26

I  am: 26 weeks. I can't believe when I do this next week I'll be heading into my 3rd trimester. Where has the time gone?

Baby is the size of a(n): head of lettuce                             

I've gained: I think I've offically hit the double digits. I was up 10 pounds according to my home scale this morning. I go to the doctor Friday for the official count.

 

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much all the time; that or scrubs. I still have a few stretchy shirts I can wear, but not many. And by a few and not many, I mean one that I've tried.

My mood: this week has not been the best. I feel very short tempered and a my patience is seriously lacking.

 

Gender: baby GIRL!!! And I think we're set on Avery Laiken. We won't be doing any big name announcement just incase we change our minds when we see her (Darrell's thoughts, not mine). Neither one of us have other name options so I don't see this happening.

 

Cravings: milk and sweets

 

What I'm missing: my good spirits (seriously, I feel like such a grouch and it isn't like me) and comfort. My tailbone and hips are starting to hurt and I'm constantly readjusting, which is no easy task.

Highlights/ Exciting moments: Baby related, all of the movement. She's on the go constantly now. Non baby related, I got my dining room table!

 

Complaints: Heartburn still. I swear, it starts just thinking about eating. It's so annoying.

 

Wedding ring: Still on!

 

Side story... I am pretty active on a forum for other June mommies.  At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I'm really glad I stuck around. It's really great to have a place to ask questions, vent, or just talk about things that come in pregnancy and life. No one likes to talk babies like pregnant women. It's a really great group of girls and I'd say some of us have gotten to be pretty good friends. Internet friends, maybe, but still a great support group. 

 

Anywho, one of our June mommies (well I actually think her due date was moved up to May 30) had her baby Friday night at 26 weeks. She went in for a routine OB appointment and they found some complications and ended up delivering him via c-section that night.  He is doing incredibly well for the circumstances.  It just made me think how incredibly lucky I am to be carrying our daughter, despite the heartburn and back pain. It's all so trivial. I can't wait to meet my sweet girl, but I want her to stay in for much longer!

 

 

And here is the bump! She is really starting to show herself these days.

And for everyone who thinks I don't look pregnant, here is the bare belly proof. These won't happen often...

     

And one more exciting thing, I ordered a few things from Gymboree last week for Avery (that sounds so crazy calling her by a name). They were having a ridiculous sale, like $3-4 for everything. I died over these little baby shorts. I don't even know if a diaper will fit in them, but I had to have them.  The leggings were pretty cute too and they have these adorable tiny pockets on the back. There were a few more things, but these two were my favorite.  Those freaking shorts!!!

                                          

25

I am: 25 weeks.

Baby is the size of a(n): head of cauliflower                               

I've gained: 8-9 I think

Maternity Clothes: Yes, most of the time. Even though this weekend I did attempt the hair tie trick on the buttons of my favorite jeans. It worked and I could still wear them :)

My mood: is still insanely and irrationally emotional. I cry at the drop of a hat.. good, bad, and for absolutely no reason at all.

Gender: baby GIRL!!! I'm starting to think she won't have a definite name until she gets here. I've even stopped calling her Avery outloud because Darrell just isn't sure. He has no other suggestions (except the same ones we've already ruled out over and over and over again). It makes me kinda sad to not have a name to call her by, but she'll get one eventually right?

Cravings: sweets again...

What I'm missing: easy mobility. I wore tennis shoes for the first time in forever today and it wasn't comfortable to bend down and tie them. Toms it is!
Highlights/ Exciting moments: Seeing my sweet little cutie Friday is still holding me over. I love the 3d/4d pictures and I look at them all of the time. It's so awesome to see her little features. I see Darrell's features in her already.

Complaints: Heartburn can suck it. (I'm so mature, I know, but that's how I really feel about it.)

Wedding ring: Still on!

