Some people have been asking for a little update on how I’m feeling and how this pregnancy is going, so I thought a quick Young House Life check-in would be fun. The short answer is that I’m so excited about this little bun (as are John and of course Clara, who tells anyone who’ll listen that she’s going to be a big sister). Burger seems ambivalent at this point, but I’m sure when a kid with sticky crumb-dropping hands comes along he’ll be elated too.
It took me a long time to feel ready to carry a child again (more on that here), and it took us longer to get pregnant this time than it did last time, but over that span of time it feels like things have changed – in a slow but very sweet way. I’m a lot more at peace with the idea of being pregnant than I thought I might ever be (a few years ago that concept had me choking back anxiety-riddled tears). So when people ask me how I knew I was ready to try again after such a traumatic birth, the honest answer is really that over time my feelings of excitement and hope over-rode those feelings of terror and fear. They’re still there, but they’re not nearly as big and scary as they once were. So my advice would be to wait to see if the fear ever gets outweighed by joy, excitement, or hope and that might be a nice sign. It certainly didn’t happen overnight for me (Clara will be almost four when this kiddo comes along) but I’m finally in that place I hoped to be someday. I’m thrilled. I’m thankful. And I’m ready for this crazy ride, even if it might be nail-biting at times.
As for the physical stuff, I’m feeling kicks which instantly make me smile, and my energy level seems to be picking back up too, at least for the moment, which is really nice. According to the docs, who have a close eye on everything, the bun and I are both doing well, which is amazing and oh-so-comforting to hear. Honestly, just feeling a kick here and there makes me breathe a sigh of relief, so although I’m still dealing with some pretty annoying all-day sickness, I generally just feel thankful to be carrying a healthy bun. In the good news column of Barfyville, it’s not as severe as it was (without getting too graphic, I probably toss my cookies around 30% less than I did a few weeks ago, although I’m still running to the bathroom multiple times a day) so I feel like it might be slowly beginning to taper off. It ended at around 17 weeks with Clara, so although I’ve recently passed that mark, I’m hopeful that in another week or two it’ll just flip off like a switch, which is what happened last time around.
When it comes to finding out the sex, thanks to the office being closed for Thanksgiving, we have to wait another week, so we won’t find out until early December – but as soon as we do (and we tell our friends and family) we can’t wait to share the news with you guys and start thinking about nursery stuff! Oh man, just typing that makes me excited. I’m doing the same thing I did when I was pregnant with Clara, which is that I’ll see a date of something (like an expiration date on the milk or a date of when a movie comes out in a commercial) and if it’s after the ultrasound date in December my brain says “Wahoo! We should know what this bun is by then!” Of course this baby has already been notorious for not giving the techs a clear shot at things they need during ultrasounds (when they want measurements of certain areas I’ve had to do jumping jacks, roll back and forth, and run down the hall – sometimes even then only to hear “nope, didn’t work”). But we’ve never left without finally getting what we needed in the end, so I’m hopeful that the bun will cooperate and we’ll (eventually) get a clear shot.
So that’s about all the news I have for you guys. Thanks for asking how I’m feeling and offering various nausea tips (I’ve tried virtually all of them to no avail, but it was nice to have different suggestions to explore). And thanks for all the well wishes and the kind words about this pregnancy. It really is amazing to be carrying a little baby around in my belly, and when the doubt or fear creeps in it’s nice to be able to remind myself that so many people are out there sending such good thoughts our way.
Abby says
Have you tried cranberry juice? The cranberry cocktail, not the 100% cranberry. It worked for me in combination with saltines. Also, by baby #3, I found out that acid reflux was making me sick! Try some pepcid and if that doesn’t work, your doc can give you nexium. I hope you feel better soon! All day sickness is no fun- but so, so worth it!
Young House Life says
Yes, I have tried the cranberry juice thing! Didn’t work (even the pure stuff). But it’s yummy! Thanks for the other tips too!
xo
s
michelle says
Here is a tip/not tip. I was super barfey with both my kids. Nothing helped. The best thing to do is eat stuff that won’t be horrible coming back up (:
For me it was graham crackers instead of saltines and ginger ale.
