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!

V-DAY!

So, as I have mentioned previously, today is V-Day (i.e., viability day). I'm not sure how the term was coined, but it is common lingo among pregnant women these days.

The idea is that once a baby is 24 weeks, the baby has over a 50% chance of surviving if born prematurely. Obviously, this does not mean that is okay if a baby is born this early. Even if the baby survives it will almost assuredly face serious health issues for months, years or even a lifetime. So, while it is cause to celebrate, as is any other milestone in pregnancy (especially for those who are constantly paranoid, like myself, due to previous losses), the notion of V-Day should be taken with a grain of salt.

A great chart showing viability percentages by week can be found at this website.

Many people have a "personal V-Day" as well - a date where they will actually relax a little bit more with the knowledge that they will be taking home their baby. Based on the chart linked above, I think my personal V-Day is more like 27 32 weeks(changed from my V-Day post with Joaquin just due to how traumatic it was when he was a preemie by only 1 STINKING DAY), when the chance of survival is over 95%. I like 95% much better than 50%.