week 38

week 37

Whew.
We're getting closer.
And I'm ready.
I'm uncomfortable.
My lower back hurts.
I'm not sleeping well.
and I am ready to meet this sweet babe.

My appointments are weekly at this point and as of two weeks ago I was 1 cm dilated.
Please note: I was entirely too excited about this news. Probably because Round 1, I was 1 cm dilated 12 hours into labor.
Last week my doctor had just left for a delivery and the NP didn't check me.
So this week I am hoping for some more exciting news to make me believe that we're getting closer,
but I am also trying to keep my expectations in check...
That this baby, may indeed, not be prepared to meet us until 2016.

week 36

week 35

week 34

week 33

We're getting closer...
and that hospital tour we went on
brought back a lot of memories.

Some of the more real memories of this whole 'labor & delivery' thing.

But the closer we get,
the more memories I have of that little newborn stage that goes
so fast.

And in case I haven't mentioned it yet,
I think Baby #2 is a boy.

I called it wrong with Lauren and I could be mistaken again,
but I did recently pick up a little vintage airplane for the nursery...

Just in case.

week 32

week 31

week 30

We had an ultrasound last week and Baby McQuinn looks healthy and is weighing in at approximately 3.5 pounds.
Baby McQuinn is also measuring about a week and a half early.
This causes Mama McQuinn a little bit of anxiety.
But the Dr. doesn't seem too concerned,
so for now we focus on the to-do list we've got 10 weeks {maybe?} to complete.

Baby McQuinn also appears to be working on a head of hair.


This makes Mama McQuinn quite excited...

week 29

Week 26, 27, & 28 & the truth about the third trimester

Week 26


Week 27


Week 28


We've arrived to the third, and final, trimester.
And I look tired in this picture,
because I am.
I've starting doing some tossing and turning at night
and we moved our big girl to her new room...
so there's that.

I've talked to some moms lately about this whole second pregnancy thing
and a few people are speaking my language...
It's harder.

Please don't get me wrong,
I feel so blessed to be carrying another healthy baby
and adding another sweet darling to our family.

But...

My pregnancy with Lauren was pretty ideal.
I experienced very few symptoms,
and felt great the whole way through.
I also lived a completely different lifestyle.
I was in between Colombia and my parent's house
and had no toddler to chase, no floors to clean,
just a lot of time on my hands,
time to work out, read parenting books, and research all things baby.

This time is different.
I chase a toddler.
A lot.
Which takes up quite a bit of time,
and the cleaning of the floors, preparing dinner, and being a mom
seems to take up the rest.

Those symptoms I didn't have round one,
they're here.
I had the nausea.
I feel tired.
My back hurts.
and {gasp!}
varicose veins.
Seriously?

But, last night as I laid with my big girl in her new bed reading books,
I saw a little foot move it's way across my belly.
And there you have it.
Those amazing moments that make it all worth it.
The gift of carrying this baby is temporary
{and hopefully so are those varicose veins}
so for the next 11+ weeks,
I will cherish this gift,
this second and very different pregnancy.

Oh, by the way...
Go Royals.

week 25

week 24

Big sister got in on the fun this week...


Take notice of the color she is wearing.

Last year we let her choose to wear between Cyclone and Hawkeye gear...
so we did the same this year.

It's become a bit of a tradition.

So has Lauren choosing Iowa State...

week 23

Knoxville, Tennessee

week 22

week 21

week 20

week 19... again + an update

You read that right.



And if you're slightly confused, let me explain.

They moved my due date back again.

I guess if I am being completely technical, it was never 'officially' moved since I hadn't seen my doctor since the ultrasound at 13 weeks when the new due date originated. My next appointment fell around the July 4th holiday and he was out, so I saw a NP who told me only the doctor could officially change it, but that based on the ultrasound and the timing, he would likely change it.

Given that this situation occurred in my pregnancy with Lauren, I assumed I was good to go and put a 2015 baby on the calendar.

But he didn't change it.
It's still 2016.
January 2, 2016
He said he likes to go off of the original ultrasound and doesn't want to push it and have a premature baby.
While I am thankful for his precaution and focused on growing a healthy little baby, I was slightly concerned about moving the due date back when the baby measured a few days larger than my 'adjusted new' due date at the last ultrasound.

But we've got plenty of time to worry about delivery details in the future.

For now, I'm focused on this little mango,

who is actually the size of a banana.

week 19

Week 18