Embrace the yuckies…they will be just a memory and think of all the wonderful ab exercises you get every day from heaving ;)
Young House Life says
Oh yes, I have a list of things I WILL NOT eat, just because of how gross they are coming back up! Haha!
xo
s
Liz E. says
Your whole family is so adorable. Can’t wait to hear what the bun is!
mads says
This trick worked for me: force your brain to think of chocolate, or your absolutely fav food, when you get nausea. poof nausea gone!
Young House Life says
Really?! I’ll have to try that!
xo
s
Erin says
I found your adorable blog in early 2010 and have so enjoyed your projects and decorating stories. Now I’m due with my first baby and was so excited when I realized that we are due around the same time, how fun! I have also been quite pukey the whole time until this week (19)..so hopefully your switch flips soon too! We find out on the 20th.. Here’s hoping both of our babies cooperate!
Young House Life says
Ahh! That’s so exciting Erin! Congrats on the end of the pukiness and on finding out before Thanksgiving! I’m so jealous!
xo
s
Mary says
Sending happy thoughts and best wishes to you and the whole family! My sister and I are just shy of four years apart. We both really enjoy the fact that because we are four grades apart we’re both seniors (she’s currently a senior in high school and I’m currently a senior in college). Being able to share my experiences with her is a great feeling. The four years means I’m still close enough in age to relate to her current experiences but far enough away that I can look back on them with some perspective. Clara will love being able to have a built in friend and someone to be able to take care of and help grow.
Young House Life says
I love hearing that Mary!
xo
s
Inês Figueiredo says
Congrats for the Bun!!I don’t want to be nosy, but aren’t you on medication for nausea?? i’m a doctor in Portugal and we medicate our pregnant ladies for the nausea with a combo of doxylamine/pyridoxine and it helps a lot. Just saying…
Young House Life says
I have tried a few medications and vitamin combos recommended by my docs but they didn’t do any good for me! I think it’s more like a reflex if that makes sense. What goes down, just sometimes comes back up. No matter what I eat or drink or try out (like meds/vitamins/ginger/accupressure/etc).
xo
s
Lindsay says
I’m sooo with you on the tapering off of all day sickness. I only feel miserable a few hours of every day now and people are shocked when I tell them I’m thrilled about it! It’s all about changes in the right direction, folks! :)
And I tell you, I’m now convinced that 35 is the magic age to get pregnant. I’m not old enough that the doctors are actually worried about risks, but insurance still pays for all the really cool tests – like the simple little blood test that gave me (among other more important things) the sex of my baby (GIRL!) two weeks ago, while I’m still about a week behind you I think! The wonders of modern medicine, I tell ya! We’re living in the future!
Young House Life says
Holy cow, you lucky dog! I’m so jealous that you know. And a little girl = so much fun! Oh man, I remember finding out Clara was a girl and just beaming for weeks. Congrats!
xo
s
Erika says
So fun to hear the update – and to know things are going so well! My last two boys (#3 & #4) were 4 years apart (#4 was a BIG surprise!) and they get along SO WELL. I knew the older one would love/adore/look after the younger one – and that the youngest would look up to his big brother – but what I didn’t expect was how well they actually PLAY together. They are true buddies – and I’m sure it will be the same way with Clara and the bun! Praying for you all the time!
Young House Life says
That’s so awesome to hear Erika! Thanks so much!
xo
s
rachael says
There are lots of people praying for you!! Worrying will not add one day to your life, so remember that for the next several months. We love you Petersiks!
Young House Life says
Thanks so much Rachael!
xo
s
Cherie says
Our birth experience with #1 was fine, but the infertility journey sucked. Our little man will be 4 in February and we’re just now ready to go through it again.He’s starting to tell people we’re going to give him a brother so we better get on it. :)
The only thing that kept me from tossing my cookies with him was those acupressure bands you wear on your wrists. They look ridiculous, but they totally helped.
Anyway, I love your blog and have been following since the early days. Super excited for you all and can’t wait for the big reveal. Hope you find relief soon.
