Baby You're a Firework

Liam Fin Lucero

Born July 4th at 10:02 am

8 lbs 10 oz

19 Inches

Pregnancy #2 {39 Weeks}

I'm still counting as if my due date was the 6th,

but technically since it's been changed to the 8th I'm not quite 39 weeks.

Anyway, no changes this week. 

I am still only dilated to a 3 & 75% effaced and we are still planning on being induced July 5th.

I have been given no indication that this baby is coming before then.

I think I am one of those women who are destined to be induced with every pregnancy.

If inducing at 39 weeks was contraindicated I would probably go over my due date every time too.

Oh well. Six more days!!

Pregnancy #2 {38 weeks}

Well, sorta.

A few days ago I would have said that if little Mr. didn't make his debut on his own 

we would be welcoming him on June 28th.

However; plans change, disappointments arise, and patience is a virtue. 

We will now be excited to snuggle our bundle on July 5th.

That's right, a whole week later than I had expected and planned for.

During my appointment this week it was determined that I am now 70% effaced, but still only dilated to a 3.

This news was not a surprise and I have been planning to talk to my doctor about scheduling an induction.

I have been leaning toward being induced for two reasons; first, I would like to prevent being over-due and having another almost 9 lb baby and second, I really don't want to have a 4th of July baby.

When we started looking at the options my doctor looked more closely at my due date in order to ensure that we didn't bring baby into the world before he is ready.

Remember, she's my "new" doctor so she wanted to make sure she agreed with everything my previous doctor had said and done.  After more closely scrutinizing my LMP and 6 week ultrasound she discovered that a more accurate due date would be the 8th of July instead of the 5th. 

Okay, three days doesn't seem so bad; we can wait three extra days.

I told myself Monday July 2nd would be a pleasant day to deliver a baby.

Nope, wrong again. I was then informed that my doc is going to be out of town from the 26th of June to the 5th of July. So the soonest I can schedule to be induced in July 5th at 39 1/2 weeks.

Though we are a little disappointed we have to wait an extra week to meet our newest family member, I feel good about the decision and ultimately know that it is probably better for him that we wait.

 I would really like to go into labor on my own, but I don't want to have a stranger deliver my baby while my doctor is gone. I've already had to switch doctors once, I would really like to have a familiar face in the delivery room.  So if little Mr doesn't come tomorrow or Monday I'm gonna go ahead and tell him to wait a few more weeks.

Pregnancy #2 {37 Weeks}

3 weeks left! But who's counting?

I had a doctor's appointment today and was pleasantly surprised to discover that I am dilated to a 3!!
Don't worry, I know that some women walk around dilated to a 3 for weeks,
but I couldn't help getting  a little excited. I mean come on; with Miles I didn't progress on my own at all. I still hadn't dilated a single centimeter by 41 weeks.

I don't really have a gut feeling on how things will go. This little guy could still hang out for a few more weeks or maybe he'll surprise us all and show up in the next few days. Who knows?

Pregnancy #2 {33 Weeks}

We are just chugg'n right a long.  7 weeks to go!

I have officially past the "cute" stage of pregnancy and crossed over into the

"holy smokes she's huge" stage.  My feet are starting to swell (I'm still debating whether or not to take pictures of them....do I really want to remember?), I'm pretty sure I walk more like a duck than a super model, and I may or may not have discovered a few stretch marks the other day.

Lucky for me our little man has decided that moving is a good time and bounces around most of the day now.  His little shoves nudges remind me that it's all worth it.

Pregnancy #2 {30 Weeks}

Time is tricky. I'm always wishing it away and yet I can't believe how quickly it eludes me.  It never fails to  amaze me when I look back over a stretch of time and realize how short a duration it really seems. This is especially true of momentous events in my life. My wedding day, seriously a blink of an eye. My 4 year stent at USU while I earned my degree. My pregnancy with Miles and his subsequent birth. All of which now seem like mere minutes in the scheme of things.

And now here we are, nearing the finish line of this second pregnancy and I can't seem to account for the time. Where has it gone? How is it possible that we are already only 10 short weeks away from enjoying the snuggles of our sweet new bundle?

