Mallory Update ~20 Weeks~

Breastfeeding:

I had a recent bout of Mastitis this week.  I started to feel uncomfortable Saturday and figured she just hadn't nursed in a while.  But then when she did it hurt.  A lot.  Something that hadn't happened before.  And then when I started to feel kind of icky over night I knew what was happening.  I had mastitis with Eleanor but didn't know what it was so I didn't get the antibiotics.  This time I wasn't going to do that so I called the on call and got antibiotics. I still felt mildly icky Sunday, and super full for a few days but pretty much better now.

I'm becoming more comfortable with nursing uncovered.  I did at the zoo and it was fine.  I tried to choose a quieter place, used the stroller on one side and turned my body. I didn't have a cover so I would have had to anyway, but it was fine.  

She's been nursing more this week.  I feel like it's been every 2-3 hours during the day. 

Sleep:

My best friend was in town this weekend.  We took the girls (well Eleanor) for ice cream.  Mallory was fussing and as I was loading her in the car Eleanor said to my friend:  "We have to go for a ride to get Mallory to sleep"  So clearly it's something we do occasionally. lol

The car isn't always a given though.  The last few times she's been in the car she's screamed.  Like stress me out screams.  Not just little whimpers.

I just don't know how to get her to sleep on her own. If she does sleep it's always in my arms. It's so hard to get anything done when I spend half my day trying to get her to sleep for only a brief time.

Misc:
Watching her interact with Eleanor melts my heart.  Eleanor is super protective of her, and Mallory really does smile when she sees her.

I pulled out the high chair for her this week.  She wasn't a huge fan of it yet, but it's nice to have her closer to us at the table.

Mallory's face!

Round 2: 20 weeks

Then 10 weeks to 20 weeks (bloat to baby bump)

And 20 weeks with Eleanor and 20 weeks with this baby. 

How far along:   20 weeks so halfway...

Baby Size:  A banana,


Weight:  Up 8lbs overall.  Sometimes it's more, sometimes less.  The weight is really creeping up there now.  I know it happens, but it's hard not to get a little anxious seeing it.

Symptoms:   

• Lots of abdominal achiness
• Hungry all the time.  
• Sciatic nerve pain.  After sitting on the floor for even short periods of time it hurts when I stand up.  It's generally not horrible, although today was/is worse, but it is there and has been for a week or so. 

Maternity Clothes:  Yes

Sleep:  3 hours a night good?

Cravings/Food Aversions:   I want the oreo's, ice cream, and junk food.  I buy fruit with grand ambitions of eating better but the oreo's tempt me so they win.

Belly Button:  In

Rings on or off: On

Gender:   At the anatomy scan when the tech was by the waist I thought I saw the three lines that would indicate girl, and my heart sank a little.  Not because I wasn't thrilled with a girl, but I didn't want to know.   
But then I thought I saw them again when she was by the heart.  She did tell us to look away when she was by the legs though if we didn't want to know.  
Then I saw the thumbnail image she saved and what looked like the legs and nothing was in between them that I could see, but it was a small image and maybe it was an arm.  I didn't know what I was looking at most of the time anyway so I guess I still don't know.

Name:  Yes to boy, maybe to girl. 

Movement:  Lots now.   

Stretch Marks: I haven't seen any new ones. 

Best moment: Seeing the baby again and having everything look good at the anatomy scan.  I wish we had gotten better pictures; these are it really.

It's arm wrapped around it's leg

Looking forward to:  Not baby related, but it's my birthday tomorrow (Um I'll be 30?) and we are going away (with Eleanor) for the night on Friday (although I'm nervous about this because she is a terrible sleeper when we aren't home) I'm still really hoping for a night away from Eleanor at some point (I've never been away from her for more than 10 hours) before the baby comes.  I'll will miss her, but I don't want the birth of the baby to be the first time I am away from her.  

Nervous about:  Seeing the baby again and feeling movement gave me this oh my word I'm really going to have a baby moment!


What I miss:  Not much this week.


Labor signs: Nope

Appointments:  October 7 (Eleanor's birthday; I made it this day because I was taking the day off work and it was easier than trying to leave work early a different day).

