Growing a Human Being (Warning: Picture Overload)

Some of my jumbled thoughts and feelings about these 9 months:

Honestly.... this pregnancy has been THE. BEST. It is going SO much better than last time from what I can remember. Yes, I have had 2 1/2 years to recover since my son was born. But, I am 2 1/2 years older than last time, I have a 2 1/2 year old, rambunctious toddler to chase around, AND Austin has been out of the country for the last few (and hardest) months of my pregnancy so I have pretty much been on my own here, playing single mom. You'd think with all that I would be lying around, eating ice-cream with a dirty house (or whatever depressed, pregnant ladies do...). 

The truth is, I feel great! I have had tons of energy, I feel healthier than last time and I don't have 10 pounds of water weight (yet...). When I was pregnant with Oliver I was already so swollen at this point that I could barely bend my knees and I had to buy a pair of extra wide, slip on flats in a size up from my normal shoe size because not a single pair of my shoes fit my feet. That's how swollen I was! I could hardly recognize myself when I looked in the mirror. I am so, incredibly thankful that serious swelling hasn't begun yet and I'm daring to hope that I won't swell much at all this time. Fingers crossed!

With this pregnancy coming unexpectedly to us, I was afraid that I wouldn't be prepared or that I wouldn't feel the same "connection" I felt throughout my pregnancy with Oliver. I struggled for a little bit with the thought that I wouldn't have room in my heart for another baby when I was still so happy and content with my little family of 3. But, it's almost as if my heart has literally grown making room for this boy and he has already filled up that vacant space completely! It's hard to explain. All I know is that I already love him so much! I could never have imagined being capable of this much love towards my little family. 

Being pregnant a second time is really amazing! I have been able to truly enjoy being pregnant this time. Last time I was so nervous about the unknown, anxious for Oliver to come and I had absolutely NO idea what to expect out of motherhood. Those fears (along with the crazy amount of swelling I experienced and my horrible c-section experience) sort of blinded me from the pure beauty of pregnancy. This time I have been able to relax more, enjoy all the fun, little movements in my tummy and really bond with the baby. Plus, I have also been able to soak up these last few months with my Oliver before he has to share me! :) 

Austin will be home (HOORAY!!!) this weekend, I am due 3 weeks later, and with Christmas and New Year's in there I feel like this baby will be here before we know it! Wow! I guess I should probably consider packing a hospital bag sometime in there too... 

Maternity photo shoot (thanks to my wonderful friend, Silke Masullo- www.silke.zenfolio.com):

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks

36 weeks

36 weeks

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36 weeks

36 weeks

Silke Masullo Photography- www.silke.zenfolio.com