Week # 26

I believe this is the last week of my 2nd trimester. It's hard to say because everything you read says the 3rd trimester begins on a different week. As much as we're looking forward to loving on your sweet face...I'm not ready for this pregnancy to already be at the home stretch! The 2nd trimester has been wonderful. I've felt great and have been so blessed throughout this entire pregnancy so far. This week has been a very busy week for us. I had to work 7 days in a row because of a festival we host in our town but made it through fine. I can tell my energy level is a little lower than normal and by the time 8:00 hits i'm ready for bed haha. We've been getting ready for our vacation all this week and are so ready to get away for a week and do absolutely nothing. Randy and I are going to enjoy some much needed time together just the two of us. I can't wait to get a little sun on this pale skin!

I let Randy decorate the chalk board while I took a shower...enough said. :) 

How far along? 26 weeks

Total weight gain: 17 lbs

Maternity clothes? Of course. Have you seen this belly?

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep: Been sleeping good as long as that thermostat is turned way down and the fan is going!

Best moment this week: Hearing your little heart beating, getting a good report from our miwife and preparing for our babymoon!

Miss Anything? Caffeine

Movement: Your movements have gotten way more intense within the last week. You even like waking your mama up at 3:00 a.m. kicking up a storm.

Food cravings: I've been craving a smoothie for the past 3 weeks or so and still haven't had one. I'm determined to have a real smoothie from a real smoothie shop...they have nothing like that where I live. I will find one in Florida next week for sure!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Gender: Sweet little mama's boy ;)

Labor Signs: No, just the occasional braxton

Symptoms:  Nothing new really except for the intensity of your movements.

Belly Button in or out? Almost out all the way.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy. Very blessed.

Looking forward to: Our vacation next week, seeing all the family and coming home to continue preparing for your arrival!!

We love you!

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain: Between 15-16 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yep yep yep

Stretch marks? Still no thank the Lord. I"ll be surprised if I don't get them though; this stomach is stretched out so much already and I still haev weeks to go.

Sleep: Been sleeping pretty good this week. I'm starting to get a lil more tired than I have been the past few weeks. 3rd trimester is just around the corner so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

Best moment this week: Ordering some special items for your nursery, and spending a wonderful weekend in Florida with your Great Grandpa, Pop Pop and Cousin Rachel. Wish I could drive home every weekend.

Miss Anything? No

Movement: All day long. I've started to be able to tell what time of day you move most...first thing in the morning, mid morning, right after lunch and right before bed time.  

Food cravings: Sweets. Sweets. and more Sweets. I haven't really craved anything salty yet. Randy and I are enjoying out cookie and milk date nights together quite frequently these days.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at all.

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: No, thank you Lord.  

Symptoms:  Stomach is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I can't imagine how big it will be at the end of August. My back has been hurting the past week or so. I think it's because of all the weight being carried in my stomach.  

Belly Button in or out? I can push it in and out. Very freaky looking.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy. Very blessed.

Looking forward to: Getting through 7 straight days of work and then preparing for our Babymoon! 

We've got a big boy growing in there!

24 Weeks

This week you decided to give Mommy a taste of back pain, trouble sleeping, and shortness of breath. You have moved up so much higher within the past week. Last night I couldn't get a comfortable position no matter which way I turned while trying to watch TV. It felt like you were way up in my rib cage. We're fascinated when we see one side of my stomach go higher than the other and shape into a small ball (wonder if it's your butt or your little head)...maybe we'll be able to find out next week when we go to the midwife. Although I'm pretty sure you will have moved around some more...you move constantly. I can't wait for my appointment; four weeks is way to long to go without hearing your little heartbeat.

Your Grandma got to feel you move and see you growing in my stomach this week...she was amazed...I can't wait for you to meet her along with all of your other family members (I must warn you though; some of them are crazy) haha. You will love each and every one of them though.

I signed up for prenatal classes today and have been reading Ina May's Guide To Childbirth. She is an amazing woman and has given me so much knowledge and encouragement when it comes to labor. I highly recommend anyone who is pregnant to read it. It will open your eyes to the way birth was meant to be and the strength we have as women to carry and birth our sweet babies. 

I've been trying to walk as much as possible. I love coming home from work and walking with your Daddy and Homer and Darlyn girl. But boy does it make me tired afterwards. I have a prenatal yoga DVD now and can't wait to start doing yoga again. 

