5 Ways My Second Pregnancy Is Different Than My First

Pregnancy is no joke, even for the toughest women. I'm grateful beyond words for this second little babe joining our family in early October -- but I'm also throwing up my meals and awake all night with heartburn (already).

I suppose this baby is preparing me to be humbled and relearn a few things I thought I knew -- because this pregnancy has been completely different than my first. During my first pregnancy, I finished my final two semesters of college, wrote a 35-page thesis, worked, and moved into a new house. With this pregnancy so far, I feel lucky if I do the dishes and hit a work deadline on time. There are countless ways this pregnancy has been different, but these are the top five so far.

1. HELLO, BABY BUMP

First pregnancy: I'm huge! Look at this! I can barely wear my size small non-maternity shirts and I'm only 18 weeks along!

Second pregnancy: Screw it, I'm wearing maternity pants at 8 weeks and no one can tell me not to.

I already have the maternity clothes and my uterus is trying to win a quickest-to-the-finish-line award, so I'm breaking out the stretchy pants.

2. GOODBYE, ANXIETY

With my first pregnancy, I worried about everything. It was a hobby of mine, and looking back, it's understandable. Having a baby is life-changing, and the learning curve of newborn care is more like a vertical line. This time, the only thing I'm worried about is doubling the trouble -- so to speak -- and going from one kid to two.

Will we need any new gear? Nah, we'll just buy diapers when the baby comes.

3. DEAR TODDLER...

The biggest difference so far? During this pregnancy, my boss is cranky, demanding, mercurial, and just under three feet tall. Worst of all, she rarely lets me nap. During my first pregnancy, the people I was around told me how great I looked, asked me how I was feeling, saved the comfiest chairs for me, and stocked the office with decaf tea. This time around, the person I spend the most time with -- although she seems to think I'm swell -- insists on eating my food and waking me up early every morning.

First pregnancy? Giving up caffeine is no big deal. Second pregnancy? It doesn't hurt that much, does it....?

4. WHAT'S MY GESTATIONAL AGE AGAIN?

First pregnancy: "Hi, birth board members. I'm currently 17 weeks 3 days 14 hours along (only 175.5 days to go!), and just wondering whether anyone else is also experiencing slight eye dryness? Is this normal??"

Second pregnancy: I'm somewhere in the second trimester. Pretty sure.

Due dates are cruel tricks, anyway.

5. I FEEL PRETTY, OH SO... NOT PRETTY

During my first pregnancy, I carefully applied makeup every day, wore flattering new maternity clothes, and, in general, felt beautiful. This time around, my dear sweet toddler gets to wear more blush than I do when she frequently steals my makeup bag.

That glow I'm looking for must be in the wash.

And even with all that, I wouldn't trade it for the world. We can't wait to meet you, sweet second baby. But also, take your time because your sister's still in your crib.

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Emily Fisk swore she'd never be a mommy blogger, so now we all have something to laugh about together. From a cozy valley in Idaho, Emily writes between work deadlines and toddler tantrums. Follow along at emilyfisk.com for attempts at gardening, sanity, humor, and faith.