Weeks 27 & 28

I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and officially in my LAST TRIMESTER. All I have to say is,
A. that its flying by now and I feel like I cant get caught up fast enough.
B. I have grown again in the past 3 days.

I just don't even know what to think, except that this baby will be here in 12 weeks or sooner, hopefully not later. We shall see!!

My actual due date is April 3rd, 2012. I for some reason thought that it was on the 5th, maybe because at my 12 week appoinment my midwife said something about that date. Uh nope, I was wrong. That's ok! Even though it's only 2 days, i'll take it!!

So MANY exciting things to report over the past 2 weeks:
-I took the dreaded "GLUCOSE TEST" and it really wasn't bad at all. Maybe because I was remaining optimistic or maybe because I had the fruit punch flavor. Either way, the worst part of the dr appt was getting my finger pricked to check my iron levels- they were normal by the way. I would rather get a shot or blood drawn any day of the week. I do not know how diabetic people do that a few times a day! I drank the drink, peed in a cup, took my weight and waited to see Katie (she's my midwife who will be delivering James) more on her in the weeks to come and hopefully a picture or two!! She listened to his heart beat and it was really strong, a little faster than normal due to the sugary drink, but healthy. All is good to go. I have my next appointment in 3 weeks (week 30) and then every 2 weeks after that until week 36 to start the final countdown :)
OH and I passed my glucose test in flying colors...the drink actually made me a little sick to my stomach after 30 minutes, that's how hawaiian punchy it was.
- I registered us for our labor and delivery classes. it's over a 4 week span and about 2.5 hours each time. Looking forward to that and seeing Mike's reaction to everything! I think he's a little excited actually, we shall see!
- MIKE GOT ME A NEW MAMA MOBILE, as I like to refer to her....
Here she is, 2012 hyundai, santa fe. Crystalized white with gray interior and I LOVE this SUV. I couldn't be more excited to have this car and she's mine, in my name and everything!!! Enjoy!

Oh and here's an actual "belly" shot. I know that I look veiny. that's because I am or because I am pale, either way, it is what it is!



Pregnancy updates:


How far along: 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: AHHH, up to 18!!! I gained 10 lbs btwn week 22-27. In my defense, it was christmas and I guess I am supposed to start putting on about a pound a week now. OH WELL, more motivation to get my body back after birth!
Maternity clothes: Same old stuff! Can't wait to wear my blue dress to my shower.

Stretch marks: none.
Sleep: I am now entering the snoring phase... not every night or even all night, but my poor Michael. Please pray for him :)

Best moment this week: registering for birth class and getting my SUV.
Missing Anything: Not too much.
Movement: yes. He is now doing this thing where me moves very slowly or sloth-like as I like to say to my right side, curls up in a hard little ball and makes my tummy misshaped. I can feel him doing it too, which feels so weird. I just rub him a little bit and he releases and stretches out again.
Food cravings: none.
Started showing yet: A Lot. There's definitely a baby in there!
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: Nope.
Belly button in or out: Top part still sticking slightly out. Bottom part is getting a little flatter.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Happy or moody: happy & tired.
Looking forward to: My shower in a couple of weeks.
Baby's Size: 14.8" Long, 2.25 lbs and is as big as a chinese cabbage.
Development: He can now blink his eyes which have lashes. Now that he can see more, he may be able to see light that filters through my belly. He is also developing millions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat!!

Week 26

This week has been such a nice, relaxing time off. There isn't much to report though. My belly has gotten slightly bigger and James is beginning to move around more throughout the night as well, not just during the day anymore! It's amazing to me that I am growing a human, like growing a garden... still can't get over the miracle going on inside of me.

As Mike and I were out to lunch on Sunday after church, we were talking about how this was the last Christmas EVER that we would have alone, without kids. The last New Years, Birthdays, Vacation, etc. As much as I have wanted a baby for the past couple of years now, I am actually very thankful looking back that we had the 5 1/2 years of togetherness before our baby arrives. It will be somewhat bittersweet I think going into these new milestones in 2012 with another person to tag along now. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a mama to my little guy and I don't ever want to take that for granted, even though I know from time to time that will happen I am sure. I was also thinking in bed this morning how fortunate I am to have a healthy baby/ pregnancy even though I haven't been the best pregnant person. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful for this experience, it only lasts 10 months, not forever. It isn't by far the worst thing I have ever gone through in my life, but could I do it 20x like michelle duggar- NO! I am not a baby-making machine and that's ok.
Something that has weighed heavy on my heart for a couple months now.
I read a lot of blogs on the web and one in particular, the author I went to school with and I have had the privilege of knowing for many years now, Leah Coca... I love her blog for many reasons, it's honest, hilarious and heart-felt among other things. She is currently pregnant with her 4th baby, a little girl that they named Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a condition that will not let her skull form properly and even though everything else is developing just as it should with her little body, she will not live long after birth because of it.. Being a first time mother, I can not imagine what Leah and Onan are going through only having a few weeks left with their baby girl. I feel like shame on me for taking the time with my James already for granted when he's completely healthy inside of me, but everything has it's time and place and season. This I have come to realize. Their courage, strength and faith is really only what's holding them together somedays. I hope that I never have to experience what they are going through, but if I do, I pray that I can endure it as gracefully (for lack of better word) as they have.
Please read and pray for Leah, Onan and their family here as they only have a few weeks left with their baby. We all believe that God is a God of miracles and if it's his will for her to live, then that shall surely happen! Either way, in Joy or Pain, they will continue to believe in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. Amen.

www.stickydoorknobs.blogspot.com

With all that said, here is the week 26.5 belly shot. I know I never include my face, but I am never presentable when I take these in the bathroom, haha.


Pregnancy updates:


How far along: 26 Weeks, 6 Days
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs +, My next appt is this Thursday!
Maternity clothes: Nothing new. One thing I did learn, which I guess I kinda knew, but didn't think about is my friend told me i would be wearing my maternity clothes after baby for a little bit. she said no one ever told her that!

Stretch marks: none so far.
Sleep: Still ok. I have been waking up in the night with sore hips, I am guessing from pressure.

Best moment this week: Getting some baby gifts for Christmas and spending time with Mike.
Missing Anything: Not really, other than feeling normal.
Movement: all the time.
Food cravings: I don't have any.
Started showing yet: Yes. I got a little bigger on Christmas day, ha.
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: Nope.
Belly button in or out: Is getting flatter. I don't like the fact that I am going to have an outty soon, that grosses me out, ha.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Happy or moody: happy & tired.
Looking forward to: My shower, Baby classes and getting everything together.
Baby's Size: 14" long and 1 2/3 lbs. Size of an english hothouse cucumber.
Development: The network of nerves in baby's ears is now better developed and more sensitive. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's voice as you chat together. He is continuing to put on fat and is beginning to inhale small amounts of amniotic fluid which is essential development to the lungs.