A complete overshare of my second pregzies.

Hiiii! My feeling at first was, I didn't need to write any pregnancy updates. I did those last time, and you'd much rather read about my fun little (current) baby bear, right?

But THEN I got to thinking: I don't want to scrap everything I did last time, just because this is baby No. 2 and I've been here before.

Maybe No. 2 wants to read about how I was feeling when I was pregnant with him/her, just like Ana might want to! Right? (No? That's OK, too).

I guess it'll be fun to look back on, either way. And I'm gonna try to be a solid mom for No. 2. No slacking just because I have an older child! ;)  (lol who's gonna hold me to that, once the baby arrives? Any takers?)

So, let's talk second pregzies! I'll be 28 weeks on Thursday, which I believe marks my third trimester by most standards! I can't even believe it.

You'll quickly learn, all my bump pics accidentally look the same.

With Analisa being a little, er, unplanned, I don't think we found out until I was like, 9-10 weeks along ... which made the pregnancy go by pretty fast. We learned we were expecting and then all of a sudden the first trimester was over.

This time around, I was tracking my period and pretty on top of things -- so, as soon as I was late, I was like, "IS THIS IT?!"  and then I told myself I wouldn't take a test until I was like, a week or so overdue. But my curiosity got the best of me, I peed on a stick, and voila, two pink lines magically appeared. By the way, this was like, right when I sat down for work one day in ... April? Early May? (I could look it up, but I'm too lazy). Anyway, I peed on the stick at like, 3:30p. I wanted to call James, but I also didn't want to break the big news over the phone, with him in a crowded newsroom. So I texted and asked if he could come home for dinner -- which isn't unheard of; he'll do it a few times a month. But on this particular night, he said he couldn't. I was dying to like, INSIST on it, but I also didn't want to be an alarmist or give myself up. So I figured I could wait. It was so hard!

Also, when I peed on a stick last time, as in, when I found out I was pregz with Ana, James was also at work. (I should probably wait till he's around, you know? Would make it way easier on everyone!)

Anyway, when he came home way later that night in 2015 and I finally broke the news, he was all, "You should have called me home! You could have made something up! This is major!" Haha, so I did have that memory in the back of my mind ... like, "Maybe he wants to be called home?" But he's also a manager now, and pretty much running the show nightside, and I felt like I gave it my best effort with no success. What else could I do?

So I capped my pee stick, set it on his dresser and waited very impatiently for 12:30a. (Much like last time).

Now, if someone were to set a pregnancy test on my dresser, I probably wouldn't notice for like, a month. I'm not very observant, and well, #clutter. But James walked right in and was like, "Hi! What's this? What does this mean? Are you saying we're pregnant?" And I was like, "Um, allegedly!"

:) :) :)

I swore to myself that I wouldn't share the news with A SOUL for a few weeks, but I cracked -- of course -- and told my mom the next time I saw her. Although, I did consider it a great success that we waited to tell our close friends in person (which happened at Natalie and Ed's fireworks show) and James' family in person (in July). I think sharing big news through third parties, texts, phone calls, etc. just ... isn't enough. If you can see and tell people in person, you should! Just my opinion, but I stand by it.

Oh, and I kind of wanted to confirm the pregnancy with my doctor too, before sharing with too many people. Here was the thing: If it's not your first pregz and you've been pregzies pretty recently, my doctor makes you wait until week 12 for your first office visit. I think I tested positive around week 5. So that made for a LONG haul of a wait, esp compared to last time! I was so anxious by the end.

And I mean, I understand on some level. The doctor's office sent me my scrip for prenatals, mailed me my list of do's/don'ts on what to eat and what meds are safe ... etc. What is an office visit really gonna do, beyond like, officially confirm my pregnancy? Not much. I knew the drill. (But still. A missed period wasn't enough! I'm a pretty non-symptomatic pregnant person. I don't get sick or "feel" pregnant, beyond like, the first trimester tireds. And I couldn't even tell if what I was experiencing was that, or if I was just tired from having a baby already). So needless to say, I got the policy, but still wanted to come in and see that tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound screen, for it to be REAL real.

Then we finally got to. And everything was perfect!

Look at that wave!

What else ... I'll answer some of the questions we've been getting.

I will be returning to work this time around.

So, last time I was pregz, James got this awesome offer out in Michigan, we wanted to be closer to family anyway, and I had to quit my job at VSP once I learned they weren't exactly into the whole work from home/or remotely thing. Super sad! I had finally made my way out of news, which is like, the gold standard, and then I had to quit my dream job. Still mourning it! Butttt Michigan. :)  This is where my heart is. Moving here was like, the only way I could justify all the changes. And it's been great. No regrets, seriously. I think I've mentioned like 17 times: I could never have been a successful mom without the help of my own family, or specifically, my mom.

