37 Weeks

19 Days until my due date!!  According to What to Expect, if BGL were born today, she would be considered full term.  That doesn't mean that she's finished growing - or getting ready for life on the outside.  She's still gaining about a half pound a week, and the average fetus weighs about 6.5 lbs.  Fat continues to accumulate on BGL, forming kissable dimples in those cute elbows, knees, and shoulders, and adorable creases and folds in the neck and wrists.  To keep busy until her big debut, she's practicing to make perfect:  inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking on her thumb (to prepare for her first suckle), blinking and pivoting from side to side. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks, 2 Days (37 Weeks in the picture)
Total Weight Gain: 22.5 lbs
Sleep: Still about the same as last week. I am definitely more uncomfortable these days, but I'm sleeping ok.  I still have a lingering cough from my headcold that is not helping with the sleeping.  I'm hoping it goes away soon.
Best Moment This Week: Spending some time with the girls (first Becky & Val and then Melissa & Crystal) this weekend! 
Movement: She's still moving and sometimes it actually hurts a little bit! She loves to be on the right side of my stomach.
What I Miss: No big change from last week.
What I'm Looking Forward To: Meeting BGL.
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, swollen hands/ankles/feet. Carpal tunnel.

The Weekly Bump Picture:

36 Weeks

We're starting the 9th month this week!  Once again, I am in shock that my due date is so soon!  Although The Bump considers week 37 as the start of month 9, I thought I'd go ahead and post the last fruit picture that shows BGL's size....  A watermelon!

According to What to Expect, BGL is weighing in at about 6 pounds and measuring somewhere around 10 inches tall.  Right now, most of her systems (from circulatory to musculoskeletal) are just about equipped for life on the outside.  Though the digestive system is ready to roll, too, it hasn't really gotten a workout yet.  Up until this point, BGL's nutrition has been arriving via the umbilical cord - no digestion necessary.  As soon as she has her first feeding, her digestive system will be jump-started and those diapers will start filling... Woo-hoo - can't wait for that!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 Weeks, 1 Day (36 Weeks in the picture)

Total Weight Gain: 22.5 lbs

Sleep:  Still about the same as last week.  I am definitely more uncomfortable these days, but I'm sleeping ok.

Best Moment This Week:  Celebrating my first mother's day.  Ryan was so sweet and bought me a bluetooth speakerphone for the car (so I'll be a safe driver with BGL in the car) and also a cute picture frame that says "Mom" at the top and also says "Before you were conceived, I wanted you.  Before you were born, I loved you".  The frame is going to be perfect for my desk when I have to go back to work!  He also made me breakfast on Sunday. 

Movement:  She's still moving and sometimes it actually hurts a little bit!  She loves to be on the right side of my stomach.

What I Miss:  No big change from last week.  I am still really thankful that my pregnancy has been relatively uneventful.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Meeting BGL.  Having girls day this weekend. 

Symptoms:  Braxton Hicks contractions, swollen hands/ankles/feet.  Carpal tunnel. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

And Just Like That, I'm a Blubbering Mess

My pregnancy books told me that my hormones would be a little crazy during the first trimester, then kind of level off for the second and come back during the third.  They were right. 

Every morning, when Ryan and I get ready for work, we turn on the local Fox station and watch the news, mainly to get the traffic and weather updates.  Last week, this commercial came on and it really pulled at the old heartstrings for me - all of a sudden, I was fighting back the tears!  I don't know if it was because of how cute the dad is or if I just thought it was so sweet about what he was saying about grandma's reaction to the baby.  Either way, I thought I'd share my new favorite commercial from Kodak.

