26 Week Pregnancy Blog

26 Week Pregnancy Blog (6 months!) 

Written on June 3, 2016

How far along? 26 weeks 5 days

Baby: The network of nerves in the baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both my voice and Josh's as we chat with each other. She is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of the lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she is born and takes that first gulp of air. And the baby is continuing to put on baby fat. Now weighing about 2 pounds and measures 14 inches (the size of an eggplant and length of a green onion) from head to heel. 

                 26 Week Bump!

Total Weight Gain: The baby is definitely growing and I've gained 10-12 lbs. (116-118) as of this week. I can tell she's a lot bigger, so that makes me feel better about the weight gain. My weight is fluctuating a little bit depending on what I eat and time of day, but I'm trying hard to eat small meals every few hours, so I don't get that overly full feeling. She seems to be squishing my stomach because I won't eat much at all and then I feel stuffed.  I did pretty well this past week with eating. I really enjoyed the vegetarian dishes we made at the cooking class and finished those up this week. Trying so hard to eat healthy and limit the sweets! It's always been important to me to keep a healthy weight gain in pregnancy and not go crazy eating junk. 

Maternity Clothes: I really popped this week! I'm starting to look and really feel pregnant. When packing for the beach, it took me a while to find clothes that fit me properly. I'm wearing a lot more maternity clothes and filling them out. I'm also wearing all my regular shorts with my belly band because I only have 2 pairs of maternity shorts. Thankfully, this is working right now and all my regular shorts are still options with the belly band. I wish they made smaller cut maternity clothes. I usually end up wearing my regular clothes and just make some adjustments because maternity clothes are just massive on me!

Stretch Marks: Still being consistent about applying the stretch mark cream 1-2 times a day. I actually ran out of the regular stretch mark lotion, so I've been using the Palmer's Tummy Butter. It's super thick, but I'm growing a lot right now, so I trust it will help my skin stretch more easily. I don't see any new stretch marks, but there were one or two super small little marks on my belly from my last pregnancy, and those are becoming a little more obvious (at least to me) now that my belly is growing. My theory has always been to try to gain weight slowly and apply the stretch mark cream every day, and if I still get stretch marks, well then at least I know I did everything in my power to prevent them! Better than not trying at all and knowing they could have been prevented in my opinion :) 

Sleep: I've been sleeping really good for the most part! Having a toddler actually gives me more energy in a lot of ways. I'm used to being active with him and used to running on not a lot of extra sleep, so I don't feel any more tired than usual. I've been more uncomfortable while sleeping this pregnancy and I need a pillow under my belly while I sleep. I'm exhausted by the end of each day, so I fall asleep immediately. I still wake-up throughout the night and sometimes get a snack :) 

Miss Anything? I mostly just miss being able to do whatever I want and not having to worry about being too active. While at the beach this past week, I overdid it one day and I was in pain at the end of the day. I'm someone who likes to stay busy and active, so having to limit that is hard sometimes. Besides that, I love being pregnant. Yes, this pregnancy has been harder than my previous pregnancy (because that one was a breeze!), but I've still had an awesome experience! I love feeling her move all the time and seeing my bump grow. It's such a special time and I cherish every moment she's in my belly. I also feel good, so that helps!

Movement: She's still ridiculously active! She moves all night long and throughout the day. I can feel her different body parts and they are very distinct. Her head and feet in particular are easy for me to spot and feel. Movement is my favorite part of pregnancy and so entertaining! Josh and I love just sitting there watching her do crazy tricks in my belly. She is starting to get the hiccups too! Grayson got them all the time in my belly, so I was wondering if she would too.

Food Cravings: Sweets and coffee are still my jam! My work got me a cake on my last day and then sent me home with most of it. Big mistake! I ate WAY too much sugar for a few days! Still loving coffee, but I've found a lot of yummy decaf options that still hit the spot along with my one cup of half caff coffee each day. My favorite foods/snacks right now are probably string cheese, apples and peanut butter, gum, water with lemonade packets, and salads or veggies with ranch dressing. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: We had a great time at the beach! Grayson had a blast -- he loves the ocean and playing with his cousins! I also completed my last week of work! It's an exciting and scary change, but I'm looking forward to being at home with Grayson and his sister! 

Gender: Girl! :) We were given a bunch of Newborn size diapers this week and they are SO tiny! I forgot how small they were. I cannot believe Grayson used to fit in them and that our little girl will too. Getting excited about having a newborn again! :)

Symptoms: I've been feeling a lot better being more active, so that's awesome! I'm picking Grayson up more and doing a lot more in general -- it feels great! That being said, if I am overly active, my back or round ligament muscles may start hurting. I have to make myself sit down and take a break often just to recover from the activity. The baby also gets in different positions that can be painful. She will sit on a nerve, go super low, or head butt me in the pelvic bone. She's getting big enough that her movements or positioning can be painful! I've also started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions! 

                           
Happy or moody: Probably moody ;)

Looking forward to: Enjoying the last 2 weeks in Woodstock and moving! Also, Josh is getting commissioned next Saturday, so that's a big accomplishment we are excited to celebrate!