7 Months

Baby's now the size of a squash!

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

28 Weeks

Baby now weighs as much as a Chinese cabbage!

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before he's batting those beauties at you. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Baby's lungs are mature enough that, if born right now, he has a pretty good chance of surviving (with help from medical technology). His skin is still pretty wrinkly (one byproduct of living in amniotic fluid) but will smoothen as fat continues to deposit.

How far along? 28 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: Hey guess what? I have Hollywood feet! My feet suddenly look just like Shrek's. They're huge and puffy and barely fit in my shoes. They're a little less green, though. All this swelling is pretty sudden, but i've been waiting for it to happen. It's true what they say...being pregnant in the summer is *not* exactly fun.

I Wish I'd Known...: That i wouldn't get any sleep *before* the baby is born either. Except for a short stretch during second trimester when me and sleep were best buds, i haven't been able to get a good night's sleep at all...and it seems to be getting worse the bigger i get. Boo and hiss. And i don't want to hear "You better get your sleep before the baby comes" one more time!!
Best moment this week: Presents! Mom gave me her cherry bedroom furniture, which coincidentally matches the cherry baby furniture perfectly. So now i have a dresser for the baby room! I also got some super cute baby Ryan clothes from Susan and Katie that match our jungle-themed nursery. I realllllly need to get the closet cleaned out so i can hang up everything.
Worst moment this week: I have something going on every day this week and i'm exhausted. Luckily today is Friday and my last work day before the weekend.

Movement: Lots of kicks and punches this week, but not too strong. I, on the other hand, can barely move anymore. It just takes too much effort.
Food cravings: Well i found out why i was craving red meat all of a sudden...i'm anemic. The doctor has me taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods. So tonight Jake made spaghetti with meat sauce :)

What I miss: Winter. OMG summer sucks so bad. I can't even step outside without blowing up like a balloon and risking heat stroke. It's awful.
What I am looking forward to: Sunday, my only day off. If you call me don't expect me to pick up the phone..i'll return your call on Monday.
In Other News:

   Peanut weighs 9 hamburgers now! Expect some rapid burger-growing. Starting now he'll gain 1/4 to 1 pound every week. Things are about to get interesting!

   We met with the pediatrician yesterday and the office seemed very cool. They have something like 16 rooms, separate well, sick, and newborn waiting rooms, Saturday sick appointments, and they're associated with Scottish Rite. They just moved to a new building so it's all shiny and new. The only downside is that they don't have privileges at Kennestone, so Ryan will have to see one of the hospital pediatricians while we're there. I guess it's not that big of a deal since we're only there a couple of days, but it kinda sucks.

  I also had my 28 week checkup this week. As i mentioned earlier, for the first time this pregnancy i'm anemic. The doctor said that's pretty normal at this stage, that Peanut is sucking all the nutrients out of me. I don't know what exactly he thinks he's sucking up since all that's floating around in there are pieces of ice cream sandwiches. Anyway, now i get to eat iron and (most likely) have to take laxatives. Fun times. The doctor also measured my belly and i'm measuring a week behind. He said that's completely normal too and is pleased with my weight gain (even though i'm definitely not) and said that it's all baby-related weight. I beg to differ because i've seen my butt naked, but i'll take my compliments where i can get them. I now get to visit the doctor every 2 weeks for a bit. I would be much more excited about this if i got an ultrasound every time. Instead all they want from me is my blood and urine.  HR=145bpm

27 Weeks: THIRD TRIMESTER!

Baby now weighs as much as a head of cauliflower!

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle. Baby's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means he's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in your womb means every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but hey -- it's progress.

How far along? 27 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: I have hiccups...in my belly. I had assumed the little bubbly flutters i was feeling were just the baby moving around, but after further reading i'm actually feeling Ryan's hiccups! How cute is that?! I'm also quickly approaching critical cankle level. Pretty soon my legs will be one hairy, pale-white, spider-veiny, chubby, swollen hot mess. Ah, the joys of pregnancy. I've noticed that my belly is now big enough that i lean backwards when standing up so that i don't topple onto my face. I'm really having issues getting up from *anywhere* lying down. To get out of bed i have to just roll off the side and hope i land on my feet and not my face...

