My Pregnancy Journal: Week 26

26 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

She now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. (“Hey, I'm in here, Mommy! Where’s the party!”) What accounts for that response? Her brain is more developed and sophisticated.

My Symptoms: Back pain, trouble sleeping, heartburn, some leg cramps.

Maternity clothes?  Only maternity clothes or sweatpants now.

Sleep? I get up at least three times a night.Getting back to sleep is sometimes easy but sometimes hard because baby kicks so much. 

Best moment last week? I was able to get a full nights sleep one night.. and I got a great nap in that day as well :)

Movement? She is moving a lot!

Weight Gain: Last week, I was at 152 lbs. and haven't weighed myself since.

Cravings: FRUIT! I have been craving Dole peaches and pineapple. 

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, and spicy things.

What made me cry this week: An untidy apartment... time to get cleaning again!

Medical Stuff: Nothing to report this week!

Something I am excited about: I am so excited about going back to Colorado next month for one last visit with my parents before this little girl arrives. :) 

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 25

25 (sorry, I skipped a week) weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds, reaching nine inches in length and passing the pound and a half mark. During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Under her skin, capillaries are forming and filling with blood and by week's end, air sacs (also lined with capillaries) will develop in her lungs, getting them ready for that first breath. Mind you, those lungs aren't ready for prime time just yet — but they are developing surfactant, a substance that will help them expand after birth. And speaking of breathing, your baby's tiny nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open, and her vocal chords are getting ready to roar.

My Symptoms: Back pain, trouble sleeping, heartburn, 

Maternity clothes?  Yes!

Sleep? This week I started having trouble sleeping.

Best moment last week? We found out that we were having a GIRL!!! :) It was such a surprise to both of us (and to all our family and friends) because we were so sure we were going to have a boy. Paul is still a bit iffy, like what if they made a mistake and it IS a boy?! LOL... it's funny.

Movement? A LOT of movement! This little girl is going to be an athlete! :P

Weight Gain: Last weigh in, I was at 152 lbs. Last post, I was 155 lbs., so I've lost 3 pounds in two weeks.

Cravings: I have been craving french fries and ketchup, but I've controlled the cravings pretty well so Paul hasn't had to go out and get anything... yet ;)

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: I was trying to make a quiche (for the first time) and Paul helped me by cutting the onions... and then he poured them into the wrong mixture and I just broke down. It's funny now, but it was the end of the world then lol.

Medical Stuff: Last week, Paul and I went in for our first ultrasound and it was so surreal. It really hit me then, seeing the little one in there, that I have a human being inside me. It was so amazing... and then seeing that it was a girl? Unbelievable :)  It was a bit difficult to get measurements of our little girl because she was in breech position, so the woman had to poke my belly for while to get her to move. She didn't move so the woman just put more pressure on my stomach to get that perfect shot. I also had my glucose levels tested (no results yet) and they also sent my urine in to make sure everything was normal. I got a call from the doctor and I have to be on an antibiotic for a week due to a urinary tract infection. Hopefully that goes away soon!

Something I am excited about: I am excited about getting ready for this baby... I've been reading lots of birth stories, safety ratings on baby products, and I've been looking at clothes and other fun things online :) 

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 23

23 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is forming little nipples (yeah, really!) The face is fully formed now -- baby just needs a little extra fat to fill it out. They're listening to your voice and your heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking. At about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 

to 20.8 ounces, baby's not just getting bigger, it's getting even cuter.

My Symptoms: Back pain, cramping in my feet at night (painful!), swollen feet sometimes... rare so far.

Maternity clothes?  Yep... all the time!

Sleep? I sleep a lot and get up to use the bathroom a lot. It's routine now :P

Best moment last week? The whole family (except Paul; he had to go back to work) stayed for up to a week after Christmas... it was so great to be with everyone!

Movement? Baby is extremely active. 

Weight Gain: I am at 155 lbs. I've gained 4 since the last entry... it must be all of that holiday feasting!

Cravings: Nothing extreme yet... I just get plain hungry.

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: Nothing

Medical Stuff: Yesterday I got 3 wisdom teeth removed. With local anesthesia (about 5 to 6 shots), I was still awake and very much aware of the drilling and pulling... yeah, that was not ideal and I wish I had just gone and removed all 4, but oh well. I do not recommend this procedure until after pregnancy. It has not been the easiest recovery, although maybe I'm getting tougher for when labor hits ;) Next week, January 11th, we are scheduled for our first ultrasound and glucose test.

Something I am excited about: I am excited to see Paul. He had to go back to MIssouri on the 26th so it feels like forever since we've had time together. It'll be nice to be back with him in our cozy apartment :)

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 22

22 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

This week, baby weighs in at a whopping pound and measures nearly eight inches, about the size of a small doll or papaya. But your little doll (who now has eyebrows, eyelashes, and maybe even some hair on that little head) is a living one who can now perceive light and dark. They can also hear your voice, your heartbeat, your gurgling stomach, and the whoosh-whoosh of blood circulating through your body. And as their brain and nerve endings develop, they may reach for their face (or whatever they can reach) just to experiment with their newfound sense of touch.

My Symptoms: Back pain, sometimes my feet swell, and I have felt cramping in my lower abdominal area. 

Maternity clothes?  Yep... and I find myself staying in sweatpants and sweatshirts during the day.

Sleep? I sleep a lot and get up to use the bathroom a lot. It's routine now :P

Best moment last week? Christmas, here in Colorado, with my side of the family!! It was wonderful!

Movement? Baby is always kicking me when I am sitting or lying down. 

Weight Gain: I am at 151 lbs. now.  I've lost 1 pound since last entry.

Cravings: No big cravings, the Christmas feast was very satisfying :)

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: Last minute Christmas shopping.

Medical Stuff: Nothing to report. Baby seems healthy because he/she is moving around so much.

Something I am excited about: I am excited to go see The Hobbit with my 4 older sisters sometime this week!

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 21

21 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is 10.5 inches and about 12.7 ounces and about the size of a pomegranate — and speaking of pomegranates, if you eat one this week, there's a good chance your baby will get a taste, too. That's because he/she swallows a bit of amniotic fluid each day (for nutrition, hydration, and to practice digesting), so they eat whatever's on your menu — and gets to put those developing taste buds to good use. So go ahead and nosh on those nachos (or crunch those crudités): Your baby may develop a taste for them when he or she is older. 

My Symptoms: Back pain!! My bump has been itching as it stretches my skin. No stretch marks yet... please tell me I didn't just jinx that. Fetal movement... a lot. It's getting more difficult to get out of bed when I need to... I have a certain routine of how to do this without cramping up. My feet swelled up for the first time.

Maternity clothes?  Yep... I try and be as comfortable as possible.

Sleep? I sleep a lot and get up to use the bathroom a lot. It's routine now :P

Best moment last week? We celebrated Christmas with Paul's family and I got flannel sheets! Yes, that made me super duper happy :)

Movement? Lots! Baby can't stay still... which makes me think he/she is healthy.

Weight Gain: I have gained 7 pounds. I am now 152 lbs. and I'll only get heavier.

Cravings: I ate a lot of pomegranates this week (one every day).

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: I broke down in tears (after not crying for a while) one night because I was so worried that once we returned to Colorado for Christmas that I wouldn't want to return to Missouri... that's still a fear, but not really anything to cry about :P

Medical Stuff: No medical stuff to report. Next appointment with Doctor is January 11th when we find out the gender (I think it'll be a boy, btw). I get my wisdom teeth removed on the 2nd soooo... that's scary... and will probably be very painful.

Something I am excited about: Being home in Colorado for Christmas and seeing the WHOLE family!!!

My Pregnancy Journal: Week 20

20 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is the size of a Banana!

Baby weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches.  Baby has got working taste buds and are now gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day -- that's significantly more than before.

My Symptoms: Back pain and some leg cramping. I get hungrier a lot easier now. I sometimes get shortness of breath and feel faint, but that's occasionally. 

Maternity clothes?  Yes, as well as sweatpants and sweatshirts.

Sleep? I sleep a lot and get up to use the bathroom a lot. It's routine now :P

Best moment last week? Scheduling the ultrasound. January 11th!

Movement? Baby is vey active. Paul can feel the baby kicking and every time I lay down or sit for a long time, baby cant stay still.

Weight Gain: I have gained 7 pounds. I am now 152 lbs. and I'll only get heavier.

Cravings: No cravings that I know of this week.

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: I haven't cried in a long time... yikes.

Medical Stuff: Baby is healthy and has a heart rate of 140-143/bpm. We have scheduled the ultrasound and are so excited for the news!

Something I am excited about: Friday!! That is when I will be packing and getting all set to go to Colorado for Christmas! Lots of pictures will be taken! :)

My Pregnancy Journal: 19 Weeks

19 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

Baby is at about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces! The baby is developing a protective coating over the skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white. Baby is working on their five senses. Nerve cells for their sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in their brain.

My Symptoms: I'm experiencing some aches and pains in my abdomen because of the stretching, I'm a lot more hungry, and I have experienced a lot more back aches.

Maternity clothes?  Oh yes!! Jeans suck for now.

Sleep? I sleep a lot.. I even have time for naps this month because I'm not working until January. It's difficult going back to sleep at night after waking up, but I have time for that which makes me even more relaxed.

Best moment last week? Every day this week I've been able to be home cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and being a stay-at-home wife. These past few days have been the best this week!

Movement? I feel baby basically every time I'm lying down or sitting.

Weight Gain: For all I know, I am gaining a little bit each week. Last time I checked, I was 145 lbs.

Cravings: I've taken a fancy to chocolate milk. Milk with hershey's chocolate syrup mixed in. Love this stuff!

Food Aversions: Tomato soup, cilantro, spicy things, and I'm starting to not be a fan of spaghetti.

What made me cry this week: I don't know if I did cry this week...?

Medical Stuff: Since we are switching insurance providers, we won't be getting an ultrasound until January... which means we won't find out the sex until I am about 24 weeks. I have a check-up next Monday, though, so we will see that the baby is healthy and strong :D

Something I am excited about: Christmas!!! I'm probably annoying everyone in my family because I am so so so excited to be going home to all the decorations and to my family.