26 week update... Surrogate Side

Date:  September 23rd, 2013

How Many Weeks:  26 weeks!

Total Weight Gain: A whopping 13lbs!  Omigosh!  Who knew??  Geesh!  7 additional pounds since my previous OB appointment (which, in  my defense, was 6 weeks before... A bit longer than usual due to me being out of state.)  Hey, it helps me deal with the huge hike (wink, wink)!  My OB doesn't seem to be concerned what-so-ever, but holy heck... 

Baby Size: Lettuce
 

What is going on with this baby:

• His eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.  They're just going to be beautiful - can't wait for this little guy to see his folks for the very first time!!!
• And his eyelashes are now grown, too.  Never too many of those.  Why is it that boys always have the fullest eyelashes?!
• He's getting his immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.  I will do what I can to make them healthy antibodies...  (*Note to self: less junk food.  Ahem, no really...)
• He's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah.  There's no turning back now!  And, I'm lovin' 'em. 

Sleep:  Still not complaining.  I actually think it may have gotten better??  Well, at least I've slept particularly well these past few nights. 

Movement:  Yep.  Just last night, I tried to snap a picture of his little booty popping out of the right side of my belly, but as soon as I got the camera out, he moved it back in.  Camera shy.  I think I took too long since I had initially forced my hubby to take a look at my lopsided belly.  He's not really a fan of seeing that stuff - never really liked it either when it was our own babies in the oven...  But, he saw it.  LOL!  Next time, I'll snap the pic for K&J first and THEN torture my hubby. 

Symptoms:  More and more Braxton Hicks.  These have been occurring quite a bit since around week 11 or so (I know, very early), but it is very common for me.  I had them very early with my daughter and they continued throughout my entire pregnancy on a regular basis; mostly in the evening.  This pregnancy seems to be no different in that regard.  Some are a little painful (since he sits SOOOOO LOW), but totally tolerable!  It's actually kinda cool to see.

Food Cravings/Aversions:  Umm, I like sweets.  I told K at some point earlier in this pregnancy that I had no self-control when it came to cake and whoopie pies with my last pregnancy.  I guess she took note because just a few days ago I had a special delivery from a very nice local bakery.

Yep, there are 3 red velvet and 3 chocolate whoopie pies, 3 vanilla sprinkle and 3 chocolate PB cupcakes.                      I think I've died and gone to heaven.

I'm looking forward to:  capturing weird belly moments for K&J!

Belly:

25 week update... Surrogate Side

Date: September 19th, 2013

How Many Weeks:  25 weeks!

Total Weight Gain: 7ish pounds (I'll find out officially this afternoon - I don't step on the scale at home...)

Baby Size:  Cauliflower
 

What is going on with this baby:

• He's enjoying his new sense of equilibrium -- he now knows which way is up and which is down.  Maybe he'll now stop pouncing on my awkward girly parts.....??!?  This girl can only hope!
• He's growing more fat and more hair too!  Totally gonna be one super studly baby boy.  Ladies, watch out!

Maternity Clothes:  Uh-huh!  I adore them.  I was telling a friend of mine in the early stages of this pregnancy (when my regular clothes were beginning to get tight) that my maternity pants were just terrible and too short and just not gonna work.  Funny thing happened a little bit ago; I tried on those same pants that I said were just terrible and they were simply delightful.  I told her that I think my standards are drifting and that I may just be settling.  Huh.  Oh well!  I'm a lot more comfortable!!! 

Sleep:  Pretty good still.  Still waking to go potty (with my daughter, hmph...), but nothing to really complain about.

Movement:  Still a really good mover and shaker!

Symptoms:  My belly has really started to feel tight (umm, maybe because it doubled in size all of a sudden??) and my back has started to become achy.  If I sit for long periods of time, my tailbone hurts like heck and when I attempt to get up to walk around, the pain increases and it's like I can't even get out of my chair.  Kinda like an old person trying to get out of their chair.  Pretty comical scene for my coworkers... Otherwise, still doing great and can't complain!

Food Cravings/Aversions: I love food.  That about sums it up.

I'm looking forward to:  asking my OB this afternoon just how big this baby is... He's definitely grown a bit (wink, wink).  I don't remember being this big this early with either of my other 2 pregnancies and they turned out to be 9 and 10lb babies...........  Ha, ha!

Belly: 

Yup - I think I've grown a real baby belly... My coworkers are in awe that I still  have 15 weeks to go! (PS: this is before I've eaten.) 

24 week update... Surrogate Side

Date: September 11th, 2013 (Happy 9th wedding anniversary to my hubby and me!)

How Many Weeks:  24 weeks!