Young House Life says
I tried those for a full week and didn’t have any difference. I really wanted them to work because I thought I looked like I was wearing sweat bands. Bringing back the eighties! Haha!
xo
s
Lela says
This post got me so excited to feel the baby move! We heard our first baby’s heartbeat for the first time this morning. It was so surreal and so amazing. I love hearing updates from you and I’m so happy to know that you’re feeling peaceful. Lots of things I’ve read say the baby feeds off of your emotions so good for you! :)
Young House Life says
Aw, congrats Lela! That makes me tear up every time!
xo
s
Annemie says
Didn’t notice the missing strip of wallpaper in the first photo until now! Eager to get that eyesore out of the way :D.
Glad to hear you and the bun are doing well!
I was just listening to a live version of a Jason Mraz song, and while he was talking I was thinking ‘He, he sounds like John from YHL!’ Quick Wikipedia search taught me that he’s also from Virginia. Mystery solved :)
Young House Life says
That’s hilarious! John’s voice twin has been found!
xo
s
Amy says
Sherry – so very excited for you! And so happy to hear that all is going well this pregnancy! I was constantly nauseated and tossed my cookies about half a dozen times a day well into the 6th month, so I empathize with you! I couldn’t find any tricks that helped to keep me from running to the ladies’ room either. I must say I am super impressed with you continuing to keep up your usual routine and completing DIY projects and tasks around the house. I just barely made it to work every day. At work, I scraped by doing the bare minimum (due to my multiple cookie-tossing interruptions). And after work was quickly met with a nap and early bedtime. You are doing awesome, mama :)
Young House Life says
Aw thanks Amy! I owe a lot of my productivity to John (he has been stepping up so much to help when I’m just too green to paint/cut/tile/etc) and also to the evenings (DIY has sort of always been a night-time event for us, so thankfully I feel better at night and can crank things out when my energy is up).
xo
s
Mary Cole says
Im so excited for you! Hope you feel better soon!
Kerry says
Yay for an update! Sorry the morning sickness hasn’t abated yet! When I was pregnant, I loved the ginger people ginger chews – http://gingerpeople.com/. Maybe those will help?
Young House Life says
Oh man, I tried those but they didn’t work for me. They were good though! I love ginger!
xo
s
Jessica says
Congratulations! It worked for me, and may not be something that is obvious to try, but eating lots of protein every hour or two helped my morning/all day sickness. Lots of eggs and protein shakes!
Young House Life says
Thanks Jessica!
xo
s
Diane Taylor says
Ok so I completely teared up reading this post……and I do not have any buns in sight! God is so good, Sherry. He will carry you thru this. I know we have never met but I include you in my daily prayers. You and John and sweet Clara deserve every happiness. Glad the sickness is easing up a big. Big hugs to you all!
Diane
Young House Life says
Thanks so much Diane, that’s so sweet and we so appreciate the thoughts and prayers!
xo
s
Liz says
If you get desperate, submerge yourself in a cold pool (indoor at this time of year). I had all day sickness with my daughter (puking up to 12 times per day) and NOTHING helped–but prescription meds and keeping cool. I had a friend who lived in an awesome high-rise condo and she would sneak me into their pool and I would just float in the cold water and temporarily forget about the nausea!!!! Sadly, my puking lasted 8 months!!!
Young House Life says
Oh man, that sounds heavenly! Hot showers have the opposite affect, so there must be something to the cold thing!
xo
s
Heather says
Thanks so much for sharing updates! I’m currently 32 weeks and I frequently think back to your birth story to give me confidence that things are going to turn out positive for us as my pregnancy has unexpectedly become high risk, the most recent complication being a pre term labor at 29 weeks that luckily we were able stop. Fingers crossed my jelly bean stays put a few more weeks and that you and your bun stay happy and healthy!!!!
Young House Life says
Sending you and your jelly bean lots of love!
xo
s
Sally G says
Blessings. Every blessing.
Young House Life says
Thanks so much Sally!
xo
s
Renee says
I do the expiration date thing too! I’m due on Nov. 15 (Friday… wow!). Now I’m buying milk and thinking, “I will have this baby by that date!”. Exciting stuff :)
Young House Life says
Aw, I love that! Nov 15th is John’s b-day so it’s a great day to have a little one!
xo
s
McKayla says
Glad to hear all is well. I’m pregnant with my 3rd right now and had lots of sickness too. I always just tell my friends to eat bananas- they taste the best coming up!
