Lettuce-Week 26

This week you are the size of a head of lettuce! You are still about 13.6-14.8 inches long and weighing in at about 1.5-2.5 pounds. Your eyes are still forming but will open soon! You are acquiring more antibodies from me to prepare you for the outside world!I had thought about combining week 26 and 27 as my midwives bumped me up (no change in due date) for appointments based on my ultrasound size. I was measuring about 2 weeks ahead, and my fundal height this week was about 2cm above whats expected for how far along I am. I have NO desire to move up my actual due date and many of the recent moms I know have been measuring "big".This week I had my 27 week appointment- the glucose test. Every pregnant woman dreads this test. An hour long, can't have anything yummy before the appointment (no sugary foods) and then you have to take a nasty drink and get your blood drawn. Or you can bring your own drink which contains 50g of glucose. I choose to avoid the chemically laden artificially colored goo and bring my own- I had to down just about 18 oz of Simply Lemonade (raspberry) in 5 minutes or less. Then you sit and wait. Luckily they schedule your appointment during the one hour time, I ended up only waiting in the waiting room for about 20 mins- enough time to watch a show on the tab. Overall it wasn't too bad and results should be done in a few days. I'm not too worried about it- I haven't really craved or eaten much sugar. Of course this week I would be drawn to more sweets and have a bit of an ice cream 'craving' again. Typically they have a 24 hour turn around for test results, especially if you need to come in the following week for the 3 hour test. As of Saturday am when I posted this, no phone call so I'm assuming all is good to go- fingers crossed! The one thing that peeved me this week was with the first midwife I saw- who without asking me about any other factors, commented on how much weight I have gained. Yes I have gained 30 pounds- but I feel great! I still walk and swim regularly (yes its less but relaxin is kicking in and pulling ribs when swimming) and eat a pretty balanced diet (veggies are still my demise- but 27 years of demise is nothing new for my body). Her comment got under my skin even though I know my body is doing what it needs to in order to prepare not only the best home for baby but stores of fat for breastmilk. The midwife who I've seen 3 times now drew my blood for the glucose screen (actually she drew 5 vials as they needed "record" of my blood type so they just ran a gamut of tests) said to take what midwife A said with a grain of salt- focus more on exercise and nutrition. So basically what I have been doing. Hormones make it very easy to sometimes forget what you know is true and let what someone says get under your skin. As my doula and friend said- "you are beautiful and healthy and don't let anyone else rain on your pregnancy parade"

Putting together Baby's dresser- Stephen loves taking photos for me. Note the sterri strips on my head- gashed it on the top of the dresser when it was still in pieces. Oops

Before I thought the little guy moved a lot- but this week a switch flipped and I can REALLY feel him kicking. If I stare at my stomach long enough, and let's face it work is really boring waiting for practices to end, I can see him kick. Others can also see him kick which is pretty cool. I can also tell I'm getting bigger as L t-shirts no longer cover all the bump. XL or you are likely to see a glimpse of belly. I am LOVING my maternity ribbed tanks and maternity tami's from Old Navy (at $10 a pop what's not to love!?!) The tami's are a jersey stretch and are super long- even on me! They are a great item to have for layering- I have worn them under a t-shirt as a cami and I have used them with a cardigan. As the weather gets warmer, and on the babymoon, they were the perfect tank. I have to say that I am really enjoying pregnancy and all of the novel things you can experience. Each new thing seems the best and greatest and then you look back 2-3 weeks and feel wiser. A prime example is with his movements. I'm making the conscious effort to really enjoy each stage of pregnancy and each new lesson- something every first time mom should try to do. This includes loving what my body is doing. I am growing a human being and I don't even have to think about it! My body just knows what to do- I am literally creating a person while I sleep. That is AMAZING. I will gladly take every pound, every bit of uncomfortableness, every kick, every waking up early to pee because that is all part of growing the human that Stephen and I made. He started as a tiny cell and is going to be a person- blows my mind sometimes to think about it. I am so happy to have this gift and be able to bring our son into this world- something to enjoy, not just get through.

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Total Weight Gain: 30ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: yep

Stretch Marks: not yet

Sleep: starting to get uncomfortable, and waking earlier to pee or hungry

Best Moment This Week: feeling how much he's kicking!

Miss Anything: belly not getting in the way

Movement: I'm growing a ninja! (or swimmer)

Food Cravings: mac and cheese is rocking my socks this week! also sweets and some ice cream is sounding yummy. No cravings I can't say no to.

Aversions: ugh smells- always the smells :( Gender: boy Labor Signs: too early! Belly Button: in Wedding Rings: on Exercise: swimming and walking Odin, sternum hurts a little after too much pulling thanks to relaxin popping out my ribs Mood: generally happy- like a normal person (not a crazy preggo lady) most of the time Looking Forward To: more movement and kicks