos that is mothering two (or more) very small people. You are inspiring and wise and I hope you see all the beautiful things you think and do very clearly. You’ll forget over and over, just like I do, but you rock. Your boys are very blessed to have you.
oh and I forgot. You know what’s crazy? I finished writing an article for a website RIGHT before I read your post. The article is about A LOT of what you said here. I love that. We were riding the same brain wave at the same time. ooooooh. :)
I didn’t realize how amazing sibling love would be.
After my first was born I could napped when he napped. After my second was born, trying to get first and second to nap at the same time so I could nap = nearly impossible and incredibly frustrating. It was important for me to remember to take the time to sleep when their daddy would get home from work…a 20 minute nap for mama = refreshed mama; 20 minutes of daddy and kid time = happy family.
Yes, yes it will explode! The interaction between little souls I grew inside me is the most precious miracle to watch.
SO SO happy about your placenta!! ( never, ever thought I would say that, haha)
Now I want to see the upstairs again!! As if you have so much time to make my blogging requests be met, right?
Happy Tuesday!
Being emotionally prepared IS the key, you’ve got that right :) Well, as emotionally prepared as we can be. I mean, who ever is? I guess being prepared for NOT being ready is a better way of putting it. And those big girl panties? (oh yes, I know those.) You’re rocking them. Always were. Just so you know.
You are a champion. And wise. And inspiring. And you’ve SO got this.
Happy to hear about the placenta. GREAT news!
I also want to jump into that picture and take your spot. Because OHMYGOSH could OBaby get any more smooshy, adorable, snuggly and content? Yeah. I need a newborn. STAT.
You are too cute, can’t wait to see how God works in your expanding family!
me too!!! I just know there is O so much Goodness to come! The Lord’s way is so magnificent that our carnal minds can not even fathom the awesomeness he has in store for you Allison!!! He is capable of it all!! Seriously I have a feeling you are about to see things in Him you never thought possible.
just finding out we are having our second girl makes my heart BURST. I’m sure it’s the exact same being the mama of 2 boys. the thought of seeing them grow up together and be best buds makes me a puddle. Can I just say I’m thankful you are doing it a few months ahead of me so I can learn from your mistakes….uh I mean do everything you do? ;)
You’re an amazing lady, Allison. Truly. And you can totally do this. :-D
I’m VERY glad to read about your placenta news! YAY!!!
such great news – so excited for you. i love the mindset you are taking this time around. I, too, need to be very cautious with expectations and try to just focus on one day at a time! Easier said than done!
I think the next time that my husband and I have a child, that will be more of my mindset. Last time, with our son, I focused on all of the stuff [the clothes, the crib, etc] instead of really realizing what a huge change motherhood was. Can’t wait to meet the new little one!
that pic of you and OBaby….just melts my heart. He was/is beautiful. Can’t wait to see the new freshly baked OOBaby ;-)
love this post. not having any kids, i have *zero* advice.
also, you totally faked me out when i first saw the post with little o. i was like “wait, what?? when was the last time i read this blog?? does she already have her baby??” clearly it doesn’t take much to confuse me.
You’re going to do great! We’re 3 weeks in to having 2 in the house… My DD is 21 months, and my DS is 3 weeks and one day. And you know what, it’s really good! Yes, life is busy. Yes, I don’t have enough hands. Yes, DD almost always needs something mid nursing session. Yes, DD just decided 2 days ago that NOW is the time to potty train…. But it’s all okay! Letting go of the expectations helped a TON. As did freezing meals before DS was born so I haven’t had to cook dinner. :) My biggest word of advice is to make sure you don’t get isolated. Invite friends over to chat. Make phone calls. Go on walks. Anything so you’re not stuck inside all day with two people that don’t fully communicate!
I love how this builds, how it’s written. So exciting!
hiya!
just thought that was approps. :)
you are amazing, allison. don’t sweat the details; your kiddos are beautiful, inside and out, just like their mama. :)
This is so sweet. You’re going to be fine. Mine are about 19 months apart and really the kindest, most helpful thing said to me was from one random mom I met who had older kids the same distance apart as mine were going to be. I asked her how it was and she smiled, hesitated and said “It’s great. The first 2 years were really hard and there were times when I thought I wasn’t going to make it through but now I wouldn’t do it any other way.” There were many times during my first year with a baby and a 2 year old that I thought back to what she said and told myself “it’s OK that this is hard. It’s supposed to be.” Oddly enough, that gave me much peace of mind.
I’m sure there will be bumps in the road but you know better what to expect this time around and we are all sending you love and prayers. Getting excited to meet your new little guy. :) xoxo
out of 4, number 2 was my best experience! i was able to relax and enjoy instead of fear the unknown. i knew what i wanted to take away from the experience and i focused on it.
may i say… i want no more …. but my ute just did some flips over that pic.
God has a plan…. baby boy is 17 months. (prime baby fever time) and i have a nephew on the way! haha!!
you are so beautiful. mama wears you well. :)
Great news about the 13 cm! No new baby advice {since no baby Bs yet} but I think going into it emotionally & mentally prepared is awesome so you’ll be able to hopefully just have fun & enjoying the chaos! :)
I like this.
“I expect that my heart will darn near explode when I see my three men together.”
Expect to love.
That’s all you can do.
You will be amazing. Your honesty is so fresh and helpful to more than you know. I had way too high of expectations with my baby girl. And because of that, the first few months of her life were very rough and I feel like I missed some precious time with her. I’m hopeful that with our next baby I will have lived and learned and know that there doesn’t need to be a strict routine, the housework can wait, and I can spend all day holding my baby if I want to. So excited for your journey.
I know you are busy but I must say I am missing your everyday posts.
I totally identify. With #2 coming only 18 months after his big sister I feel completely and utterly unprepared. I have goggled, “what to buy for a newborn” and “how to take care of newborn” because my brain is fried and I just don’t remember how!!! Is that crazy?! Hopefully it’ll all coming rushing back.
I only have the one little 7 month old boy, but now that the really crazy first few months are over I am finding myself insanely thinking about what i would do next time. so i totally get what you might be going through right now! I think next time i would definitely relax about the sleeping stuff, i had the most unrealistic expectations!
and i wish i knew then what i know now about what i need for baby gear! woulda saved me some dough :-)