Young House Life says
Haha, I’ve heard that too!
xo
s
Jen M. says
I’ve been following you guys for quite some time but chasing my own one year old had me away from the blog for a bit – so very excited to come back and see such wonderful news! Congratulations!! We recently found out we were expecting #2 (literally the day before our son turned 1!) and I’m waiting for the all day sickness to hit. =/ B6 helped last time so I have it ready this time. Wishing you a very happy and healthy pregnancy and the most uneventful of births!
Young House Life says
Aw thanks Jen! I heard such good things about B6 but didn’t have any luck with it. So lucky it works for you!
xo
s
Sara T. says
So very exciting! We find out what we’re having Monday, December 2nd and I too can’t wait because then we can finally start planning the nursery, lol! My idea for a boy includes old maps or globes, but I have nothing for a girl (I think I’ve run out of ideas since we already have a girl). Can’t wait to see what you guys are having and what you do with the nursery!
Lisa says
i sympathize big time. The only time in my life when I have been really good at LOSING weight was when I was pregnant. With my second, I lost more than 30 lbs during the pregnancy. Had to get IV fluids, etc. But, alas, the weight starting coming back almost before I got out of the delivery room. :-)
There is nearly 7 years between my kids. A boy (nearly 26) and a girl (19). It was great to have the age difference and they are closer than many sibling I know. They love each other so much and have such a great relationship. My son was more protective of his sister than we were–“Umm-Mom, I don’t think she should be doing that.” This was from a 7 year old!
I hope you feel better soon–I was sick until the end, but it did get better.
Young House Life says
I love hearing that about how close your kids are! So sorry the pregnancies were so rough though!
xo
s
Steph Nelson says
Is that Clara in the bottom pic? When did she get the cute little bob? It looks nothing like her. I scanned the comments but seems nobody mentioned it (and a great number of your readers are pregnant)!
Young House Life says
Oh yes, that’s her. She has had short hair for a while now, but I just trim up the bottom from time to time when she complains that it’s tickling her back. Haha!
xo
s
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
Sherry, I’m glad you’re feeling excited about this pregnancy!! For your gender reveal ultrasound, try drinking sweet tea or orange juice 30 mins prior. Anything cold and sugary will get them moving. My little one moved around like crazy to get the shots they needed, it was recommended to me as I only did that 1 ultrasound and that was our only chance to find out the sex.
Young House Life says
I’ve heard the cold orange juice thing. Totally going to try it!
xo
s
Courtney says
This will probably sound like a suuuper weird suggestion for the nausea, but try inhaling the smell of an alcohol wipe. I don’t mean get all loopy off it, but take a few good deep whifs of it. I’m a nursing student, and we just talked about how inhaling rubbing alcohol helps a lot of pregnant women!
Young House Life says
No way! That’s one thing I haven’t tried! So funny that you guys are learning about that!
xo
s
Meredith Jones says
I’ve commented on a few of your new baby bun posts before, but it’s freakin me out because I think we’re almost the exact same as far as how far along we are! We’re making our 20 week find out what it is ultrasound tomorrow and I’m afrid we’ll have to wait an extra week because of Thanksgiving. So weird!
Here’s a question for ya, I haven’t been running to the bathroom like you have (sounds like NO FUN, I’m sorry you feel so yucky!) but food still doesn’t sound that great, how are you actually keeping weight on yourself?! Or even gaining? In the past month I’ve only put on about a pound, Doctor man wanted to see much more before my appointment tomorrow… Sorry Doc! I’m tryin here! :)
Young House Life says
Hmm, for me it’s about finding some meal that sounds good and just eating that, even if I have it all the time and it makes me look crazy. For example, I love baked potatoes and soup when I’m pregnant. I could have a baked potato for breakfast. So even when nothing else sounds good, I’ll try to force myself to eat that (both for the baby and to help settle my angry tummy). Maybe if you go to the grocery store and literally walk up every aisle looking for stuff that appeals to you, something will jump out and eating won’t be so blah. For my best friend it was watermelon. She ate about 100 of them in 40 weeks. I totally know what you mean though. Some days I just don’t want anything and everything sounds gross and I feel stuffed even though I should be hungry.
xo
s
Meredith Jones says
Baked potatoes are superrr good for us pregs ladies too! Good job! I’ll be buying some to try it out ;) thanks for the good advice! Hope ya start feeling better soon!!