Total Weight Gain: 7ish pounds

Baby Size:  Canteloupe
 

What is going on with this baby:

• His see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque.
• And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes, yes.  And, I love 'em!

Sleep: Not so bad.  We've been on vacation so the kids' sleep patterns are a little whacky, but it actually works in our favor (for once)!  They actually have been sleeping in longer in the mornings!  I don't think we've ever slept past 7am!  We even had a morning of 8:30am - what?!  As far as comfort of sleeping due to the pregnancy; it really hasn't been bad.  My bladder fills up quickly (maybe due to being so smushed... ha, ha), but otherwise sleeping is good.

Movement:  I think I tell you every time that this little boy moves a ton.  He does.  I haven't had anyone be able to feel him from the outside, but we did this week.  We were at my brother's rehearsal for his wedding ceremony (he got married!  Eek!) and butterball was bouncing all around.  My mom was nearby and I asked her if she would like to feel the baby.  She was a little hesitant, but said, "yes, please!"  I placed her hand on my belly and baby boy gave her a huge wallop!  Her eyes got big, looked directly at me and had a glimmer in her eye and said, "hunny, that's wonderful".

Symptoms: Nothing really new...  Same old, same old!  I have to tell you - my boobies were the talk of the wedding...  LOL!!!  Geesh.

Food Cravings/Aversions:  Oh, I really did it up this week - we're on vacation!!  I ate so much and so well!  However, when we were traveling to Baltimore for my brother's wedding, it really hit me.  Yeah, I've had some "desires" for certain things, but I never would really consider them "cravings".  Well, I gotta tell ya.  I had a craving on the drive to Baltimore.  I wanted ice cream and I only really like hard serve ice cream.  So, that said, craving hard serve ice cream while traveling is not ideal.  You don't really see ice cream shops driving down a highway.  I was literally feeling sick to my stomach because I wanted it so bad.  That had never happened to me before!  My incredibly awesome hubby worked his magic.  He found me a Coldstone Creamery and got me the most delightful ice cream ever!  Love him!  Stomach pains miraculously disappeared.  Hmm...

I'm looking forward to: K&J being able to feel this amazing child kick and squirm soon!

Belly: 

Lil' Matey on board Captain Jack's Pirate Tour in Virginia Beach!

25 Weeks.......Intended Parents Side

We hit the special 25 week mark and my hubby and I couldn't be more excited. It's starting to feel more real and soon we will have more doctor's appointments, planning the nursery and lots of exciting things coming up! My hubby and I celebrated "the 25 week mark" with the beach and a celebratory lunch this weekend.  We are getting closer! Gina continues to amaze us every step of the way. We are so lucky! I think we owe her a peanut butter and chocolate cake or 2!

23 week update... Surrogate Side

Date:  September 4th, 2013

How Many Weeks:  23 weeks!

Total Weight Gain: 6 +/- pounds

Baby Size:  Grapefruit

 
 

What is going on with this baby:

• He's forming little nipples (Haha! Yeah, really!)
• His face is fully formed now -- he just needs a little extra fat to fill it out. (I can certainly help with that!)
• He's listening to my voice and heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.  I've got to get K&J to record their voices so I can play them for the butterball!  Can't you see it now - my wittle bewy with a set of headphones on it??  (wink, wink)

Maternity Clothes: Yes.  I am wearing maternity clothes.  I am almost finished utilizing my belly band; although it's really hard to depart with such a treasured item... I have found, however, some of my tops accommodate my growing belly nicely!  Win!

Sleep:  Not too bad lately.  Although, I wake up every time my husband steps in the room at crazy hours.  That is something that I haven't done in a while...  I can, however, get back to sleep relatively quickly; so, I'm not complaining.

Movement:  Have I mentioned that this boy moves ALL THE TIME?  Yeah, he does.  He especially enjoys kicking my awkward girly parts down below causing me to jump or squirm with "delight"... 

Symptoms:  Nothing new, really!  My heavy, large and ever-growing boobies continue along the same path.  My oh-so-smexy veins in my legs are just as beautious as ever.  My headaches are still there.  Oh, maybe an addition!!  I now have some heavy, "full" feeling legs when I walk/stand for longer periods of time.  But, that's an easy fix - I'll just sit on my arse.... Yeah right (wink, wink).

Food Cravings/Aversions: Special K Red Berries is really kicking some serious butt these days. 

I'm looking forward to:  My brother's wedding is this weekend!!! HOLY SMOKES!  We will be traveling there tomorrow morning and will return in a week and a half (so, probably a delayed 24 week post).  I can't wait to see my family all together.  Yay!!

Belly: