26 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  So the time had been FLYING, up until this week. I'm not sure why. But I feel like 26 weeks?? That's all? I know time really is going by quickly and before I know it Reese will be here. But it's hard to be patient!
 How Far Along: 26 weeks
Size of baby:  According to babycenter, she's about the length of a long (I forget the actual name) cucumber, and weighs between 1.5 - 2 lbs. I'm hoping my dr will be able to take a guess at her weight next week! Although I know it will really only be a guess.

Weight: 120lbs

Total Weight Gain: 10lbs. I don't know how I lost a pound this week. I've been more careful with what I've been eating but I certainly don't think I'm eating too little. I'm not concerned, hopefully my doctor won't be either!

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: I can comfortably wear both maternity and regular clothes. I usually choose maternity though, unless it's cold then I have to wear older clothes.

Gender:  GIRL!!!!

Names: Reese Elizabeth!

Movement: Her movements lately have been so weird. Big, rolling movements. She's getting strong enough to wake me up sometimes and it ALWAYS freaks me out. For just a second I think "what's wrong with my stomach??" Then I remember Reese, and I love it. :)

Sleep: I discovered the wonderfulness that is sleeping with a pillow between my legs and under my belly. I had been telling Jake it was getting harder and harder to support my belly on my own, especially when I lay on my side. My doctor said after 26 weeks I should only be laying on my back for no longer than 6 minutes. I was surprised by this, I thought he would have no issues with it. Thankfully I've trained myself long beforehand to sleep on my side, and now it's SO MUCH EASIER with the help of a pillow!

Exercise: It's been BAD this week. Another reason I'm surprised I've lost a pound!

Symptoms: I finally realized I've been having braxton hicks contractions! They do not hurt and I maybe get 1-2 a day, some days I get none at all. But it's still a little unnerving. I know it's my body practicing. But it's just weird. :)

What I miss: I've been missing Baby #1 lately. It's weird to think, with all the holidays coming up, that I could have had a baby with me. But he/she is in Heaven and Reese is on her way and the Lord has plans. I am content. :)

Cravings: I could eat carbs like it's going out of style. But I stop myself. All my real "I would get up and drive to get this" cravings are for things out in CA. I guess I should be happy, but it makes me want to cry when I can't get them. Oh well!

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Last weekend we FINALLY painted her crib and set it up. We also arranged the gifts we've been given in her dresser to free up some closet space. Next big thing is a dresser. 

Best Moment this week:  Same things... just feeling her so much.

Looking Forward To: My doctors appointment next week, of course! And meeting her!
Belly Pic:  No pic of my belly this week, but here's a picture of Reese's corner! (we live in a 1 bedroom apartment so when she starts sleeping in a crib she'll be in a corner of our nicely sized living room)

25 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  I can't believe I'm already at 25 weeks! It's going by SO quickly and I'm loving every moment of it! 15 weeks left!
 How Far Along: 25 weeks
Size of baby:  Appx. 1.5lbs! And around 13inches (says the baby sites. Of course Reese may be totally different.)

Weight: 121lb

Total Weight Gain: 11lbs. I guess if I just keep gaining one pound a week I will be right in my target range when Reese comes! Personally I hope the gain slows down at some point, but for now it's fine. :)

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity shirts now, and I found some maternity pants that fit! I am so happy! I can still fit in to my regular jeans, it's just not nearly as comfy. I really need to find long sleeves that work too. It's getting cold!

Gender:  GIRL!!!!

Names: Reese Elizabeth!

Movement: She is an active little girl! I feel her every day! I think I even felt hiccups for the first time this morning, although I'm not sure.

Sleep: It's been pretty decent this week. I woke up for a few hours a couple of nights, but for the most part I wake up feeling well rested.

Exercise: Walking the doggies every day! Climbing up and down our stairs every hour with the puppy. That has to count!

Symptoms: Besides some heartburn, I've been feeling really great!

What I miss: Nothing!

Cravings: Everything. Well, not necessarily a "craving". But I could eat just about everything I see. My sister, who is 33 weeks pregnant, always talks about how she has "no appetite". I wonder if I will ever hit that phase!

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Basically... everything still. Need to paint her crib and set it up but her dad is being a slacker. ;) Really need to find a dresser for her, and set up her section of the room! I am gettin impatient to do it!

Best Moment this week:  All the strangers commenting on my pregnancy! I LOVE looking pregnant! FINALLY!

Looking Forward To: Progressing more and more, of course. And as the weather has gotten cooler and Fall is just about here, it's begining to dawn on me that Reese herself will be here soon! I can't believe it. It's terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. I CAN NOT WAIT to meet her.
Belly Pic: 

 

24 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  Supposedly, 24 weeks is considered the "viability" week. Meaning, if I were to go in to labor and the baby had no choice but to come out, there is a chance the baby could survive. I also heard it means that the doctors won't tell you "sorry, you're losing your baby" but that they will actually try to help it. Obviously it would means months and months in the NICU, but it was an exciting milestone to pass, even though it's a bit worrisome to think about. So I don't think about it!
 How Far Along: 24 weeks
Size of baby:  Two websites seem to differ greatly here. One said baby was around the size/length of an ear of corn. Another said the baby would be around the size/length of a cantaloupe. Those seem SO drastically different than the other! Who knows for sure. I do know my baby is growing, because I sure am!

Weight: 120lb

Total Weight Gain: Finally, for sure, hit the 10lb mark this week. Eh. Whatever. It was a big deal, now it's not. :) One of those pounds is probably the baby, so how can I say no to that? :)

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: Thanks to some friends and my awesome sister, I have seven maternity shirts so I mostly wear them now. They are the most comfortable. Jeans.. don't even get me started. XSmall are still way too big. I'd need to grow two more pairs of thighs. So I'm going to just buy some belly bands I think in the right color and use those until further notice. 

Gender:  GIRL!!!!

Names: Reese Elizabeth!

Movement: She is an active little girl! I feel her every day!

Sleep: It's been great!

Exercise: Walking the doggies every day! Climbing up and down our stairs every hour with the puppy. That has to count!

Symptoms: Nothing too bad this week! I think I got my first varicose vein. I wanted to cry, it was so ugly. But it's a small price to pay and I don't want to be one of those girls that complains about something so silly!

What I miss: Nothing!

Cravings: Donuts. But I don't eat them. Maybe once or twice a month. Other than that my appetite has been normal.

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Find a dresser, paint her crib and set it up, find a wall decal!

Best Moment this week:  Feeling her so much. She is such a blessing! The other night I was sitting on the couch and she had some body part pushed hard up against my stomach and I could totally feel it, although I couldn't figure out what it was. It was so sweet KNOWING that was our baby.

Looking Forward To: Progressing more and more! My baby shower has been decided on and the invites have been sent out!

Sorry no pics this week. I emailed my doctor asking about the ultrasound pics but still haven't heard back. Hopefully this video will suffice. :)

23 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:  Seeing the baby at the ultrasound today!! Feeling her kick like crazy. Same ol' same ol'. :)
 How Far Along: 23 weeks Size of baby:  My doc guessed roughly 7in from head to rump. He didn't measure her body, although he did measure her head and said she was right on track. I think her head was 6cm from front to back, and 5 (almost 6)cm from side to side. Or, as baby center says, the size of a large mango!

Weight: At home I'm 119. I weigh myself without clothes on. At the doctor I was 121 (with clothes on).

Total Weight Gain: Around 9 - 10lbs, depending on who's scale you're going by. :) My doctor looked at me today though and the first thing he said was "wow, you don't even LOOK pregnant!" so I'm sure the weight is going somewhere appropriate!

Stretch Marks: None

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing normal clothes! Going to look at some maternity jeans tomorrow, but I'm doubting they'll fit seeing as the only thing I don't fit about my jeans anymore is the belly part. We'll see though! I could use more maternity shirts but that's just for comfort, I still fit my normal shirts just fine. 

Gender:  GIRL!!!! We got a great shot at the last appointment. My doctor said he'll never say it's 100% sure, but "it's a girl". :)

Names: Reese Elizabeth!

Movement: Quite a bit. She still has some quiet days, but I've felt her every day. 

Sleep: It's been great!

Exercise: Walking the doggies every day! Climbing up and down our stairs every hour with the puppy. That has to count!

Symptoms: Round ligament pain, which my doctor was able to confirm today which was always a relief (although I wasn't worried).

What I miss: Nothing!

Cravings: Sweets and carbs. Although I can still live without them, so I'm not sure they're really "cravings". I'm not asking my husband to get up at 3 in the morning for anything! 

Aversions: Nothing!

Things to do: Register! My mother-in-law is forcing us too because we scheduled the date for our baby shower! Set up the crib. Buy almost everything. :)

Best Moment this week: Seeing my sweet little girl. She moves so much, the doctor was chasing her around with the ultrasound wand. When we were trying to get a booty shot she kept moving her legs, so I said "Baby! Stay still!" And she did. She's so obedient. :)I loved watching her heart beat. We watched it for a while because my doctor was counting the beats. It was so cool. We got to see her profile for the first time, and she stared right at us for the second time. She's looking more and more human! I can't wait to really see her and hold her and kiss those little cheeks of hers.

Looking Forward To: Registering! Having her crib set up!