26 Weeks: 98 days!

We're into the double digits-- 98 days to go and lots to do!!

We started our "Preparing for Parenthood" class last night at the hospital where I will deliver--- it's four weeks of birthing, breastfeeding and infant care info. I think it will be good for us to get an overview of all of these things. I've done a lot of reading about our options and it's good for Rob to get a crash course before delivery day. We'll also take another breastfeeding class in July. With less than 100 days to go, it feels good to get stuff done!

This week, baby is the size of a burp cloth:

And looks like this:

Baking Baby Blakely

"Deep breath! Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (technically called alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing.

Other highlights this week:

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see you with. Well not you, per se, because his eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed. Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. He can't understand what any of it means yet, but he's on track to comprehend an entire episode of Blue's Clues in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. One hint that your karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the best would be when the baby starts banging on your gut. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of his stay in Hotel Womb. Your baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as your primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months). "

26 Week Belly Pic

We had our 26 week appointment this morning and everything looked great! I'm measuring a little small (around 25 weeks) , but it's nothing to be concerned about. My doctor doesn't worry about the measurements being off unless you are measuring more than 3 weeks +/-.

I'm up one pound since my last appointment four weeks ago. I sneaked a peek at my chart this morning and saw that I have gained 1lb every appointment (I go every four weeks) since I graduated from seeing the RE and started seeing my OB. So, 4lbs up from my lowest point during this pregnancy, but still 2 lbs under my starting weight.

It feels good-- I can't say that I've been making healthy choices all of the time (Hello chicken nuggets for lunch yesterday!) but I am trying to drink tons of water, eat lots of fruit and swim twice a week. I've been terrified throughout my pregnancy that I would gain an obscene amount of weight-- I was concerned about what risks it could pose to me and the baby. But at this point, I really feel like it's time to relax about it. Do I wish I had been a healthier weight to begin with? Of course! But I can't change that-- Now is the time to focus on the healthy baby growing inside of me and do the best I can. Once Liam gets here, I'll make a plan to work towards the weight I wish I had been when we got pregnant. I don't have unreasonable goals-- I want to maintain my curvy figure at a healthy weight and I know I can do it.

Other updates: I'm not sleeping well at night. My back often hurts and even with a pregnancy pillow, I'm constantly switching from my right side to my left, then back again, trying to relieve whatever appendage is asleep, cramping, etc. The heartburn & acid reflux is killing me-- 3-4 doses of Tums a day. We're trying a 24hr over-the-counter pill & if that doesn't work, I'll move on to a prescription.

I had my glucose tolerance test today and I hate to be a baby about it, but the glucose drink was really gross-- it was like drinking a bottle of snow cone syrup. I've felt queasy and gross all day and I think that, like a hangover, I just need to sleep it off. I'll get the results in 3-4 days. Fingers crossed that I pass-- I feel sick just thinking about the three hour test.

Otherwise, I'm hanging in there!!

I have to apologize for being such a bad blogger-- I know that it gets boring when all someone does is post once a week about their pregnancy updates. I have things to say... actually, I have a lot of things to say, but it's going to have to wait a few more weeks. I only have two and half more weeks of work and then I will have more time to post and more to post about! So, thanks for tolerating my boring phase, friends.

In the meantime, look for another nursery update soon-- We decided to have my uncle help install the beadboard and it's almost done. I think it's going to look great! Will put up pictures as soon as I can.