It's a BOY!!!

Welcome to the world Braylen Thomas Hollencamp!

Born December 14, 2012 at 2:59 PM after two pushes!

6 lbs. 15 oz.  20 inches.

Thank you epidural for making this a super easy delivery.  I had no clue I was ready to push.  God hooked me up!

Why Braylen?

We have been holding this name since the 2010-2011 football season.  If Evie was a boy, this would have been the name.  We liked this name when we heard Braylon Edwards' name mentioned while watching football.  I don't even know his current team... actually, he doesn't have a team.  My bad, I guess my hint was not true!  I just like his name, with a slightly different spelling. 

Why Thomas?

Who doesn't have Thomas in their name in Jason's family??  First, Jason's middle name is Thomas.  Jason's mom's maiden name is Thomas.  Jason's dad's middle name is Thomas and prefers to be called Tom.  Ironically, Jason's sister married Matt Thomas.  We felt like it was the thing to do and it sounds good with Braylen. 

We will post pictures as soon as we can!

Induction Update

All my stressing about "the end" has put a lot of strain on my body.  As a result, I've come down with a stress induced cold.  I started feeling lousy last night- stuffy nose, aches, headache.  I can barely make dinner let alone birth a child right now!  However, I'm so stressed about having a plan for Evie (Parker, eh, he'll survive) and updating people with answers (of which I don't have), that energy or not, we're going in tomorrow to put an end to this stressful pregnancy.

We did not go into the hospital tonight.  I was able to get cleared until the morning.  I might have made up a slight lie that I was definitely 2 cm.  Jason and I hope to get some sleep tonight before reporting to the hospital at 7:30 AM for induction.  Evie is at Auntie Laura's for the night with my mom coming tomorrow to take over Evie and Parker duty.

I'm having contractions, nothing regular.  At least if we have to bolt in the middle of the night, Evie is not here. 

Everything is worked out... I think.  Now it's time for this mama to relax and get her energy focused on birthing H2 tomorrow! 

Check in tomorrow and keep praying for a speedy delivery!

LAST Prenatal Appointment

Just when all the receptionists and nurses know me, I am finished my twice weekly appointments.   The sonographer and nurse have become by best buds!  They were slightly sad to see "one of the nice patients leaving" :)

I am slightly confused after my appointment as to "the plan".  I think that's what drives me nuts about pregnancy- no one really knows for sure. 

Here is what I do know:

I saw Dr. Means today and she is the doctor "on" on Thursday.  She said my cervix is very favorable for delivery- about 1.5-2 cm dilated, 60% effaced. She told me some exercise could put me into labor before Thursday.  Hard for me to believe because 2 cm doesn't sound favorable to me, but you bet I will be out walking tonight and all day tomorrow.  She claims she will "make Thursday as natural as she can". 

The bottom line is statistically the risk of still birth goes up after 39 weeks for babies with diabetic moms.  NOTHING in my testing indicates this risk.  Induction is totally my choice.  Dr. Means won't call the police if I don't show up on Thursday.  I'll be 39 weeks on Saturday.  It's all overwhelming and confusing to me.  I want to wait it out, but at the same time, is it really worth it to avoid pitocin? 

I will go in Wednesday night, see what that doctor says, and go from there.  We might be back home that night, we might stay.  Either way, Evie has a fun slumber party at Auntie Laura's on Wednesday night! 

For all those people that wonder how I can wait to find out the sex- wondering IF I will go into labor on my own and when is so much harder. 

T Minus 6 Days

H2 should make his/her appearance within the next week!  Here's the update (I need bullet points at this stage of the pregnancy...)

• I am one lousy centimeter dilated
• H2 is still head down
• I had labor inducing acupuncture on Thursday with 2nd and 3rd attempts on Monday and Wednesday
• My NST was fine today
• My induction is scheduled to begin Wednesday night.  Since I am not dilated very much, I will most likely go in at night (like with Evie) in hopes of progressing me along.  If things change, I will just go in Thursday morning.
• My next OB visit is on Tuesday.
• I am currently having a contraction and have been all afternoon.
• I have vague plans for Evie and Parker sitting
• I am aware I could have picked 12.12.12 and didn't.

So we should be holding H2 by this time next week.  Thursday sounds like the day unless we can get this moving faster (yes, we have heard of that labor inducing method you are thinking).  It's been a LONG pregnancy for me and I am ready for it to be over.  I would love to avoid induction, but it is reassuring to know that the end is in sight. 

Operation Flip Baby

If you google breech, you will find all kinds of crazy things women have done to get babies to flip (kind of like all those things you will all suggest to me how to start labor that I will ignore).  I do not care to lay with my head on the floor, feet in the air for 15 minutes.  I can barely get up from laying horizontal without feeling light headed.  The one method mentioned over and over again is getting to a licensed acupuncturist to use moxibustion.

According to the literature given to me, "Moxibustion is a way of stimulatingng acupuncture points with heat, which encourage the fetus to turn.  The technique employs a lighted moxa stick held near the point BL-67 on the little toe"

My acupuncturist, Jen, often uses moxa on certain points during my treatment sessions.  She used the sticks this time for 15 minutes on my little toes.  Since I was with her, she then put in needles at the point on my little toes.  Jason has to repeat the moxa stick part twice a day, if possible, for 10-15 minutes each time.  We are obviously not putting in needles.

So here we are!

Not only are the moxa sticks smoking, so is Jason's crotch.  LOL

Anyone that has done acupuncture knows moxa gets into your clothes and follows you around all day.  It creates a lot of smoke, so we are outside in these frigid temps burning my little toes.  It's quite comical!  Our neighbors probably think we are smoking pot outside. 

We are suppose to stop when I think the baby has moved.  Riiiiiiight.  H2 moves all the time.  I can't tell the difference between a punch, kick, or 180 flip.  By the low pain I had in church this morning, I think H2 is still breech.  We will know for sure on Tuesday at my next sonogram. 

Until then, we will be smokin' up on the back deck.

Oh H2, the things we do for you already...

36 Weeks Cooked

I am one week away from being full term!  We are hoping H2 can hang on for at least another week to make it to that milestone.

H2 at 32 weeks



H2 at 36 weeks

Evie girl at 36 weeks

 I had a mixture of good and bad news this week at my appointments:

Good- I tested negative for Group B Strep!  I tested positive last time and had a HORRIBLE time with the penicillin they administered throughout delivery.  Jason was probably even more elated than me that he doesn't have to relive my screaming as my veins BURNED and I screamed in agony.  I really think that was one of the worst parts of Evie's delivery.  Phew!

Bad- At my sonogram on Monday, my amniotic fluid was a little high.  This is the second time it measured on the high side of normal.  I think it was about 20 cm.  Dr. Means requested I have another sonogram on Friday to check the level again.  Unfortunately, it is up to 25 cm.  That officially puts me in the high fluid range, which starts at 25 cm.  The medical term is polyhydramnios.  I looked it up on Baby Center to get the right spelling and read about it.  Bad move.  The doctors are not concerned and are chalking it up to being diabetic.  Diabetics can have higher fluid levels.  The rest of the stuff I read was scary, so don't read it.  I'm going to ignore everything else it said about it.  There is nothing I can do about it and no need to induce or anything crazy like that.  They will keep an eye on it.

Good- H2 scored perfectly on the NST and sonogram.  H2 is practicing breathing, showing proper movement, and has a strong heartbeat with accelerations and decelerations.  H2 passed the NST on Friday after 5 minutes- they give babies at least 20 minutes to show their stuff. 

