27 Weeks - Third Trimester!

Ok, time seriously flies the second time around! How can I possibly already be into the third tri? Amazing! It seems so fitting that I started the third trimester over Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. I have always wanted to be pregnant through the summer. Most people would probably find that crazy, but I have always thought that summer maternity wear is so cute, and to not have to work and just enjoy every moment (and rest) sounds awesome! Two more weeks of work, and then I can relax! We had a fairly quiet weekend, despite it being a three-day weekend. The weather up here in the foothills was not great, but we did enjoy some time in Denver today. Noah picked out a new hat for the summer, and then we met a friend for some gelato at the coffee shop she and her husband own. Yum! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend as well. Thank you to all of those who serve(d) our country!

The new hat!

How Far Along: 27w1d

How Big Is Baby: According to BabyCenter, baby weighs around 2 pounds, is about 14.5 inches from head to toe, and is about the size of a head of cauliflower.

Sex: Team Green til the end, but I almost always refer to baby as a he.

Symptoms: The linea nigra is darkening ever so slowly. I still feel like it’s lighter and less obvious than with Noah by this point. I have also seen some swelling in my ankles off and on, usually worse on the left side. It seems like the more supportive my shoes, the less swelling I see. The other thing I have started to notice is waking up with tingly hands in the morning. I think it happens more often when I wake up on my right side. I don’t remember this ever happening with Noah.

Food Cravings/Aversions: I could live off of ice cream. I think about it way too often. A new ice cream shop is supposed to open up in our town this week, and I am so excited about it. It’s kind of pathetic.

Belly Button: I think it’s poking out more and more.

Sleep: I am so lucky in this department so far! Other than the tingly hands, I am sleeping like a rock.

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Weight Gain: No idea.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, always. I am looking forward to wearing the dresses I have bought once school is out. The amount of cleavage or shoulder I would be exposing with them is not work appropriate. (The dresses are not obscene by any means, but I think cleavage of any sort is not very appropriate in a school.)

Movement: Baby has been a little more active recently. He’s gotta be getting bigger, because I’ve started to feel him pushing up against my ribs already. It’s such a weird but amazing feeling.

What I Miss: Again, easily being able to pick up Noah, especially when he’s upset about something and asks me to. It’s also getting hard to maneuver the laundry basket.

What I’m Looking Forward To: The end of the school year. Nine more days!!

Best Moment This Week: The three-day weekend. Duh.

Milestones: Third Trimester! 13 weeks to go!

The Bump:

Ok, I think I'm getting bigger again.

26 Weeks

How Far Along: 26w0d

How Big Is Baby: Different comparisons include a coconut, head of lettuce, or scallion. Scallion? Baby probably is around 13+ inches long and close to 2 pounds. Or so they say.

Sex: Team Green

Symptoms: Same old, same old. The braxton hicks contractions have been better this week. I'm happy about that!

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular, but I gravitate towards sweets. I guess I have been buying a lot of cherries lately. They are ridiculously expensive! 6.99 per pound?

Belly Button: Out

Sleep: Still great! Enjoying it while I can.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new. I don't really see the old ones either.

Weight Gain: I have no idea. I don't keep track. The odds of me gaining "too much" are slim to none, so whatever.

Maternity Clothes: Exclusively. I bought some maternity capri pants this weekend. It was not an easy task, and I'm not completely thrilled with them. My dad treated me to designer maternity jeans when I was pregnant with Noah, and I'm starting to think paying the extra money is worth it sometimes. The extra crotch fabric on cheaper stuff is NOT flattering!

Movement: It seems like baby is settling down. While I still feel him/her moving frequently, it all feels less obvious recently. I kind of wonder if baby rolled around to face my back. I really think s/he has adopted a weird position in there. 

What I Miss: Picking up Noah is still about the only thing I miss. Although it would also be nice to be able to easily get up from off the floor when playing with or dressing Noah.

What I’m Looking Forward To: The end of the school year. Three more weeks!

Best Moment This Week: Noah has been pretty snuggly lately. On Friday night he came up to me and asked if he could kiss the baby. He kissed my belly, then crawled into my lap and cuddled. I love that kid!

Milestones: Another week down!

The Bump:

I feel like my growth has stalled out. I don't look any bigger (maybe even smaller?) than I did at 24 weeks. This also makes me wonder if baby has shifted into a different position.

