Afton Marie

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I’ve recently broken out with a rash all over my arms and legs. The pictures don’t do it justice. I haven’t changed any detergents or soaps; haven’t done anything different. I’ve talked to my doctor and I’m now taking zyrtec and benedryl. I’ve been online researching what this could be, against my husbands approval (he’s a smart man. He knew I’d only freak out.) Could it be a reaction to all the ginger I’ve been having? Could it be a reaction to my prescription for my sinus infection (even though I’m finished taking it now)? I keep coming across these women that break out in a rash that eventually clears up after they deliver. It’s called PUPP, or something. Most of these women have this outbreak later in their pregnancy (7th or 8th month). All I keep thinking is “Please Lord, don’t let this be it. I can’t live like this for another 6 months!” I’d have no skin left! I’m pretty sure I’m going to have scars from just scratching for the week that I’ve had this (not to mention all my bruises (you can see some of them starting to form in the pictures) from scratching so hard. I’ve had to force myself to stop when my legs start bleeding.) The itch is so intense though, and it’s definitely worse at night. No burning after the scratching, thank goodness, just a drive-you-out-of-your-flipping-mind itch! I look like I have the chicken pox (I don’t), or like I should be quarantined for tests on my deadly contagious disease. I feel like I’ve been attacked by hundreds of mosquitos. And gross. Yes, I feel so incredibly gross. And I hope with every ounce of my being that this doesn’t spread to my face. Could you imagine?!?!

If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

Monday, December 19th, 2011

I’m so tired. So unbelievably tired.

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Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

I really feel like pregnancy symptoms are kicking in this week. This is so weird to be experiencing because I don’t remember feeling anything with Lakyn until I was almost 9 weeks (that’s when the “morning” sickness hit me like an 18-wheeler going 80 mph). Along with not having any energy every second of the day, I’ve been feeling extremely bloated lately.  I have to pee every 4.8 seconds and I haven’t really been sleeping all that well. Another thing that’s so weird for me is that I’m having cravings already. I only had a couple with Lakyn and they were later on in the pregnancy, but with this one I’m having them already. Sometimes they’re very specific, others they’re more generic. For instance, I was craving a philly cheesesteak from a local restaurant here, and now that I’m thinking about that amazing sandwich, I might have to go get me another one! Yesterday I wanted needed a sandwich from Mr. Goodcents because I was craving their bread. It’s been a while since I’ve had Goodcents so I thought this was a little funny. Thank goodness for my sweet husband going to get me one yesterday! I’m sure he thought my ravenous noises/actions and oohs and ahs of contentment while I ate said sandwich were just adorable! I’m just glad he didn’t have a camera handy. I’ve got ‘pregnant brain’ already; so forgetful. Also, going to be honest and tell you all that I’ve been experiencing some major mood swings. One minute I’m happy, next I’m angry, then I’m depressed. I hate it, and I feel so bad for my poor poor Husband. He’s such a trooper!

On top of all of that, it’s been eating me up that we haven’t told our families yet. With Lakyn, we drove to each of our parents’ houses (Topeka, and Hillsboro) and told them the day we found out! But we’ve got a grand plan to tell them at Christmas. Our Christmas celebrations with them just need to hurry up and get here! I’m getting really impatient. We’ve seen my parents twice since I’ve known we’re expecting, and we’re telling them on Christmas day. Brandon’s side of the family is getting together for New Year’s, so we’re going to tell them then. I found a really cute Big Sister shirt for Lakyn to wear on those days and we’re going to wait to see how long it takes family to notice. I’m guessing not long. They’re all pretty observant.

We’ve also seen friends since we’ve known and it’s been hard not to say anything as well. Especially when they ask you if you’re planning on having any more kids! (Terri!!!!!) We’re not sure when we’re going to let our friends know, but it will for sure be after our appointment on the 28th. That way we know exactly how far along I am and we’ll have a due date. My guess is Aug. 20. We’ll see how close I am!

