28 weeks

Last week Bobby put his foot down and insisted that we get a 3D ultrasound.  I had nothing against the idea, of course... but our doctor had never mentioned it to us and people always say it costs hundreds of dollars to get it done.  But hubby said it was worth it and really wanted me to make an appointment.
Out of curiosity, I did a google search for 3D ultrasounds and the results that came back were all of these little businesses that do this as a novelty thing.  As in, it's not a doctor performing the ultrasound and it serves no medical purpose whatsoever.  It's just for fun.  
So that's how we found ourselves at 3D Baby Bump (which is conveniently located next door to a Carvel in a tiny strip mall in West Palm Beach) on Memorial Day.  They did a 20 minute ultrasound, gave us a DVD of the entire thing plus all the pictures, AND recorded Brooke's heartbeat and put it inside a little stuffed lamb.  All for $99!
We signed in and were then led to a large room with a comfy bed for me and a "man chair" for Bobby to sit next to me.  Then over on the other side of the room were two rows of movie theater seats!  Ya know, just in case you wanted to invite everyone you know to come along.

So here she is folks!  Our little miracle.  With a cute little nose and smooshy kissy lips.

So who does she look like?  Mommy or Daddy?  So far, everyone is saying Daddy.

27 weeks

How far along? 27 weeks and 4 days

Baby's size? She’s 2 whole pounds!  Awwwwww.  And she’s 14.5 inches long.

Weight Gain? 21 lbs.

Maternity clothes? I ordered a dress for the baby shower but it hasn’t arrived yet.  So I’m not sure if it’s a keeper.

Stretch marks? Thursday morning I was getting ready for work and saw some lines running down the left side of my belly.  I promptly began to cry and quickly got dressed and headed out the door.  The girls at work saw that I was upset and made me explain… which led to everyone laughing at me.  I guess they were expecting something more serious.  (Stretch marks are forever!!!  This is serious!!!)

When I got home at lunchtime, I took another look and no longer saw them.  Soooo, it’s possible that I overreacted to some marks left on my skin from my pajamas or my sheets or something.  This matter shall remain under further investigation.

Sleep? So great, and I’m so appreciative.

Best moment this week? I think my nesting instinct finally kicked in and I was able to organize and put away some things in Brooke's room.  We have been blessed with TONS of beautiful hand-me-downs... and I've kind of just been piling them up along the edges of her bedroom up until this point.  I also did my first load of baby laundry.  Her clothes are so cute and tiny!

Movement? She’s been pressing something large and hard (I’m guessing her butt or head) up against the front of my belly on the right side quite often!  What a funny feeling.

Food cravings? I kind of just want to eat cereal all the time.  Wheaties or Special K, please.

Symptoms? Braxton Hicks contractions!  Or so I'm told anyway.  I was hanging out with my besties for girls night and would periodically get some tightening and some pain on the right side of my belly.  They all said that's what it is.  It lasted for a couple of hours Thursday evening, but hasn't been back to visit me since then.

What I miss? This is another “I miss my husband” week.  He recently got promoted so he’s in that phase where you have to do your old job, plus train your replacement, plus get trained for your new position.  But this new job will be SO AWESOME for him.  And he won’t have to travel as much.  And we’re still staying local.  So this really couldn’t have come at a better time.  Praise the Lord!

We send him photos when he's traveling so he knows how much we miss him.

What I'm looking forward to? The rocking chair that I have been stalking because it’s been on backorder is finally on its way to me!!  This has been the only piece of furniture missing from Brooke’s room for months!  The nursery will finally feel complete.  Well, then we’ll just be missing the baby.  All in due time…

Weekly Wisdom: Well, I learned that I do NOT have gestational diabetes.  Score!!  I had to drink this sugary "fruit punch" drink and then have my blood drawn exactly one hour later.  My body is still processing sugars properly.  Whoo-hooo!

Milestones: This is the final week of my 2^nd trimester.  We’re in the home stretch now! 

Emotions: Stretch mark scare day was a disaster, but other than that, I’m just anxious.  Anxious to meet my daughter and anxious to drop this weight!

26 weeks

How far along? 26 weeks 4 days

Baby's size? Brooke is approximately 14 inches from head to heel and about 1.66 lbs.

Weight Gain? Ummm…. Like 20 lbs.  Don’t tell anyone.

Maternity clothes? I got a few new things from Destination Maternity online a few weeks ago.  I felt like I needed some shorts and a few casual tops to get me through our trip to Mexico without dying of heat stroke.  I’m hoping that once I find a dress for my baby shower I’ll be done buying maternity clothes for good.

Stretch marks? I haven’t seen anything suspicious yet.

Sleep? Glorious.  I want to just take one long nap until the baby is ready to come out.

Best moment this week? When I went to my parents’ house to pick up my dog after our trip, there was a gift there waiting for me!  From my Pop-pop!  I got so emotional at the thought of him picking this out for me… at 90 years old.  I just don’t have any words.  I’m so excited that he is finally getting promoted to Great Grandfather.  Brooke is going to absolutely love him.

Movement? When she’s awake she moves around constantly!  Sometimes she nudges me so hard, it’s uncomfortable.  She’s strong like her daddy.

Food cravings? Does ice water count?  I just want cold cold water.  And if my glass isn’t filled to the brim with ice… you’re gonna get an earful from me.

Symptoms? Oh my goodness, I had my first swollen feet experience on Wednesday!  When I put on my shoes to go to work that morning, they felt a little snug.  And when I got home for lunch, I kicked my shoes off to relax for a bit, and they looked all puffy!  I got a little nervous, but I was mostly just grossed out.  It was not cute.

