Experience Does Not Make All-Knowing

I am now 18 weeks along in my pregnancy and FINALLY over the daily nausea and yelling at the porcelain bowl.

I guess I thought being pregnant the second time would be a piece of cake. Everyone said I wouldn't be sick. Okay. I was just sick-er.

Everyone said I'd have bundles of energy during the second trimester, commonly known as the "honeymoon phase." I still require the same two hour nap with Isabella every day and 8:30pm can't get here quick enough.

There are, however, a few things different.

I am already feeling the Braxton Hicks. To most seasoned breeders, this would not come as a shock. It sure as heck did to me! I frantically emailed my sister about it (knowing she was already perched in front of the screen for the evening) and at the same time Googled all I could about this surprising turn of events. Seems that around 17 weeks, it is normal to feel the false contractions, as long as I get no more than 4 in an hour. So I lay in bed till about midnight, waiting as each hour passed to see if I felt any more than the two I'd felt three hours prior.

My back and hips ache sooner than with Bella. I've only gained 2 lbs, having puked off 7 lbs in the previous trimester, but I'm sporting a nice little soccer ball. It has always weirded me out, however, that when I lay flat, the soccer ball disappears and I'm not so sure it doesn't all slide to the back.

In all, I feel great, but it has been interesting to compare this pregnancy with my first one. I definitely don't have time to obsess about it every moment this time around. I even forget how many weeks along I am! For now, we're focused on May 24, when our little peapod will hopefully be in the mood to show his/her wares so the name game can narrow down a bit.