Baby #2….Boy or girl we are thrilled Ava is going to be a big sister!!

Baby #2 is cooking away. On Monday I will be 15 weeks along and I am happy as can be to be OUT of THE FIRST TRIMESTER! It was a rough one and I can't tell if it's because life is just more crazy now than when I was pregnant with Ava or if this baby is going to give me a run for my money. Either way, the blissful second trimester is here and things are starting to look up! I still get nauseous in the morning and at night, but I am spared for most of the day, which is what matters the most.

I started to show a lot sooner this time, which made it really hard to hide it until 13 weeks when I could tell people. My belly seemed to pop out at 10 weeks (I know so early), but with baggy shirts I could still hide it. When I was pregnant with Ava I didn't start wearing maternity clothes until 16 or 17 weeks and even then I probably didn't need it yet, but wanted to wear it. This time is so different. I held off as long as I could, but realized being comfortable was more important and finally gave in at 13 1/2 weeks.

The doctor says she is confident this baby will stay in longer than Ava did. We are taking many precaustions this time around. As of now I can pretty much do whatever feels fine, but after 20 weeks she will most likely start to restrict my physical activity and lifting. At 18 weeks I will begin weekly progesterone shots that are proven to help woman who've had PPROM (water breaking early) in previous pregnancies. She seems confident that with the shots, being closely monitored, and taking it easy in the last trimester things should be good. We are PRAYING that this baby is able to make it full term. Everything that happened with Ava was challenging for all of us, but I know this time around it would be even harder. I watched moms balance their time between their kids at home and the NICU when we were there and it just broke my heart. There is no easy way to handle that situation. All we can really do is pray that whatever happens god gives us the strength to handle it!

Here are some belly and baby pictures. I want to try and capture this pregnancy just as I did Ava's, but the craziness of life with a toddler makes that a little more challenging.

Our little gummy bear at 11 weeks

12 1/2 weeks

10 weeks

12 weeks 

14 weeks 

We are hoping to find out in about a week if Ava will be getting a baby sister or brother. Everyone seems to think it is a boy, but I still think it's a girl. :)