27 weeks (picture kinda)

Happy Halloween! Baby C is hidden a little in the black, but I promise you'd know he's there. Here is our team for our work Pumpkin Carving and Cooking contest! The Cat in the Hat is Jessica, my awesome manager, and in the plaid is Emily, who is also pregnant :) (16 weeks). We had a lot of people participate in bringing in pumpkin desserts - I was surprised to get runner up (2nd place)! Very flattering (thanks Joey for helping make our trifle!). Our picture is actually being taken by the dessert winner :)

Joey is working night shifts, so but we'll try to get a picture with the board tomorrow morning. We've talked about changes we'll make in the nursery (maybe work on that this weekend). 

Updates: sleep is a little harder, I feel less like I have to "pee" and more just pressure that going to the bathroom helps (one other pregnant lady felt this way too), I'm craving/eating wayy too much sugar, but I plan to stop soon before the glucose test next Wednesday. Other than that, just happy! (less tears, less emotional swings for the most part - yay anti-depressants!)

26 weeks, 1 day (picture)

(I'm arching my back a little, but the sign is almost the best it's been!)

We had our 26 week appointment yesterday! I still love going in and hearing his heartbeat. A good 140 bpm. My blood pressure has risen a little, like expected, and I can hear (feel?) my heart beat increase sometimes if  I stand still for long (like getting ready in the morning). We saw the same male doctor that we've seen before, and he confirmed all my symptoms are normal and things are going well! We picked up the orange drink for my gluco test two weeks from yesterday. Not really looking forward to it, but another step in the journey! I'll also get the Rh shot that day. Some books say that now that I'm in the 27th week, I'm in the third trimester! but other books say not until after reaching 28 weeks. Regardless, we're so thankful for things going well and health and praying for all the other babies cooking that we know of! God is good :)

How far along? 26 weeks (and a day)

Baby is the size of a: Head of lettuce

Total weight gain: 15ish lbs (going with the doctor scale)

Maternity clothes? Mostly wearing maternity clothes. So thankful for all I've been able to borrow!

Stretch marks? Nothing yet.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well, but waking up to pee or roll over. 

Best moment this week: 

Movement: A lot of jumbling, with some strong kicks. Feeling a little more used to the movement :)

Food cravings: Not really, wanting more water and vegetables lately.

Gender: Little boy!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Overall feeling pretty good, some nausea and light headedness if I stand for too long, or sit too forward for long. Some cramping when I'm walking (round ligament). A little swelling sometimes in my feet or ankles. Oh and baby brain. A lot, haha.  

Wedding rings on or off? On. My hands have only swelled at normal times like working out or waking up suddenly.

Belly Button: Out then in? It often looks like a little volcano

25 weeks, 5 days (picture)

How far along? 25 weeks (5 days)

Baby is the size of a: Cauliflower

Total weight gain: 12ish lbs (going with the doctor scale)

Maternity clothes? Mostly wearing maternity clothes. So thankful for all I've been able to borrow!

Stretch marks? Nothing yet.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well, wake up when I'm switching sides more, and more tired than I was. (I think I look a little tired, even after a weekend!)

Best moment this week: At Joey's family's church, the pastor asked what happened to me?? I pointed to Joey and responded "I think this guy, actually." We had a great visit!

Movement: A little less kicks, and more jumbling movement. Feeling a little more used to the movement :)

Food cravings: Not really, wanting more water and vegetables lately.

Gender: Little boy!

Labor Signs: No, although felt some cramping (Braxton Hicks?) yesterday while walking

Symptoms: Overall feeling pretty good, some nausea and light headedness if I stand for too long. 

Wedding rings on or off? On. I've only swelled at normal times like working out or waking up suddenly.

Belly Button: Out then in? It often looks like a little volcano

25 weeks, 1 day

So Joey is working Day shifts this week, and leaves before I get up. We'll be away this weekend, but will probably get a 25 week picture with the board on Monday (5 days late). Until then, here is a quickie I shot in the bathroom and felt a little silly doing. hehe:

A Few Updates:

• Little man has been pounding during the night - sometimes I wake up sore, but I'm so thankful to feel him. He should be pretty active from now through week 32 or 34 (when there's a little less room).
• I still have to write down almost everything I want to remember. If someone catches me in the hallway, I'll have them walk with me to my office so I can get my notebook. 
• Looking forward to my next appointment next Wednesday! We'll schedule the glucose challenge test and a few shots I need to take (whooping cough and the one for Rh factor). 

