Being pregnant a second time is such a blessing, and also such a different experience than it was the first time.
On one hand, it feels very much the same. This pregnancy has progressed exactly the same as my first pregnancy. This baby is jabbing my ribs on the right side and is giving me the same round ligament pain and also gave me the same first trimester troubles I remember so well from the first time around.
However, the entire experience feels different.
Clara loves to show me where “baby” is.
+ This time I am a stay-at-home-mom instead of an employee in the corporate world so what I do and think about all day is drastically different.
+ This time I’ve spent a lot of time on my feet, as opposed to last time when I was sitting at a desk all day.
+ This time when I sit on the couch to rest I’m attacked by a toddler who hates when I sit down, whereas last time I rested a lot.
+ This time I know (kind of) what to expect from labor and delivery, whereas last time I was very, very clueless even though I tried very hard to educate myself.
+ This time I feel my big belly at 30 weeks and don’t think it seems that big. However, then I see pictures of myself or look in the mirror and think “whoa, hey there baby!” It’s because I know that I’m going to get HUGE in the next few months. Last time I thought I was ‘big’ at like 20 weeks – oh how clueless I was.
+ This time I brought out my maternity clothes as soon as my ‘normal’ clothes started getting even a bit tight, instead of waiting until I absolutely needed to wear it because nothing else remotely fit.
+ This time I get much less special attention from Tim, whereas when I was pregnant the first time I was getting back rubs and foot massages… (hint hint if you’re reading this, husband o’ mine!)
Pink Blush Maternity makes such cute maternity clothes and I absolutely love this maternity jacket! I wear it everywhere. Seriously.
+ This time I can feel the baby move so much more, either because the baby is actually moving more often or possibly because of the position of the placenta. Either way, I love it and treasure it even more, because I know I will miss it soon.
+ This time I don’t need to spend time and energy figuring out the registry, whereas last time I spent hours and hours putting together a list of ‘needs’.
+ This time we aren’t doing a labor and delivery class, nor am I reading any and all things pregnancy related, as compared to last time when I couldn’t read or watch enough about birth. (It’s not that I’m less obsessed this time, it’s just that I still have the knowledge from before.)
+ This time I’m surrounded by other moms as a support network, whereas last time I felt isolated during my pregnancy.
+ This time I feel confident and optimistic instead of feeling anxious before every doctor’s appointment. Knowing that I successfully grew a human once before makes me feel like I can do it again.
+ This time I had to figure out winter maternity clothing options, whereas last time I could wear maxi dresses in my third trimester (it’s so much easier to be pregnant in the spring/summer).
+ This time I truly am loving each and every stage of the pregnancy (well, not the first trimester, there was nothing I embraced about that), because I know how fast it goes and I also know that I’m about to be very, very sleep deprived.
We’ll see what the third trimester brings, but so far I’m still comfortable and am feeling very calm and happy about this journey o’ pregnancy! Even though the second pregnancy isn’t as ‘magical’ as my first one was (because I know what to expect and haven’t been surprised by anything so far), it’s still a miraculous experience that I feel blessed to be able to enjoy.
Thanks to PinkBlush Maternity for providing the jacket pictured in this post! If you want to do a little shopping for yourself at PinkBlush (they have a great collection of clothing, both women’s and maternity), enter to win a $75 gift card!
10 weeks left until my due date, but let’s be honest, if Baby Beni is like his/her sister, it will be quite a bit longer!
I love me some Pink Blush! I can’t believe that you have only 10 weeks left!!!! And I love this comparison!
Well, let’s be honest, it’s probably going to be 12 weeks. So far I don’t actually mind that thought, but we’ll see how I’m doing at week 38!
I can’t decide if I would have hated going full term with Bensen or if I would have been so happy since I was wishing for it. I got fairly uncomfortable that last week (in comparison to my entire pregnancy), but I don’t know if that’s because I was very pregnant or if it’s because I was going to deliver at any moment. 37 1/2 weeks…. I’m going to be sure to plan for an early baby next time, and that will probably doom me to having my baby go full term 😉
I never had anything from pink blush with my first pregnancy, that coat is so cute! I love this look at the second pregnancy, helps me prepare myself a bit for the next one.
YES the second one is so sweet but in such a different way than the first – although I’m sure other moms feel differently!
What a cute coat!! Pink Blush has the BEST stuff- I’ve never ordered from them but I look at them weekly haha! 🙂
I KNOW. And they’re having a 50% off their clearance right now, so make sure you check them out! I was tempted to buy quite a few more things…
you are the CUTEST my dear! that coat is so fitting and so adorable on you! thanks for all the input about a 2nd pregnancy ordeal esp with a cute toddler. i’ll be sure to have you help me whenever my time comes again to talk me through it 😉 xo
It’s been rough but also so sweet at the same time! I really do love being pregnant in the second and third trimesters, but we’ll see how these last few months treat me! It’s definitely a whole different ballgame with a toddler in the mix!
That coat looks so darling on you! I LOVE Pink Blush– their maternity clothes are so stylish (and unique versus the standard maternity stores/options like Target where everyone shops)! And their non-maternity is equally awesome. $75 could pick up some really cute stuff for before, during and after the bump 🙂 Thanks for a great giveaway!
Thanks, Val! I totally agree that PinkBlush has some SUPER cute stuff that I would never be able to find at other stores. PLUS this coat was only priced at like $68, and I totally think I could wear it whether I’m pregnant or not.
Love this! It’s been crazy to experience the differences with the second pregnancy {I’m 28 weeks right now} vs the first! And I love pink blush – nearly every maternity piece I’ve purchased this time around is from there. 🙂
Wow, congrats to you, too! What are the main differences you’ve noticed with your second pregnancy?! I just read your last blog post and see you’re off to a babymoon soon – I’m so jealous!!