From where I sit right now 10 weeks feels a long way off. Especially since this time around my body feels a little less than up to the task of expanding any more. But I know when those weeks have past I will once again question the warp speed at which time seems to pass. 

I've never thought of myself as old and when I look around I still assume many people my age are actually older than I am. I'm not sure why?  Anyway, right now I sure feel old. My body feels broken down and exhausted a lot of the time.  Overall I probably shouldn't complain as much as I do, but there are some days that I'm not sure  the human body was really meant to be pushed so far.  I think the biggest culprit is this time I have the additional requirement/blessing of chasing a 3 year around.  Not to mention I probably didn't do enough crunches in before getting prego again.  

In other news. My doctor up and decided that she wanted to switch hospitals.  Yea, terribly inconvenient.  Right now she works with St. Mark's and that is where we have been gearing up to deliver. Then a few weeks ago she informed us that she will now be working with Salt Lake Regional.  I have been given the option to follow her and deliver at Salt Lake Regional or choose another doc at the clinic I currently go to and still deliver at St. Mark's. Hmmm...decisions, decisions.  

Let's break it down. St Mark's is a larger hospital, has a Level III NICU, but is farther from our house (takes us about 40 minutes to get there). Salt Lake Regional is closer (by about 20 minutes), is a much smaller facility, is a much older facility, and has NO NICU (which totally freaks me out).  I've been mulling it over for a few weeks and have had a hard time deciding. You see, the problem is I really like my doctor. She's kinda awesome, but I just couldn't get on board with Salt Lake Regional. 

I've been praying about it. No clear answer. Prayed some more. Had a few Dove Dark Chocolates (insert Homer Simpson moan) all of which the wrapper informed me that "I am exactly where I'm supposed to be." Hmmm...coincidence? Then my mom called me and said she was talking to someone who does work at Salt Lake Regional and He said if it was his family he wouldn't deliver there. His wife has delivered at St. Mark's and had an awesome experience(s). Score. Just what I'd been looking for, some one with first hand experience with both facilities.  Long story short. I get to have an uncomfortable chat with my doc and tell her I have decided to stay and deliver at St. Mark's. Phew, glad that's decided.

I guess it would have just been easier to deliver at the U. I mean I work there so it has a major convenience factor, but I couldn't wrap my head around having 5ish med students (probably male) taking a peak in order to learn a few things. No, I think I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Pregnancy #2 {24 weeks}

 We are moving right along. 

Baby brother is going to be here before we know it; less than 4 months to go!

This pregnancy continues to surprise me. I can't believe how different little brother has been in comparison to being pregnant with Miles.  Just to name a few...

1. My body really feels like it's falling apart on me, I have had killer back (buttock) pain.

2. Little brother is not nearly as active as Miles was.  He seems like he is just chill'n out in there. Most movements feel more like a slow stretching roll over rather than active soccer kicks.

3. I feel so HUGE already.  I don't remember feeling this big the first time around.  

Here's a comparison shot from when I was pregnant with Miles...

 

Hmmm... maybe a little bigger this time around?

Any-whoo, things have been going well and I'm excited to see if this little guy is going to continue to be the opposite of his big brother once he arrives.

Pregnancy #2 {Half Way & On the Move}

Today officially marks the half way mark - 20 weeks in and only 20 weeks left.

Well, actually I could say 19 weeks left since my Doc informed me that she would let 

me elect for induction up to 1 week prior to my due date. Hmmm...tempting.

Little man is growing so well and is getting so big. I've always been a fan of the "your baby is now the size of a  ___ (insert fruit name here)" so to fill in the blank our little guy is currently a banana.

Not only is he a super star in the growth department, but he is also very active. During our appointment yesterday my OB had to chase him around my belly to get a clear heart rate. Every time she'd get close he would flop or do some sort of acrobatics to evade the Doppler.  

While we are on the topic of movement I should note that I have started to feel the little guy wiggling around in there.  The movements are still few and far between, but I usually get one good kick a day in addition to the fun butterfly flutters. I love this part. I love being able to feel my sweet babe move. Those little movements are my favorite part of being pregnant, they remind me that the acne and general puffiness of the whole process are worth it. 