24 weeks, 5 days

Okay, so I officially feel like I have a belly! In that last week or so, it's moved past my chest, and it's 6 inches bigger than what I started with. It's a lot harder to do the hair-band trick with my jeans, so I'm boxing them up. Although it's an adjustment to find out what to wear, it's a fun new chapter. I'm so thankful that the Lord has brought us here. 

This weekend we took a road trip to pick up our nursery dresser and see Joey's family for lunch. Both added to my happiness :) Friday night, I noticed that my ankles were a little swollen for the first time. That might be all of the new symptoms I've noticed so far, and not too bad for being right around the corner from the third trimester. We got the dresser made and the curtain hung yesterday. We are so excited to meet this little boy someday!

Some fun facts for where we're at: 

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring about 13 inches long, he weighs approximately 1 1/2 lbs. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate, gaining some baby fat and filling out his long, lean frame.
His hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all! And the structure of the spine is beginning to form (33 rings, 150 joints, and 1000 ligaments)!

24 weeks, 2 days

Brief update:
While sitting in traffic this morning, I felt hiccups for the first time! I'm not sure what was bumping up against my hand, but it was very rhythmic right above my belly button. So neat! It reminded me of how great our God is, and I feel so blessed to witness and be a part of experiencing him as Creator.

24 weeks (picture)

How far along? 24 weeks 

Baby is the size of a: Cantaloupe

Total weight gain: 10ish lbs (going with the doctor scale)

Maternity clothes? I'm still kind of between my normal clothes and maternity clothes, but I'm trying to wear more maternity shirts. When else will I get the opportunity? :) 

Stretch marks? Nothing yet.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well, wake up when I'm switching sides more, and more tired than I was.

Best moment this week: After a few days of quiet, feeling him move again!

Movement: I was feeling a lot of movement, then he was quiet, and now he's kind of kicking a little higher than he was.

Food cravings: Not really, if anything, comfort food. 

Gender: Little boy!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Overall feeling pretty good, some achiness at times, some headaches, but all in all, doing good. 

Wedding rings on or off? On. I've only swelled at normal times like working out or waking up suddenly.

Belly Button: In, but looks a lot different than it used to.

23 weeks, 6 days

Okay, so we're not very good at getting pictures taken in the morning :) Joey has been working at 6 AM for the last 9 days, but we should get an opportunity tomorrow to take our 24 weeks. 

Last Monday I got my first migraine while pregnant, but Joey also got to feel our little guy kick for the first time, which was really cool! I've been finding that my sleep at night has been a lot more restless and dreamy. But naps, when I get a chance, have been really great. Starting Saturday, he's also been a lot quieter about moving and I rarely feel him. I found some forums talking about a quiet stretch around 24/25 weeks and that made me feel a lot better. Other than that, slowly working on the nursery, getting the dogs ready for a new addition, taking walks, and trying to enjoy this time :)

22 weeks, 5 days

We have heard so much good news recently! In addition to my best friend getting engaged, we heard about 2 pregnancies from Joey's previous team mates, one from his current team (twins!), and we might have had family members announce on Saturday. So many! I'm thrilled to have so many ladies going through the same life change, and look forward to all the future potential play dates and what-the-heck calls.

Recently, I've been noticing a lot more movement (little guy must be getting stronger :) ), with a few flutters that I would call kicks. I'm really excited for when Joey will be able to feel him. I've reached a point where I'm in between my normal clothes and maternity clothes, and feeling so thankful that he'll be growing about six ounces each week. Not only am I loving the idea of more of a bump (with a popped belly button would be great!), but it would be nice to get a little more comfortable. We are certainly blessed!

The longer we listen to one another - with real attention - the more commonality we will find in all our lives. That is, if we are careful to exchange with one another life stories and not simply opinions.  ~Barbara Deming