Young House Life says
Thanks Meredith! You too!
xo
s
Julia says
So glad to hear things are going well! I’m 32 weeks (hard to believe!) with #2 after a very traumatic pregnancy/birth/NICU stay with our daughter (vasa previa and her umbilical cord actually split into 5 different vessels, all of which were stretched across my cervix…they thought we were going to lose her multiple times but after 12 weeks of bedrest we delivered a 3lb15oz baby girl by c-section! Tiny but healthy!). We also dealt with infertility so I felt pressured to “start trying” again soon, so I could even have a chance at another. It wasn’t until I hit around 14 weeks (after 2 m/c) that it felt real and all the fear started to really hit me and it was definitely overwhelming. I went to a counselor at my OB who specializes in PTSD for pregnancy & birth related trauma and even though I’ve only seen her twice it has helped so much. Plus feeling like I could have some control over this birth (which is risky of course, because things are never for sure, but still better than no control, like last time) and finding a REALLY supportive medical team has helped so much. We still have more false alarms than most (just at L&D for monitoring on Fri!), and get checked constantly, but so far hanging in there and this little one is already bigger/healthier than her big sister. It’s another girl, and our daughter (almost 3)is THRILLED. The joy is definitely bigger than the fear, though some days it’s tough. I would highly recommend talking through this birth and making a plan with your team for all eventualities (no leaving daddy in the hall, no matter what!), so you can feel some ownership over it (I feel, for me, this is especially important with a repeat c-section, after an emergency). Blessings to you and I am SO happy for your family! PS-I also had horrible “morning” sickness with both, and second one lasted until 22w with still some random nausea… thought it was never going to end, but this time at least I’ve actually gained a little weight rather than only lost!
Young House Life says
Aw thanks so much for sharing that Julia! What an ordeal. I’m so sorry for your losses, but so glad your daughter was such an awesome fighter and you’re now 32 weeks along with #2! How exciting! All the best to you guys!
xo
s
Amanda says
I’ve read in several places (including the Mayo Clinic website) that nausea is a good sign in terms of fetal health during pregnancy.
So, as awful as it is, it’s a good thing :)
Kati @ This Wandering Life says
Oh my gosh- I’m so excited for your little bun in your oven!! And since the Bowers are waiting until after Thanksgiving to spill the beans on their bean, all of us excited standersby will hear the news of my two favorite bloggettes at around the same time! I will be so. unproductive. that. week!
Crystal says
I loved this post so much, thanks for sharing! Glad to hear the all day sickness seems to be letting up. I am so excited to learn the sex of this baby and read all about the nursery. Best of luck!
Melissa says
Four years is an awesome time span between siblings. My sister and I are four years apart and it was and is great. We played together when we were little really well even with the older/young dynamic, but then had some space apart in school so that my sister wasn’t directly in my shadow during middle, high school, and college. Now that we are older and both in our mid/late 20s, we are very close. My mom always says that she needed that long to recover from me and prepare for my sister too! :)
Young House Life says
Love that!
xo
s
Lori says
Blogs are amazing. I know that the internet can be a hotbed of okay-now-I-am-freaked-out info, but I love the idea that a nervous-about-pregnancy gal can share about her fears, relate her experiences, and give support (and hope!) to those who find themselves in the same boat. When I had a 2nd-trimester miscarriage more than 16 years ago, there was really no one to turn to; and when I had a tough pregnancy and birth (and horrific postpartum depression) a year later, I’d have given anything for the community that exists today… and maybe I wouldn’t have stopped at one child. So, bravo, Sherry – and all you other fantastic women who share your stories – your words might be just what someone needs to hear.
Young House Life says
Oh Lori, thanks so much! And I’m so sorry for your loss and then your tough birth and postpartum battle. I learned from sharing my birth story a few years back (even though it took a year after Clara was born) just how healing it can be to share that stuff. Just to hear you’re not alone and to know others have gone on to have healthy kids after such an even is so amazing. I’m so grateful.
xo
s
Anika says
So glad things are going well for you guys – this was such a great little update to get. Praying for you and your family!!