35 Weeks

We've reached a milestone!  I'm at 35 weeks with 35 days to go until my due date.  According to What to Expect, BGL stands tall this week.  If she could stand, she'd be about 20 inches and continues to follow the 1/2-pound-a-week plan, weighing in at about 5 1/2 pounds.  While growth will taper off when it comes to height (the average full-termer is born at about 20 inches), BGL will continue to pack on the pounds until delivery day.  Seomthing else she'll be packing on in the few weeks that remain are brain cells.  Brain development continues at a mind-boggling pace, making her a little on the top-heavy side.  Speaking of tops, it's likely that she has settled into a head-down, bottoms-up position (I'm not sure I agree with this since I can feel her hiccups under or near my ribs most of the time). 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 35 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 20.5 lbs
Sleep: Not a huge change from last week. I am happy that for the most part, other than waking up with burning hands or needing to use the bathroom (every hour), I am sleeping ok.
Best Moment This Week: My second baby shower!  This little girl is so lucky to have so many people that are excited for her arrival! 
Movement: The movement has slowed down a little bit as she is starting to run out of room, but when she does move, sometimes it's a little painful.
Food Cravings: No real cravings this week, I still just like to eat.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Hands that don't go numb/start burning every few minutes. My wedding rings!
What I am Looking Forward To: Meeting this little girl.   Getting rid of this stupid headcold that I picked up this weekend!!
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it has started to pop). Lots of heartburn. Swollen ankles/feet/hands. Definitely feeling more tired. Carpal tunnel syndrome - my hands are pretty much numb and/or burning all the time. I also think I have started having Braxton-Hicks contractions (the practice ones) - they're not really painful, just uncomfortable. Weird dreams.  I have had 2 different dreams that I've slept through BGL's birth and woken up to find her in my arms!

The Weekly Bump Picture:

34 Weeks

According to What to Expect, there's not a whole lot going on this week.  BGL could be as tall as 20 inches right now and weighs about 5 pounds.  Her tiny little fingernails have probably reached the tip of her fingers by this week.  She can also recognize and react to simple songs.  We have six weeks to go!  That's a month and a half - so crazy!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 34 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 20.5 lbs.  Oh yes, I gained 9 lbs since my last appt which was 3 weeks ago!  Some of that is fluid, but BGL is definitely growing and running out of room!  I'm feeling pretty big these days, but not as uncomfortable as I thought I'd be.
Sleep: Not a huge change from last week.  I am happy that for the most part, other than waking up with burning hands or needing to use the bathroom, I am sleeping ok. 
Best Moment This Week: Organizing the nursery.
Movement: Yes, all the time. It's pretty amazing (except when it feels like she's jumping on my bladder). She also gets the hiccups at least once a day.
Food Cravings: No real cravings this week, I still just like to eat.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Hands that don't go numb/start burning every few minutes. My wedding rings!
What I am Looking Forward To: Heading up to NJ to see Mom-Mom and the LeNoirs!  It's been a while since we've seen them, and this will be my last trip until after BGL arrives.  I am not allowed to travel more than 2 hours away starting at week 36. 
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it is barely holding on). Lots of heartburn - thank God for Pepcid Complete. Swollen ankles/feet/hands - The swelling in my feet and ankles has really gotten worse this week. I was able to figure out a way to put my feet up at work, and I am so much more comfortable now. Definitely more tired. Carpal tunnel syndrome - my hands are pretty much numb and/or burning all the timel, but I think I'm just trying to suck it up and deal with it. I also think I have started having Braxton-Hicks contractions (the practice ones) - they're not really painful, just uncomfortable. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

33 Weeks

According to What to Expect, BGL is gaining weight almost as fast as I am these days (she is averaging out to about half a pound a week), which puts the grand total so far at more than 4.5 pounds.  She still has plenty of growing up (and out to do), but she's the size of a honeydew melon this month.  She may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by her due date.  And, with that much baby inside my uterus now, my amniotic fluid level has maxed out (there's no room for more fluid now).  This explains why her pokes and kicks are sometimes extremely uncomfortable - there's less fluid to cushion the blows!  These uncomfortable pokes and kicks have sometimes happened while I have been talking to people I work with, and it has startled me so much that they have asked if they need to call me an ambulance.  Antibodies are also being passed from me to BGL as she continues to develop her own immune system.  These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect her from many of those playground/daycare germs.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 33 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 11.5 lbs, but we'll see what happens when I go to my doctor's appt on Thursday.
Sleep: Ugh. It's not getting any better.  I am getting pretty decent sleep until I wake up to go to the bathroom or because my hands are burning and I can't get them to stop. 
Best Moment This Week: My pregnancy massage and seeing Melissa & Pete on Saturday!  Ryan also finished BGL's closet and it looks great!
Movement: Yes, all the time. It's pretty amazing (except when it feels like she's jumping on my bladder). She also gets the hiccups at least once a day.  I even caught it on video this weekend - see below.
Food Cravings: No real cravings this week, I just like to eat.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Hands that don't go numb/start burning every few minutes. My wedding rings!
What I am Looking Forward To: Organizing BGL's nursery this weekend. Let the nesting begin.
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it is barely holding on). Lots of heartburn - thank God for Pepcid Complete. Swollen ankles/feet/hands - The swelling in my feet and ankles has really gotten worse this week. I was able to figure out a way to put my feet up at work, and I am so much more comfortable now. Definitely more tired. Carpal tunnel syndrome - it's getting worse and my hands are pretty much numb and/or burning all the time.  I am still trying really hard to not be miserable because I still have a long ways to go, but these things are getting a bit annoying. I had a bit of a "feel sorry for myself" day on Sunday, but I am trying to put that past me. I am so very thankful that my pregnancy has been relatively smooth and that BGL is healthy, but I will not be sad when these symptoms go away!