Slow down pregnancy...I'm not ready for you to end yet!!!!

How far along? 24 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain: Not sure...we'll find out next week at the doctor. 

Maternity clothes? Oh yes. 

Stretch marks? Not yet. 

Sleep: Getting a little restless. 

Best moment this week: Spending some time with Mama and letting her feel you move around. 

Miss Anything? No

Movement: You are all over the place these days. 

Food cravings: Cottage cheese and fruit. Those Keebler Rainbow chip cookies have been the devil to me lately...they call my name as soon as I walk in the door after work.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Not at all

Symptoms:  Feeling very pregnant now! 

Belly Button in or out? Neither in or out at this point. Belly button is even with my stomach at the moment. 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody but in a happy way haha 

Looking forward to: So many things...our vacation...seeing all of our family...giving my Rachel some Aunt Debra kisses...this is such a special time of year. Wish my brother was here though...he is in spirit and that makes me feel better. Love and miss him so. 

Twenty Three!

How far along? 23 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain: 12-13 lbs

Maternity clothes? All the time...had to even break down and buy a pack (yes I said pack) of Hanes Her Way granny panties. They are simply amazing while pregnant. 

Stretch marks? No but this belly is stretching so I've got to start lathering up the Nivea even more.

Sleep: Blah. Sleep is off and on ok. I get up at least twice in the night. Each time I get up and go back to bed you are moving like crazy. Do you ever sleep???? I guess during the day. 

Best moment this week: Getting to lay out in our pool for the first time this year; the sun felt amazing and I already feel better having a little sun on this pale skin. Also, feeling you have the hiccups for the first time this morning at 5 a.m. was precious. 

Miss Anything? No

Movement: Your movements get more and more distinct each week. Can't wait for your Grandma to see and feel you move this weekend! 

Food cravings: Any kind of baked good. Can't get enough fruit and cottage cheese this week either. Your Daddy has been cooking for me all week. He was up at 6 a.m. this morning cooking pancakes and bacon. He even packs my lunch and multitude of snacks each morning he's off work. You are so blessed to have such a dedicated and loving Daddy. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not. At. All.

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: No...better not be for a while. 

Symptoms:  Feeling very hungry all the time! Back started hurting a little this week and my sciatic nerve started acting up as well but quickly went away. Loving every bit of this pregnancy; each change or new symptom confirms you're really in there and growing like crazy. 

Belly Button in or out? Neither in or out at this point. Belly button is even with my stomach at the moment. 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy but get emotional real quick and out of no where 

Looking forward to: Seeing Mom for Mother's Day weekend...showing her your room and letting her feel you move. She is so excited. Looking forward to seeing all of our family in a couple of weeks. This is a very exciting and busy time of year! 

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain: 11 lbs

Maternity clothes? Oh yes. I don't see how women are able to pull off not wearing them.

Stretch marks? No, but the way this belly is growing, I will be VERY surprised if I get away with no stretch marks.

Sleep: Sleep is still "ok"...getting harder and harder to find a comfortable position.

Best moment this week: Booking our Babymoon! Florida Keys here we come! I just hope I can make it through that long long drive. We're breaking it up though so it shouldn't be too bad.

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach

Movement: Oh yes, I'm starting to tell a pattern in your movements. You like to move right after lunch and can't seem to stop moving at night after supper. Your Daddy says it's because you are waiting for dessert.

Food cravings: Watermelon! Any kind of cold fruit really. I'm still obsessed with sweets. Bought a HUGE cookie cake yesterday for our 10 year anniversary of being a couple...you're Daddy thinks I was just reacting to a craving. He's probably right.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not. At. All.

Gender: Precious baby boy

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms:  My appetite has picked up A LOT within the last week or so. I used to bring what I thought was "too many snacks" to work each day and would end up having to hoard them in my desk drawer. Now, I seem to be running out by about 2 o'clock.

Belly Button in or out? Half way in...half way out almost...it looks odd right now.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy unless I am hungry...then I turn evil.

Looking forward to: Getting in our pool! The weather is finally starting to warm up the water nicely. I can't wait to get out there on my float and soak up the sun rays. I desperately need a tan on this big belly!