I’m pregnant (!), and here are a few things I’m wondering about right now (wondering about, not complaining about):

1. Why do I have a big belly already? I’m only 13 ½ weeks and already full on into my maternity clothes. While I’m loving not having to button my pants and having room to grow after my meals, I’m confused. I don’t remember having this big of a belly until month five or six. When the doctor listened for the heartbeat she had to put the Doppler allllll the way down so I know there’s no baby up top --just my belly. The doctor said my body’s chemistry “may be reacting already to the pregnancy.” Whatever that means. I’ve also had people tell me that since this is my second, my abs (that I didn’t know I once had) are stretched and easier to pry open and make room for the baby. I don’t know. Baby “Dos” is only the size of a shrimp, according to BabyCenter.com. Maybe I’ve got another 10 ½-pounder, 24-incher on the way!
2. Why aren’t I as excited as I was with Lincoln? I feel bad saying that, but I just don’t have that “Oh my God!” feeling yet. I’m happy about it; Not hating this decision; Not regretting anything. I just remember being more excited at this point before. I think this may be because I’m busy being excited for the things Lincoln does. He’s getting so big!
3. Why do I want a boy so bad? Like, bad. (And, again, I feel awful for saying that.) I wouldn’t return a girl; of course, I’d love her to death! But, I really want a boy. I like my boy. He’s a good one. It’s wrong of me to think another boy would be the exact same person, but I still think it would be pretty awesome to have two little blond boys running around the house.
4. Why is everything moving so slowly!? Really, only 13 weeks? I feel like I’ve been pregnant forever already. Maybe it’s because I found out much early this time? Maybe I am excited and just don’t know it?
5. Why do I feel like this is my last one? I’ve always wanted two or three kids, but I think I’m good with two. Everything is great so far with this pregnancy and my first was a dream. There’s nothing that has me sobbing “this is the last time I do this,” but I just think this is it. I’ll have this one, we’ll be complete.
6. Why do I feel so ready? I AM READY for this one! Bring it on, Baby Dos! I know nothing will be the same as with Lincoln and our lives will be changed and flipped upside down (again), but BRING IT. I'm ready for diapers, late-nights, breastfeeding, baby laughs, crying, cooing, everything!

Just a few things I’m wondering right now--again, not complaining. I know I’m lucky. I know I’m blessed. I am grateful. I’m just thinking out loud here.

Any other moms expecting their second or remember what they felt about having #2?

Erin Hill is a first-time mom to Lincoln, who was born in January 2010. She's learning as she goes and is experiencing everything a new mom goes through while seeing the humor, irony, and enjoyment in her adventures.

Erin is a full-time technical writer, a freelancer for Patch, and co-creator and blogger at SlimSavers.com. She lives in Plum with Lincoln, her husband, Adam, their dog, Roxie, and five (yes, five) cats, Nirvana, Gary Roberts, Elvis, Talbot and Forrest. (Anyone want a cat?)

My son runs out into parking lots now. Soooo, that’s a lot of fun.

Ninety nine percent of the time, I’ve got his hand before we get close to an exit. The other one percent of the time, I KNOW he’s not running out the door into traffic…or so I thought.

When I pick him up at school, he runs down the hallway giggling (how could I not let him do that!?), stops at the door, and waits. Then, we walk out holding hands, and HE makes me stop to check for cars. I think that’s the only time I let him run ahead of me when there’s a possibility he could go out the door.

The other day, we were with friends, including his “best girl” Lily, and he and Lily BOLTED out the door of a restaurant into the parking lot. I was held back by some other people also leaving and couldn’t get to him until I pretty much knocked my friend down to get past him to chase my boy in the parking lot.

He got an earful and a timeout on the sidewalk. I said a prayer of thanks.

The next day, he tried to run out of Target ahead of my husband.

Yes, we hold his hand walking across the parking lot and the street and what-not, but this running ahead business is bananas! Both times my husband and I were unable to get to him right away. I'm not naive to think that he knows the all dangers or remembers what we tell him about cars and parking lots, but this just came out of no where -- as everything usually does with these kids.

Since these incidents, I’ve got hold of him from the time we walk in some place to the time I buckle him in the car to leave no matter where we’re at.

Now that the weather is getting nicer (is it?), I’ll soon be out of my element outside.

See, I’m kind of a stay-inside-watch-movies kind of a gal, but I’d hate to keep Lincoln away from beautiful days of playing outside. So far, I’ve been pretty good. We’ve rarely missed the opportunity to go outside and do something if it’s nice.

This may seem weird for me to talk about – making myself go outside more for the benefit of my kid – but, I’m really talking more general. I’m interested to find out what you’ve changed about yourself (something that’s been with you or about you for a very long time) for your kids.

We change a lot and most of it is expected and/or natural and not that big of a deal because we know it’s coming when we’re expecting a child. Some, like my desire to sit on my butt and watch Roseanne, is harder to break. I suppose because it’s a habit? It’s part of me? It’s what I did as a kid? (Not all the time. I played outside a lot, but I live in a neighborhood with tons of kids. I played outside while my parents sat inside and probably watched Dallas.)

I don’t see anything wrong with watching TV. Duh! I LOVE TV! But, Linc likes to go outside. Do I like to go outside? HECK NO! But, I do because he likes it, and I don’t let on that really, I’m at a loss out there. These times, I follow his lead and run around like a maniac.

What do you do outside with your kids? I need some tips!

Erin Hill is a first-time mom to Lincoln, who was born in January 2010. She's learning as she goes and is experiencing everything a new mom goes through while seeing the humor, irony, and enjoyment in her adventures.

Erin is a full-time technical writer, a freelancer for Patch, and co-creator and blogger at SlimSavers.com. She lives in Plum with Lincoln, her husband, Adam, their dog, Roxie, and five (yes, five) cats, Nirvana, Gary Roberts, Elvis, Talbot and Forrest. (Anyone want a cat?)