26 weeks

Here's what the online site I read each week says about the baby this week.

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.

Here's what is says about me this week:
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.

I will officially be at the end of 6 months on Oct. 11. I can't believe that there are 3 months to go. I am so ready to meet my little boy!

The last month has been different. I am really starting to feel pregnant physically. The baby is moving a lot and I am bigger than I was a couple of months ago. I am less flexible already and am starting to have trouble putting on my socks and shoes.

My legs get tired if I stand for more than an hour like they used too after a hard run. I get tired by the time my night class meets on the days I work and I tend to rush through the lesson on days I don't feel up to it.

My heart beats fast after climbing a flight of stairs, and I can't seem to comfortably run anymore. I have been officially forced to walk.

Cleaning my house wears me out like you wouldn't believe and trying to clean a bathtub with a big baby belly is a joke. Even mopping makes my back hurt.

I don't wear heels or sandals to work anymore because standing on concrete in heels or no support shoes is a back breaker for even non pregnant women.

Chris is concerned I am going to turn into a prune since I am currently taking a long hot bath at the end of every day.

I bought a new round of shirts last weekend as all of mine are too short and completely inappropriate for work. I was able to get a couple of maternity shirts online on sale at Gap and Old Navy Maternity, and bought a couple of larger sized shirts on sale at J Crew.

And I have been eating everything in sight. I finally had an appetite this past month and as long as I had my zantac I could pretty much eat as I pleased as long as I stay away from onions, and or fatty foods. Luckily, dessert has always been my thing and believe me when I tell you I have over indulged. I am starting to think that my baby might actually come out and ask for a Reese's peanut butter cup or a chocolate chip cookie.

My next dr's appt is next week and we will officially be in the third trimester then. Pray for no high blood pressure and no high blood sugar!