Pregnancy: 26w (almost!)

I missed last week and know I'm going to miss tomorrow, so I'm getting a head start. :)

First, I totally got video of Kit kicking! FINALLY. You can't tell too much, but I got it around 30 seconds. :)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84kmpG2-4Ts]What I love: Feeling movement. I'm not a huge fan of it at 2am, but I do love it when I'm awake, lol. I've gotten used to it by now, only in the sense that it doesn't weird me out. (Feeling limbs and other body parts still does, but that's another story.) Now I really enjoy his kicks. :)

What I hate: This exhaustion. And my bigger belly, if only because I’m super self-conscious about it. [Same]

What I miss: My body, lol. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Feeling better. Really? That's it right about now. I have this URI that is just knocking me on my ass.

Worries: Lack of movement. I didn't feel him last week from Thursday morning to Friday around noon, so I called the midwife, who said to head straight to AAMC for monitoring. Of course, on my way there (and to pick Matt up), I felt four kicks, but they were light and were in the span of an hour, so... better safe than sorry.

I told the midwife on call at the hospital that Kit was making me feel like a jerk because I did feel a little movement on the way, but she just laughed and said it was a good thing I was there anyway. Of course, Kit was fine... even went as far as to kick the monitor REALLY HARD a few times. I felt so relieved, but so silly. Better to know, though. :)

Symptoms: A bigger belly, pregnancy rhinitis, and soooooo tiiiiiiired. Add bleeding gums to this week, though it’s certainly not the first week it’s happened! [Same] And now sick, though that's pretty unrelated.

Mood: Good! I feel balanced again, which is nice. [Same]

Sleep: Good when I get it, though I miss sleeping on my stomach SO MUCH. Kit also kicks at all times during the night, which is sweet but SO annoying when I'm trying to sleep.

Movement: Yup! Thursday/Friday were a scare, but he's been really active since.

The belly (and the button!): Bigger belly, much more shallow belly button. I give it to 30w before it’s at least flat! [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 15lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight still. I WAS up about 17lbs last week, but since I was sick the past few days, I lost a couple pounds. Yikes. :|

Milestones: Um... 26 weeks! Yay! LOL

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing:

Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.

Soothing sore feet "To help yourself relax, immerse your feet in a basin filled with warm water. Add a few drops of scented oil and enjoy." — Anonymous

This Week's Activity:

Discuss some personal issues. Would you like to have your son circumcised? If so, do you want it done in the hospital? Will you have a religious ceremony after your baby's born? Would you like to stay home with your baby full- or part-time? These are just a few of the big decisions you and your partner should discuss now. Even if you think you both agree, it's best to share your opinions openly to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.