Anyway, as most of you probably know, I'm now back in news, the move comes with its own set of ups and downs, and we'll save that convo for another day; BUT my job with Graham is flexible af and it's easily the best part.

It's the reason I've hung out a year already, and the reason I won't jeopardize my position or throw in the towel. Honestly, I can't even tell you how amazing my current position is. I do half my workday when Ana is sleeping for the night, Wednesdays-Thursdays are kind of on my own schedule and I can just write about topics that I wanna write about. I don't go into Detroit often and my bosses + coworkers are extremely flexible and supportive. Granted, I work occasional Sundays and holidays are all on the table again, but that's the trade-off, I suppose. So yeah. There will be no taking 10 months off this time, which leaves me with mixed emotions. But I'll take the max amount of time off (even without pay) and hopefully, things will fall into place over time. We haven't really worked out logistics when it comes to what our new day-to-day will look like, but we'll definitely be keeping our sitters in place, if possible, and my thought is that I'll be with new baby upstairs while the sitters run around with Ana. New babies are pretty easy -- at least, Ana was. She just kind of ate and slept a lot. I could even write stories with new baby on the playmat next to me, if new babe is like Anz. Or I could hand both babies off to the sitter if I absolutely needed to, but again, who knows. It feels more feasible if I have one kid and the sitter has the other. I do worry about Ana feeling left out if I'm upstairs with the baby all afternoon, but she genuinely loves Emily and Sarah. And Ana and I can still play all morning. I'm confident James and I will find plenty of ways to make sure she's never left out. That's a huge priority in our book. Oh, and if anything, I feel LESS nervous about like, the time when I have to check back in for work, when the baby's what, 3-4 months? And MORE nervous about when we have two toddler bears running around. But who knows. Maybe one day, one of us can go dayside or something. I'm not going to worry about things that are like, a year or farther away.

All dressed up for a day at the office (rare)

The sex

We aren't finding out! (Also, it's SEX, you guys, as in, anatomy. Not gender -- that's a social construct).

Everyone wants to know what we'd prefer. I feel like it's super cliche to say "We're just hoping for a healthy baby!" but honestly, it's so true. I can see the positives on both sides: If she's a girl, well, I love girl names way more than boy names, so I feel more confident about our decision. She and Ana will have been born around the same time of year, so I'll get to re-use Anzie's ridiculously cute wardrobe. Also, SISTERS. I've always wanted a sister! With them being so close in age, I feel like sisters would be adorable. They'd grow up such friends! Fingers crossed, of course. Although ... that's not to say they wouldn't be close if it were a brother and a sister. I hate when people do all that, "When will you try for a son?" garbage, as if having one of each sex is what makes you a successful family.

It's true that having a boy would be a new experience. It would help the Ganley name live on a little longer. And although the clothes and names aren't as cute (#biased), I still feel like having a crazy little boy would be such a fun adventure. As for a hunch, I not-so-secretly suspect it's a boy. I don't know why, except I had several dreams early on that said so, and I definitely dreamed Ana was a girl in the early days of my last pregnancy. Who knows; I could be totally wrong. I will be delighted the moment that a new baby is thrust into my arms, regardless of what's between his or her legs.

"Does Ana know?" ... "Is she starting to understand?"

Um, in a word, no. We talk to her about it, and now that I've finally sprouted a bump, we're like, "Guess what's in Mommy's tummy!" Sometimes she'll even seem to get it for like, a day. She'll point at my stomach and say BABY. ... But then she'll point at James' stomach or strangers' stomachs and think that they're carrying babies, too. Last week she even lifted her own shirt and said, BABY. I was like, "ehmmmm, not quite."

I mean, and even if she does understand it on a very basic level, I definitely doubt she understands the gravity of the situation. Like, it's pretty crazy, even for James and me. More like SURREAL. I'm growing another human. One day after the holidays I will push said human out of my body and we'll bring him/her home and (s)he'll live with us forever (or until the age of 18, same diff). This will be your sibling and everything will change ...

And that's what makes me a touch weepy.

We'd always wanted to have babies close together in age, and this was all by design, for sure, but Ana and I are like, the two closest humans on the planet. OK, I should say the three of us are, because it's true. She is our absolute world, and it kills me when people suggest that we should take her on little lunch dates and make her feel important after the baby comes. Because sorry, and I realize people are well-intentioned, but like, DUH. Of course. It honestly keeps me up at night.

