26 Weeks

At 26 weeks, baby is the size of a bunch of kale (boy, even the baby fruits and vegetables are keeping up with trends these days!). He measures about 14 inches and weighs about 1.7 pounds. He or she is developing senses, features, and even talents! Baby's taking breaths—of amniotic fluid, not air. Baby's getting his immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up my antibodies. And baby's eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open. Can you believe he has already grown eyelashes? Soon, he will start batting them.

How far along? 26 weeks (and 2 days)

Weight gain/loss: Haven't checked since last week. I'll go with 5 lbs ;-)

Sleep? I've slept really well since getting back from my trip. I LOVE my own bed.

Best moment this week?Coming home. Four days is a long time to be away from my family, especially when it's spent in a not so fun place. It was so nice to be back home and give everyone big hugs and kisses.

Movement:Still no luck getting the kids to feel him kicking. Patience is difficult for them (wonder where they get that?)

Food cravings:Yesterday I went to Taco Maria for lunch with my mom and it was amazing. So I am pretty much craving that food, because I could eat it all day.

What I miss? Normal clothes. My mom and I visited the boutiques in SoCo yesterday and there were such cute tanks and tees and dresses. But alas.

What I am looking forward to? Hawaii a week from Tuesday. I am not sure how it's going to work with work, but I definitely need a break and am very much looking forward to that trip.

Milestones: I am going to give myself the 6 month mark. I am a bit short but given that my kids tend to arrive early, I've probably got almost exactly 3 months left.

What I'm nervous about:Work lately It keeps getting more intense and I feel like I am constantly playing catch up with all of the meetings and days out of the office. Hopefully it gets back to normal soon but I am tired.

25 (and 24 Weeks)

It's becoming a trend folks. Last week we were on vacation and I am even late on the catch up post. Oh well!

At 24 weeks, baby is the size of a cantaloupe. He is 11.8 inches and now weighs about 1.3 pounds. His see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque, and it’s taking on a fresh, pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.

Baby at 25 weeks is as big as a head of cauliflower, measuring 13.6 inches in length and weighing nearly 1.5 pounds. Baby's enjoying his new sense of equilibrium; he is now learning which way is up and which is down. In the arena of 25 weeks fetal development, baby’s growing more fat and more hair too.

How far along? 25 weeks (and 3 days)

Weight gain/loss: 25 lbs. Ugh. Same as Joaquin at this point but 10 more than Emi. Must be a boy thing.

Sleep? Eh. It's a bad day to ask. My alarm went off at 4:45 am to catch a flight to NJ.

Best moment this week?We went to Ojai last weekend. And it was amazing. AMAZING. I love that place so much. The kids had a fantastic time playing at the pool, making new friends and collecting eggs at the easter egg hunt. Jay and I enjoyed playing with them and the delicious food, gorgeous views and unbelievable landscaping at the property. I still can't believe how great the trip was. I was nervous about sharing a room with the kids but it worked out great and it made me even more excited for our upcoming trip to Hawaii.

Movement:Lots. I really want the kids to get a chance to feel the baby kicking but they are less than patient so we haven't had lucky timing yet.

Food cravings:Well, I am stuck at the Embassy Suites in Piscataway, NJ at the moment so I would kill for anything approaching a decent salad or some sort of interesting roasted veggie. I do not recommend you visit.

What I miss? My family. I've only been away for less than a day and I wish I was home hanging with Joaquin, Emi and Jay. It is pretty lonely in an empty hotel room. And I can't even enjoy a glass of wine in a nice bathtub!

What I am looking forward to? Coming home! That will happen Thursday, which seems like a really long time. Sigh. I am so glad work travel is an abnormal thing for me.

Milestones: We passed V-Day. Check out my previous posts on this for the other two kiddos. But in short, as of week 24 baby is developed enough to have a chance of survival if I want into preterm labor. Of course, I hope that doesn't happen but it's nice to get past this milestone and have every day that passes be another day to develop and get ready for life on the outside.

What I'm nervous about: Right now, it's simple: access to healthy food. Jeez, I sound like my dad. I realize that I may be a bit of a prima dona, but budget travel like this just doesn't work for me. I cannot eat the kind of food they serve in these hotels. I think we have a nice dinner out tomorrow night, so hopefully I will find something wholesome.

23 (and 22) Weeks!

Another combo post this week. I've been super busy at work with our transition to J&J and generally just tired and busy in life, so apologies for the late update.

