27 Weeks

Guess who's nearing the end of her second trimester?  This girl!  Here I am, in week #27, with a fetus the size of a rutabaga {whatever that is!}...

I had my monthly OB appointment yesterday, and so far, so good!  The doctor measured my fundal height as a tad on the large size during my exam, so I got a surprise ultrasound to check on the growth of the baby.  The little one is currently clocking in at 2 lbs. 7 oz., which puts him/her in the 68th percentile.... pretty much right on target!  Though on the larger side of "normal", the measurement wasn't enough to affect my current estimated due date, so Shep has lovingly been referring to baby as "our little chubster" ever since.  While I'm certainly not concerned about having a large baby at this point in time, this does help explain why my tummy has felt so gosh darn full for the past week or so.  It always feels like I've just gulped down a gallon of water in that "a bit hard to breathe deeply" kind of way.  In addition to the size, all of the baby's body parts looked good, the heart rate was strong, and we got another photo for our sonogram collection, so I'm a pretty happy camper!

In addition to my regular exam, I also took my 1-hour glucose tolerance test and had a blood draw to check my iron levels.  I'm not sure exactly when the results will be back, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I passed with flying colors!  :)  And last but not least was the Tdap vaccine.  Apparently this is given to women in their last trimester, to vaccinate against pertussis {a.k.a. whooping cough} in particular.  The baby will get its own Tdap vaccine upon birth, but since whooping cough get be life-threatening to infants and the U.S. is currently experiencing an epidemic, it's best to receive the immunization during pregnancy.  I'm all for vaccinations, but booooooy did this sucker hurt!  36 hours later my arm is still SO sore that it hurts to dress myself or really do anything that requires lifting my arm more than a few inches.  I get the flu shot every year and am used to some soreness after that, but this Tdap soreness is a whole new meaning of sore!  Ouchy mama!  I hope it goes away soon!

I realized while looking at my calendar today that my due date is exactly 3 months from today {May 25th}, and my last day of work is exactly 2 months from today {April 25th}, so things are definitely "getting real", real quickly!

Here's a photo for anyone on bump watch!  Any new or revised guesses as to whether baby will be wearing pink or blue once born??  :)

27 Weeks

24 Weeks

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Wow, a cantaloupe!!!  That's pretty big!  No wonder I often feel a little bowling bowl rolling around knocking pins over inside my tummy.... oh wait, no, those are the baby's {many} kicks!  ;)  Kicking is still happening with great frequency, and I admit at times it's been a little bit painful.  I'm sure the kicking will only get stronger from here on out, as the baby grows and as my uterus gets a little more cramped!

Earlier this week at my 24 week check-up, my OB measured the length of my abdomen with a measuring tape, and while I don't know what the number is or what they compares it to {since this was the first time they measured me in this way} my measurement was "on target" which is good news!  To date, I've gained a total of 14 pounds and my waist has grown 5 full inches, though it feels like so much more!  Over the past 1-2 weeks I realized I was starting to walk a bit differently, and now I have a full-out pregnant lady walk.  It's only a matter of time before it becomes a waddle.  ;)

In other belly news, my linea nigra has now officially passed the top of my belly button.  And baby's heart rate at this week's check-up was around 145 bpm.  According to some old wives tales, the extension of the linea nigra indicates I'm have a boy.  But the heart beat indicates I'm having a girl.  I guess one of them is right!  ;)

I scheduled my glucose tolerance test for later this month, so will be crossing my fingers from now until then that all goes well sugar-wise.

I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping over the past several weeks.  At this point, the bags under my eyes are taking over my face.  I can't get or stay comfortable, despite the cushy pregnancy pillow my hubby bought me, and I wake up at least once but usually twice and sometimes even THREE times per night to pee.  {I guess I'm practicing for feeding time?!}  During this stage of pregnancy, I'm not supposed to lay on my back and I'm not a great side sleeper, so it's been a bit of a challenge.  I frequently wake up startled, realizing that I'm on my back, and then have to turn to my side and try to fall asleep again.  I've also started to get some minor foot/leg cramps and some minor hip/back pain.  It's all for a good cause though, so I'm trying to hang in there!  :)

Here's my 24 week snapshot.  Don't mind the sweatshirt, it was taken on SuperBowl Sunday after all!  {I'm actually not sporty at all -- I just felt particularly "loungey" that day!}