This Pregnancy

I was thinking about the differences between this pregnancy and my last. In fact, someone asked me how different the two were to guess if this one would be a boy (different symptoms) or a girl (the same).


With Marlie:

• It's a girl! I knew that Marlie was a girl! I just knew. We didn't find out in the ultra sound, but I knew anyway.
• More energy. I exercised a lot more and worked until I was almost 7 months along so that probably helped.
• No acne! My face completely cleared up with the last pregnancy. So nice.
• Stopped shedding. I lost very little hair (something I've always done). After she was born though, I made up for what I didn't loose the previous 9 months.
• Little belly. Most told me that I barely looked pregnant. My "sister-in-law-in-law" (or sister in law's sister) joked that the baby could stand up inside their king-sized suite! Being tall has that effect I guess.
• Very, very little morning sickness. I got off really easy. A cracker or two would usually ease an nausea I had.
• Cravings. I craved strawberry milkshakes! A lot. And then at the end I loved anything fried or fatty. Mostly onion rings and bacon! Mmmm...
• Stubborn ultra sounds. She never cooperated!

Baby #2:

• No clue on the gender. I really felt like I was loosing my mo-jo, but I have gone back and forth with this one... first it's a girl, then maybe it's a boy. But looking at the last ultra sound, I'm thinking girl again...
• A lot less energy. It's over 100 degrees outside and I live in a "calorie burner" neighborhood making it much more difficult to get out and exercise. Excuses, excuses. Chasing a two-year old doesn't help. Most days I'm exhausted by 10am.
• These days my complexion seems to be "normal" for me. Not too bad, not too great.
• Still shed lots of hair every shower and brushing.
• Instead of my belly poking out at 5 months, like before, I stated showing at 10 or 11 weeks. Most people tell me that I still barely look pregnant, but I look much bigger from my perspective!
• While I still wasn't puking, I felt much more nauseous all day long for a few weeks. So glad that is over! I questioned everyday why I was doing this and if it was even worth it. (I really have nothing on those poor women who puke all 9 months!)
• Not as many cravings so far. Every now and then I want a good apricot. I love apricots! The weirdest craving has been egg nog. Not just once but several times! I can hardly wait for egg nog to come back! And normally I'm not a huge egg nog fan.
• Yet another stubborn ultra sound baby. Hope this is not a sign of another stubborn child. Someone mentioned to me today that it could be another red head. "Oh gosh. I hope not!" Don't get me wrong - I love Marlie and everything about her (even her beautiful hair), but the red... it has deep roots!