At 22 weeks, baby was as big as a coconut and is about 10.9 inches long (from the crown of the head to the heel of the foot) and 15.2 ounces. Now that baby's eyes and lips are more developed, he is looking even more like a newborn. Baby's sleeping in cycles—about 12 to 14 hours per day.

At 23 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a grapefruit (are grapefruits bigger than coconuts??) and measures 11.4 inches from head to foot and weighs 1.1 pounds. Baby is forming little nipples (yeah, really!) at this stage. And his face is fully formed—he just needs a little extra fat to fill it out. Baby's entertaining himself by listening to my voice and heartbeat, and can even hear some loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.

How far along? 23 weeks

Weight gain/loss: No idea. 2 weeks ago it was 17. I actually don't feel like I've gained much weight recently so maybe just 18 (or maybe that's wishful thinking).

Sleep? Okay. This has gone downhill in the last few days. Nothing too disruptive but I am waking up uncomfortable more often. Luckily I am really great at falling back asleep quickly.

Best moment this week?We went to Joaquin's elementary school silent auction gala last weekend. It was a prom like event for parents with a Great Gatsby theme. We rented costumes and looked the part and had a fun time. It was much more fun this year than last year, partly because it was just a better event and partly because we are starting to get to know other parents. I am really happy with our school and so grateful to live where we live with other supportive (and generous) parents. I am looking forward to many more of those (and OMGosh, I am realizing there will be a LOT. Like 14 years in a row of being parents at this school - WHAT?!?!). Good thing we like it!

Movement:Tons and I even saw my stomach move one time. He's not kicking hard yet and I'm definitely not at the point of seeing my stomach move like in the movie Alien but I definitely know there's a baby in there. Jay gets to feel every now and then but it's hit or miss. It will be fun when he's kicking enough for the kids to feel him.

Food cravings:Cuties. I'm eating at least two a day. They are tasting really good right now and bonus points for being healthy! This is much preferable to the period of time when I was craving almond twists from Pain du Monde (which are delicious but not exactly nutritious).

What I miss? My clothes and shopping for normal clothes. This is the time of year when everything in the stores is my style. I love the vacation/summer style and it is hard to have to wear the same old (mostly second hand) maternity clothes. On the bright side, I guess it makes it easier to save some money. I did, however, just get two new bikinis for our vacations and am considering some other accessories (shoes, jewelry) that work whether pregnant or not.

What I am looking forward to? Joaquin's closet. The guys came and removed all of the old stuff in the closet today so this weekend Jay has to patch, sand and paint to get it ready for Monday. Then we have the installation of his custom closet. It is exciting because I've been waiting for this to get all of the old baby clothes out and start actually prepping for the little guy to arrive. I am fairly sure Jay is not going to know what hit him after this week, because I am going to go all Melissa on him getting the baby stuff in order (yes, I just said that, and yes, you probably have a good idea what that means ;-)

Milestones: At this point, every week I can check off feels like a milestone. I LOVE my kids but oh man do I NOT love being pregnant. 17 weeks to go!

What I'm nervous about: I have a lot going on in the next month or so. It's Spring Break next week and I am taking Monday off to hang with the kids and because of the closet install. I'll be at work on Tuesday and Wednesday and then we are off to Ojai on Thursday. And it's super busy at work, so it may be difficult to manage everything - people are not used to me being out of the office that much (HA! They'd better get used to it!). Then I have a normal week followed by a trip to NJ for work for 4 days and then two weeks later we are off to Hawaii. So it's going to be a lot of hectic work stuff mixed with these vacations, which is great but can be stressful. I am sure everything will be fine in the end, but it would sure be nice if coffee was allowed!

21 Weeks (and 20 Weeks) - MORE THAN HALF WAY THERE!!!

Okay - So it's been busy and I totally flaked on my 20 week post. This is a combo.

At 20 weeks, baby was as big as a banana and weighed about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches from crown to rump. Baby now has working taste buds. He is gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day—that's significantly more than before.

At 21 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a head of endive and is about 10.5 inches from head to toe (yes, we now measure differently) and about 12.7 ounces. As baby's digestive system preps for the outside world, he or she's manufacturing meconium—the tarry black substance you'll find in the first dirty diaper (gross). How far along? 21 weeks

Weight gain/loss: 17

Sleep? Okay. My shoulders are sore from sleeping on my sides but otherwise no complaints here.