And since Miles remains the center of the Universe, at least for the next few months, he once again accompanied me during my belly photo shoot. And since he is absolutely adorable I had to include two pictures this time.  I can't decide which is my favorite. Love that little boy!

Pregnancy #2 {It's a...}

We are so excited to be adding a new little boy to our family.

Miles was excited to call his grandmas and tell them he was having a baby brother.

The little guy was so cooperative during the ultrasound and looks absolutely perfect.

Neither of our sons have been shy when it comes to showing off what he's got.

Don't remember? Check out Miles telling all here.

Can't wait to meet you little man.

Pregnancy #2 {The Bump}

It is so surreal how fast time has gone. This pregnancy is almost half over.  

This picture was taken a few days ago so I'm actually 18 1/2 weeks now, but who's counting.

We tried several takes, but every picture ended up having this cute little guy in it too. Aside from feeling like he needed to be in every picture he decided that he needed to pull a funny face in all of them too. We may have an older brother who likes to tease.

We are scheduled for our find-out-the-sex-of-your-baby-and-hope-everything-comes-out-normal ultrasound on Thursday. I remember the anticipation with Miles; getting to 18-20 weeks seemed to take for.ev.er.  It was worse than Christmas. This time around it snuck up on us. When told we could schedule the ultrasound Gabe and I both looked at each other with faces that clearly read, "already? Nu-uh."  We are excited to know what we're having, but hope more than anything we are blessed with two healthy kiddos. 

Pregnancy: Numero Dos

I feel awful that I haven't blogged about this pregnancy at all. The only post I have made got lost in the midst of three other catch up posts.  It's not that I haven't wanted to or that this pregnancy is less important or special than the first, it's just been so darn crazy around here I can barley keep up with it all.

So, even though I don't have any belly pictures, I thought I should jot a few things down. Ya know, cause I really do want to remember everything about my sweet little babe and how he/she got his/her start. 

Since no two pregnancies are the same here are a few comparisons:

1. Miles: Emotional wreck; couldn't stop crying and I was super clingy with Gabe.

    Baby #2: Emotional + MEAN; I know I'm being awful and short tempered, but I can't seem to stop it. 

    Sorry to everyone that has been around me the last few months.

2. Miles: Some sleepiness, but overall I felt great and had good stamina.

    Baby #2: My body wants to go into hibernation to grow this baby. If I sit for 5 min I'm out for the count.

3. Miles: Easy peasy no queasy; I felt great with that kid.

    Baby #2: I was so nauseated my first trimester. I longed to throw up just for some relief. It never came.

Now that I've entered my second trimester things have calmed down quite a bit. I'm still crazy tired all the time, but that could also come from chasing a three year old and trying to fix up a 60 year old house. Gabe has been an all-star when it comes to putting up with me and my insanity in addition to his own stresses.  Miles has been such a good boy and so patient with me when I am unable to wrestle or rough house like we used to. He seems really excited to be a big brother and I think he's going to do a smashing job.  

I planned to be more on the ball this time around and take belly pictures each month from the very beginning, well we are now nearly half way done and I have yet to snap a one.  Which is unfortunate cause at 17 weeks I am already HUGE!  I think I've got a bigger bump now than I did with Miles at 20 weeks. I started showing much earlier with this pregnancy; around 7-8 weeks I couldn't suck it in anymore and by 10 weeks I had to wear baggy shirts so as not to reveal our secret to soon. 

It has been quite the adventure so far. The pro/con of being so busy with work, remodel, three year old, husband, etc is that this pregnancy is flying by.  On one hand I'm so excited to meet our new bean, but on the other I feel kinda bad that I haven't had time to get wrapped up in the pregnancy like I did with Miles.  Well, it is what it is and at this rate our new addition will be here before I have time to put the crib together.  

See you soon kiddo.

Christmas 2011 + A Special Surprise

Our Christmas was a nice break in the middle of the insanity that has been renovating our house.

In order to add a sense of calm and normalcy to the holiday we decided to spend it at our apartment instead of in a disheveled half painted house.  

It was a great day full of family, great food and relaxing.

Miles was so excited for Christmas this year and grasped the full concept of Santa a presents.

He was so cute, it was so much fun to watch his face as he ripped into each present.