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Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Could it be starting already? Since I’ve been pregnant I’ve had to start eating breakfast because I’m SO hungry when I wake up. I normally don’t eat breakfast (I haven’t for years) so I’ve been doing half a bagel with cream cheese and maybe some of the fruit Lakyn has for breakfast. If you know me, you know that I love cream cheese. Like LOVE-LOVE. Anytime I have to take a food dish anywhere, you can bet your bottom dollar that it’s going to have cream cheese in it! It’s how I roll. I am not ashamed. But this morning while my bagel was toasting, I opened the fridge to get the cream cheese and my stomach suddenly started churning. The thought of anything on my bagel this morning made me queasy. This morning I ate a plain bagel. Plain. Bleh. The feeling has come and gone a few times since then, but I’m left wondering if the morning sickness is starting already. I hope not. Of course, who hopes for morning sickness? I’m now sitting here remembering how it was with Lakyn. I was miserable. I started taking zofran around 15 weeks and had to take it every day until the day she was born. I’m hoping this one isn’t going to be a repeat.

Monday December 12, 2011

I went back and forth, back and forth about waiting until Christmas to tell Brandon. It’s killing me that I can’t talk with him about it, that I can’t just blurt it out and share the moment with him right at this second. So, yesterday I decided to tell him on the 16th. I decided this for a couple of reasons. 1) The 16th is Brandon and I’s 7 year anniversary. Crazy to think we started dating 7 years ago. So it would be special to tell him on this day to celebrate. 2) He leaves to go to Des Moines on Wednesday and gets home Friday evening. What a great gift to welcome him home! 3) I simply cannot wait until Christmas to tell him! So, that’s what I decided yesterday.

Today, though, I decided I’m telling him tonight. Yep, I should have known I wouldn’t be able to wait until Christmas. Plus, something tells me Brandon wouldn’t want me to wait to tell him anyway. He’ll probably still be annoyed I waited just these few days to tell him! Anyway, I took another test, wrapped it in a box and slapped a bow on it. It’s currently sitting under our tree and I can’t wait to have him open it tonight after we put Lakyn down for bed! It’s gonna be a good night, y’all!

Inside the box

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

I told B last night! I’m so glad I’m finally able to talk about this with him. I don’t know how I ever thought I’d be able to keep it from him until Christmas. I’m glad I took video of it, as now we’ll have that moment forever.

We finished eating dinner (downstairs on the couch, naturally!) and before he was getting up to go work on some ‘internets stuffs’, I pulled his gift out from under the tree and told him to open it, because I simply could not wait any longer. He kinda gave me a confused look, but obliged. Good boy! His reaction was priceless. It definitely took him a minute to realize what he was looking at, but then he asked, “seriously?” and there was some hugging and some kissing and some more hugging! We’re gonna have another baby! Yipeee!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

It’s been two weeks since we’ve started trying to conceive. I’ve been feeling extremely hungry lately. Extremely, folks. Like eating every little thing in sight. But surely it’s too soon to be experiencing that, right? Also, I’ve been having some crazy weird dreams. I never had those with Lakyn. Wait a minute, I don’t even know if I’m pregnant. Again, I keep telling myself its too soon to be experiencing these things. In a few days I’m going to take a test. Part of me is excited, the other part is really nervous. What if I am pregnant? Are we ready for two? What if I’m not? We didn’t have trouble conceiving with Lakyn, will we this time? All the worries come flooding in and I can’t shut my brain off. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight.

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Saturday December 10th, 2011

I took a test this morning, without Brandon knowing, and it came back POSITIVE! There it was, ‘Pregnant’ on the screen!!!!! I stood and stared at the darn thing for a couple minutes. I was in shock. I smiled at myself in the mirror. We did it! Brandon and I did it! Another baby! Two. Two…..two. Oh God, two! I totally started to panic, by myself in the bathroom. Can we handle two? Will I be able to be a good mother to both of our kids? Will Lakyn still feel loved with a newborn around? Our lives are now forever changing. Are we ready? But then I took a second to breathe, and my hand instantly went to my stomach. I teared up a little. We’re going to have another baby! Lakyn’s going to be a big sister! She’s going to have a best friend for life! I then started doing my happy dance, right there in the bathroom. It was awesome, believe me.

Also, in the craziness of that moment, with the million thoughts racing in my head, I decided to wait until Christmas to tell Brandon. What a wonderful gift to give him! I’m so excited!

Guess what?! If you haven’t heard by now, we’re pregnant! Baby #2 is due August 21 and it could not get here fast enough! I’m so anxious to meet this little one, and to see Lakyn in her new role of big sister.

We’re going to be a family of four! Squeee!

Obviously, I’m posting after we found out (I’m currently 12 weeks), but I’ve been documenting all along. For your reading pleasure, I’m going to post those updates as well. But be forewarned, they’re just a bunch of my ramblings!

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