26 weeks!!!

Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length

To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.

Air sacs in the lungs form now.

Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.

Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.

Retinas begin to form.

Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.

Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Active baby!

Usually I only feel the baby move around in the evening --- when I am lying still and concentrating. But, not today! This little baby must be feeling restless or something because all day long, I have been feeling punches and kicks and flips .... all kinds of movement!

It's a little distracting when you are trying to talk to a class full of Kindergarten students and all of a sudden, your baby gives a big kick! Speaking of the Kindergarten students, I'm noticing that it is getting increasingly difficult to bend at the waist...this is a bit of a problem when you are teaching in a class where half of the group needs help tying their shoelaces!!!

News from midwife appointment yesterday

I had an appointment with Joanne yesterday. Overall, it was okay. Baby is still growing well and my measurements are right on track. The baby's heart rate was 156 beats per minute (same as always!). My blood pressure is good and my uterus feels very healthy and toned (I have no idea what that feels like, but I know it's a good thing!)

However, I had the joy of weighing myself and found out that I had a huge weight gain over the past four weeks --- 12 pounds to be exact! YIKES! My total gain for the whole pregnancy is 18 pounds, so Joanne wasn't concerned at all. I definitely enjoyed lots of yummy food over Christmas holidays, but I think it's time to get back to eating only healthy foods with an occasional treat instead of the other way around!

During my examination, Joanne noticed that my stomach muscles are starting to separate around my belly button (a condition that can occur during pregnancy called diastasis rectus). She wasn't concerned about it and just said that I should be more careful about getting up properly. I am supposed to roll off the couch or bed and not use my tummy muscles to pull myself up. Also, I shouldn't be lifting anything heavy...sounds good to me!

Of course, I came home and googled this condition and found all kinds of scary horror stories on the internet to sufficiently scare me into a state of panic. So, I called Joanne this morning to go over it again. She said that right now, I have a mild case and if I'm careful, it may correct itself during pregnancy and if it doesn't, there are exercises that I can do after the baby is born that will pull the muscles back together. She said I can continue curling, going to aerobics, and going to yoga --- just to listen to my body and only do what feels okay.

Guess I'll just have to remind myself that I am *actually* pregnant and need to take it easy every once in a while. ;)

Just had to share...

I was reading through a baby website tonight and browsing the section that tells what is going on with the baby at 25 weeks. The site shows this picture as what the baby looks like now!

Happy New Year!

Wow...2008! The past year was great for us and I'm sure the new year will be amazing. Lots of changes for sure....in four short months, we'll have a baby!

Baby is 25 weeks today. According to www.pregnancy.org, the baby is officially viable! We really want it stay put for another 15 weeks or so, but that's still pretty cool.

The baby weighs about 1.5 pounds and is about 14 inches long. This week the structures of the spine are forming, the lungs are continuing to develop, and it's dexterity is improving (baby can make a fist and would clasp an object placed in it's hand!)

Here's to a great year ~ Cheers!

Family

We dropped my Mom and Dad off at the airport this morning. I was so sad to say good-bye, but so grateful that we'd had such a good visit. I was doing okay at keeping it all together until it hit me that the next time I see my Mom, I'll be a mom. That sent me into hysterics....Sandy did a good job of reminding me that it would all be okay but I have to say that the further along I get in this pregnancy, the more I want my family and friends nearby. Thankfully, Heather decided to stay an extra day, so she helped me do some cleaning this morning and this afternoon, we went on a great walk around the airpark. Thank goodness for family. :)

Baby is doing well (it seems anyway!). I can feel lots of movement in the evenings but it is pretty stationary during the day. One night this past week, I was lying on the couch watching a movie and we could actually see my stomach move around as the baby flipped and flopped. They were big movements too....very noticeable.

I am still feeling great and am very thankful for that. Although, I am certainly starting to show more and more as the days go by. I am also getting varicose veins on the back of my legs (gross, I know!). So, I am trying to be more diligent about not crossing my legs when I sit down and doing other things to try and prevent more from showing up.

I am also starting to get more tired again. After a big walk, I need a little nap to keep going for the rest of the day!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Above is a picture of our beautiful Christmas tree --- definitely the nicest tree we've ever had!

We went to Gold River yesterday to visit Sandy's family for Christmas. Rob and Pam put on an incredible feast and we all had a great time catching up. That's what the holidays are all about: spending time with family and friends .... and eating lots of yummy food!

We are all set for Christmas here .... just waiting for Santa to come visit tonight! Really though, I feel like I've already received the best gift possible with having my Mom, Dad, and Heather here. Plus, with the gift of this baby growing healthy and strong ... I feel very blessed.

Speaking of the baby, I think it must have gone through a growth spurt this past week because my belly certainly has gotten much bigger! I am starting to feel more and more pregnant every day and I love it.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!