The Weekly Bump Picture:

In the first video, she starts moving about halfway through, and in the second video, her movement is mostly all at the beginning.  It's all mostly on the right side of my stomach.  You also don't need sound for the videos - if you turn up the sound, you'll just hear the TV in the background.  I think in the first video, they were running a promotion for Meet the Parents, so they are repeatedly saying "Focker" (which is kind of annoying). 

32 Weeks

We are starting the 8th month... Are you kidding me?!  That means we only have about 8 weeks (give or take a few) before we meet our little girl!  According to What to Expect, this week, BGL is tipping the scales at almost 4 pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches.  Growing isn't the only thing on the agenda these days.  She's busy practicing all the skills she needs to survive outside the womb, from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking.  Apparently, she's been able to suck her thumb for a while now.  Another change this week is that her skin is no longer see-through. As more and more fat accumulates under her skin, it's finally opaque. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 32 Weeks and 2 days (32 Weeks in the picture)
Total Weight Gain: 11.5 lbs.  I've gotten a lot of comments about how I look bigger since last week, so I'm sure this number will increase when I go to my doctor's appt next Thursday.  One of the guys I work with even asked me if I was "sure there was only one baby in there". 
Sleep: Ugh. It's not getting any better. Some nights I do get decent sleep in between bathroom breaks, but BGL also seems to think that when I come back from these bathroom breaks it's time to play or she gets the hiccups. I do feel like I am sleeping more soundly when I can fall asleep, but strangely, I feel more tired lately.
Best Moment This Week: My baby shower!!  It was so much fun and so great to see our friends and family.  We are so incredibly blessed to have so many people in our lives who are so excited about this little girl's arrival.  She was incredibly spoiled (as evidenced by the pictures below) and is going to be one fashionable little lady.  We also finished our childbirth classes last night.  Seeing all the furniture in the nursery - Ryan put it all together while I was at my baby shower on Saturday.  I hope to do a post with pictures of the nursery soon!
Movement: Yes, all the time. It's pretty amazing (except when it feels like she's jumping on my bladder).  She also gets the hiccups at least once a day. 
Food Cravings: No real cravings this week, I just like to eat. I am finding that I can't eat as much at one sitting now - I guess that could be the fact that BGL is taking up much more room.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Hands that don't fall asleep/go numb every few minutes. Being able to see my feet - my stomach is blocking most of the view now. My wedding rings!
What I am Looking Forward To: Celebrating my dad's birthday tomorrow night!  Happy Birthday, Dad!  Going to visit Melissa & Pete this weekend and seeing their new house!
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it is barely holding on). Lots of heartburn - thank God for Pepcid Complete. Swollen ankles/feet/hands - The swelling in my feet and ankles has really gotten worse this week.  I need to figure out a way to somehow put my feet up at work.  Definitely more tired.  Carpal tunnel syndrome - my right middle finger has been numb for most of the past 2 days... so weird.   I am trying really hard to not be miserable because I still have a long ways to go, but these things are getting a bit annoying.  I am so very thankful that my pregnancy has been relatively smooth and that BGL is healthy, but I will not be sad when these symptoms go away! 

The Weekly Bump Picture (please ignore the mess that is my hair - we had just gotten home on Monday night from the Phillies game):

Some pictures from my wonderful baby shower:

Surrounded by presents - Lots of pink!!

 Yummy cake that matched the invitations!

The next 5 pictures are all the presents laid out in our family room - so much loot for BGL!  The only thing missing is the carseat because I was too tired to move it over by the fireplace to include it in the pictures. 

