Belly Picture Friday - 28w1d

Next Ultrasound Scheduled

It's been 10 long weeks since my last ultrasound. I never went that long when I was pregnant with Joaquin. But that was because we had more scares with him so I am grateful for a drama-free pregnancy (at least so far). I scheduled a growth ultrasound for 32 weeks, so 4 more weeks to go. I hope to find out that Noemi is gaining weight on schedule and is head down. If all goes well, this will be my last ultrasound of the pregnancy. If memory serves, I had a total of 9 ultrasounds with Joaquin. This time, just 5. The biggest bummer this time is not getting any of those great 3D shots we were able to get with Joaquin. I loved looking at those pictures and getting a preview of his features. Noemi is going to be a total surprise, which I guess is fun in its own way.

Ticker Change Thursday - 28 Weeks

Noemi is 28 weeks today and still about the size of a large eggplant. She's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Her sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means she could be dreaming already. Though her lungs are nearly fully mature, she still has plenty of growing to do.

How far along? 28 weeks

Weight gain/loss: 16 pounds, as of Tuesday. I think I need to gain a few pounds.

Sleep? Horrible this week.

Best moment this week? Joaquin has been extra generous with kisses and I love it.

Movement: Lots, and those braxton hicks are really kicking in as well.

Food cravings: None. Food isn't really that interesting to me these days.

Belly button in or out? Out.

What I miss? Red wine.

What I am looking forward to? Just getting through this week will be great.

Milestones: Nothing big this week. Just 9 more weeks to full term though.

What I'm nervous about: Pregnancy brain + third tri + work + stress is a tough combination. I am just hoping I can hang in a little longer.

Belly Pic Friday - 27w1d

Ticker Change Thursday - 27 Weeks

Noemi is 27 weeks today and about the size of an eggplant (yep, we're stuck with the same fruit for a few weeks again). She 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, Noemi'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 to be born now. Baby hiccups may be common from now on.

How far along? 27 weeks

Weight gain/loss: I'm not sure. Probably just over 20 pounds. I will cofirm on Tuesday.

Sleep? I have been so tired lately but side sleeping is really getting to me. I wake up with very sore hips and shoulders.

Best moment this week? Whole Foods opened yesterday across the street from my office. I have been looking forward to this for a while and am excited about all of the great lunches I will be able to get at their deli from now on.

Movement: She moves a lot these days. It's great!

Food cravings: Calamari.

Belly button in or out? Out.

What I miss? A more normal work schedule. This month has been downright insane.

What I am looking forward to? Going out to Denver in a couple weeks to celebrate Mia's baby shower.

Milestones: I'm in my third trimester! 3 months left!

What I'm nervous about:Ugh, everything lately. Money. Work. Time. You know, the usual.

Yay for Good Test Results

I passed my two hour glucose tolerance test. Thank goodness! Gestational diabetes is not anything I want to mess with and now I don't have to worry about it. Hooray!

Third Tri!

Yay! I am in the third trimester now. Of course, today marks the beginning of the descent into total discomfort and probably a lot of BH contractions, but I am still very excited because we are getting closer to meeting our Noemi!

Belly Pic - 26w1d

Ticker Change Thursday - 26 Weeks

Noemi is 26 weeks along and about the size of an eggplant. She now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if she spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near my belly, she might start moving around because her brain is getting more fully developed and sophisticated.

How far along? 26 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Probably around 18/19 pounds.

Sleep? I wish I had time for more of it. But when I go to bed, I sleep very well. I am exhausted!

Best moment this week? Jay coming home from his trip on Sunday. I missed him while he was in Mammoth!

Movement: She was kicking so hard last night my stomach was actually moving. That was a first!

Food cravings: It's not so much a food craving, but boy I am really missing having time for a civilized lunch during the work week. I have been so busy lately that I've been eating bad food at my desk. Yuck.

Belly button in or out? Out.

What I miss? Joaquin. I have been working waaaaay too much.

What I am looking forward to? Friday afternoon. I need a break.

Milestones: Less than 100 days left!!!

What I'm nervous about: Maintaining the willpower to avoid walking into a partner's office and just quitting.

Double Digits!

Only 99 days until my due date. Not that I'm counting :-)

Belly Picture - 25w1d

Ticker Change Thursday - 25 Weeks

Noemi is 25 weeks old today and still about the size of a papaya. She is now gaining approximately 6 ounces per week! The structures of her spine are starting to form, including 33 vertebrae (rings of bone), 150 joints, and 1,000 ligaments. These structures will eventually support her body weight. Noemi's capillaries are also forming this week. By the end of week 25, air sacs and blood vessels in Noemi's lungs will develop, getting her ready for her first breath. So far, Noemi's nostrils have been plugged up, but they are now beginning to open up. With the advances in technology, if Noemie was to be born this week, he has up to an 82% chance of survival with aggressive ICU treatment.

How far along? 25 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Probably about 16-17 pounds. I was pretty sick over the weekend but hopefully I've made up for that.

Sleep? I have been sleeping pretty well lately. It's probably attributable to pure exhaustion.

Best moment this week? Watching Clinton's speech at the DNC. Wow. He really impressed me.

Movement: She's moving a lot more lately! It's pretty fun.

Food cravings: Anything I don't have to cook myself.

Belly button in or out? Out, officially.

What I miss? Being agile.

What I am looking forward to? Jay coming home Sunday. He left for Mammoth with friends this morning and I already miss him.

Milestones: I really can't think of any today. Just chugging along I guess!

What I'm nervous about: Surviving this weekend without Jay. I love Joaquin to pieces and am so excited to spend lots of time with him but physically it can be difficult now that we are both so big!