Yesterday marked 35 weeks. You can read my first bump-date here and my second bump-date here!
This pregnancy has flown by, but these last days have really been crawling. No complaints, just wishing my body would sleep when the moon is out instead of just wanting to nap all day! I think at this time during my pregnancy with Harlow, I would have been fine if I have 30 more weeks to go. I have been blessed with a very easy pregnancy, but I’m feeling a bit more ready to be nearing that end-of-pregnancy mark.
Wondering if I’m still in shock about there being a boy in there? Answer is yes. We’ll get that out of the way. I am beyond excited….and still crazy surprised!
Nights have been my biggest struggle….I just don’t sleep. I never really had a problem sleeping during my pregnancy with Harls, but this time around it’s been pretty consistent. This little fact means that afternoon naps have been occurring all too often. I’m just not a good napper. I never really wake up from them, so it means the rest of my day is shot. Blah. I’m trying to push through the day and just get to bed earlier, but sometimes the sleep truck hits hard at 2-3pm….and I’m out until Harlow wakes up from her nap.
I’m ready for fall. So ready for fall.
I’m so emotional. Goodness it’s really quite ridiculous. The tears come out of nowhere and the dumbest commercials make me cry.
It hit me earlier this week that diapers and a lot of diaper changing will be occurring in this home very soon. We live in a very vertical house, and I decided to hear from others who have confront the same challenge in the newborn days. I received some amazing advice, and I’m leaning towards creating a changing basket that I load up each morning and night. It’ll be on the first floor throughout the day, most likely, and then in our bedroom at night. Since our laundry is on the second floor, I’m thinking of getting a small changing table or repurposing something we already have, to put near our laundry along with the diaper pail.
I’m sure this plan will change about 20 times before he arrives and about 57 times after he’s here.
I never really understood the whole “I’m carrying this baby differently” but I get it now. Harlow sat more on my back and hips (I think?) and I had a ton of sciatic nerve pain during weeks 30-40. I also had back labor all through my delivery…. YOUCH. This kiddo seems to be all out in front, so while I’ve had some weird nerve pain in my right leg, I’m hoping labor is not in my back quite as much…. I’m probably getting my hopes up and should quit dreaming right now, eh?
I’ve struggled a lot these past few weeks with the age gap between Harlow and her little brother. I’ve read so many articles about positives and negatives regarding all the various “age gaps,” but for some reason it has caused so much mama guilt and tears lately.
My sisters and I are all roughly 20-24 months apart, and I loved that. I don’t know anything different, so I come up with all sorts of fears (usually while I can’t sleep in the middle of the night). Their space wasn’t intentional, but it’s the space that we have and it’ll be perfect for us.
I really don’t know why I’m so emotional about it — maybe that’s normal for all age gaps? But I know I’ll look back on these thoughts when they are the best of friends and laugh at how anxious I was about how it all would play out.
I know we’ll have amazing days and terrible days and days that are just meh and blah and in between — and I look forward to all of it.
I’ve been wearing glasses a whole lot more these days — not sure if irritated eyes is a normal pregnancy thing, but they just feel dry and awful most of the time.
Maybe that goes along with that whole not a lot of sleep thing….
Harlow adores her brother already. She loves interacting with him and pretending her belly is as big as her mama’s. “Big belly!” she declares as she sticks out her gut and struts around.
Also? When did she turn into a maxi-skirt wearing teenager?
Hold me.
Happy Friday, loves! xo
Hey there! My boys are just about the same space apart that Harlow and your little man will be. We’d hoped our kiddos would be closer in age, but God had other plans. I’ve actually really enjoyed the gap because our oldest was a lot more self-sufficient when his brother came along. He learned to get dressed by himself and was a pretty good helper. I think Harlow will be awesome at that. I did have plenty of mama guilt in those first few weeks after our second was born that I wasn’t able to be the mama I wanted to be for our oldest, but I think that happens whatever the age gap. You’re doing great!
you just made me cry :) good tears — THANK YOU for your encouragement. It is seriously SO helpful. every family is so beautiful: all number of children and age gaps….and I”m sure we all struggle with those fears no matter what the gap. Helps so much to hear from someone who has a similar gap and already “been” there :)
xoxo!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful journey with all of us! LOVE the bump pictures. Do you use an app to add text? And where did you find that adorable black and white striped dress?
:) thanks, Jacqueline! It’s the “o baby” app! I love it :) And the dress is from Motherhood Maternity!!
My sisters and I have a wide age gap (from 7 to 17 years apart), which is difficult but I have a cousin who is just about 3 years younger than me that I consider to be like a sister. We have a good age difference where we can do our own thing, but still want to spend time together. It’ll work out!
that’s so wise — and I definitely see the benefit of each kid having a little “space” around them!
I think it’s wonderful your daughter is at an age where she actually understands what’s happening and she will be an awesome big sister. That’s one blessing in having some age space between siblings. ;) On a lighter note, your bump is absolutely adorable and I’m loving that grey maxi dress. You look fabulous! Praying these last few weeks bring you some much needed rest.
I can’t even handle how cute you guys are! That last picture! Oh my! XOXO!
That last photo — I can’t with the cuteness! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post. I’m totally with you on the insomnia (though mine isn’t from pregnancy), Pinterest and reading blogs are a godsend. Laying awake ticking thru my to do list, not so much. Hooray for you — five weeks to go!
my brother and I are 4 years apart and we were not close during our teen years. But as soon as I moved out for college we became very close and we were each others person when we needed someone to talk to :)
You make pregnancy look SO incredibly gorgeous!! You and Harlow sure are darling together! Where did you get that black and white striped dress?
thank you! You are too nice!! it’s from Motherhood Maternity!
That last pic- LOVE! You look fantastic.
thank YOU, love!! we SERIOUSLY need to get together next time i’m visiting my sister! it’s stupid silly how close I am to you when i’m there!
You are the cutest! My sister and I were 4 years apart and we are still super close. I think they will be close regardless of the age gap…especially since they are a boy and girl, I think that’s a special bond. :) Harlow will always be protective of her baby brother!
You are glowing… And you are all belly! Gosh, I am so excited for your family and for Harlow to meet the new baby. Don’t worry about the age difference at all, the amount that Harlow seems to love this baby boy already will only quadruple when he arrives! You are a rockstar, mama :) Praying you get some rest during the final stretch.
Hi Kacia,
Had to comment after reading your post. My little brother and I have the same age gap that Harlow and your baby boy will have. I’m now a 24 year old newlywed living in Pittsburgh and my baby bro is a college student in Cincinnati, OH and he’s one of my very best friends! We’ve always been really close and have loved being a few years apart in age. I learned so much responsibility by being a few years older than him — and I was actually able to help my parents take care of him from a young age. We have a special bond and I’m sure that yours will embrace the age gap, too.
By the way, I found you on Instagram & have been following your Instagram and blog since. You are an encouragement and I love your posts!
I think all sorts of age gaps can work just fine. My sister and I are nearly 8 years apart and we got along just fine. We are very close and the age gap can be useful to provide insights! My partner and his sister are just under 3 years apart in age and they got along just fine as well and still do! I’m sure your two babies will be just great, no matter what their age!