The second time around

I have been thinking a lot lately about things I will do differently the second time around as the date of our new baby's arrival approaches this coming May. I don't think I did things wrong the first time but there are things I now know that I will try and do differently with our second baby.

1. I will NOT buy expensive bedding.

- When we were getting ready for Tommy we went out to Babies R Us and bought a very expensive bedroom blanket/sheet set for Tommy. You know the ones that come in a big bag with a blanket, sheet, bumper pad, and dust ruffle. We didn't think you could have a baby without a nice bed set. We had no idea and we ended up only using the sheet and it now has a hole in it so it was not even a top quality sheet. It was the cutest set with a sports theme but it was not worth the money since it is now just sitting in our closet. Instead, I will probably go to Target and pick out some cute pink sheets and that will work. Especially, since she will sleep in our room in the playpen/bassinet for the first few months anyways.

2. I will try NOT to worry as much.

- When we brought Tommy home from the hospital it was RSV season and all the doctors and nurses warned me about too many visitors. They also told me not to take him out of the house a lot unless it was absolutely needed. I became so paranoid that Joe started referring to Tommy as bubble boy since I would hardly let anyone come over and I did not take Tommy out of the house for two weeks unless we had to go to the doctor. I turned down meals from friends and I even made my mom completely shower down after she got off the plane before she could hold her first grandchild. Luckily, our little girl will be born in May so I am hoping that I will not be as worried and I will enjoy the company, meals, and time getting out of the house.

3. I will sleep when the baby sleeps at night.

-When Joe and I brought Tommy home from the hospital we were so in LOVE and excited but also nervous. We stayed up with Tommy even when Tommy was sleeping. I would sleep from 7pm-1am (I would get up and feed him when needed) and then Joe would sleep from 1am-6am. Even if Tommy was sleeping one of us would be up watching him or watching tv with one eye while watching Tommy sleep with the other eye. This time I am going to sleep when the baby sleeps. I think this will help get her into more of a sleeping routine as Tommy did not sleep for 12-14 hours straight until he was around 1.

4. I will cuddle more.

-I loved cuddling with Tommy but I took that time for granted as I did not realize that cuddling would stop. Tommy is older now and he would rather run around and play. He does not have time to cuddle. I just thought he would cuddle forever so I am going to enjoy my cuddle moments more with our little girl knowing now that they grow up way too fast.

5. I will allow formula. (Once in awhile)

-I breastfed Tommy for 12 1/2 months and I am so proud and thankful that I was able to nurture him that way but I was never able to get away. I did pump and he would take a bottle of breast milk at first but I was always around so I got lazy and stopped using bottles so he stopped liking bottles and only insisted on the real thing. Tommy has never really been sick and I attribute a lot of that to breastfeeding but once I got pregnant again my body was producing less milk and Tommy was mad but he would not take a bottle. This time I will allow a formula bottle once every week or two so she can get used to both in case I need to get away or I need to stop breastfeeding for some reason.

6. I will not stress out about flying.

- I was so nervous about flying with Tommy as I did not want him to scream the whole plane ride but I did not realize that when they are little they usually sleep the whole flight. I did not fly home as much as I would have liked because I was worried about a screaming baby. This time I want to fly home to see family as often as we can and I am going to try and not worry about flying or what others think on the flight.

7. I will make more time for myself and my husband.

-It is so easy to worry about your children and forget to send love to your husband. I am always trying to take such good care of Tommy that I forget to take care of myself or my husband. I am going to make sure and make time for myself to workout or get out of the house by myself and make sure that I do more things for Joe as he needs to realize that I am here for him too. This is a lot easier said than done but it is one of my goals.

8. I will try not to worry about looking too pregnant.

-I feel like this 2nd pregnancy shows all over my entire body. I can see it in my face, butt, legs, arms, and even my hair. It is crazy. I am eating less and I have gained less weight this pregnancy but I feel like I am nine months pregnant already and I am only 25 weeks along. I am not one of the lucky girls where you can only tell they are pregnant by looking at their stomachs. You can see my pregnancy from 10 miles away. Joe has been posting pics on facebook but I won't let him post pics of me as I think I look too pregnant. He can only post pics of Tommy and him. It looks like I am not around when they are hanging out even though I am right there behind the camera lens. He tells me that I look beautiful and that he wants pictures of his whole family but I laugh and tell him we can take pictures of the whole family just don't show anyone. I am going to try and accept this pregnancy and move on. This is such a blessing and she is only inside me for nine months so I am going to try and enjoy it even if you can see my pregnancy coming from miles away it will all be worth it for her! I was inspired by this post on a blog I read often by C Jane. She is a mother of one little boy and is expecting a second child soon. You can read it by clicking here.

9. I will try and love her as much as I love Tommy! (I am now crying as I type)

- I know all Moms say that they can't believe they are going to be able to love the 2nd baby as much as the 1st but somehow the love appears. I still don't believe it is possible as I can't even imagine having that much love but I am so excited for her as I LOVE TOMMY so much that it hurts and I can't imagine having even more love to give.