Bump Watch: Week 26

According to Planning Family, which sends me an email every week about the baby's progress, this is where we are at Week 26:

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring about 14 inches long, she weighs just less than 2 lbs!
Her lungs continue to develop and she is taking small breaths of amniotic fluid inside your womb. These small breaths are getting her in shape for her first breath of fresh air.
Her veins are visible through her transparent skin but soon that will change as her skin begins to turn opaque.
The nerve pathways are becoming more and more developed, making her more responsive to sound. Don't be surprised if you feel her jump inside you if she is startled by a sudden noise.

Bump Watch: Week 24

When you are pregnant people are always willing to carry things for you. This week, Laura decided to carry my blog for me. Here is her update on my pregnancy for Week 24.

This week was very special, in part, because the baby kicked Aunt Sarah and Grandma Lola. Aunt Sarah had a very funny reaction to this kick and flew backwards across the room, screaming, "What was that??" She also kicked her Mommy in the ribs all day on Tuesday. In more baby news, Mariah went to her second birthing class and sat in an uncomfortable chair, thus losing a good night's sleep and leaving us all to wonder, shouldn't they have the world's most comfortable chairs at Lamaze? The baby also "visibly moved" and her parents attempted to catch this on video. Her little ears developed so she is starting to hear her family who already loves her! Mariah and Calvin also met their mid-wife who they really liked a lot and they looked at picking out a crib. This completes Mariah's blog entry for 1/7/11, ghost-written by Grandma Lola.

Bump Watch: 21 Weeks

We almost missed the 21 week shot because Laura worked from home that day but luckily Peter stepped up and took the photo. I think wearing dresses makes my stomach look a lot smaller.  

Bump Watch: 20 Weeks

Each day I look more and more pregnant. I have gotten to the point where I don't feel as though people will just think I let myself go and recognize that I have a baby in my belly. I have become one of those pregnant ladies who is constantly touching their stomach. I feel as though that is the universal sign for baby on board. You never see a chubby girl bringing attention to a bloated belly that way.

I guess at 5 months pregnant I need to except that i can't wear all of my pre-pregnancy shirts anymore, as this shirt clearly does not fit anymore.

This photo looks somewhat posed but really it was taken mid story. I was telling Laura how Calvin had come home from work the night before and looked at me in bewilderment and said "Hun, you are pregnant" to which I responded "Surprise". Laura captured the surprise moment of my story.

Bump Watch: 19 Weeks

Laura has been very diligent about documenting the pregnancy every Friday. This is greatly appreciated since Calvin and I have only taken one photo ourselves of the Bump and the photo came out terrible. I looked evil and my shirt was all wrinkled. It is clear that we need someone with some photo styling experience to capture this pregnancy.

I am usually called into Laura's office shortly after lunch so we can take our photo. We did just that for the Week 19 photo.

Hours later, though I hadn't had my second lunch yet (yes, I often have two lunches), my belly looked much larger. We obviously needed to document the new size. 

The photos don't lie. I had noticeably grown in a matter of hours! I was a little alarmed that my baby was experiencing some sort of growth spirt and come April I would be delivering a 30 pound baby. As it turns out, it may have just been gas, not that I ever get gas because that would be gross.

Bump Watch: 18 Weeks

A special holiday edition of the Bump Watch. This was post Thanksgiving dinner. I was originally wearing a belt with my outfit but in an effort to be able to fit more food in my stomach I took it off. The belt was much more difficult to get off than it had been to get on and there were a few moments of sheer panic when I thought I may be trapped.

These are the most flattering series of photos but they captured my struggle and eventual victory.

Notice all the food left on my plate that I still wanted to eat. I was rather disappointed in myself because I thought with the help of the baby this would be the first Thanksgiving I really mastered the art of pigging out. In the end though I ended up eating less than usual. I didn't have enough room for a food baby and a real baby. It was very sad!

Bump Watch: 17 Weeks

Bump Watch: 16 Weeks