I never want her to feel, even for two seconds, like she's being replaced or put on the back-burner or ignored. And I realize toddler emotions and feelings are fragile, so I'm not sure how it's all going to pan out. But I do know a few things for certain. She is the happiest, most adaptable, easygoing and confident girl. I really do think she's well-adjusted and secure because of how we've raised her. I hate to take credit for too much, but she is just the best. And so loved -- and she knows it. I don't doubt that we could have hard days or weeks ahead, but what a gift: A sibling close in age. A mom and a dad who will still be around just as much, dedicated to loving two bears. They say love multiplies; it doesn't divide. It's hard for me to fathom loving another baby or human as much as I love James and Ana already, but I do believe it's possible! And I think Ana's going to be a really sweet big sister. In fact, I don't have any doubts about that.

My world.

My brother and I were relatively close growing up, but I feel like we didn't really get to be FRIENDS friends until we were older. We're four years/five grades apart, so it was just different. We didn't have the same friends, or go to the same school (with the exception of like, maybe one year at Oak Ridge). We were never really on the same level. He was kind of fun to dress up and stuff when he was first born, and I remember loving him. But all the people I know with a sibling really close in age, meaning like, 2-ish years, say it's the best. (Ana and No. 2 will be 2 years and 1 month apart).

And plus, although James and I have our moments where we're like, "WHAT are we getting ourselves into?" everyone keeps reminding us that the payoff will come sooner: When they can play! Also, we're knocking it out -- getting them through diapers faster, all the things like that. We don't want to be old parents, James is already four years older than I am, and I think someday we'll look back, and this will all be a distant memory. Like most things, you know? What's the worst that happens, we're tired? I mean, not to minimize, but I think this is completely survivable. I highly doubt Ana will end up on Intervention because she got a sibling too close in age.

What names are you thinking? Are you going to have more (kids) after this?

Not telling names. Also, I think it's kind of unbelievable how many people -- who we aren't even close to -- will ask shit like this. It's personal, you know? And I don't care *that much*, but I will say, on behalf of everyone else, this is not an acceptable question. We're likely playing it by ear, like we do everything, but like, here's a PSA not to be so invasive.

My symptoms

Like I said, if you can call two pregnancies a pattern, I'm pretty easy. I've never been sick, felt nauseated, etc.  And although that will make some people say, "Oh then you must be carrying another girl!" I kind of think that's bullshit. Easy pregnancies kind of run in my family. My mom was never sick, with me or Robby, nor were any of my aunts or anything. Thank youuuuu, genes!

I was kind of headachey early on, and I'm a headachey person in general, so that sucks when you can only take Tylenol. For real, if Tylenol isn't the worst product on the market, I'm not sure what is. INEFFECTIVE. Also I mentioned being tired. Gosh, the tiredness is real. I swear, I'd finish a shift and crawl directly in bed with all my clothes on and fall asleep. Once I couldn't keep my eyes open the final hour, and made it up the next day. Waking up with an Ana-bear and then working 9 hours leads to some longggggg days. But once the first trimester clears, the exhaustion usually lifts. Mine did at least -- both times. Jim said I could use him more, as in, he could wake up with Ana some extra mornings (we typically alternate who gets to sleep in a little longer), but I actually didn't take him up on it. On some level, we're all tired, you know?

Nearly 23 weeks. I honestly had not much to capture before this point.

I'm starting to feel BIG.

This is laughable to a lot of my friends and family, because I've probably only gained ... 10 pounds? But hear me out! Both pregnancies, I've lost weight before gaining, so this helps my bottom line. Also, of course I'm not dieting -- I'm just not that hungry early on. I just want to nom on *only* what sounds ideal in that moment (or scrap food and go to sleep). I'm not sick, as I mentioned, I just don't have my normal appetite and most meat sounds unappetizing.

So yeah, needless to say, that stage is over, I'm eating dessert probably too often and I'm finally getting weighed from the 150-mark on my doctor's old-ass scale. (You know what I mean? On the old-school scales, how the nurse has to pick a jumping-off point and then move the smaller bar from there? My goal is to NEVER measure from the 150-mark when I'm not pregnant ... but I suppose it's allowed when I'm with child).

I think I gained like, 25-30 pounds total last time. I'm on pace for the same, but who even knows.

Those belly measurements are bullshit (as we learned with the Anz) and although I'm only up 10-12 (I think; we don't own a scale and it's been two weeks), I still feel ginormous. I swear I'm bigger than I was last time at this point -- although they say that's normal with subsequent pregnancies. And I'm not really one to sweat it out over what I've gained ... I just know these are topics I'm asked about. James always teases me, like, "No one even knows you're pregnant. You just look like you've been hitting the heavy beers." Thanks boo! Which brings me to ...

Food cravings

One week early on, all I wanted were these homemade quesadillas: I'd grate a small pile of sharp cheddar, add some pulled chicken from the Crockpot (just prepared in salsa verde) and pile it between two corn tortillas. No hot sauce, sour cream, guac or any of the usual fixings -- just that.