I Wish I'd Known...: That the "giant and miserable" part starts waaaaaay earlier than anyone told me. Up until now i was thinking "this isn't *too* bad, i can do it". But now that i'm unable to get up and down, bend down, bend over, or see ANYTHING other than my belly it's starting to get cumbersome and not so much fun. I seriously don't know what's going to happen when my belly grows even more!
Best moment this week: I'm approaching the finish line!! I have succeeded in reaching the 3rd (and FINAL) trimester! Although September seems far away, it's less than 3 months, only 85 days away 'til D-Day!!
Worst moment this week: Grandmom was having some abdominal pain and had to go to the Emergency Room (she's doing better now). While waiting in line to check-in at the ER a nurse took one glance at me and asked "Do you need to check into Labor & Delivery?!" I almost grabbed my belly and started panting but i figured they'd just kick us out once they discovered i was faking it just to get Grandmom seen faster. About half an hour later in the waiting room an ER patient asked "Are you here to have the baby?"....i guess the days of hiding my Peanut belly are behind me. Wayyyyyy behind me.

Movement: Still muted kicks and hiccups most of the time. Occasionally i'll get some hard punches. My favorites are when Ryan sits on my bladder.
Food cravings: Sweets! I'm craving red meat a lot more all of a sudden, but i'm trying not to eat it too often. I have a special fondness for Jake's spaghetti meat-sauce but i'm going to stop talking about it now because i'm drooling all over the place.

What I miss: Mobility. I feel so useless, i can't do anything anymore. I basically burst into tears every time i drop something. And hello, have you met me? I'm clumsy and dropping things is my forte.
What I am looking forward to: Next week is going to be super busy. Monday i have my 28 week checkup, Wednesday i meet the pediatrician for an "interview" and Saturday we take a tour of the hospital. This is in-between working all week. I'm going to be hurting this time next weekend...
In Other News:

   Ok i'm not a hugely adventurous veggie person. I don't think i've ever held a cauliflower. However, i *do* know that 2 pounds is the same as EIGHT quarter-pound burgers from Wendy's. Peanut weighs as much as 8 burgers!! I think from now on i will keep you updated on how many burgers the baby weighs. It's something we can all relate to, so it only makes sense. (Two pounds is also the weight of the chicken breast i just bought and it's heavy!) By the time all is said and done Ryan will weigh as much as THIRTY burgers or more. Craziness! Grow, Ryan, grow!

26 Weeks

Baby is now as long as an english hothouse cucumber!

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days. Baby's soaking up your antibodies, getting his immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and he'll soon be practicing the blink...perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

How far along? 26 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: Guess what?! I'm pregnant! I took a pregnancy test last week. I mean, my symptoms *seem* to be consistent with my self-diagnosis but i just wanted to be sure. Actually it was for a co-worker to play a joke on a friend, but the looks i got at work carrying a pregnancy test around? Priceless. I think i might do it again in August.
   Pregnancy brain persists! I was watching a tv show online and a commercial came on. I immediately grabbed my tivo remote and tried to fast forward, yet nothing happened. Yes, it took me more than a few seconds to realize why the darn thing wasn't working. Yes, i may have checked the batteries in the remote. And yes, i did it again the next commercial break too...

I Wish I'd Known...: That once i started feeling Peanut kick hard and constantly, it does NOT stay that way. After a few days of feeling Ryan all day long, all the time it suddenly stopped. For 10 hours at work Monday i didn't feel a thing, and once i got home i could only feel faint movements if i had my hand to my belly. I called the nurse just to check....yep, apparently this is normal. As long as i can feel 5+ movements in an hour while lying down with my hand on my belly we're good.
Best moment this week: No diabetes! Celebrations have been going on all week and consist of peanut-butter cup Blizzards, chocolate cake, and ice cream sandwiches. Somehow i expect i will have gained weight by my next visit...
Worst moment this week: The hormones are starting to get to me. I get aggravated easily and cry at pretty much every tv show i watch.

Movement: The varying degrees of baby kicks is unnerving. And since i'm a paranoid, OCD worrywart this means i have a hand on my belly all day long. I'm so very proud of myself, however, that i have only called the nurse ONE time in 26 weeks. That should go in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Food cravings: Ice cream and spicy chicken! But not together, that would be gross.

