baby #2 at 37 weeks!
It is so, so crazy to me that we are in the home stretch! I mean, like really in the home stretch. I could have this baby any day now. Get ready for some wordy rambles!
So. I’m not ready at all, so I’m secretly hoping that I have two-ish more weeks or so. I have some more work to do to prepare, more things I want to do in our house and I also would like a full day (or, um, four!) to snuggle the heck out of Max as my only babe. But I also know that every thing that reeeeeally needs done is almost done. So we’re good.
Another thing – I barely have taken any pictures! This is totally a recycled picture that my friend Erin took for an article we shot for the Kitchn a few weeks ago.
I’ve been feeling really good – normal, all that jazz. I am pretty exhausted at the end of the day but I spend most of the day on my feet so come 9PM, I basically want to collapse! But I’ve been on my feet for my entire pregnancy so I’m not worried about that. I think it helps keep me distracted like it did while pregnant with Max.
One crazy thing that I’ve been feeling lately (well, honestly, like the last two months) is this weird, intense anxiety about the labor and birth. If you read my pregnancy posts with Max, you may know that I was so terrified of childbirth my entire life but once I was pregnant, I was more relaxed about it. Um, this time? NOT AT ALL. I am so, so worked up about it for some reason. It’s like this constant anxiety I feel every day. I am so scared of the pain. Like WHY?! My mom thinks I’m crazy – heck, even the doctor and nurse looked at me like I was crazy when I told them. They are all like YOU JUST DID THIS NOT SO LONG AGO AND IT WAS GREAT!
Yeah yeah, I know. Ooooomph.
I think it’s just the place that I’m putting my stress and worry. About another big change and new normal. Worry about getting everything done I want to get done before the baby comes, worry about managing two kids and a full-time career. Eeeeep! Worry about the labor going too fast and having the baby in the car (seriously I’m going immediately this time). Worry about getting Max taken care of so we can get to the hospital in time.
I’ve always been a huuuuge horrible worrier but this is, like, over the top. It’s so weird. I was not this way the first time around!
Funnily enough, Eddie is also sort of in the same “OMG we’re about to have a newborn and therefore we will not be able to do anything ever again” mode, because he told me he was looking up tickets for breakfast with Santa in December. I just about died. This is coming from the person who gets us tickets THE MORNING OF the event usually. I know what he means though – it’s like we put all this pressure on ourselves because it feels like the first few weeks/months/YEARS? (ha) will be nuts.
And they will!
But at the same time, in another weird way, I’m more relaxed about that because I have nearly three months of my own work done and plan on taking a lot of time to snuggle the heck out of both kids. And do lots of fun things in these late fall and early winter months. I’ve been working so much lately that once the baby IS here, Max will probably feel like I’m around all the time compared to how it’s been lately!
Some extra things!
A bunch of you have asked what freezer meals I’m making this time around. You can find the freezer meals I made here for when I was pregnant with Max, and then an update here on what we really liked and didn’t like.
Honestly… I’m not really making any. I don’t have as much time as I did then, and I know that we will be up and about more quickly since I have a toddler running around. It’s also a different time of year (more fall than the dead of winter) and there are still a bunch of our favorite (super easy) recipes I want to cook! Next week, I may throw a few things in the freezer (meatballs? Pulled pork? Veg lasagna?) if I get the itch, but the only thing I’m really planning on doing is making my favorite lactation cookies. You know, PRIORITIES.
I’ve also received a bunch of questions about strollers and car seats! You know my all-time favorite car seat and stroller system was the Orbit Baby. It was amazing. But they discontinued the products, shut down and then all of their products were recalled (for using some flame retardants and carcinogens, etc?), so we were like… ugh, okay, done with that.
I got the Nuna Pipa car seat because my sister-in-law loves it and I’ve seen it in action a few times with my niece. It’s super light and easy to install. I also wanted a double stroller ASAP that I could snap the car seat into but also have a seat for Max, so I went with the Uppababy Vista after watching a million reviews on double strollers. The Nuna snaps in perfectly and Max loves the rumble seat (like he wants me to be using “HIS NEW STROLLER!” already) so I think it will be great for our walks and trips out of the house. We often frequent the mall with my mom for a good six to eight hours so we need some comfort!