Young House Life says
Thanks Anika!
xo
s
Jyl says
Sending you so much love, Sherry. Hope you feel better soon!
Young House Life says
Thanks Jyl! Love you right back!
xo
s
Katie says
Okay, I gave up on reading the comments…but have you tried big red gum? I was so sick during my pregnancy but this really helped! Good luck and congratulations!
Young House Life says
Tried it! No dice for me. But it helped my one friend with her nausea a ton!
xo
s
Christine G says
Trader Joe’s triple ginger snaps = priceless!
Young House Life says
I wish ginger worked for me! I gave it all of my love, and it didn’t love me back.
xo
s
Amber L. says
Would love to read a TMI post about all of the different sickness remedies you tried, kind of like the wall paper techniques but for us preggos:)
Young House Life says
Haha! It would just go like this: here’s what I tried (magnesium, B6, ginger candies, accupressure bands, ginger tea, jelly beans, almonds, high protein, eating every few hours, ginger ale, cranberry juice, lemon water, peppermint infused water, peppermint candies, taking my vitamins at night, etc) and the result would be: boo, I kept tossing my cookies. Haha! Nothing seemed to move the needle at all (but with Clara I’d wake up, get sick, and then eat either a dry bagel or a bare baked potato and I felt awesome for the rest of the day, so that worked the first time!
xo
s
Ashley S says
I hope your morning sickness fades! I didn’t have it, but I had heartburn so bad it made me toss cookies. The worst time was when I was sitting at a red light and barfed into my lap. And the guy in the next lane saw the whole thing.
Men have no idea what fun their missing out on. Our bodies rock.
Young House Life says
Oh man, it’s so true. Guys sure miss out by not getting to do the baby carrying!
xo
s
Kathryn says
Aw man, this makes me want to be pregnant again!
I always miss those inside little movements after my babies come out.
Kate Craig says
I thought you were kidding about the jumping jacks until I saw the picture :) I love that angle on Clara’s cute bob!
Rachel says
So sorry you are upping your chuck so much! I had that with my first baby and less with my second, but still, that’s way not fun. Praying all goes well!
Jessica says
I’m glad the morning sickness is abating! This post reminds me of my third pregnancy; I had morning sickness until I was eight months pregnant (compared to none with my first two), and I think I had to have four ultrasounds before she was in a position for them to see that she was a girl.
Young House Life says
So funny!
xo
s
Jennifer Fogerty-Gibson says
Sniff. I am so happy for the two of you, and you sound like you’re in a really good place, with a great community of people around you. Enjoy every second of it! And go see “About Time” on your next grown up date. You will LOVE IT. It’s about appreciating all the things in life, even the bad ones, because it is our life after all. <3
Young House Life says
Aw thanks Jennifer! Sounds awesome! Will have to check it out.
xo
s
April says
Awww Sherry, thanks for sharing. I’m terrified to try again after suffering 2 miscarriages this year. Testing has shown that everything is normal, so we have the green light to start trying again. I am taking your advice to heart. I need time to heal and be strong for what may come the next time. Sending you lots of positive vibes and love :)
Young House Life says
I’m so sorry for your loss April. Sending you lots of love.
xo
s
Eileen says
It’s funny, but neat all of the different things that worked for people with ‘the sickness.’ None of them worked for me, but two of the funny things people advised me that I remember were: to eat a cracker right after waking up but still lying down in bed, and another was to go to the toilet and tell myself not to throw up (that was actually a grandmother’s advice!). It didn’t matter what I did though. I couldn’t even look at an advertisement to a restaurant for my food aversions without feeling/getting sick. I still like to hear other people’s stories though.
Young House Life says
Yes, I feel the same way! It doesn’t matter what crazy things I try, my body is just going to do this! Haha!
xo
s
Kathryn says
Sherry,
Just curious, why didn’t you go on Diclectin for your nausea? I never had to use it personally, but I know it was a lifesaver for many of my friends.
Young House Life says
Tried it! Didn’t work! Neither did the magnesium & B6 mix. My body just seems insistent on being sick no matter what I try, but I’m glad it’s tapering off. Hope it’s all behind me soon!
xo
s