Weekly Update: 26 Weeks

How far along: 26 Weeks. Almost 3rd tri!

How Am I Feeling?: Not too great this week. Every morning I wake up feeling like I had been hit by a bus the night before. My back still hurts a lot and I keep forgetting to take a pillow with me to work. I have been very sluggish all week and really really tired. Especially today.

Mood: I'm so in love with my baby. Even when I'm having a bad week, her little kicks and movements always make me smile. They definitely make my day.

Clothes: Maternity. Which means I am alternating my work pants between 2 pairs of pants and one pair of capris. Can we get a jeans day sometime soon??? I also feel like I wear the same shirts over and over. I'm starting to get bored. I guess I'm stuck with this wardrobe for another 3 months though because we're not doing any more maternity clothes shopping.

Sleep: I think I've passed out every night. I haven't even gotten up in the middle of the night this week. That's how tired I've been.

Cravings: I haven't been too hungry this week either.

Gender: baby girl.

Movements: All the time. A couple of days ago, I was walking to my car after work when it started to feel really really tight under my rib cage. I actually had to stop because it was uncomfortable. I started rubbing the spot that was tight and it was really hard! I was confused because I didn't know why it would be so hard that high up. While I'm trying to figure out what it was and rubbing it, suddenly, whatever it was kicked me back! I think I even said something like "OH!" out loud and people probably stared at me. It was so cool. I've been feeling kicks and moving for a while now, but I've never actually been able to feel her like that. All week since then she's been hanging out on my right side and I can feel her. My right side is really hard but my left is squishy! Last night, Becky, Melissa and my mom all got to feel her on my side. Melissa and Becky also got to feel her kicks for the first time.

Belly Button: Still an innie but getting shallower.

Best Moment This Week: The Grandparents Duebber were able to feel baby early this week. I never really thought that I would like people to touch my stomach, but I actually enjoy sharing it with people (well, some people... :D). I really don't mind if someone asks me first or if I invite them to touch me. I think it's the random moments when I'm caught off guard that I maybe don't like. Or strangers. I don't think I'll ever like strangers touching me.

What I Miss: This week, I miss just going for a walk with Alex and not feeling like someone beat me up the next day.

What I am Looking Forward To: 3rd tri! It's so close and I really can't believe it. I feel like my second trimester has gone by so quickly! I am also excited for when I can actually tell which body parts I can feel. Right now, I know it's her, but I don't really know what part of her I can feel.

Milestones This Week: more and more people getting to feel my baby girl.

How Big is Baby?: According to The Bump, the baby is still the size of an eggplant and apparently will be all month. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me but hey, we're comparing babies to fruit. How much sense does that really make anyway?

Your Baby - 26 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby's developed oil and sweat glands are now functioning. His fingernails, toenails, eyebrows and eyelashes are now fully present and will continue to grow until birth. He can respond to sound and can hear you and those around you. Although we assume the uterus is a quiet place, the baby has been surrounded by noise for a long time. Things like your heartbeat, digestion, other body functions and external noises are heard by the baby. In fact, you may feel the baby jump at a sudden noise. Your baby is now about 14 inches and weighs a little less than two pounds.

The uterus also allows some light to be seen so your baby is aware of light and dark. Your baby's skin is wrinkled and translucent and may have a reddish color due to the presence of dermal blood vessels. Veins are visible through your baby's skin, although it is quickly changing from transparent to opaque. The following months will see an increase in body fat. The lungs continue to mature with the development of air sacs and also begin to secrete surfactant (a substance that will help your baby's lungs expand at birth). At this stage of development the various organs have formed. About 4 out of 10 babies born now may survive (with intensive care services).