31 Weeks

According to What to Expect, BGL is weighing in at an impressive 3-plus pounds this week.  She still has 3-5 more pounds to gain before delivery though.  She is about 18 inches long and is quickly approaching her birth length.  Also developing at an impressive clip these days are her brain connections.  She is able to put that complex web of brain connections to good use, too - already processing information, tracking light and perceiving signals from all five senses.  She is also a sleepy one, putting in longer stretches of snooze time, specifically in REM sleep - which why I should be noticing more defined patterns of awake (and kicking) and sleeping (quiet) times from BGL. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 31 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 11.5 lbs
Sleep: Ugh. It's not getting any better.  Some nights I do get decent sleep in between bathroom breaks, but BGL also seems to think that when I come back from these bathroom breaks it's time to play or she gets the hiccups.  I am sleeping with 2 king-size pillows and that definitely helps me get a little more comfortable, but it's starting to take a lot more effort to turn over and get out of bed.
Best Moment This Week: Spending time with my family for Easter.  We finally finished painting the nursery!!
Movement: Yes, all the time. It's pretty amazing (except when it feels like she's jumping on my bladder).  Oh, and BGL loves to shove her foot (I think) into my ribs these days. 
Food Cravings:  Avocado again - Ryan makes The Best guacamole.  I am finding that I can't eat as much at one sitting now - I guess that could be the fact that BGL is taking up much more room (as evidenced by the picture below).
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Not having sausages for fingers when I wake up. Being able to see my feet - my stomach is blocking most of the view now.  My wedding rings!  I have finally retired them - they are just a little too tight, so I figured it'd be best to take them off now before one gets stuck. 
What I am Looking Forward To: Celebrating with our friends and family at my baby shower this weekend!   I am so excited to see everyone!!
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it is barely holding on). Lots of heartburn - thank God for Pepcid Complete. Swollen ankles/feet/hands - Although, this allows me to wear flip flops everyday to work since none of my other shoes fit! I am starting to feel a little more tired, but not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. Carpal tunnel syndrome - most nights, I wake up with numb/burning hands.  I have started wearing the super sexy wrist braces to bed.  Even though they're ugly, they do seem to help a little bit.  The other day, I was curling my hair and didn't realize that my thumb was touching the barrel of the curling iron (the hot part) because my thumb was numb! Thankfully, it didn't leave a mark. 
The Weekly Bump Picture:

30 Weeks

According to What to Expect, BGL is about 17 inches long and just over 3 pounds this week.  She is getting bigger by the day (in case it's not apparent from the size of my growing belly).  Also getting bigger daily is her brain which is preparing for life outside the womb - and a lifetime of learning.  Starting this week, BGL's brain is starting to actually look like one, taking on those characteristic grooves and indentations.  These wrinkles allow for future expansion of brain tissue that is crucial as BGL goes from helpless newborn to responsive infant and beyond.  Her brain is also starting to take on tasks previously delegated to other parts of the body, like temperature regulation.  Now that the brain is capable of turning up the heat with the help of that growing supply of baby fat, BGL will start shedding lanugo (the downy, soft body hair that has been keeping her warm up to this point). 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 9.5 lbs
Sleep: Ugh. I'm back to having some good nights and some not so good nights. It is getting increasingly harder to get comfortable, and it seems as though I'm getting out of bed more often to use the bathroom.
Best Moment This Week: Spending a great relaxing long weekend at the Greenbriar Resort.  Ryan finally seeing BGL move.  Narrowing the list of names down to the Elite 8.
Gender: Team Pink
Movement: Yes, all the time.  It's pretty amazing (except when it feels like she's jumping on my bladder).
Food Cravings:  Nothing in particular - I just like to eat.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Not having sausages for fingers when I wake up. Being able to see my feet - my stomach is blocking most of the view now.
What I am Looking Forward To: Celebrating with our friends and family at my baby shower in a few weeks!
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it's still holding on though, no outie yet). Lots of heartburn. Swollen ankles/feet/hands. I am starting to feel a little more tired, but not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. Carpal tunnel syndrome - most nights, I wake up with numb/burning hands. Not fun!

The Weekly Bump Picture:

29 Weeks

According to The Bump, BGL is now the size of a squash.  At week 29, BGL could be as tall as 17 inches and could weigh nearly 3 pounds.  She's about 3 inches or so within her ultimate birth length, but she still has lots of weight to gain.  Over the next 11 weeks, she will more than double (maybe even triple, but let's hope not) her weight.  Much of that weight will come from the fat accumulating under her skin right now.  As she plumps up, the room in my womb will start to feel a little cramped (it already does), making it less likely that I'll feel hard kicks from her and more likely that I'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 9.5 lbs.  I gained 2 lbs at this week's doctor's appt.  Since I've started the third trimester, I will be going to the doctor every 2 weeks now (my next appt is March 31st). 
Sleep: Ugh.  I'm back to having some good nights and some not so good nights.  It is getting increasingly harder to get comfortable.
Best Moment This Week: Passing my glucose test!  That means I still get to eat sweets and carbs!  Making progress on the nursery.  We still have some work to do, but it's getting closer to being finished.  A big thank you goes out to my dad who came and helped Ryan wire the room for a ceiling fan and also helped him put in a dimmer switch on the overhead lights! 
Gender: Team Pink
Movement: Yep. She's a fiesty little girl.
Food Cravings: Anything sweet, but really, let's face it, at this point, I just like to eat.  :)
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Not having sausages for fingers when I wake up. Being able to see my feet - my stomach is blocking most of the view now.
What I am Looking Forward To: Taking our last pre-baby vacation.  We are headed to the Greenbrier Resort in WV this weekend!
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button (it's still holding on though, no outie yet). Heartburn. Swollen ankles/feet/hands. I am starting to feel a little more tired, but not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. Carpal tunnel syndrome - most nights, I wake up with numb/burning hands.  Not fun! 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

And, because I've started the third trimester (it happened last week), and I can't get over how big my belly is getting, I thought I'd include some side-by-side pictures from week 12 to show how much BGL has grown. 

28 Weeks

I am kind of in disbelief that I've started my 7th month of pregnancy. That means I have 12 weeks left - 84 days!! According to What to Expect, at week 28, BGL has reached 2.5 pounds and may be almost 16 inches long.  Her skill this week is blinking.  Along with her other tricks that already include coughing, sucking, hiccupping, and taking practice breaths, she can now blink her sweet little eyes.  She may also be dreaming courtesy of REM sleep that she has started getting.  Although her lungs are nearly fully mature by now, she still has a lot of growing to do. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 Weeks
Total Weight Gain:  Still 7.5 lbs, but I have a doctors appointment this week, so there will be an updated amount in next week's post.
Sleep: Still not too bad, other than my hips hurting and some occasional leg cramps.  I occasionally wake up and have trouble falling back to sleep, but I feel like I am sleeping a lot better than a few weeks ago.
Best Moment This Week:  Getting an invitation to my baby shower.  I am so excited to see all of our family and friends and celebrate with them!!
Gender: Team Pink
Movement: Yep. She's a fiesty little girl.
Food Cravings:  Anything sweet, but I am trying my hardest to lay off the sweets this week because I have my glucose test for gestational diabetes on Thursday.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My ankles. Not having sausages for fingers when I wake up. Being able to wear normal shirts.  After seeing the picture below, I have come to the conclusion that I should not be wearing that shirt in public as it's starting to barely cover my growing belly. 
What I am Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery. Ryan has been working so hard to get it finished.  I can't wait to see the finished product! 
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button. Heartburn. Swollen ankles/feet/hands.  I am starting to feel a little more tired, but not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning.  

The Weekly Bump Picture:

27 Weeks

According to What to Expect When You're Expecting, BGL now weighs just over 2 pounds and is 15 inches long.  No, she didn't grow 6 inches from Week 26 to Week 27.  Prior to week 27, What to Expect measured her from crown to rump instead of head to toe, so she now measures 15 inches from head to toe.  She has more taste buds now than she will at birth and beyond.  Not only is she able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid when I eat different foods, she might even react to it.  Some babies respond to spicy foods by hiccupping or by kicking when they get that spicy kick.  BGL's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means she's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in my womb means every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but it's still progress.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 27 Weeks
Total Weight Gain: 7.5 lbs
Sleep: Not too bad, other than my hips hurting and some occasional leg cramps. 
Best Moment This Week:  Ryan feeling her move!!  Spending the weekend with my 2 favorite New Yorkers! 
Gender: Team Pink
Movement: Yep.  Some of her movements startle me because they're so strong.
Food Cravings: Anything with avocado.  Water. 
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach.  My ankles.  Not having sausages for fingers when I wake up. 
What I am Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery.  Ryan started it this weekend while I was away and so far, it looks great!
Weekly Wisdom: Again, I've got nothing. 
Symptoms: The ever-changing belly button.  Heartburn.  Swollen ankles/feet/hands. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

And, for fun, Becky was playing maternity photographer this weekend and took these pictures:

26 Weeks

We've reached week 26 and have less than 100 days until June 7th!  According to What to Expect When You're Expecting, BGL now weighs a full 2 pounds and measures in at 9-plus inches long.  Another momentous development this week:  Her eyes are beginning to open.  The eyelids have been fused for the past few months so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop.  The colored part of the eye (the iris) still doesn't have much pigmentation so it's too early to tell what her eye color will be.  She is now able to see - though there's not much to see in the dark confines of my uterus.  With the heightened sense of sight and hearing that she now possesses, I may notice an increase in activity when she sees a bright light or hears a loud noise.  In fact, if a loud noise is brought close to my belly, she will respond by blinking and startling. 

And, because BGL was particularly active last night when I went to bed, I thought I'd include this excerpt from an email that I received from whattoexpect.com yesterday:

Week 26 Pregnancy Tip: Baby's Movements in the Womb


Feel like you're carrying the Karate Kid with all the kicking going on? Your baby is actually practicing all kinds of movements that will eventually be used in life on the outside — including pedaling against your belly, a sort of prewalking skill. As your baby's nervous system becomes more developed, the movements will become much more coordinated. And as the baby gets bigger and stronger, the movements will become much more powerful…and occasionally, even painful to you. If your baby lands a good one, that tiny left hook might hurt — a lot. Another trick he or she may try — stretching that leg out so far that the foot becomes lodged between your ribs (ouch). Next time you come under attack from the karate kid, try changing positions or doing some stretches of your own. You can also gently push your baby back with your hand when your knee-jerker jerks a little too hard. You just might be able to send your slugger back into the corner of the ring!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 7.5 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Yes.  This answer isn't going to change so I'll be removing this one going forward.  

Sleep: I'm kind of scared that I'm going to jinx myself, but sleep over the last week or so has gotten a little better.  Maybe it's because we're crossing things off the list and I feel less stressed about getting everything done before she arrives.  

Best Moment This Week:  Picking up the nursery furniture.  

Gender:  Team Pink

Movement: Yep.  Last night, it felt like her leg/arm was going to push through my skin.  

Food Cravings: Same as last week.  Does water count?  I feel like I'm constantly thirsty.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I am Looking Forward To: Seeing my 2 favorite New Yorkers this weekend.

Weekly Wisdom: I've got nothing this week.

Symptoms:  My belly button is changing/flattening more each week.  Heartburn. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

25 Weeks

According to The Bump, we've started the beginning of month 6 and Baby Girl LeNoir is the size of an eggplant this month.  If I let Ryan put an ear to my belly, he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required).  We tried this before I started writing this post, but he couldn't hear her.  Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving her a healthy pink glow. She is also soaking up my antibodies, getting her immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and she will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 25 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 1.5 lbs.  I have a doctors appt on Thursday, so I suspect this number will be going up.
Maternity Clothes: Everyday
Sleep: Some nights are good, some nights not so much
Best Moment this Week: Picking out colors for the nursery and completing the registry.
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: Yep. I'm definitely starting to notice that she has established a routine.  There are certain times during the day/night when she's quite active.
Food Cravings:  Basically anything that is bad for me.  Doughnuts (especially the chocolate covered tastykake donuts) and french fries are at the top of the list. 
What I miss: Sleeping comfortably.
What I am looking forward to: Ryan finally feeling her move.  She's quite active at night when we've been watching the Olympics; however, every time I either have Ryan look at my stomach or put his hand on it to feel her move, she stops.  She's not out of the womb yet and already she's disobeying me! 
Weekly Wisdom:   Take an experienced mom with you when you go to register.  It will make things so much less stressful!  Thanks, Cindy!!
Symptoms: Thankfully, still feeling pretty good except for my sleeping issues and heartburn.  I've noticed that turning over in bed and bending down is a little more challenging, but nothing too awful. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