Ultrasound update

We had our follow-up ultrasound this morning. The issue at the last ultrasound at 16 weeks was that placenta was low lying, or close to the birth canal. The doctor said 90% of the time the placenta moves up on its own. The alternative would be placenta previa, meaning it drops lower and covers the birth canal resulting in a c-section. Well as of today the placenta has moved up and it's no longer a concern. Her spine and heart still look great!

We did learn that is she breech (head up) but the nurse isn't concerned at this point. She has plenty of time to move on her own. We also found out that the placement of the umbilical cord into the placenta isn't ideal. Typically, it enters at the top, hers enters at the side. The only risk that the nurse mentioned was low birth weight. She weighed 1.8 lbs today which I thought was pretty good, but the nurse said its the 38th percentile. The plan is to now been seen by the specialist every four weeks to measure her growth and check on her positioning. I have to say getting to see her monthly is fine by me, but ultimately I just want her to grow and be healthy!! The doctor wasn't available this morning but the nurse did say she would review everything and if she needed to add any additional information, she would call.

I'm typically of the philosophy that if the doctor isn't concerned I shouldn't be either, but of course I'm worried. In the scheme of things, it isn't anything major. I guess I never expected to hear "everything's good, but..." I really like the doctors I'm seeing and have full confidence that they'll help me make the best decisions.

For now, here's a few pictures of my little cutie pie! I love those little lips!!

24... it's V-Day

I am: 24 weeks, which means it's V-Day! In pregnancy terms, that means its Viability Day. Basically, doctors now consider her life viable and if she were born now (and from now on) they would do any and everything they can to sustain her life.  Hopefully that won't be an issue, but it's good to know we've made it to this milestone.

Baby is the size of an: a canteloupe                                

Ive gained: I'm going to stick with 8 since that was the last official number from the doctor. I have another ultrasound this Friday so I'll get weighed again then and I'll bet it be closer to 9-10.

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

My mood: is emotional. The past few days I've been crying at the drop of a hat. Not over anything negative necessarily, but things are "sweet" or nice and anything baby related. I almost had to leave Target without Darrell's Valentine's Day card today because I was tearing up.

Gender: baby GIRL!!!

Cravings: Not really too much. I'm having one of those weeks where I get really hungry but nothing sounds good but I'd eat anything anyone gave me. Too many options is a bad thing.

What I'm missing: not too much this week, I'm good! 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: I had my first pregnancy massage this weekend and it was amazing! Little one was pretty lazy this weekend, but she's been so active the past few days. Yesterday was more feeling than I've ever felt.  I love it so much, but some of the kicks are actually getting painful. I'm guessing she's hitting some organ.

Complaints: Not too much actually. I'd like for my hormones to get back in check, but I'm guessing that's here to stay.

Wedding ring: Still on!

This week's picture is a comparison at 12,16,20 & 24 weeks. I think she's finally popped.

Twenty-three

I am: 23 weeks!

 

Baby is the size of an: a grapefruit                                   

 

Ive gained: 8 pounds. That's the official number as of Friday.
 

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

My mood: is good. I'm sleeping really well again. I'm not even waking up to pee in the middle night which is awesome.

Gender: baby GIRL!!!

Cravings: I'm craving "real" food, like a good home cooked meal. I've been eating so much junk (McGriddles and girl scout cookies) lately and I'm over it.

What I'm missing: planning things. I know this sounds silly, but there are quite few concerts, events, etc coming up and I just don't want to committ (and can't to some because of the timing) due to how uncomfortable I may or may not be.

 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: So much this week... mom & Darrell painted the nursery this weekend. Darrell FINALLY felt her move Sunday morning. Also on Sunday, we got to see the movement from the outside for the first time,mom included! We were all sitting around watching TV and my belly was bouncing around. Baby girl is now about one pound, her face is fully developed (except for the extra fat that will continue to build up) and she can hear outside noises other my voice.. car horns, music, etc. She likes Mumford & Sons :)

Complaints: I'm having some major heartburn lately.

Wedding ring: Still on!

Front and side view at 23 weeks. I can't believe I'll be six months next week and we'll have another comparison picture.