What I miss? My dresses and pencil skirts that I haven’t been able to wear in months

What I'm looking forward to? I can’t wait to see what Baby B looks like.  I hope she has a tiny Duffin head (for obvious reasons)… and I hope she has some hair that she’ll let me put bows and barrettes in.   :)

Weekly Wisdom: We traveled home from Mexico on Monday… so this wisdom was in fact obtained this week and not last week:  Mexican men do not get up and offer their seat to pregnant chicks.  However, SO MANY of the Mexican women DO!  ?Como se dice “backwards!”?  Right?!

I totally wasn’t offended or anything.  I never even took any of the offered up seats.  It was just a funny observation.

Milestones: Successful completion of an international vacation while larger than a whale!!  And non-pregnancy related:  I upgraded my iPhone 4S to a new iPhone 5 AND upgraded our crummy first generation iPad to a cute little iPad mini.  Still important.  Still exciting. 

Emotions: Happy to be home in our own bed with our dog.  I like it when our whole family is together.

25 weeks

This post is super late because we were in Mexico most of this week!  Bobby's friend Aaron got married at his family's house in Chacala.  We have visited there once before about two years ago (see the pics here).

While it wasn't the ideal time for me to be in a bathing suit and surrounded by delicious looking cocktails, we really had SO much fun.  All of the other wedding guests were so friendly and above-and-beyond nice to me and my huge belly.  They all even made sure to wish me a Happy Mothers Day on my very first holiday where I kind of qualify as a celebrant.

Thankfully I felt super awesome the entire time we were there.  I got tired before everyone else, but I guess that is to be expected.  Even our air travel went off without a hitch - however, when you are blatantly pregnant the airline staff makes you sign a form that you assume all of the risks of flying while pregnant and won't hold them responsible.  I also had the privilege of getting the pat-down service from the female security team instead of going through the scanners.  Lots of fun!

My concerns were more centered around germy airplane air.  The thought of catching a cold and then being unable to take any medicine led to this decision.

Sorry to already be an embarrassing parent, Brooke.  But my air is your air and I want you to have the best.

I've already forgotten what I weighed in at this week.  But I think it was getting dangerously close to the 20 lb gain mark.

Here are just a couple pictures from the trip.

24 weeks

New and noteworthy this week:  My regular midwife wanted me to meet the other two midwives within the practice just in case she is unavailable when I go into labor.  So I had my 24 week appointment with one of them... and I really hope she's not the one who catches baby Brooke as she enters the world.  I just like my regular lady so much more.
We did the funny little measuring tape on my belly again though.  And once again she is measuring big!  2 weeks bigger, in fact!  But I think I finally have this weight gain thing in check, because I've only gained one pound in several weeks.  It's a miracle!  I'm up a grand total of 17 lbs.  We also took a quick peek at baby girl... but as they get bigger in there, it's kinda harder to see them.  You can really only see a piece of them at a time.

23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks and 3 days

Baby's size? She’s probably about a foot long and just over a pound.

Weight Gain? I maintained my weight from last week.  Hallelujah!

Maternity clothes? Nothing exciting to add here this week

Stretch marks? Still no.  :)

Sleep? Can’t complain

Best moment this week? The only thing that really stood out to me this week is that strangers are now suddenly completely aware that I am pregnant… and completely comfortable asking me when I’m due, if I know the gender, and whatever else may come to their mind.  I was in an elevator with an old woman, and as she got out on her floor she said “If you want to name her after me, my name is Judy.”  Thanks, lady-I-talked-to-for-a-whole-10-seconds,  I’ll keep that in mind.  ;)

Movement? I’m finding that she’s most active at night.  Ya know, when I’m trying to sleep.

Food cravings? Hot sandwiches were my jam this week.  Pulled pork… Cuban… the Hero from Firehouse.  I ate them all.

Symptoms? Just a big bulbous belly!

What I miss? I saw someone drinking a margarita and I was kinda jealous.

What I'm looking forward to? Seeing my husband become a father.  I’m pretty sure I’ll just melt right into a puddle.

Emotions: Blessed beyond belief and eager to meet this sweet girl.

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks and 3 days.

Baby's size? 11 inches long and probably about one pound.  Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are more distinct, and tiny tooth buds are developing beneath her gums.

Weight Gain? 16 lbs!  Holy moly.  Time to lay off the sweets.

Maternity clothes? Funny/embarrassing admission:  I ordered a “swim skirt” this week.  It’s just plain black and I’m going to wear it with a regular black bikini top.  So… maybe in the end it will actually be cute.  I’m just really self-conscious of my butt at the moment and we’re going to Mexico in a few weeks for a wedding.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep? Pretty great.  The Snoogle pillow and I are getting along nicely.

Best moment this week? I swam laps twice this week and started paying more attention to what I eat.  While it was sad to give up ice cream, it made me happy to think that I could possibly maintain this current weight for another week or two.  I’m taking control!

Movement? I simultaneously felt thumps on BOTH SIDES of my belly and I couldn’t help but laugh.  I was trying to picture what on earth she could be doing in there.  Stretching out before there’s no more room, I suppose.

Food cravings? Well – Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream would be ideal.  But I’ve been subbing it out for ice cold chocolate milk.  1%.  ;)

Symptoms? Sometimes my belly feels really tight and uncomfortable.  Sometimes I cry at movies that are supposed to be funny.  But overall, things are great!

What I miss? My slimmer legs and butt… and being able to drink however much coffee I want.

What I'm looking forward to? Putting Brooke in this outfit.  Are you kidding me with this cuteness?!?  It’s my favorite thing I’ve bought for her so far.

Emotions: Completely happy – with the exception of the moments when I feel really fat.  :)