What I miss: Being able to pet the cats without falling on my face. If i bend over i start to topple, so now they have to meet me halfway by jumping up on a chair or the couch.
What I am looking forward to: Getting my shower invitations in the mail! Ally designed these awesome invitations that are soooooo cute. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

In Other News:
   The wallpaper border is up! Mom came over and helped me. And by help i mean she did it all herself because i have no idea how to put up wallpaper. It looks so good! We don't have any of the bedding or other decor yet, but at least the walls are done.
   I have discovered a somewhat-solution to my problem from last week about picking up all the things i drop. I have TOES. These amazing little things work just like fingers and can grab the things that i can no longer reach. Unfortunately, this also means that i lose my balance and fall down half the time, but the other half the time i can pick stuff up! This doesn't work so well at the pharmacy since i have shoes on, so more than a couple of co-workers have heard me cussing lately...
  Speaking of work, i've found that when i'm not working i get bored at home. I've been working for so long with only my 1 week vacations that i can't imagine a whole 6 weeks away, stuck at home every single day. Here's a recent conversation i had with Ally: "see this is why i can't imagine being gone from work for 6wks....it's been 2 days [off work] and i'm driving myself crazy. If i were working i'd not have gotten enough sleep and be too tired to care"
   All of a sudden the past few days i felt like i need to get stuff done NOW, that i'm not prepared and not ready. Today i cleaned the small bathroom...and suddenly i'm over it. I *hate* cleaning bathrooms.
BG=78
HepB titers= 11 (immunity)

Belly Pic!

The Nursery....Cleaning Out the Room

The Nursery....New Paint and Border!

25 Weeks

Baby now weighs as much as a rutabaga!

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. That oh-so-handy sense of equilibrium is kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.

How far along? 25 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: It's come to this: Peanut Belly is cramping my style. This scenario has become all too common.
1) Drop something on the floor (this happens A LOT)
2) Stare at it for a good 30 seconds willing it to fly back up to my hands.
3) Debate whether i *really* need this item. If it's food, i call the cats. If it's trash, a paper towel, or some other inconsequential item i leave it until Jake finds it.
4) If it's absolutely imperative that i pick it up (my cell phone or an ice cream sandwich) much cursing and grunting ensues. Surely i burn a good 500 calories each time i do this, which means i deserve to eat a second ice cream sandwich for my efforts.

For the same reasons, i'm having difficulty with footwear. As in...i've actually considered going to work barefoot and getting someone to help me slip my feet into my shoes. I wear flip-flops on my days off, but work requires close-toed shoes and flip-flops probably wouldn't be comfy enough to stand in for 10 hours anyway. Since i still have 14+ weeks to go, i have no idea how i'm going to be able to put shoes on much longer considering i can barely get the job done now.

I Wish I'd Known...: What baby kicks feel like. I think i was feeling them way earlier than i originally thought.
Best moment this week: My checkup went very well. My blood pressure is back down (110/70), i'm fairly certain i don't have diabetes, everything with Peanut looks good, AND i only gained 1/2 pound the past 3 weeks! I worked super hard for that, and promptly celebrated by eating horribly this whole week. The chocolate-glazed donut i had this morning was totally worth it though.
Worst moment this week: Exercising is becoming increasingly difficult. I get side-stitches every time we walk and can barely waddle at a snail's pace without having to stop to catch my breath. I hope things turn a corner because i enjoy our walks.

Movement: Peanut is kicking up a storm again. I feel him moving all the time now, and he's getting closer and closer to my ribcage. I can't imagine how this is going to feel in a few weeks when he puts on a few pounds. It seems like it would hurt like crazy considering they're so strong now at only 1.5 pounds.

Food cravings: I like food.

What I miss: Being able to reach my feet to put on shoes and being able to see my legs to shave. Shaving blind is probably not the best idea i've ever had.
What I am looking forward to: I've set up an appointment to meet a pediatrician we might use, and it feels good to check things off my list. Next up is the hospital tour, and Daddy's Day is coming up fast. I have no idea what to get Jake.

In Other News:
   It's no secret that i watch a lot of TV. I've found the couch particularly comfortable to lie down on, but i'm starting to have a major problem. Once down, i can't get up! I don't know if it's just Peanut Belly related or because i've worn out the couch, but it is next to impossible to get up off the darn thing. I usually just lie there until Jake wanders by and then i make him help me up. The same thing happens when it's time to get out of bed. Pretty soon i'll just give up and lie in one place all day until someone discovers i'm missing and comes to find me.
   I've acquired a few nicknames since i've been pregnant, all from my loving husband. Lately i'm known as "Easy-Bake" and "Preggo". It makes me giggle every time he uses them so i don't mind too much.
  We got the nursery painted! It's looking really, really good AND i didn't even spill paint on the carpet. I'm very proud of myself for that. I didn't realize that i couldn't put the wallpaper border up right away, so we'll have to do that sometime this week. I can't wait to show off the finished product!