Parker and I are thrilled to be expecting baby #2! I realize that I am very lucky to be able to get pregnant and carry a baby for the second time. If you are reading this and in the midst of your own journey toward motherhood, please know that I am thinking about you and wish you the best.
The due date
This baby is due the first week of August and Lila will be just a few weeks shy of 3-years-old. This announcement post seems like yesterday but also like a lifetime ago! I truly haven’t wrapped my head around the idea of having another child in the house to take care of and love, it doesn’t seem real quite yet.
Here is what I am excited about:
- For Lila to be a big sister! We knew that we wanted Lila to have a sibling since we had her. She has a happy-go-lucky personality and is quite laid back so I hope her sibling will have a similar disposition.
- I have a feeling right now that this baby is going to be another girl. We will find out at the 20-week ultrasound (which is in about 6 weeks) if I am right! Although we would love to have a boy as well – I would just need some boy tips and to go shopping!
- Having another cute, squishy baby to love. If I am being honest, the newborn stage was very hard for me. I felt isolated and overwhelmed with a new, tiny baby. However, once Lila got to be about 4-6 months old things got easier and I really loved it!
- Coordinating sibling outfits! Enough said.
- To complete another nursery in our house. We have big plans for this baby’s room! We are going to attempt to do wainscoting on the walls and I have got my eye on a few key pieces of furniture I would like to incorporate. I am loving this cupboard/dresser from IKEA and this rug.
- I am planning on buying a hands-free pump this time around – there is no way that I can sit still for 20 minutes a day with a toddler running around! And I have heard really great things about a few of them, including this one. If you have one, please share in the comments what you like or dislike about it before I spend hundreds of dollars!
Here is what I am nervous about:
- The newborn sleepless nights. I seriously felt like I went a little crazy during the first few weeks of Lila’s life. However, Parker and I quickly learned that it works best if we switch off every other night so we are already prepared this time around with a schedule!
- Another labor and delivery. I had a tough experience with Lila and I am hoping to have this experience go smoother and more peaceful. I switched hospitals and doctors for this pregnancy so that I can have a fresh slate. I am really liking them so far, they have been so gentle and friendly which I really appreciate.
- Taking care of a toddler and a baby. Moms, please send me all of your siblings tips! I have no idea how you keep both happy. I would also love any advice on helping Lila with the adjustment of a baby in the house.
- A name. Lila is the only name that I have always loved, and now we’ve used it so we are officially at square one! I am honestly looking anywhere and everywhere for some inspiration!
Hoping the second time around will be easier
The blessing this time around is that it won’t be my first rodeo! I already do not feel as stressed or anxious as I did with Lila. I know what I am getting into and it won’t be my first time dealing with things like breastfeeding and newborn sponge baths.
This pregnancy has been a lot harder so far than Lila’s. I have been sick and nauseous and SO tired. However, now that I am through with the first trimester I am feeling much better. I have been taking the combo of a Unisom sleep tab at night with a B6 vitamin and it has really helped!
Thank you for all of the well wishes so far!
We published these pictures on social media with the poem:
“Roses are red, violets are blue, we are expecting baby #2!”
Lila LOVED the balloons for these photos which made it easy to have her smile. This process has been so fun and we are so grateful for another tiny spirit to join our family.
So I have 2 kids, and my first was a daughter, 2nd was a son. I do believe little girls love babies and that helps with the transition of bringing a new baby into the home. I hope your little girl just loves on the baby. Also, pregnancies get worse with each child but believe it or not deliveries are faster and usually smoother with each child. I really do think the transition from 0 to 1 is way harder then 1 to 2. That first baby completely changes your schedule, routine, life. Once your a mom, have a nap schedule in place, and you have that second child you just throw them into the already existing schedule. I was better at knowing to keep the baby up until it was the nap time, that way they napped at the same time (started this abt when Colin was 3 months).
It really isn’t as hard as you may think it will be.