How far along: 26 weeks

Gender: Still unknown

Weight gain: 10 lbs (how did I not gain weight this past week?!)
Symptoms: Back aches & fatigue, as usual. I haven’t had as many headaches, but I had my first experience with heartburn on Tuesday. Ick. Pretty sure I’m having Braxton-Hicks contractions, but they don’t bother me much since they don’t hurt at all. Still some pain in my right rib area, but after talking to someone at work, I think it’s probably a ligament pain from my uterus growing.

Maternity clothes: Most definitely

Stretch marks: No

Belly button in or out: In, although Andrew was kind enough to point out that it is definitely becoming more shallow.

Sleep: SO MUCH BETTER since I pulled out the Snoogle pillow again! I had gotten so used to tossing and turning at night that I forgot what it was like to just sleep comfortably!

Best moment this week: Taking a half day on Thursday. Sleeping in is always nice, but doing it on a weekday just feels so much nicer! 🙂
Miss anything: Changing positions at any speed other than slow. Getting out of bed quickly in the morning kills my back. I really just feel slower in general.
Movement: Yes, a lot! I fell asleep before Andrew one night, and the next morning he told me the baby was doing “crazy things in there!” I think I can say good-bye to any ideas about Baby Kiel being calm and relaxed, haha.
Cravings: Still sweet baked goods. I had the hardest time not buying doughnuts at the commissary this week. I was still talking myself out of it while I stood in line to check out! It definitely didn’t help that Andrew HAD to get Double Stuf Oreos this past weekend — now who has pregnancy cravings? 🙂
Looking forward to: My last day of work. After thinking about it for a long time, I finally turned in my resignation the first Monday in August stating that my last day would be the 29th of August. I kept thinking it was too soon, but now that it’s actually happening, I’m ready for it! I have been tired and sore, and I am already looking forward to getting some extra sleep. I will definitely miss the job and the kids though. I hope to visit often, because it is going to be hard to say good-bye on my last day! 😦

 

Baby Kiel at 26 weeks:

Another one with the black dress… I wanted to compare how I’ve grown since week 20! Plus it’s super comfy. 🙂

Baby Kiel is now roughly the length of a box of Cheerios! He or she is about 13.5″ long from head to heel and weighs about 1.75 lbs.

How far along: 25 weeks

Gender: Baby Kiel is a mystery baby 🙂

Weight gain: 10 lbs
Symptoms: Back aches is the main one, but also some headaches and fatigue. And I just started feeling a pain in my right rib area (like right under my bra). That can’t be from the baby yet, can it?! I feel like it’s too early for internal injuries!

Maternity clothes: Yep! And I love them. 🙂 I think my maternity clothes might be cuter than my normal wardrobe… that’s a little sad.

Stretch marks: No

Belly button in or out: in

Sleep: Great, except for the bathroom trips. Still only one trip to the potty each night, so not too bad.

Best moment this week: Inflating my birthing ball (finally) 🙂 We took a 6-hour class on Saturday called Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby and did a few stretches/exercises using a birthing ball. It really did seem to help, so Andrew said he was going to inflate it when we got home. When my lower back is really hurting, it does seem to help to sit on the ball for awhile. And I know it’s better for my posture.
Miss anything: A glass (or 2) of wine after a tiring day at work. Working 7-5 is just a long day no matter how you look at it!
Movement: Yes, especially when I’m laying down or sitting and relaxing. After work each day, I like to just lay on the bed for 5-10 minutes and feel the baby move. I’m pretty amused when I can see movement from the outside.
Cravings: Baked goods… cake, muffins, doughnuts, scones… it all sounds amazing!
Looking forward to: Getting some fall maternity clothes in the mail! Yes, I am addicted to buying cute maternity clothes. I’m excited for sweater weather!

Baby Kiel at 25 weeks:

How far along: 24 weeks

Gender: Your guess is as good as mine!

Weight gain: 9 lbs (I think I gained a little extra eating out in Scotland every night, oops)
Symptoms: Back aches is the main one, but also some headaches and fatigue. It’s all manageable yet though.

Maternity clothes: Yep!

Stretch marks: No

Belly button in or out: in

Sleep:  Pretty good now that I’m back in my own bed!

Best moment this week: Getting 2 boxes of baby clothes in the mail from my sister! Neutral newborn items galore! 🙂
Miss anything: Not really
Movement: Yes, especially when I’m laying down or sitting and relaxing.
Cravings: Dark soda (definitely caffeinated) and sweets. I thought it was just an ice cream craving, but it turns out it’s desserts in general.
Looking forward to: Sleeping in this weekend. I have been falling asleep on the car ride home from work almost every day this week (don’t worry, Andrew was driving). I have been pulling some late nights to work on things for “my kids,” so I’ve been pretty tired during the day.

Baby Bump at 24 weeks: