Tag / second trimester

by Meagan

23 weeks.

Spring has sprung, but you’d never know it in New York. We received another couple inches of snow yesterday, and I’m still piling on my winter gear. I joke with Jimmy that the weather better warm up soon or I’m moving to CA. I absolutely refuse to buy another coat, and mine are getting mighty tight. Below is a photo of Jackson Square during this morning’s walk to yoga. As much as I complain about the cold, it really was quite beautiful. The photo on the right Jimmy snapped on our way to Trader Joe’s this afternoon (my coat still zips – just barely!).

23weeks_duo

On Thursday I had a second anatomy scan. This time at my new hospital and they had the fancy 4D video equipment. It was really incredible to see our little girl move about in such great detail. She is definitely a squirmy little one. My favorite pic is of her pointing her index finger. Her knuckles are just so tiny and precious.

3D image from our 4D scan on Thursday.

3D image from our 4D scan on Thursday.

Here are a few more from the visit:

22weeks_4dscan_sidebyside

Sending lots of love for the week ahead.
Meagan & Jimmy

by Meagan

22 weeks.

I know I haven’t been the greatest about updating the blog, but it’s been for good reason. I’m two weeks into my new job and keeping plenty busy with the new schedule. I’m loving the company and my team, and it feels great to be back in the swing of things, contributing to something bigger than my latest knitting project ;-). The hardest part so far has been the general tiredness (especially in the afternoon), and the feeling that I’m operating with about 1/3 of my usual brain power. But alas, millions of women work while pregnant so I can’t complain.

22 weeks and counting!

22 weeks and counting!

This isn’t the greatest bumpie photo but I can tell our little one is getting bigger every day. Her movements have become more fluid and graceful. I like to refer to her as my little lava lamp, as that’s what it feels like when she shifts from one side of the womb to the other. I’ve also noticed she gets the hiccups at least a few times a day. Jimmy had the pleasure of seeing them in action last night during our date night marathon of House of Cards.

Later this week I have another detailed anatomy scan. I’ve switched Dr’s so that I can deliver at NYU Langone – a Baby Friendly hospital in Manhattan. I’m feeling great about the decision to switch from Mount Sinai (not a Baby Friendly hospital) and really like my new Ob/Gyn. She has one of the lowest C-Section rates in the city and is a stickler for weight gain (she recommends 20-25 pounds at most). While I know this will be tough to achieve (especially during Girl Scout cookie season), I’m trying my hardest to stay within the range. Thankfully we’re finally seeing signs of spring in the city, so walking to and from work and yoga should help burn a few extra calories!

That’s all from me for now. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend!
Xo, Meagan

by Meagan

Midpoints & New Beginnings.

It’s hard to believe, but I’m officially at the midpoint of pregnancy: 20 weeks. I keep hearing that time slows down as you near your due date, but with spring on the horizon, and so many big things coming the next few months, I feel like it will just fly by.

I’m still feeling great, holding steady with around 12 pounds gained, and I have continued my yoga practice with 3 prenatal classes each week. I really can’t recommend prenatal yoga enough. It’s been wonderful getting to know a diverse group of other pregnant women, and learning new poses and chants to help with laboring.

My energy will be put to the test this week when I begin my new job on Monday. I’m excited to be joining an ed/tech company called Teachers Pay Teachers as the Vice President of Communications. TpT is a marketplace for educators to buy and sell learning materials and has around 3.5 million active users (mostly K-12 public school teachers). Education is something that affects every person on the planet, and I can’t wait to get started and help share the stories of those shaping future generations. That said, it has been a few months since I’ve had to go to an office every day, so it will certainly be an adjustment 😉

20 week bumpie!

20 week bumpie!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and first week of March!

Meagan

by Meagan

Gender Reveal: It’s a…

It's a girl!

…Girl!

We’re over the moon the share that our little one is a GIRL!! We would have been thrilled either way, but I must admit I’m absolutely tickled pink that it’s a girl. The thought of seeing Jimmy with his little princess just melts my heart, and I can’t wait to dress her in all things delicate and pretty.

My best friend Emily came with me to the ultrasound and despite requests from the technician not to scream, we squealed with delight at the reveal. Jimmy was still in Amsterdam so we live updated him via text as it happened. While I was sad not to have him there, it was wonderful to share this with my best friend. It was a day I will never forget.

Below are a few of the ultrasound scans from the visit. I just love the one of her little foot. So precious.

Our baby girl. GA: 19 weeks.

Our baby girl. GA: 19 weeks.

BabyMJ_18weeks-FOOTedit

Her tiny little foot.

BabyMJ_18weeks-GIRLedit

I confess, I have no idea what they’re pointing at here but I’ll take their word for it. It’s a girl!

by Meagan

19 weeks.

Another week, another bumpie! Here I am at 19 weeks. According to my latest ultrasound, our little one is weighing in around 9oz. I’m keeping active with prenatal yoga and walking as much as possible (which isn’t easy in sub-zero temps!). So far I’ve gained about 11 pounds – plenty for this stage in pregnancy.

19weeks_sidebyside

19 weeks!

Jimmy returns from Amsterdam tonight. I’m very excited to have him home to cook with, walk with, and of course, take bumpies now that I’m actually showing 🙂

Hope you are all staying warm and have a wonderful weekend.
Sending lots of love,
Meagan

by Meagan

Mid-Week Bumpie.

With just a few days to go until we’re 17 weeks, I thought I’d share a quick impromptu bumpie. Still not recognizably pregnant with all my layers on but the baby is definitely growing!

16.5 Weeks.

16.5 Weeks.

With all the reading about pregnancy I’ve been doing, I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be feeling as well as I do. My energy is good, I feel healthy and mobile, and looking forward to the weeks ahead.

In case you missed it, the New Republic published this fantastic piece yesterday on the state of pregnancy leave in America. Did you know companies aren’t required to pay for a single day of leave after a woman gives birth? I was shocked to read this. In Holland women receive 16 weeks paid leave, so let’s do something to make that a reality in our country. It’s time we take care of working women. (If I do say so myself 🙂 )

by Meagan

16 weeks.

16 weeks!

16 weeks!

To celebrate our four months of pregnancy, Jimmy and I decided to have a little fun with a comparison bumpie. What do you think? I may be showing just a tad more than he is (wink, wink).

In case you want a closer look at my actual bump, here’s another:

IMG_0019_2

I’ve felt the baby move a couple of times this week, but no such luck getting Jimmy to feel it. Maybe this week…

Hope you’re all enjoying the weekend. We’re having a grand old time walking around Amsterdam. (Still keeping up the 10k steps per day!) Tonight we’re taking in a comedy show in the Jordaan. Fingers crossed we get picked on 🙂

Lots of love,
Meagan

Tip for expecting moms: Jbrand maternity jeans are the best!

by Meagan

14 weeks.

When I sent out an email to a group of close friends last week with a link to this blog, the one consistent response I received was “More Bumpies!” So here I am at 14 weeks:

14 weeks!

14 weeks!

And here’s a photo I snapped of Jimmy as I requested “more bumpies.” He’s been such a good sport about taking photo after photo until I’m happy with my hair, my bum and my bump! 🙂

Jimmy.

Jimmy, my love.

For some reason the bump feels smaller this week, but more solid. Last night I’m pretty certain I witnessed some movement just below my belly button. It looked like a little water ballon, shifting weight from one side to the other. Perhaps it was just fluid moving around, or some chemicals bubbling up, but it gave me a rush none-the-less.

This week was fairly uneventful with symptoms. I do feel like I’m getting some of my energy back, but I’m still waking up 2-3 times each night to pee (boy, I can’t wait until that part is over). Everyone says this trimester is the best, so I’m looking forward to taking a more visible belly out for long strolls around Amsterdam’s hundreds of cobblestone streets.

Lots of love to all of you.
Meagan