Best moment this week?Watching Joaquin's first baseball game was really fun. The kids are adorable and Joaquin seemed like he was having lots of fun.

Movement:YES. And even Jay has felt some kicks. It's pretty neat.

Food cravings:All kinds of fruit

What I miss? My yoga practice. I am still trying but it is a bit frustrating to be so limited and easily worn out. I love the way I feel after a really difficult class and it is hard to take it easy. This is very different from my previous pregnancies, as I did not really exercise at all during either (I know!). I really only discovered my enjoyment of exercise in the last 7 years or so and this has been the single hardest thing for me to give up over the last few months. I am truly dreading the "dark period" in late third trimester and after the baby is born when I am not allowed exercise at all. Until then, I will keep trying (but not too hard).

What I am looking forward to? Can I just keep saying vacation?! I am SOOO excited.

Milestones: I'm over half way done. This pregnancy business is long and boring so it's nice to be on the downhill.

What I'm nervous about: I really need to start actually preparing for the baby's arrival at home. We got rid of everything thinking we were done (and not wanting to store a bunch of stuff). So we need a crib, changing table, Rock n Play and all that other baby stuff again. Joaquin's closet is being done in two weeks so once that's done I will really need to get to work. I am hoping we have some generous friends who want to get rid of unnecessary baby stuff because the idea of spending all of that money again is just too much. Haha.

Anatomy Scan Pictures

I can't quite figure out how to rotate these properly so this will have to do. The 3-D version is not super clear because his mouth was obscured but you can make out eyes, a nose and even his arms over his head.

19 Weeks

Baby is as big as a mango and about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces. He is developing a protective coating over his skin called vernix caseosa. He is also working on his five senses. Yep, nerve cells for sense of taste, hearing, sight, and smell are all developing in baby's brain.

How far along? 19 weeks (and 3 days)

Weight gain/loss: No idea. Maybe 14/15 lbs?

Sleep? Still doing okay on this front.

Best moment this week?We had a great weekend. The first soccer game of the season. A date night. A double date night. And Joaquin's first official race - which was super fun to watch.

Movement:Maybe? But not any clear kicks yet. Sigh. At my recent ultrasound I learned that I have an anterior placenta that is basically covering the entire front of my uterus so this is explains why I am not feeling anything yet. Maybe next week?

Food cravings:Tacos

What I miss? Warm days. It was much warmer this weekend and we even went to the pool. It reminded me how much I am looking forward to spring and summer and spending more time outdoors with the kids.

What I am looking forward to? Ojai in April and (gasp) Hawaii in May. Jay is pretty much the best and surprised the family with TWO trips!! I am thrilled.

Milestones: We got a thumbs up from the most recent blood panel and the anatomy scan. Huge relief for me. When I get a bit of time I will post pictures and a story from that scan, which was slightly stressful.

What I'm nervous about: Things are getting busier at work and I am trying to navigate a new company's processes, org structure and culture. It is fun and interesting but projects that would normally be easy are becoming difficult lately. Plus a few high ups in legal are coming to visit us this week and I will need to make a great impression.

18 Weeks

At 18 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as an artichoke. Baby's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and keeps growing quickly. He is working his muscles and practicing all kinds of moves. He is also yawning, hiccupping, sucking, and swallowing. He is twisting, rolling, punching, and kicking too.

How far along? 18 weeks

Weight gain/loss: 12 lbs last week. Not sure this week.

Sleep? Eh. Good enough. Better than sleep with a newborn so no complaints.

Best moment this week?I officially work for Johnson & Johnson now, which is really exciting. I think it will be a great place to work and hopefully will have a long career here.

Movement:STILL NONE. AND NOT PATIENT.

Food cravings:Water. It has been super dry this week and the headaches are no joke.

What I miss? Consistent energy. I am usually fine most of the day but then have extremely difficult periods where I have zero energy in the late afternoon.

What I am looking forward to? A facial tomorrow. Pregnancy acne is the worst.

Milestones: 4 months down, 5 to go!

What I'm nervous about: Monday is the big anatomy scan. I am a bit nervous as this is the final diagnostic test for confirming everything is okay with the pregnancy. And I keep wondering why I am not feeling kicks yet. It will be nice to go in Monday and see that he's moving and healthy. It's been 6 weeks since my last ultrasound, which feels like forever.