25 Weeks

On Thursday I had my 24 week appointment. Everything continues to look good. Baby had a strong heartbeat and was moving around plenty. What I was not expecting was the glucose tolerance test. My appointment was at 2:30pm, so I had eaten lunch not too long before and had an almond poppy seed muffin and small Butterfinger bar as dessert. When the medical assistant asked if I was ready for the glucola, I explained that I had no idea I was taking it and hadn't fasted or anything. She explained that they don't ask pregnant women to fast and that it would be fine. Miraculously, not only did I pass but my result was even lower than when I was pregnant with Noah. Phew! They also checked my thyroid level and while it's still in the acceptable range, it makes me nervous because the level dropped from 1-point-something to 0.6. I hope it stays put. I was also given the go ahead to travel through 36 weeks, so it's time to plan our trip back to Minnesota for the summer. I cannot wait to float in the lake at my parents' cabin and lounge by the pool at my in-laws' country club. It sounds glorious!

How Far Along: 25w1d

How Big Is Baby: Food comparisons include a head of cauliflower and a rutabaga. Length and weight estimates are 13.5” and 1.5 pounds.

Sex: I still tend to think we’re having a boy. The nurse at my appointment was saying “she” but I don’t think it was intentional.

Symptoms: I might finally be developing the linea nigra. I have no idea when it appeared with Noah, but I don’t feel like it took this long. I still have plenty of braxton hicks contractions, sciatic nerve pain, and occasional heartburn. Some days it also feels like baby is riding incredibly low and could fall out at any moment. Oh how I wish s/he would move up!

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular comes to mind, but I often crave chocolate or other sweets.

Belly Button: Poking out nicely. I wish mine stayed flat, because I always feel self-conscious when you can see it through clothing.

Sleep: I am amazed at my ability to sleep through the night. No hip pain, no overnight trips to the bathroom. Trust me, I am enjoying it while I can!

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Weight Gain: At my OB appointment on Thursday I weighed in at 123.4. That makes for a 14 pound weight gain through 24.5 weeks.

Maternity Clothes: Exclusively. Non-maternity shirts are pretty much too small now.

Movement: Oh yes, this little one has gotten much more active. Sometimes I wish s/he would settle down a little. But this continues to be my absolute favorite part of pregnancy!

What I Miss: I still wish I could pick Noah up and cuddle him. I can’t wait to be able to hold him again!

What I’m Looking Forward To: I am seriously looking forward to Friday! I have 9 IEP meetings this week to prepare for, and after Friday I will only have one left for the year. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!!

Best Moment This Week: Passing the glucose tolerance test with flying colors!

Milestones: One week closer!

The Bump:

I need to stop taking pictures on Monday nights. I look increasingly more exhausted!

Viable

On December 21st, I wouldn't have believed that I would be here today, but I would have been thrilled. Yesterday baby and I hit 24 weeks, which means we have hit the ever anticipated point of viability! Thank you Universe!

How Far Along: 24w1d

How Big Is Baby: According to different sites, baby is over a pound in weight and about a foot long. Food comparisons include an ear of corn or a cantaloupe.

Sex: I still often find myself saying she, even though I think it's a he.

Symptoms: More of the same. Foot pain, back pain, low heavy feeling at times, and really pathetic bladder control at times. None of it is all that bothersome at the moment. I'm happy to deal with all of it.

Food Cravings/Aversions: I could live off of ice cream. I have been dying for sweets lately. No aversions.

Belly Button: Out and proud.

Sleep: I still feel really lucky in this department! The only interruption this week was when Noah had a bad cold and fever and woke up crying a few times.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new.

Weight Gain: I am not keeping track, but I'll find out Thursday.

Maternity Clothes: Yup.

Movement: I don't think the anterior placenta is having any impact anymore. Sometimes this kid goes completely crazy, and I feel it all. I've tried explaining to Brian what some of the sensations feel like. One of the weirdest ones is when it feels like two marbles are rubbing together. I don't know how else to explain it. 

What I Miss: I must admit, I miss being able to easily pick up Noah and carry him around. When he's all sleepy and cuddly in the morning, it's so hard to actually hold him and snuggle.

What I’m Looking Forward To: My OB appointment on Thursday. A short week with students. 

Best Moment This Week: My dad's visit. Thankfully Noah recovered just in time to enjoy it as well.

Milestones: Viability!!!

The Bump:

Excuse my tired, fake smile. Mondays at work destroy my will to live.

This is a 24-week comparison between pregnancies. This picture finally confirms for me what I've been feeling: I am carrying so much lower!!