Misc.  I forgot to mention this last week, but we got our newborn photographer.  I messaged the girl I wanted and of course she was already booked.  Ugh!  So she gave me some recommendations and I found someone who was priced within my budget and who's work I liked. 

The Eleanor Update: 20 weeks

Sleep: I wrote about my lack of sleep, and totally forgot to mention anything about Eleanor.  Ooops.  Anyway I did write a post about her naps recently (read about it here).  Basically she only takes catnaps no matter what I do.

Over the weekend she did take some 40 minute naps on Saturday, and a 2+ hour nap on Sunday! On the flip side she doesn't go down as well at night.  Once she's finally down  (and from the first time she lays down she may wake up once or twice crying; a little shushing and rocking the rock n play works) but then she's out for 6-8 hours.

She usually nurses once overnight and is up between 7 and 8 for the day.

She's still in the rock n play.  I'm starting to get ready to move her, but at the same time I love having her near me.  I'm just reassured knowing I can look over at her and knows she's still breathing of something. 

Breastfeeding: I've noticed she's starting to go longer stretches.  Before it would be about every 2 hours, but know it's closer to 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

She's becoming very distracted when eating especially if Rob's around.  She will constantly pull off and stare at him. 

Misc:  Eleanor had her 4 month check up last week.  She was 75% for weight (just under 15lbs), 50% for height (24 1/4) and 75% for head.   She did great with her shots.  She cried initially, then I nursed her and she was fine.  She was chatty on the way home and I gave her tylenol and she was fine for the next few hours.  Then she cried for a while but really she did awesome!

She did pretty well at her 2 month so I'm not that surprised.

Her pediatrician was impressed with how well she was sitting up and her fine motor skills. 

Her pediatrician also asked if she was eating solids yet.  I'm waiting until 6 months and when I said so he was totally fine with that.  I know some push it a little more, but since she's clearly doing fine on just breast milk and she sleeps okay at night I don't see the need. 

I did put a little breast milk on a spoon and gave it to her and she was a little confused, but she's really interested in anything we have in our hands and are eating/drinking so I think she would be ready.

She started sticking out her tongue this weekend all the time.

20 weeks- 1/2 way done. Say What?

I'm halfway through this pregnancy.  Halfway! How did that happen? Mind blown.

How far along:  20 weeks

Baby Size:  Banana

Weight:  130.6.  2lbs this last week.  I blame it on cake & ice cream for Robs birthday.  I nee to get out and walk.  I'm up 4lbs in 3 weeks.  I think almost 8 total.

Symptoms:   Even though my stomach isn't that big yet, I'm starting to venture into the uncomfortable category.  It's more uncomfortable to sit forward then it's been, and I feel a lot of pressure in my lower stomach.

Maternity Clothes:  I don't even attempt my non maternity jeans. I have enough maternity ones that I was given or borrows.  I am still wearing some of my regular shirts.  I need to get some shorts or capri's or something for summer though.

Sleep:  I'm back to 2 hours being a good stretch at night.  I sleep with a regular pillow between my legs and I guess it's time to get out the pregnancy pillow.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  Cereal (especially fruit loops).  If I think about something for more than a few moments it will sound good.  Except for chicken.  That just doesn't sound good.
And caffeine free diet coke fountain pop with cherry flavoring.  That is always on my mind.

Belly Button: In

Rings on or off: On

Gender:  Girl!

Name:  Getting lots of pressure to share.  I'm terrible at secrets.  Although once we tell it we can't change it.  Not that we would anyway.   We almost shared on mother's day, but I didn't really want to.

Movement: Still sporadic and soft, but happening a little more often.  Rob felt her over the weekend. :)  She usually moves a little more if I drink ice water, so I drank some and just waited a moment, and it was a really soft movement, but Rob felt it.  It was pretty cool. 

Best moment:  Being halfway done. 

Looking forward to:  Viability in 4 weeks.

What I miss:  I am not a big drinker, but we were out for Rob's birthday on Friday and there were margaritas being drunk and I was jealous.


Labor signs: Nope

Appointments:  My 20 week appt was supposed to be this morning, but it got rescheduled with the nurse for Thursday. 

Misc.  I have 2 showers planned for August now.  My dad's side and my mom's side.  It get's to be to much to combine them; just to many people.  I'm getting excited about that.  We won't register for a while, at least not in-store.  I might start them online though.