My first choice was the City Mini GT Double, which I still want. But I already had the Nuna car seat and it doesn’t work in that stroller as of 2017. So later next year, that stroller might be one we purchase so we can do the side-by-side rides. We also have a single Uppababy G Luxe umbrella stroller that we LOVE, and I know they make a double of that, so it’s a possibility too.
As of right now, I’m planning on using the Bassinest again because it was theeeee BEST purchase I made right before having Max (like days before) – and was my favorite thing ever. I grabbed a new mattress and sheet for it, but otherwise ours is still in perfect condition.
And that’s really it! Max is so excited but I still don’t know if he really “gets” it. I’m pretty sure once the baby is here he will still say he wants to “cuddle the baby” and kiss my belly and what not. Like he knows but he has nooo idea what is to come. Also, every day he changes his mind and says he is having a brother and a sister, depending on who asks, when you ask, etc. His names still range from Pink to Orange to Yellow. Hehehehe.
I am still feeling a little more pull towards thinking it’s a boy, but not as 100% as I was with Max. I can’t wait to find out!! Hard to believe that in the next few weeks, we will be snuggling the heck out of a newborn again. I can’t even wait. xo
35 Comments on “baby #2 at 37 weeks!”
Oh my goodness! I’m with you on the anxiety part. I’m due with my second around Christmas. I’m thinking it’s partly knowing what labor feels like as well that brings on the anxiety? I just panicked and hired a doula this week!
Good luck! Super excited to hear about your second experience and see what you’re having. You’re going to do great!
right!! i was looking it up and apparently it’s a real thing. so crazy!
I cannot believe the baby is coming so soon! I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately (isn’t it wild that you’ve created such a wonderful space on the internet that random people are so invested in your life?) and I’m so excited to find out if its a boy or a girl!! Giving me major anxiety that you’re keeping it a surprise, I cant even imagine! Max won’t be an only child anymore! <3
I agree 100%! Every morning, if you don’t post something by the time I look I’m totally like OMG JESSICA IS IN LABOR!
Or when she doesn’t post an instagram story in a while and I’m like OMG WHERE IS THE BABY IS IT TIME IS SHE IN LABOR?!?! Hahahah
hahaha you guys are so funny!! i know i’ve been so absent on insta stories but just because i’ve been so BUSY trying to prep everything for when the baby is here!
LOL all this made my morning! XO Invisible internet friends are the best hahaha
Better leave for the hospital asap! The second can be SO much faster. My first labor was about 12 hours, and my second was less than three from first contraction to birth. We were doing a home birth so I didn’t have to worry about getting to the hospital, but my midwife didn’t make it in time!
that’s what i said! i’m like OMG we’re leaving the minute i feel ANYTHING!
Cannot wait to hear baby news!!! We had our second girl, Naomi, 5.5 months ago. Our first, Isabel, was born about the same time as Max. It’s definitely an adjustment going to two, but it’s been SO SWEET seeing how much Isabel loves her new sister and all!
i love this! congrats! xoxo
We bough the Uppababy Vista too for our 2.5 yr old and 6 month old and I LOVE how flexible it is with changing the seating configurations, and once (if) my toddler decides he’s too old, it can look like a regular single stroller. Plus good resale value ;)
so glad to hear it!!! i really love it so far, even though i haven’t had two kids in it yet.
You look great in that photo!
Best of luck in the last weeks! I totally tried not to think about labor with all my kids. I get that nervous feeling 💯%. Please remember 2nd labors can be fast (statistically they are a woman’s fastest). If you are going to the hospital, be sure to give yourself enough time, just in case you have a precipitous L and D. Also, I was convinced my 4th would come around my due date like the others. Wrong. 2 weeks early (and in a scary situation too).
I do hope you can do a few fun and a few quieter things with Max. It is so nice to have that special one on one time!
Just call an ambulance if labor progressing to quickly. We got in the car and then had to pull over and call an ambulance! She was born on the way to the hospital! 😆 Good luck!
