26 weeks

How far along:
26 weeks

Gender: 
Baby Boy!

What's the protocol:
"How are you feeling?" When this question is asked, how do you respond- especially when it's been asked all the time and it's becoming obvious that the best answer to that question is "Great!" ?

I've usually defaulted to "Pretty good- a little tired/achey/swollen feet- but that's to be expected". Which usually makes everyone say "Yep- you're going to feel that way for awhile- just wait until you don't get any sleep on top of it!"

Not exactly encouraging. 

Sleep: 
Like a rock. Or, like a baby- which could mean that I get up every 2 hours to pee (versus eat), when I'm not sleeping like a rock.

Best moment this week: 

I SAW THE BABY MOVE FROM THE OUTSIDE!

He migrated his movements off of my bladder, and I saw two pushes up by my bellybutton!

Worst moment this week:
We went on our 'babymoon' as Tom has taken to calling it- and we ran from a deer that spooked us- a
lighthouse at night on Hatteras Island. I should really take the time to explain how exactly that happened, but we basically saw glowing eyes and ran.

The rest of the week, it became apparent that I pulled all sorts of muscles on both sides of my body, and could hardly get in/out of the car/bed/walk at all. It's finally better, and I can get out of bed like a regular person.

It seems really important now to Take It Easy.

Miss anything: 
I don't feel like I own and operate my body anymore, and that Daniel is in there either with little levers he uses to operate me, or perhaps a high-tech switchboard. At least I've learned this early on and admitted defeat.

I need to take an acid pill every evening at 7pm as I'm leaving work, or I'll definitely not be able to eat when I get home after 830. I have to schedule my water intake so I can even make it to and from work without having to get off the train and find a bathroom (... and a public one at that). And, of course, my feel swell up if I don't walk ever half hour- to the point of painful hobbling.

Movement: 
I already mentioned seeing his movements from the outside, which seems like one of the last new things I will experience, until labor pains begin. (Am I wrong? What other mile-markers will come?)


But also, yesterday he decided to FINALLY squirm on over to my right side, which he has never done. I have never felt him over there, but while sitting at my desk working yesterday, he decided to be an acrobat and flip all over the place, and jabbed me hard in my upper right part of my belly.

I sat up, probably looked concerned, and grasped my belly. He then moved to the other side and kicked me like crazy there too.

And, Dora seems especially interested in my growing belly, and he likes to kick when he feels any pressure, including her leaning on him!

Cravings: 
Oh, how I am loving Nutter Butters. Every day on the way to work, I get a snack of some sort- and while Nutter Butters are technically cookies..... they are peanut buttery goodness and I feel no remorse at all.

Medicine:

Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL and morning prenatal vitamins.

I'm sucking it up and dealing with some more bruising, which usually means that I've gone a bit too far in and hit muscle. But, the injections, while it takes some time to find that 'sweet spot' that won't hurt like crazy, or bleed a ton, then they are fine.

Queasy or sick: 
I'm not interested in any food at all. Except Nutter Butters. If you ever find that you have too many
Nutter Butters, send them my way. I'll sending you my shipping address.

Looking forward to: 
We moved the living room to the old dining room! Our apartment has three rooms, which were the Dining Room when you walk in, the 1st bedroom that we've used as a living room, and then our room. Well, dining room is now the living room, and while I was worried it would be cramped I love it! Nice to make some headway towards moving the bed out of the nursery and into the old living room.

I guess that would only make sense if you've seen our apartment.



                 
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24 weeks

How far along:
24 weeks

Gender: 
Baby Boy!

What's the protocol:
Baby showers. To be honest, I've wanted as little involvement as possible from the beginning. I understand that many to-be moms want to help plan, but really, I'm still recovering from planning our wedding over 2 years ago. I want to be told where to show up, when, and perhaps give over some names for the guest list.

But, we have two different showers, with dates set, cars rented (for the PA one) and roles assigned. But then everything starts changing.


The PA shower has to happen on a specific weekend, and they asked today to move it to another weekend- but we can't. The NY shower was supposed to be thrown exclusively by the three women I'm closest with here- my mother and sister in law, and my good church friend. Well, to make the story short, things have changed there as well and more hands are now in the pot. I just wanted (especially) my mother and sister in law to have fun and do the whole thing. Guess I'll have to cook something else up for them to partake in... maybe I can put them to work painting the nursery.... I'm sure they'd love that :)

Sleep: 
Well, I've been waking relatively refreshed so I can't say much there! Except, it takes a full 8 hours plus 3 hours in my mid-day gap to achieve this. Whatever works!

Best moment this week: 

Tom is talking to the baby more when he moves at night, and we're able to call him by his name! I went and purchased a few baby clothes this week, courtesy of JCPenney and the awesome coupons that they've been sending our way. 

Worst moment this week:
I hate climbing stairs. I know I've been less active than before the pregnancy (but let's be fair- I'm achey, swollen and exhausted). But I can climb stairs! I used to be a StairMaster! But whenever I scale one flight to face another, I want to collapse. It's amazing how our body compensates for a growing baby but it definitely does take your breath (and lung capacity) away.

Miss anything: 
I'd love to feel regular sized again. I was never a small woman, but when shopping, I resolve that I have to shop with the frame of mind that all my clothes have to be baggy. That is, until spring rolls around again.

I'm bumping my bump into door frames when turning (which is funny) and getting my shirt soaking wet when washing dishes (which is really annoying). I do miss feeling 'regular sized'.

Movement: 
These last two weeks Daniel hasn't been moving as dramatically, but it is consistent and more frequent. I guess he is done rearranging furniture (?) since things seem to have settled down a bit. But then, a day after I think that he's enjoying his new environment, I get a ridiculously painful movement in the same spot he loves to move around in (my left side). I guess he was being considerate before, since I'm either stretching or bruised on that spot- his favorite place to start turning and flipping around.

Cravings: 
I have a McDonalds Oreo Frappe in front of me now, so I'm pretty content. Tacos are my favorite meal right now, and raw bell peppers are a favorite snack.

Medicine:

Lovenox injections nightly at 0.40mL and morning prenatal vitamins.

I never mentioned that my doctor was considering upping my Lovenox shots to twice daily (at the anatomy scan)- but thankfully she decided 0.40mL a day was adequate. I don't hate them, and have honestly begun to enjoy the routine and the dedication involved in taking them everynight. But I'm glad I don't have to do them in the daytime too!

Queasy or sick: 
I think I'm going to stop saying toothpaste (and toothbrushing) and just say Gag Reflex. I can't eat anything that requires more than a handful of bites without swallowing. We had steak last Sunday and I had to stop. It made me gag, just having to work so hard at getting it down.

Looking forward to: 
Getting the apartment rearranged and the nursery to be painted! This will happen when we return from our trip, which we are on right NOW! We left Brooklyn on Sunday and won't be returning until Saturday. A roadtrip to South Carolina, up the Outer Banks and along the beaches- one last vacation before Daniel arrives :)

                 
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