24 Weeks

I cannot believe I'm starting my sixth month this week.  Pretty unbelievable - June 7th will be here before we know it.  I'm excited, but also feeling a little overwhelmed/anxious about how much there is to do and how soon it will be that she'll be here.  According to What to Expect, she's about 1.5 lbs and about 8.5 inches long (clearly, they have different opinions on this than The Bump, but for now, I'm going with what What to Expect says).  She is the size of a standard letter and is gaining about 6 ounces each week.  Much of her weight is coming from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones and muscle.  By now, her face is fully formed, complete with a full set of eyelashes, eyebrows and a good sprinkling of hair on her head.  Right now, her hair is snow white, since there's no pigment in it just yet. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 24 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 1.5 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Everyday
Sleep: Some nights are good, some nights not so much
Best Moment this Week: Ordering furniture for the nursery and my first prenatal massage (it was wonderful!!)
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: Yep.  I can see her moving on the outside more often and her kicks/punches/hiccups/jabs (whatever they are) are getting stronger. 
Food Cravings: Breakfast food. Anything with bacon makes me happy. I finally got some cinnamon rolls!
What I miss: Sleeping comfortably.
What I am looking forward to: Ryan finally feeling her move. Seeing my family for brunch on Sunday.  Picking out a paint color for the nursery.
Weekly Wisdom:  Deep breaths are helpful for dealing with stressful people (i.e. our auditors). 
Symptoms: Thankfully, still feeling pretty good except for my sleeping issues and heartburn

The Weekly Bump Picture:

23 Weeks

No new fruit picture from The Bump this week, but here's a little info on what Baby Girl LeNoir is up to.  According to What to Expect When You're Expecting, BGL's skin is a bit saggy, hanging loosely from her little body because skin grows faster than fat develops, and she doesn't have much fat to fill that skin out yet.  No worries though - the fat is about to start catching up.  Beginning this week, she will begin to pack on the pounds, which means I will too.  Right now, she's about 8 inches long and weighs just over a pound, but in the next month, she'll double the weight she is now!  Thankfully, I won't double my weight over the next month.  Her organs and bones can still be seen through the skin, which has a red hue thanks to the developing blood veins and arteries just underneath, but as the fat deposits are made, she'll start to become less transparent. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 23 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 1.5 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Everyday
Sleep: Some nights are good, some nights not so much
Best Moment this Week: Getting snowed in and having a relaxing weekend at home.
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: Yep.  Sometimes I can even seen her moving on the outside.  I also am wondering if some of these movements are hiccups - either way, it's pretty cool to feel her move!
Food Cravings: Breakfast food. Anything with bacon makes me happy.  Also, cinnamon rolls (like the Pillsbury ones) and a craving for Long John Silvers the other day (disgusting and completely unhealthy, I know, but I think I might have to find one to satisfy this craving).
What I miss: Sleeping comfortably.
What I am looking forward to: My first prenatal massage that was re-scheduled for this weekend!  Hopefully, the snow doesn't interfere with my pampering.  Ryan finally feeling her move.  Everytime he puts his hand on my stomach, she stops moving.
Weekly Wisdom: Again, I've got nothing this week. 
Symptoms: Thankfully, still feeling pretty good except for my sleeping issues and heartburn (I am beginning to think we should buy stock in Tums).

The Weekly Bump Picture:

22 Weeks

According to The Bump, Baby Girl LeNoir is the now the size of a papaya.  Over the next few weeks, she'll range in size from 10.5 to 11.8 inches and 12.7 to 20.8 ounces (that's over a pound!!).  This is the last of the weekly fruit pictures on The Bump - we are now moving on to monthly pictures.  Don't worry, I'll still post a weekly picture of my growing stomach.  Apparently, I need to watch what I say because she is now able to hear outside noise from in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and my voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and her little face is fully formed. She's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. Real estate within my belly is getting tight, with growing baby leaving little room for your lungs to...well...breathe. Expect the huffing and puffing to start soon. There's not much room for my belly button, either -- it'll pop out any day now.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 weeks
Total Weight Gain: Believe it or not, I'm still up 1.5 lbs for the entire pregnancy!  There was no change from my 15w5d appt and my appt last week at 21w4d. 
Maternity Clothes: Everyday - Best invention ever.
Sleep: Some nights are good, some nights not so much
Best Moment this Week: Getting snowed in with the LeNoirs and Mooneys on Saturday night.  Also, picking out furniture this weekend.
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: Yep. She especially likes it when I eat, which seems to be happening a lot more frequently these days. The eating, I mean.
Food Cravings: Breakfast food.  Anything with bacon makes me happy.
What I miss: Sleeping comfortably. 
What I am looking forward to: My first prenatal massage scheduled for this weekend!  Ryan feeling Baby Girl move.
Weekly Wisdom: Your center of gravity changes, so be careful even if you're just walking. 
Symptoms: Thankfully, still feeling pretty good except for the minor sleeping issues!