The sonographer commented about the amount of hair H2 has already. 
H2 is looking at you with his spikey hair (far left)

Bad- H2 decided from Monday to Friday that he wanted to do flips in all the extra fluid.  As of Friday at 12:15 PM, H2 is breech.  Yes, isn't that a breech!  I am so disappointed.  At 36 weeks babies usually are in final position.  However, with my fluid on the higher side, there is always a chance he will return to head down. 

Good- I've been seeing a licensed acupuncturist for 2 years to help me when crisis arises.  I already had an appointment with Jen today, so we started Operation Flip Baby.  I will post pictures in the daylight tomorrow of Jason's new task :)  In the meantime... PLEASE do not send me your suggestions on how so and so got their baby to flip.  I am sticking with my acupuncturist's plan and leaving the rest up to God.  Maybe H2 wants to be delivered via C-Section and God is giving me some time to come to terms with that reality. 

We're getting close!  Jason made 10 trips up and down from the attic today getting the infant car seat out and other things for H2 at the same time as putting away some of Evie's babier toys.  She is a year and half after all and ready for the big girl stuff!!  More about Evie turning 18 months in another post. 

35 Baby!

When I wrote this post at 24 weeks, I never thought I would still be pregnant at this point.  Thank you H2 for staying comfy in my belly up to this point.

My testing has been going well.  No reason for concern.  I am having quite a few contractions today.  It seems one day I have a lot of stomach tightening (contractions), then nothing for five days.  The good news is my parents are coming down tonight if something major happens.  The bad news is Jason and my dad are going to the Eagles/Redskins game tomorrow.   That's when it will happen, right Jackie Hege?  :)

We are traveling to Lancaster for Thanksgiving.  Our trip will be short lived since I have to be back on Friday morning for testing.  As much as I want to cancel and stay in Lancaster, I have a feeling H2 is coming sooner than later, so I want to stay on top of things... and be close to my doctors.

Induction will happen as early as 38 weeks. I am hoping sometime around Dec 12... my original due date.  Earlier, of course, if H2 is having any issues.  I'm pretty sure this time next month, we will be holding H2 with bags under our eyes.  AHH!  Are we really starting all over again?!  Evie is busy, but so easy compared to a newborn.  Lord be with us. 

We will keep you posted via the blog.  I have most of the same people on my text list from Evie.  If you want to be on it, let me know! 

Testing Day #1

Twice a week testing begins this week for H2.  A sonogram was scheduled for Tuesday morning, but clearly that is not happening with Hurricane Sandy making landfall this evening.  I got a call from the OB office this morning asking me if I could make it in this morning, "like now", for my sonogram and appointment since they will be closed tomorrow.

So at 9 o'clock I put on my rain boots and yellow slicker, left Evie with Jason ("working" from home today), and made my trek to Columbia.  Traveling was fine at this point- it was like traveling in a rain storm without tons of bad drivers traffic.

I clearly told the sonographer that I didn't want to know the sex and she actually told me to turn away at certain points.  I guess H2 has to meet certain criteria at these sonograms.  Fluid was good and he was very active.  Unfortunately he was not practicing breathing during the sonogram.  So he scored 6/8. 

Other points of interest- H2 is transverse with his head on my lower left side.  This would explain all the kicking I feel on my right side.  He weighs 4 lbs, 5 oz, which puts him in the 50-75 percentile.  Seriously?!  The percentiles begin already?!?!!!  I don't trust sonograms for size, but I'll take average size.  Hopefully H2 will make the final turn and be head down soon.  That's why I go for acupuncture- they know how to work this kind of magic! 

Dr. Holzy wasn't super concerned about the lack of breathing since it is still early and they only watch for 15 minutes.  But she put me on the monitors anyway.  It sounded like all the high risk pregnant moms were in this morning doing the NST.  I got hooked up and luckily H2 passed so I was able to go home!

We all know I want another girl, but I think this is a boy.  I did not see anything on the sonogram today, however, H2's heartbeat was consistently pumping in the 120s.  I don't believe in wives tales, but this is way lower than Evie's.  Also, white male lungs develop slowly.  Just saying... I think we have a Jason Jr. coming!  See, look at me, this is way we don't find out the sex.  I read into everything.  Surprise us again, H2.  Prove all those crazy wives tales false!!

The lights are flickering, so I better post. Leave me some comments so I have something to read when I rejoin the internet world someday :)

32 Weeks

Under 2 months until we learn whether H2 is a boy or girl!!  Speaking of boy and girl- suddenly our poll is showing 0 votes.  Are you seeing the same thing?  I'm not sure what happened.  Take a look at H2 vs Evie at 32 weeks and vote again!

H2- 32 weeks

Evie- 32 weeks

So far I have gained 20 pounds.  I am keeping my sugars well managed, but the OBs are still putting fear in my heart the more times they say how "bad things happen to babies of diabetic mothers".  That helps me sleep soundly at night!  I tell myself that I am not the average diabetic and none of those bad things will happen to H2. 

H2 is head down at this point and "a good size".  I am having contractions on and off based on how much water I drink and how much lifting I do.  No signs of preterm labor as of Friday at 2:53 PM :)

Hurricane Sandy and Lord willing, I begin twice a week testing next week- one day for sonogram/regular appointment and the other for NST (non stress test).  I am already anxious about how I will manage all these appointments on top of acupuncture, endocrinologist, and having some kind of fun activities for Evie and me.  I don't want H2 super early, but I think about 6 weeks of 2x/week appointment will be enough for all of us.

But Evie reminds me it is all worth it!  Besides being obsessed with my belly button (this month's phase), I'm pretty sure she has no idea what is happening. 

I hope I am able to give 36 week pictures and pregnancy updates.  Keep praying that H2 stays comfy in my belly for another month!

Latest Installment of Creepiness

I was back at UMD for another ultrasound.  Yippee skippy!

This time I scheduled my appointment over the lunch hour, so while I was waiting for hours to be seen had my ultrasound, Jason took his 2nd favorite gal on a lunch date.  Evie got all dressed up for her big date in the city.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures.  (Yes mother, she wore a dress).    The weather in Baltimore is AMAZING this week.  Evie and Jason had a lovely outdoor lunch at Frank and Nicks. 

I, on the other hand, got to hang out in the waiting room for 45 minutes.  The actual ultrasound was the fastest one yet.  The tech is only checking size, the placenta, and blood flow.  I had the same tech as last visit, who is kind of obsessed with the 3D photos.  Here are the latest:

Probably the less creepy of the bunch.  I think H2 resembles Evie and me
in this one.  Good thing we are all related and that would make sense :)

Cute little shoulder

H2 sporting the black eye look

I told the tech about my issues last week.  She didn't see anything that would indicate labor or a reason for bleeding.  She complimented my cervix numerous times.  Uh, yeah, little odd.  H2, just like at L & D, went to war against the wand.  She was very active, which we realized was hiccups as well.  It was so fascinating to see her body shake and feel the hiccup at the same time.  H2 also liked to kick my back at the same time as the hiccup.  That's cool right now, but when you are bigger, not so much.  H2 is chilling in the breech position.  Again, cool now, not so much later.

I go back in another 5 weeks for another ultrasound to check the same things.  I am keeping my diabetes well under control, but it's best to make sure the placenta is doing its job and H2 is thriving.  I'm still measuring right on with December 22nd, making me 25 weeks, 3 days. 

Labor & Delivery: Take 1

H2 decided to have a belated Labor Day celebration on Tuesday.  She (I'm using "she" in this post since girl is the underdog right now) wanted to make sure we could have a little scare around this LABOR day holiday.

After some spotting all weekend (sorry for the TMI to my male readers) paired with on and off back pain, both getting worse by Tuesday morning, it was time to call the OB.  They got me in 1 hour later.  Jason literally ran to his car and flew to the office to meet me. 

