June 6 - 27 weeks

This week, our baby weighs almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, our baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Just about any tiny rhythmic movements I am feeling can pretty much be considered a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her.

As I wind up the second trimester, I have noticed some new symptoms, such as backaches. About half of women have back pain at some point during pregnancy, usually in the lower back. Some have lumbar pain, which is felt around the spine at about waist level. It may be aggravated by sitting for long periods of time, standing, or lifting — and it tends to be worse at the end of the day. Then there's what's known as posterior pelvic pain, which would be felt deep on your backside or in the back of your thighs. This pain can be triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in or out of a low chair, twisting, and lifting. Positions in which your hips are bent — such as when you're sitting in a chair and leaning forward — may make posterior pelvic pain worse. I also read that I should avoid mopping and vacuuming, as it requires my body to twist in ways I shouldn't be right now (sorry, Daddy, you're on floor cleanup!).

I have also experienced my leg muscles cramping up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and my expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from my legs to my heart as well as on the nerves leading from my back to my legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as the pregnancy progresses (but fingers crossed that they don't). Leg cramps are more common at night, which is the only time I have felt them...for now!

As for other symptoms, pregnancy brain is in full effect! I got a call earlier from Office Services. They said they noticed a poster on the side of a car in the garage, and figured it was mine... Well, they were right. I was unloading my car from an event this morning and forgot one of the items. Oops! At least it wasn't my camera bag. :)

And I yesterday I'm driving home after work and I felt Brooke kicking...and I started crying! I have felt her move plenty of times before, but for some reason hormones got the best of me. It is just a surreal feeling knowing that my little one is getting bigger inside me and soon she will be here in my arms. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her and look into her beautiful eyes, but...some part of me thinks I am going to miss feeling these little flutters in my tummy! So I guess those were tears of joy and happiness for our little miracle.

Lastly, I have noticed that not only am I drinking more liquids, but I feel like I am eating more too. I try to be conscious of what I eat and how much, but I am constantly hungry. As Little Miss continues to grow, so is mommy! Doctor says I am doing well on my weight, so our baby is getting plenty of nutrients. And I am most definitely exaggerating on how large I am...it is merely me getting used to the added weight. Daddy came home from San Marcos early, which I was happy not to be alone all week. He also made a special stop at Buc-ees, in which mommy got nothing other than...FOOD!!! Go figure.



Definitely not your traditional Reuben sandwich,
nor is it comparable to the calorie count of my usual
fruit and veggies, but it was well worth it!

  

Obsessed with cashews...and most recently "honey roasted" cashews!