Baby Arya’s birthday is rapidly approaching, and I can’t wait to meet her. Her final nursery preparations will happen next week and then it’s just waiting until her arrival, which has already been scheduled. As it draws to a close, I’m amazed at how different pregnancy #2 has been from #1.

Xander was unplanned (by us, anyway). I didn’t find out until I was almost 10 weeks along, and I had no morning sickness in the first trimester. Actually, I felt great all through the pregnancy except for a little lower back pain and a day of acid reflux in my third trimester. My body didn’t swell up, my hair grew at a rapid pace, and my skin was smooth and even. I craved fresh vegetables. Most of the pregnancy occurred during the winter.

Arya was planned. I took an early response pregnancy test one day and it was negative; the next day I took one and it was just barely positive (which has made this pregnancy feel so much longer). I had nausea for the first 4.5 months. The lower back pain is worse, I’m taking medication for acid reflux, and my hips hurt. My hair is growing at its normal pace, my skin has broken out a few times, and my rings are currently on a chain around my neck because my fingers have swelled up. I crave fresh fruit. Most of this pregnancy was in the summer. It is hot.

One constant about both my pregnancies that I hope is also true of all future ones is that I don’t gain weight outside of what my body needs for the baby. Even with the different “symptoms” of pregnancy, my body has been very good about letting me know when and what to eat, when and what to drink, and when to take it easy. I’m very thankful for that.

I’m looking forward to when Arya joins us and seeing all the ways her personality is different from that of her brother.