I’m due with my second now too! And my daughter is about the same age as your Max. Thanks for sharing you journey with me. I also have a lot of anxiety about getting to the hospital (my first was very fast!), what to do with my daughter, etc… I’m just taking deep breaths. LOL Except this baby hasn’t dropped yet and I can’t breath… Looking to make your cookies tomorrow. Today I filled the freezer with meatballs and shepard’s pie!
Wishing you an EASY, FAST labor! Can’t wait to meet my new baby!
You and I are literally days apart on our due dates. I just hit 37 weeks today and got the all clear. They went ahead and scheduled an induction if I don’t go on my own. I am with you on the anxiety of labor, This is my first child and I am in my upper 30’s so have no idea what to expect at all. I am about as OCD as it gets and very much a planner so the unknown is killing me. We also don’t know what we are having so its all gonna be one big surprise. Good luck with your delivery.
I sort of hope you have a girl. Just because I can imagine the cuteness overload. So sorry you’re feeling anxious. All will be fantastic and you will have a new little snuggle bug soon. Wishing you a safe, healthy and speedy delivery (but not TOO speedy!) Cannot wait to ‘meet’ your new little baby.
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I can’t believe how fast time has flown!!! So excited for you guys. And yes, I can totally imagine the anxiety. You’ll do amazing!!!!
I had wayyy more anxiety about labor and birth the second time around. I chalked it up to the fact that I really knew what I was getting myself into, having gone through it once before already. The only thing that helped me was just continuously telling myself that when the time came my body would take over and know what to do — and it totally did. (Oh and the second labor was wayyyyy shorter and easier than the first.) Also, I had terrible weird anxiety during both my pregnancies, which is super unlike me (I’m not really a worrier). In fact, it’s how I knew I was pregnant the second time way before I took a pregnancy test — I was so anxious all of a sudden about the strangest things!
Relax and enjoy. My youngest will be 12 soon and I miss those baby years.
I’m so excited for you guys! My first is a boy Max’s age and my second is a four month old girl. My little guy loves his sister so much, we always have to stop him from smushing her! Also, the City Mini GT is an amazing stroller! It’s big and heavy, but pushing it is such a smooth ride, it’s easier than some single strollers! Plus it reclines all the way back, so you can really use it for a little baby without the carseat insert. Enjoy these next few weeks with Max, and get excited for your heart to grow when you add a new one to the family! (Oh, and an amazing tip – video the moment Max meets his new baby brother or sister. My son was absolutely hilarious. He saw his sister and said “Little baby? She has toes!” And he ran to make sure she had toes and hug her. It was the sweetest thing I ever saw. Good luck!
I too check insta each day hoping to see a babe! But no hurry! :P
My first is just a couple weeks younger than Max, and I had my second in June. I’m so excited for you guys!
Also, just to throw a wrench in the “second births are so fast” conventional wisdom, that was NOT the case for me. My first labor was 48 hours…my second was 60. SIXTY. UGH. So I’m pretty darn jealous of you “I’m worried we won’t get to the hospital in time” types, lol!
I hope you have a fantastic birth experience! Can’t wait to see pics of your new little beauty!
Jessica,
I just wanted to say I love reading this update because I am also 37 weeks with my 2nd as a full-time attorney, I can relate to every bit of what you are going through (I am also having extreme anxiety about labor itself- maybe because now we KNOW how much pain we went through the first time?!). Anyway- good luck and congrats and thank you for your wonderful and inspiring blog. It is a wonderful distraction from my desk job every day:)
Renee
You can do this!! I just had my second baby 3 weeks ago and experienced a lot of the same anxieties you described. My first born was in the NICU for a week and I was convinced it would happen again with the second. It didn’t. The hardest part of the whole thing was putting the memories of the first time out of my mind. When I got to the hospital this time to get checked in, I had slight high blood pressure. I’m convinced now it was just my body and mind’s response to the realization that “oh crap, it’s happening again….I have to push a baby out!!” Once I calmed down, the delivery was straight forward and my sweet baby boy was healthy and stayed in the room with us: such a dream come true after our first experience. So far, being an experienced mom has made this time around so much better, in my opinion. You can do this!! Best wishes!
I am due with my first November 17 so right behind you!! You’re more patient than me to wait to find out the gender though. I absolutely couldn’t wait to know. Not that I cared that much either way but the suspense was killing me!