Dr. Holsey gave me the works- internal exam showed no signs of labor anytime soon, but after being on the monitors for 20 minutes, she saw some irregular, mild contractions.  I had no idea I was having any.  H2 was very active during the monitoring, so that was a positive sign.  She sent me for a sonogram where they found some blood in my uterus.  H2 is fine, placenta intact, and really no concern about the blood.  But they don't want it to cause contractions and put me into labor.  Lovely.

Jason and Evie were at home by this point because Dr. Holsey's initial reaction was nothing was wrong.  So I had to hear the bad news alone- go to Labor & Delivery for monitoring for a few hours. 

I grabbed lunch and headed to L & D where they were waiting for me.  I hung out in triage for 4 hours on the monitors.  I continued to have mild contractions, again, wouldn't know I was having them.  They said that might be why my back hurts.  Well great, my back hurts as I am typing this post, does that mean I'm having contractions??  Don't worry, I asked.  They aren't super concerned... back pain is very common and my contractions were so irregular and mild that it's probably just my body doing "normal" stuff.

I cried to myself about 3 times thinking I can't go through months at the hospital again visiting my struggling to eat baby.  Knowing someone that delivered at 24 weeks, I am really scared.  I was given a steroid shot to help H2's lungs develop in case I deliver before 34 weeks.  Dr. Hall didn't make it sound like it was a strong possibility, just precautionary.  Let me tell you, this shot was thick and hurts!  I had to get 2 doses in my butt.  It's nothing like insulin!

I was sent home with no restrictions.  All the nurses and doctors praised me for not blowing off my symptoms, they were both signs of preterm labor and it was best to check on things. 

So much for an easy pregnancy.  We live in fear again even though both Dr. Hall and Dr. Holsey aren't concerned.  Please pray with us that H2 stays comfortably planted in my belly for at least another 12 weeks. 

24 Weeks

With each passing week I am thankful H2 is still comfortably growing in my belly.  I had a few symptoms over the last month that could be signs of preterm labor.  (don't you love that with pregnancy- everything that happens could be a result of just being pregnant or could be a sign of something terrible). Some back pain, pressure, and other things that together made me nervous and warranted my first unscheduled OB visit.  Luckily I am closed up and no need to panic.

I am managing my diabetes ok.  I wish I didn't have to inject insulin 1-3 times a day, but such is life as a diabetic.  Shots in my belly creep me out now and my thighs are bruising and scarred from the needles.  I've switched to butt injections at night.  Nothing says I love you like injecting your wife in the rear before bed every night.  Bless my husband.  All modesty went out the window a long time ago.

I will continue to have monthly ultrasounds to check on H2's size.  I don't love this, but when I questioned the OB about it, she told me it's best to keep a careful eye on the size of H2 and the placenta with diabetes.  Touché.

I finally got my 2nd trimester energy boost as the 3rd trimester approaches.  I don't feel the need to have a 3 hour nap everyday... Not that I could.  I have a hard time falling back asleep after a night potty break.  Time for some acupuncture!  I still see my acupuncturist every month.  Love it.  Funny right?  I hate insulin needles, but love acupuncture.  Go figure.

H2 is very active, but still comfortable at this stage.  Evie was very kind to me with gentle kicks all the way through.  I hope H2 will be just as nice to me.  H2's heartbeat was fast at my recent appointment- high 150s spiking to 170.  (must have been my dark chocolate bar covered in Trader Joe's cookie butter!).

I know my FB post brought lots of traffic to the blog.... I can find that stuff out.  I don't know who is reading though.  Don't you enjoy it when people like or comment on your status on FB???  Well, I love to read comments on my blog.  This will be my last plea for comments.  If you are that shy then at least vote- all that takes is one touch.  I know there are more than 11 of you reading.  Here are some belly shots to help you decide.

Shirt creeping up and shorts falling down. 

