An Exciting New Chapter: Our Second Pregnancy Journey Amidst a Big Move!

Hello dear readers! It feels like an eternity since I last connected with you all, and for good reason! While it’s absolutely true that our upcoming relocation has kept me incredibly busy and somewhat off the grid this summer, there’s an even bigger, more wonderful reason for my recent absence – one that’s about to change our family dynamic forever, bringing an immense wave of joy and anticipation into our lives.

Just about a month before my husband, Eric, received the fantastic and life-changing offer for his new job, we discovered we were expecting our second child! This news, while utterly thrilling and deeply emotional, soon became intertwined with a whirlwind of other significant life-altering events. Almost immediately after the familiar, and sometimes challenging, waves of morning sickness began to hit, we learned about Eric’s new position in the vibrant and charming city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. This propelled us into action: our beloved home here in Tucson went straight onto the market, and we plunged headfirst into the exhilarating, yet undeniably exhausting, process of house hunting in a completely new state. The last three months have been nothing short of a joyous, chaotic, and incredibly fast-paced blur, making it challenging to fully pause and absorb the incredible reality that another precious human is on the way. It’s been a period of profound transition, both personally and geographically.

Navigating a significant cross-state relocation, embarking on a new career path, selling one home, and simultaneously searching for another, all while in the delicate and often demanding first trimester of pregnancy, has certainly been an unparalleled adventure. Yet, through all the logistical complexities, the emotional highs and lows, and the sheer volume of tasks, the anticipation of welcoming our new baby has remained a constant and powerful source of joy, motivation, and profound gratitude. It’s a period of immense change and adjustment, but one that is consistently illuminated by the promise of our expanding family. We’re eager to share all the intimate details of this incredible journey with you, from the unexpected symptoms and unique challenges to the joyful gender reveal, and our evolving thoughts on the delightful prospect of expanding our family even further.

First Trimester Reflections: A Candid Look at Pregnancy #2

• How far along am I? I am currently 13.5 weeks into this pregnancy, a milestone that marks the official end of the first trimester. However, if you were to see me, you might think I’m much further along – perhaps around 20 weeks! My body seems to possess a remarkable memory from my first pregnancy. Having not entirely shed all of the baby weight gained with Eli, and as many experienced mothers will attest, you often tend to “show” much earlier with your second baby. It’s a fascinating phenomenon, almost as if the body remembers its previous role and gets a head start. This time, our little one is due at the very end of January, making this a much-anticipated winter baby! I’m particularly excited about this timing, envisioning cozy newborn snuggles during the colder months, a charming and different experience compared to Eli’s spring arrival. The thought of welcoming a January baby brings with it images of crisp air, festive holidays leading up to the birth, and the symbolic joy of new beginnings at the very start of a new year. Planning for a winter baby also means considering a different wardrobe for both baby and me, different outdoor activities as a family, and a whole new set of delightful experiences unique to this particular season, which adds another layer of excitement to our preparations.
• How am I feeling? This second pregnancy has presented a remarkably different experience compared to my first with Eli, especially in terms of symptoms and how my body is reacting. Even before a positive test definitively confirmed our suspicions, an overwhelming and persistent exhaustion settled over me, making even the simplest daily tasks feel monumental and draining. With Eli, the intense nausea hit hard and fast around six weeks, persisting relentlessly and severely until about 15 weeks. That period often resulted in multiple daily episodes of sickness and a severe aversion to most foods, making eating a constant challenge. Thankfully, this time around, the severe nausea didn’t fully kick in until around seven weeks. While I still experience some morning queasiness and occasional gagging, which are certainly unpleasant, I’ve only thrown up approximately 4-5 times in total so far. This has been a huge and welcome relief, allowing me to maintain a bit more normalcy in my day-to-day life! However, the trade-off seems to be an almost insatiable hunger, which, unfortunately, hasn’t always been directed towards the healthiest choices. Keeping all my food down has meant I’ve already gained about 10 pounds in this first trimester, a stark contrast to my first pregnancy where I barely gained a pound by this same stage. The intense heat of the summer hasn’t helped either, making any form of exercise feel like an insurmountable challenge and contributing to general lethargy. I’m incredibly thankful that, now at 13 weeks, the evening nausea is finally subsiding significantly, and I’m beginning to feel a profound shift towards more balanced eating habits. My sincere hope is that the second trimester brings with it renewed energy, a greater capacity for physical activity, and a healthier relationship with food as my body continues to adjust and nurture this growing life.
• Any cravings? My first pregnancy with Eli was remarkably specific in its cravings; I only distinctly remember an intense, almost singular desire for fresh, juicy oranges. It was a clear, consistent craving that defined my food preferences for months. This time, however, my palate has leaned heavily and somewhat regrettably towards less nutritious options – mainly an array of comforting junk food and an overwhelming desire for sweets. It’s been a constant, often humorous, battle between what my body *instinctively wants* in the moment and what I *know* it truly needs for optimal health for both myself and the baby. The siren call of sugary treats, salty snacks, and various comfort foods has been incredibly strong and persistent during these first few months, making healthy eating a genuine struggle and requiring considerable willpower. But I’m absolutely thrilled to report a recent and very welcome change: I’m finally starting to crave substantial, vibrant salads again! This dietary shift feels like a huge win and a positive sign for the coming months, indicating a potential return to more balanced eating and a greater enjoyment of wholesome, nutritious foods, which I’m very much looking forward to embracing. It’s truly fascinating how different each pregnancy can be, even down to the most seemingly minor details like food preferences and aversions, highlighting the unique journey every pregnancy entails.
• Are we finding out the gender? While the idea of a birth-day surprise is undeniably charming and exciting in theory, and I admire those who can maintain that suspense, I must confess, I’m simply not one of those people who can patiently wait! The practical side of me, coupled with an eagerness to connect with and plan for our baby, always leans definitively towards finding out early. With Eli, we patiently waited until our 20-week ultrasound to discover we were having a boy, and that reveal was wonderfully memorable. This time, however, we opted for an even earlier reveal through a genetic blood test at just 12 weeks. And the result? We’re having another boy! To be completely honest, I was initially quite thrown off and genuinely surprised by the news. With Eli, I had such an incredibly strong, intuitive feeling that he was a boy, and I ended up being absolutely right. This time around, that intuition was even stronger, but it pointed resolutely towards a girl – I truly would have confidently placed money on it! So, when the test results came back confirming another son, there was a momentary pause of genuine confusion and a slight recalibration of my expectations and mental images. Before we even started trying for our second, a small part of me harbored a soft desire for a girl, perhaps a common sentiment for many women who picture raising a daughter. Yet, an equally strong, if not stronger, part of me deeply wanted Eli to have a brother. The thought of two boys growing up together, forming an unbreakable bond, sharing adventures, and supporting each other, filled me with a special kind of warmth and anticipation. While same-sex siblings can certainly be incredibly close, there’s something uniquely special and powerful about the dynamic and camaraderie between two brothers that I’ve always admired. I know that raising two boys might indeed be a wild, energetic, and sometimes gloriously chaotic ride, but I am absolutely brimming with excitement for it! I cannot wait to witness how this little boy’s personality will unfold and differ from Eli’s, and most importantly, to see the beautiful, unique bond that will undoubtedly grow between them as they navigate childhood and life together. It’s a truly special blessing and a dream come true.
• Are we going to have any more kids? Ah, the million-dollar question that often comes with expanding a family! If you were to pose this question to my husband, Eric, his immediate and emphatic response would be an unequivocal “absolutely not!” He’s quite content and fulfilled with the idea of a complete family of four, finding joy and balance in our current and soon-to-be-four dynamic. However, my own feelings and aspirations on this matter have continued to evolve over time. When I was younger, I always envisioned a bustling household with three children, a lively and full home. But now, with one energetic and often wonderfully “crazy” toddler, the practical prospect of two children feels considerably more manageable, balanced, and perhaps more realistic than three. The beautiful, yet demanding, reality of parenting has certainly shaped my perspective! That said, I do find myself contemplating the idea of waiting a bit longer, perhaps four to five years, and then considering another child once Eli and this new baby are a little older and more independent. This larger age gap seems appealing for several reasons: it offers a chance for us as parents to fully enjoy each developmental stage without feeling overwhelmed, potentially allowing the older children to achieve more independence, and perhaps even assist with a new sibling. Of course, convincing Eric will be an ongoing and gentle “project,” but I’m optimistic about future discussions! And to be unequivocally clear, if we were to have a third baby, it wouldn’t be solely in the hope of having a girl to “complete” our family. While the thought of a daughter is undeniably sweet and crosses my mind, any decision for a third would stem from a genuine, deep-seated desire to expand our family to three children, cherishing and celebrating whichever gender we are blessed with. It’s fundamentally about the love, joy, and dynamic of a larger family unit, not about fulfilling a gender-specific dream.

Embracing Our New Normal: Moving, Settling, and Anticipating Baby #2

So, there you have it – the primary, multifaceted reasons for my uncharacteristic silence and absence throughout the summer months! I truly hope you all understand the sheer magnitude of changes, both personal and logistical, that we’ve been navigating. My plan is to slowly, yet steadily, ease back into my regular two-posts-a-week schedule starting in August, as we begin to settle into our new rhythm as a family and prepare for the baby’s arrival. However, I may still need to take a brief, albeit reluctant, hiatus once we officially move into our new home towards the very end of August, given the inevitable chaos of unpacking and setting up. My sincere hope is that any further breaks will be minimal, allowing me to fully re-engage with this wonderful community and share more of our ongoing journey.

I am incredibly eager and looking forward to finally being settled in our new house and new city. The comforting thought of unpacking boxes, decorating new spaces, establishing fresh routines in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and truly making it our home, fills me with a deep sense of calm, excitement, and readiness. More importantly, I’m profoundly looking forward to finding moments of true relaxation and fully embracing the joy and wonder of this impending arrival. This new life that is soon to join our family brings an immense sense of purpose, boundless wonder, and an invigorating energy, and I can’t wait to share more about our evolving experiences as we transition into this beautiful and transformative new chapter of parenthood.

Thank you for your immense patience, unwavering understanding, and continued support during this incredibly busy, yet profoundly blessed, period in our lives. I wish you all a truly wonderful remainder of your summer, filled with joy, peace, and cherished moments!