The Weekly Bump Picture:

21 Weeks

According to The Bump, Baby Girl LeNoir is the size of a banana.  She measures about 10.5 inches from head to toe and weighs about 12.7 oz.  She gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, I need to start thinking about what I want her to eat as I prepare my lunch each day.  Her digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 21 weeks
Total Weight Gain: No update yet.  I go to the doctor on Thursday, and I have to say, I'm a little nervous to step on that scale. 
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes. I'm not sure I will ever wear anything without elastic ever again. I'm wearing maternity pants every day, but I'm still wearing my "normal" shirts.  Some are starting to get a little too short, but longer ones still seem to be ok. 
Sleep: I'm still really good at taking naps; however, sleeping through the night is another story.  Thankfully, I've only been making one or two bathroom trips during the night; however, when I get back from these trips, I have THE HARDEST time falling back to sleep.  I just start thinking about anything and everything and no matter how hard I try, it usually takes about 15 mins to an hour to fall back to sleep.  SO FRUSTRATING.
Best Moment this Week: Starting to come up with a list of potential names.  No, we aren't sharing these, so please don't be offended if you ask us and we won't tell you. 
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: Yep. She especially likes it when I eat, which seems to be happening a lot more frequently these days.  The eating, I mean.
Food Cravings: Cinnamon toast.  While I was at the grocery store tonight, I really wanted a BLT sandwich - that may be on the menu for lunch soon (I hope Baby Girl likes the way it tastes!). 
What I miss: Sleeping through the night.  Being able to walk more than 2.9 mph on the treadmill.  I went back to the gym for the first time in a while and just walking for 30 minutes was hard! 
What I am looking forward to: Furniture shopping and deciding on the colors for the nursery.
Weekly Wisdom: I've got nothing this week. 
Symptoms: Thankfully, still feeling pretty good except for the sleeping issues! 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

20 Weeks

This week, according to The Bump, Baby Girl LeNoir is the size of a cantaloupe this week.  Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks, 1 day - I'm halfway there!!
Total Weight Gain: Same as before - I don't go back to the doctor until Jan 28th, so we'll see what it is then.
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes. I'm not sure I will ever wear anything without elastic ever again.
Sleep: I'm still good at it.
Best Moment this week: Going shopping and stocking up on lots of comfy maternity clothes.  Also, showing Ryan my stomach yesterday and hearing his reaction of "Whoa!  There's a bump there!"
Gender: TEAM PINK!!
Movement: All.The.Time.  Seems like she is going to be one active baby.
Food Cravings: Cinnamon toast
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach
What I am looking forward to: Furniture shopping and deciding on the colors for the nursery.
Weekly Wisdom: Clean your belly button on a regular basis.  Who knows what you'll find when it starts to get more shallow.
Symptoms: Nothing really this week.  I'm feeling pretty good. 

The Weekly Bump Picture:

19 Weeks

This week has been full of excitement.  Ryan threw me an amazing 30th birthday party this weekend.  It was great having our friends and family there to celebrate my birthday!   We also were lucky enough that the babe cooperated and showed us "the goods" yesterday!    According to The Bump, the baby is the size of a mango this week.  Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19 weeks, 1 day
Total Weight Gain: Same as before - I don't go back to the doctor until Jan 28th, so we'll see what it is then. 
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.  I'm not sure I will ever wear anything without elastic ever again.
Sleep: I'm still good at it.
Best Moment this week: Celebrating my 30th birthday with friends and family.  Finding out the sex of the baby and learning that everything is normal.  According to the sonographer, she weighs about 10 oz and is 6 inches long. 
Gender: TEAM PINK!!  Based on the poll results, 6 out of 9 thought otherwise! 
Movement: I am definitely starting to feel her more and more.  Such an interesting feeling! 
Food Cravings: Nothing new - still enjoying sweets, especially the leftover birthday cake from Sugarbakers!
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach
What I am looking forward to: Starting to look at nursery decorating ideas. 
Weekly Wisdom: It doesn't matter what the sex is along as the baby is healthy! 
Symptoms: Just stupid heartburn. 

The Weekly Bump Picture... I think I'm actually starting to look pregnant! 

And for fun, I've posted some pictures from the beginning of the pregnancy through Week 17.  Because I was feeling so awful during weeks 7-11, we didn't take any pictures.  I am also posting some of the cute ultrasound pictures of Baby Girl LeNoir! 

Baby's First Picture, taken 10/16/09

Taken 11/13/09

A profile picture - you can also see her arms, taken 1/11/10

A cute picture of her little foot with her toes curled, taken 1/11/10