I’m planning on doing some freezer meals too here in the next few weeks so running across your recommendations now is PERFECT timing! Thanks so much for the update posts. I love hearing from other mamas to be. You’re going to do awesome and be a great mom to both babes! Hang in there lady!
hi!! congratulations on upcoming baby #2! I am expecting my first baby (in four weeks!!!!!) and I LOVE reading through your recaps of your first days with Max. I have to say, your enthusiasm for being a parent is so refreshing–I swear sometimes on the internet all you hear is how hard it, just the hard stuff, not always the good stuff!
After your review of the Halo Bassinest, and many more positive ones, I’m definitely going with that for my baby–but I was wondering, where did Max sleep after he outgrew the bassinet? I know some people transition their baby to cribs but I’m not sure if I’ll want my little one out of my room at that point!
i know i wrote about it in one of my baby updates, but i can’t find it!! i didn’t want him out of our room either (and he didn’t sleep through the night for a looooong time and i was lazy and didn’t want to walk into another room) so i got this bloom crib! https://www.albeebaby.com/bloom-alma-mini-urban-crib-coconut-white.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=googlepla&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MDPBRAFEiwAppdF9M3OVoNqTVf9iiyWG-0eQ9kYxdIfy_WlW9LY-6AuKGjCLznGoasYkRoCNLoQAvD_BwE
it says it can be used until 12 months – i don’t know about that because max started walking before, but it lasted us a really long time after the bassinest! congrats to you!! :)
My boys are 19 months apart (my husband and I both work full-time, it’s doable and much easier than I thought it would be!) and we recently – youngest was 6 months – bought a BOB duallie. It’s incredible. We had/have the City Select Double which is excellent for a tandem, and y’all are covered with the Vista. But for a side-by-side, the BOB is wonderful. I can push/steer it with one hand with both kids in it. We use it for walks, festivals, the beach, etc. Just a thought! Congrats, and I promise it seems daunting with two, but I thought it was easier than just one!
Hi Jessica! I’ve read your blog for years and now that we have a baby too, I am enjoying rereading all your baby posts! Anyway, just wanted to chime in with what helped me overcome my fear of childbirth/pain. Before getting pregnant I was absolutely terrified and thought we’d have to adopt or maybe a scheduled csection where I was knocked out completely. I did a 180 and researched the process of birth like a crazy woman haha. Having a better understanding of what was going on helped me feel better. Maybe I am a control freak 🤷♀️ Also, before he was born, I listened to a TON of positive birth stories. Mostly on ‘The Birth Hour’ podcast. I ended up mostly listening to ones that had a birth similar to how I hoped mine would go, even though I totally get preparing for a variety of situations. I didn’t make a birth plan, but my husband and I talked about what we would (try to) do if certain situations arose. Again, control freak haha. (And of course that’s barring any medical emergency.) I also ended up using a doula, which I felt was really helpful! And when it got tough, I thought of all the women I knew who had done it (I was especially thinking of ones who went without pain meds, since that was the route I had chosen, and if I remember right, the route you unintentionally chose!) and also all the moms around the world who were also laboring at that moment. Made me feel like I could do it.💪🏼 Obviously you’ve already gone through it once so you know what to expect! :)
I also had a very fast first labor – 3.5 hours – so I’m kinda worried the next one will be born in like an hour lol.
Mostly though I just wanted to tell you I’m super excited for your adorable family. Remember you’ll be holding that sweet baby at the end of it, however it goes. 💕
Oh wow Jess, I just wish for you a safe delivery and a healthy and happy baby! Thank you for sharing with us! And how is Max so adorable!! I think his baby-naming skills are spot on! So excited for you and Eddie and your Scorpio baby!!!
Look at that tall boy!!! I was just planning to sit down and soak up this post (I’m a creeper but I just love all your words about mama-hood and pregnancy and all of it!) when I saw the incredible news. I can’t wait to hear all about Emilia’s first few days. So so so thrilled for you guys, Jess!!!!
I am so so happy for you guys!!! She is perfect :) I hope you have the best few months cuddling both her and Max and enjoying some time off. It will be a perfect Christmas! In the meantime, time for me to get to making some freezer recipes – so glad you have a link with ideas!! xoxo
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