Look at the shadow Evie's hair makes. I need to
get some tips on how to tame that beast

24 week with Evie.  Lovely posture, Marisa.
Belly looks pretty similar.  C'mon GIRL!

Jason Jr??

I had my 5th ultrasound this week.  As crazy as it sounds, I'm ok if we don't have any more.  I have to lug Evie into Baltimore to UMD Hospital, wait 30 minutes- 1 hour to be seen, then leave with a better chance of knowing the gender.  Luckily Jason works within walking distance, so he goes with me and Evie has been very well behaved.

This ultrasound was to finish looking at the anatomy and to check on H2's heart.  With my diabetes and now seeing the OBs, they are keeping a closer eye on things, especially the heart.  The heart is "beautiful" and all fingers are there (this was one of the last things left to check off the list).  We had our first 3D ultrasound at this visit.  No one ever offered with Evie nor did we push for one.  They kind of creep me out.  The tech just did it this time. 

I'm sticking with my guess of boy.  Anyone else seeing Jason in the 2nd one?? 

Special Delivery

We happily welcomed our NC family to our house for a quick visit.  Jen and Matt made a last minute trip north to see grandparents in PA and stopped by our house for an overnight on the way south. 

Luke is getting big and working through his milestones. He looks just like his mommy!  He was a drooling mess.  That can only mean one thing..."he must be getting teeth"

Luke and Evie didn't get a lot of play time on Sunday since they were on opposite nap schedules.  Everyone had fun on our outing to Sweet Frog for toppings yogurt.  Despite my no sweets stand for Evie, we do give her some frozen yogurt.  She had her first experience with chocolate yogurt.  She's in love.

L & E conspired against the adults and decided to both start screaming at 11:30 PM and refuse to go back to their own beds.  We should have all played some cards in the middle of the night.  There is definitely a different vibe in the house when we are with other kiddos.  Evie is a solid night sleeper except when she knows a little friend is in the house.  This weekend should be interesting with all our sleepovers with little tikes. 

I wasn't feeling amazing on Monday morning, so while Matt did some work, the babies played together.  Luke spent some time watching Evie do her thing.

Evie played nicely for the most part even though she looks like she is kicking Luke out of her table.  Evie stared at Luke when he cried.  Her facial expression was hysterical.  This girl doesn't know what is about to hit her!

Not only we were thrilled to see Aunt Jen, Uncle Matt, cousin Luke, and cousin dog Pup Pup, they also brought us some stuff for H2.  We have Luke Man's newborn and 0-3 month clothes.  At least H2 will have something to wear since all my newborn stuff is warm weather appropriate.  They also brought us a chair for H2's nursery.

Now this chair has had a long life.  It has a twin and originally lived in Lancaster with my parents.  Then the pair moved to Chambersburg, PA to Jason's apartment after college.  Next, they moved to Springfield, PA to Jason's mom's house because Jason didn't have room in his new place in Annapolis.  The next move was to NC to Matt & Jen's house.  Now one has made it to our house.  It's amazing no one has gotten rid of them yet.  Matt calls them his "thinking chairs".  It is comfortable and best yet, F-R-E-E.  Thanks Mom and Dad for buying these chairs eons ago :)

20ish weeks

I'm old school when it comes to technology. 

Exhibit A:  I joined Facebook in the year 2012.

Exhibit B:  I don't have Internet on my cell phone

Exhibit C:  At a technology driven school where every student had a tablet, I taught with chalk on the blackboard.

Exhibit D:  I carry around a paper calendar for my appointments and use a ball point pen to write in it.

My calendar has three "20"'s on it around this week.  According to my LMP, my due date is 12/12.  According to the first two ultrasounds very early on, my due date is 12/22.  According to the ultrasound at University of MD for early screening, my due date is 12/18.  10 days is a HUGE difference to me.  

My nephew, Luke, was born 12/22 and that's way too close to Christmas for me, so I'm using 12/18 as my due date. 