Another week, Wendy's just sounded more delicious than usual. Spicy chicken sandwich, no fries, occasionally a Dr. Pepper (I'm not normally a pop drinker but the fizziness always seemed ideal).

Also, once on my way home to Royal Oak, I made myself pull over and get food because it had been so long and I felt I needed to eat (story of my life while pregz), so I chose Qdoba. Safe bet, right? Usually I kill for Qdoba nachos or a burrito bowl. So I ordered my usual and it just tasted ... off. I threw away my queso. WHO AM I? For shame, you guys.

But I also feel like you have to take me with a grain of salt here re: the cravings, because I'm always in the mood for something. No joke. James will leave it to me when it comes to like, what we should have for dinner -- takeout, going out or staying in -- and I'll think on it long and hard, pregnant or not, until I've come up with the perfect option. I swear I wake up, stretch, and start brainstorming breakfast and lunch options.

I won't call us foodies, because that's a gross term, but we're very much like, "If we're gonna eat stuff, it might as well be delicious af." So yeah. Safe to say, I get in food moods, so maybe this pregnancy thing is just me, having an excuse to eat all the things that sound the very best. I have no shame.

Low placenta

So, I mentioned this probably a few blogs ago and so many of you were supportive and mentioned your own LPP (low placenta probz). Honestly, I had no idea that this was a thing, so thank you!

The doctor said at first that perhaps it was because I wasn't showing -- as in, my uterus hadn't expanded much, which happens eventually and then that pushes your placenta up and into place. Does that make sense? I hope I'm explaining it correctly.

But then at our last appointment, he was like, "Maybe you just implanted low." So, shrugs? I didn't have this with Ana. Anyway, we're gonna check again at week like, 32? 34? I forget. My doctor said for most women, it moves up over time and not to fret. I don't think there's like, a worst-case scenario here. Baby is safe and sound. Also, this isn't placenta previa, which is when your placenta is covering your uterus. Mine is just low I guess, and not terribly uncommon.

Cutest big sis I've ever seen!

Lately I'm feeling...

-- Kicks! Big kicks. Lots of movement, just like with Ana. They started around 16 weeks, which was fun.

-- Emotional. I cried like, 3 minutes into This Is Us on Sunday (the night when James and I typically catch up on our DVR), and he was like, "The episode has barely started!" lololol. OH and then easily nine times last night on Dancing With the Stars. But you guys -- everyone had such sad stories!

-- Optimistic about nursing. Hey, just because it went kind of shitty the first time, doesn't mean I'm doomed to the same fate, says the latest stuff online that I'm reading. (Although, I'm also not above giving a bottle or supplementing. I think I've mentioned, but I just don't think I can commit to all the pumping all over again, if it comes to that). I will, however, keep water bottles and healthy snacks stashed all over the house. I'll be ready to go this time!

--Like the food rules are still BS. I definitely eat all the sushi, lunch meat, etc. (forbidden items).

-- A little sore. Round-ligament pain, you guys. Is real. Had it last time, have it again. YOUCH.

-- Happy about my maternity wardrobe. Did you guys see my Insta post about this? I feel like Katie, Jaquelyn and I should honestly go on a talk show and share our idea with the world. Here's what we did: I got pregz first (there was no race, btw), so when I was done with my maternity clothes -- I had probably spent like, $80-150 on quite a few pieces -- I sent a big box to Katie in DC. It was more shipping than I'd usually pay on a box to a friend, but this was valuable stuff, you know? My gift to her. When she was done (and she had done a little shopping herself), she threw together an even bigger box and added my stuff to it, and sent it all to Jaquelyn in LA. And then Jaq had her baby, I got re-pregnant, and Jaq mailed it all back to me, plus her own additions, kind of closing/completing the circle. OMG you guys. Worth it!

Jaq and Katie added such cute stuff to the collection. Also, I found FOUR large boxes on my doorstep one afternoon, guaranteeing I won't have to buy one single thing this time around. It's kind of funny too -- Katie and Jaquelyn are smaller humans than I; to the point where I was originally like, "their stuff will never fit me and this is silly." But that's not really been the case. Maternity smalls are pretty versatile, I've learned. There are only a handful of items that I've deemed impossible. Katie and Jaq are what, size 2? A good few inches shorter than me? Whereas I'm more of a 6, and 5'8. But somehow, it all works. It's like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Maternity Wardrobe. And I'm more than happy to ship it all to whomever gets pregnant next! IF someone wants to have another, that is.  :)

-- And if you can believe it, I'm a little more nervous about delivery than you'd expect. I think it's just because I remember how intense it all is. Whereas before, I was just like, fingers crossed, who knows?! ... Yeah. I know now. Granted, I dealt pretty well on my own. I just want it to go as swimmingly and I'm feeling like I need to prepare mentally again, like I did last time. Eeeeeek.

K, was this excessive enough? ;)