We had a special Christmas surprise for our parents this year.

Let's see if you get it faster than they did ;).

That's right. Baby Lucero#2 will be joining our family in early July!

We are so excited and can't wait to bring a new baby into our home.

Miles is going to be a great big brother; as time goes on he starts to understand more and more what's going on.  When we talk about the new baby all he wants to know is when he gets to hold him/her. So cute!

D Day

Today is my official due date...but unfortunately that is not the D day I was hoping for. Once again my weekly doctor visit proved uneventful. My cervix is still closed and the baby is still at a -2 station. Looks like we are headed down the road to induction, which has its benefits for example; at least I'll know when its coming :).

Hopefully my next post won't be for a while and will be focused on filling you in on the birth of my sweet boy. Wish me luck!

Patience

People always say that they learn more from their kids than their kids learn from them. I am quickly finding this to be true. My sweet baby boy isn't even born yet and he is already teaching me lessons of patience. Thats right, I had my 39 week appointment yesterday and my cervix still isn't doing anything and the baby is still at -2 station. I am scheduled to be induced on January 28th, unless for some reason the baby decides he wants to come on his own before then. However, I am now stuck between a rock and a hard place because I want him to be born around his due date but my doctor is going to be in Jamaica all next week! I feel great though so I guess going over my due date by 8 days really wont be that bad.
I'll keep you all posted if anything changes.

Baby in 3D!

As I mentioned in an earlier post we had a follow-up ultrasound a couple weeks ago. Well I finally got the picture...YAY!

Gabe says he looks just like me, but with a weener (leave it to Gabe). It also looks like he smells his hand like I used to. My dad thinks he has my nose and chin but the rest looks like Gabe...I guess we'll know for sure in a couple more weeks.

Only one left

Most of you probably wont get excited about this post, but I just wanted to shout out that I had my last final (for the semester) today!! That means I only have one semester left...Holy crap, can you believe it?! That also means that I only have a month left until my due date...Holy crap, can you believe it?!

32 weeks (about 8 months) & Twilight

32 Weeks

This week marks about 8 months! I can't believe how fast time is flying, we only have 8 weeks left. At my 20 week ultrasound the baby was measuring about a week behind, so today we had another ultrasound to re-measure him and make sure he was growing enough. Well, he is. He is now bigger than average (60th percentile) weighing an estimated 4 lb 11 oz. The ultrasound tech said that he should gain about 1/2 lb per week; which means by my due date he should gain another 4 lbs! Yeah, he's going to be HUGE!
At our last ultrasound he was so stubborn and refused to show us his face. He was still reluctant today, but we finally got a shot of the cutest little face I've ever seen.

Twilight

Super awesome or totally lame? I liked it more than I thought I would, but even with low expectations I have to admit I was disappointed. I wont say too much just in case you haven't seen it yet. However, I will say that I think Stephenie Meyer sold out too soon. It came off feeling like a low budget film, with horrible casting and mediocre performances.

3rd Trimester...ALREADY?!

I don't have any new baby bump pictures (thanks to a broken camera), but wanted to let everyone know that time is flying by. Today I am 29 weeks which means last week I hit my third and final trimester!!! My sweet baby boy is about 2 1/2 lbs and 15 inches long...think butternut squash :).

You still have a few months to go, but just know that your mommy is so excited to meet you!

Happy Halloween!

We hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!!

Last week some of our friends had a Halloween party, so we counted that as our Halloween. I wore the costume I did because it was the only thing I had that fit me and Gabe makes the perfect nerd so his costume was a no brainer :).

We didn't bother dressing up last night, instead we ditched all the trick-or-treaters and went to a USU basketball game instead. I didn't expect so many students to be dressed up at the game, but WOW there were some crazy (inappropriate) costumes. There was a group of four guys in front of us that had on adult diapers and nothing else.

Next year we will be bigger Halloween enthusiasts because we'll have a little guy to dress up and show off. We can't wait to meet you sweet boy!

Thank You!!

I just wanted to say thanks to all the moms that had such great advise. If you think of anything else please let me know. I'm sure things will be fine and we'll figure it out as we go, but it's always nice to have a little bit of insight before starting a new journey.
Thanks again to all the great mothers I know!