26 Weeks

25 weeks, 5 days

• How far along?: twenty-six weeks
• What's baby up to?: Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.
• Weight Gain: I have gained seven pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: baby bump; back pain; insomnia
• How big is baby?: about the size of a eggplant (about 13.6 to 14.8 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes, and I love shopping
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty during the night
• Best moment this week?: watching my younger brother (the same one who just graduated) get married.
• Movement?: yes, and lots of it; he's a busy little man
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: braxton-hicks contractions
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely (or not so closely)
• What I miss: sitting for extended periods without pain, sleeping comfortably
• What I'm looking forward to: the start of the third trimester; cooler weather and shopping for new clothes.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

This has been a busy week, and it will continue through the fall.  Mikey's step-dad retired from the military. My brother graduated from medical school, and got married a week later.  The wedding was beautiful.  Next weekend, Mikey and I will be heading to Louisville for another wedding.

In other news, today marks 99 days until my due date.  We have a doctor's appointment on Thursday.  At this appointment, they will test me for gestational diabetes.  That means I have to drink a sugar drink.  I think I will also have to take a shot because my blood type is negative.  I have to remember to inform the doctor that I am experiences braxton-hicks contractions also.  They aren't painful, but they can be uncomfortable.  It usually makes me feel like I am short of breath, and I can feel my belly tightening. And if I remember correctly, this will be my last monthly appointment, and we will go to biweekly appointments after this one.

And I got my diaper bag and a new pillow in the mail.  I love them both.

Random Ramblings

Today, I realized for the first time that I may be having Braxton-Hicks contractions.  My entire belly hardens for a moment, but I don't feel any pressure or any pain.  It's a really weird sensation.  And also, Mikey and my mom put their ears to my belly, and both of them said that they could hear Micah's heartbeat.  I really wish my ear could reach that far down, so I could hear it too.

25 Weeks

• How far along?: twenty-five weeks
• What's baby up to?: Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.
• Weight Gain: I have gained seven pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: baby bump; back pain; insomnia
• How big is baby?: about the size of a eggplant (about 13.6 to 14.8 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty during the night
• Best moment this week?: watching my younger brother graduate with his master’s degree as a physician’s assistant
• Movement?: yes
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: none
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: sitting for extended periods without pain, sleeping comfortably
• What I'm looking forward to: getting my new pregnancy pillow in the mail, so hopefully I’ll be able to sleep better; cooler weather and shopping for new clothes.

 

Letters to My Son: 24 Weeks

Dear Micah,

Today we watched Uncle Monkey march across the stage to accept his diploma and white coat, and officially mark the end of his journey to become a physician’s assistant. We are so proud of him. You, my little man, can be anything you wish to be.

I love feeling you rolling around in there, even when it gets a little uncomfortable for me. You are quite the acrobat. It’s still hot and humid out here, and that doesn’t help mommy to be comfortable. Things are starting to come together, as we prepare for you to make your debut as an outside baby. I realize that before we know it, you’ll be here, and we’ll be working overtime to make sure you’re taken care of and loved. Just stay put until it’s time for you to come.

I love you little man.

More Pictures

24 Weeks: Viability

• How far along?: twenty-four weeks; a milestone because this week is considered the week of viability. In other words, if baby was (GOD FORBID) born now, he would at least have a chance at survival.
• What's baby up to?: Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
• Weight Gain: I have gained seven pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: baby bump; back pain; insomnia
• How big is baby?: about the size of a papaya (about 10.5 to 11.8 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty at least twice a night
• Best moment this week?: setting up the crib
• Movement?: yes
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: sitting for extended periods without pain
• What I'm looking forward to: buying the crib mattress

Letters to My Son: 23 Weeks

Dear Micah,

I am beginning to understand why sleep deprivation is considered a method of torture. You, my little man, seem to love the night, and roll around in my tummy doing somersaults and practicing karate or something. You also have quite a way of letting me know if I roll over onto my belly while I’m sleeping. Your crib is set up, and waiting on you. But please stay put for a few more months. I love you little boy.

23 Weeks

22 weeks, 5 days

• How far along?: twenty-three weeks 
• What's baby up to?: Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
• Weight Gain: I have gained seven pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: baby bump; back pain 
• How big is baby?: about the size of a papaya (about 10.5 to 11.8 inches) 
• Sex: boy! 
• Maternity clothes?: yes 
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them 
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days 
• Best moment this week?: shopping for baby clothes
• Movement?: yes, though recently instead of kicking to try to make me move my hand, he has been moving to avoid my hand. smart baby.
• Food cravings?: none 
• Labor signs?: n/a 
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely 
• What I miss: sitting for extended periods without pain 
• What I'm looking forward to: setting up the crib - still

Shopping

We went shopping.  Shopping is a favorite pastime of mine, and Mikey enjoys it just as much.  Here are some of the fruits of my labor.

Some South Carolina gear.

bibs

In honor of my sister especially, who is serving our country in Afghanistan.

I am looking forward to this bundle of joy!  Now to get some more of the stuff that he will actually need, like a mattress.

Letters to My Son: 22 Weeks

Dear Little Boy,

I love you.  Even though this week, you have contributed to mommy feeling not the best.  You have made it a little difficult for me to sleep comfortably, or sit comfortably for too long.  But I do enjoy your little kicks, and I look forward to meeting you and discovering the person you will become.

And daddy and I have decided on your name.  You will be Micah Tremaine.

Another Doctor Visit

We went to the doctor today. All is well. The baby is measuring right on target. I have gained five pounds since my last visit, for a total of seven pounds. My next appointment is in four weeks, and I get to take the test for gestational diabetes. Yes, that means I will be drinking the sweet stuff. Hopefully, I won't get sick.

Today at my appointment, the doctor checked the baby's heartbeat. The baby wasn't really too keen on that, and he kicked the monitor off of him. The doctor tried again, and he kicked it again, then moved away from the monitor. My child is already rude. All in all, it was a good appointment.

Library Building: The Beginnings

Reading is something I enjoy doing very much.  There's nothing like curling up with a good book and losing yourself in the story.  It is something that I want to share with my children, and so we have started building Micah's library.

22 Weeks

Added August 5, 2010 @ 22 weeks, 3 days

• How far along?: twenty-two weeks
• What's baby up to?: Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
• Weight Gain: I have gained two pounds total; as of my last appointment; I feel like I have gained more than that since the last appointment because I now have a noticeable bump and the girls have grown
• Symptoms: baby bump; clumsiness; swollen ankles
• How big is baby?: about the size of a papaya (about 10.5 to 11.8 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days
• Best moment this week?: receiving the baby’s crib bedding in the mail
• Movement?: yes, though recently instead of kicking to try to make me move my hand, he has been moving to avoid my hand. smart baby.
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: wearing high heels
• What I'm looking forward to: setting up the crib