So that makes me 20 weeks along today!

This pregnancy is going so much better than the last one.  I have zero complications, except maybe the ginormous one of diabetes.  I thought 2nd trimester was suppose to bring energy.  Maybe that doesn't happen when you are chasing around an active 14 month old all day.  Luckily Evie is a solid 11-12 hours/night sleeper, so I am getting rest at night... sort of.  The body pillow is back in bed and serving me ok.

Jason and I are about 2 months ahead of where we were with preparing for Evie at this time.  We have the nursery half ready.  I am considering an ABC theme for H2's room.   There needs to be some overlap between Evie's animal theme and H2's theme since I am using a lot of Evie's stuff.  We are elated to be able to use Evie's newborn stuff since she spent many weeks away from home and a lot of it didn't get much use.  I am getting more excited for H2's arrival.  I'm hoping my nesting urge right now doesn't mean H2 is making a way early appearance.  No worries, no symptoms of labor :)

As expected, my belly is growing much faster this time.  I have been feeling movement for about 6 weeks now.  H2, like his/her sister, is most active when I finally lay down for the night.  Unlike last time, I have thrilled to only go to the OB every 4 weeks.  I literally walk in, walk out.  I am disappointed I am working with the doctors instead of the midwives this time.  Darn diabetes, ruins everything.

Because of my diabetes, I have a few extra ultrasounds to check H2's heart.  Everything looks great so far and I hope my next ultrasound will be my last trip to University of MD.  With extra ultrasounds, our liklihood of knowing the gender increases.  We are still holding out until H2 enters this world and hope no one slips!

Crunching Numb3rs

Since we are both numbers people, here are some numbers to consider:

6:   How old Parker dog is today in years

50:  The number of times I say "Parker, no" or "Evie, no" a day
14:   How far along I am in weeks

12:   The month baby #2 is due

19:   Number of months between Evie's birthday and due date

16:   Number of months between my sister and me

0:    Number of typical pregnancy symptoms I've had so far (maybe my acne is one...)

213:  My glucose level after the 1 hour test

4:     Number of times I prick my finger a day to check my blood sugar

12:    Units of insulin I inject every night.

3:     Weeks between visits to the endocrinologist

4:    Number of close friends who are due between October and December, mostly old college roommates!! 


Yep!  Baby #2 is cooking away.  I found out on Friday the 13th (April) that I was pregnant.  By my LMP I am due 12/12/12.  How awesome would that be?!  Ultrasounds are putting my due date later.  We'll say mid December.  Don't EVEN say it, friends.  I know what you are thinking.  12/25 is not happening.  I have diabetes again so I don't think they'll let H2 bake that long.

H2?  I will give Nikki and Bob credit.  They are calling their second one R2 right now.  I think it's cute.  I'm not completely sold on it yet.  I exercise the right to change it when I want. 
We are excited, yet even after 3 rounds of ultrasounds, it still doesn't feel real.  Maybe because I wasn't a drill sergeant about trying to conceive this time.  Maybe I'm too busy running after Evie that I don't have time to worry like I did the first time.  It's kind of blissful. I want to feel more connected to H2 though.  I hope this will all feel more real when I feel H2 kick.  I understand why everyone said "enjoy your 1st pregnancy", it is so different this time around!

Due to popular or not popular opinion, we are planning on keeping the gender a mystery again.  I really liked that moment in the delivery room.  I like to give all of you a reason to read my blog come December.  We both want another girl.  I love having a sister close in age.  But the Hollencamp name will disappear if we don't have a boy.  For both these reasons, I think 3 kiddos might be in our future.  We'll see how the second round goes for us.

I will update with belly shots monthly. 

Surprise!

If this doesn't get people to comment, I might shut down the blog to those that don't comment ever.  I want to know who is reading!!! 

PS  I can't figure out how to fix the spacing.  Sorry about that