26 weeks and a Sumo Wrestler

At my latest doctor's appointment I was reminded of the size of my belly when it actually shocked the Nurse. 

I haven't gained too much weight but when she had me lay down to measure and feel my belly she was very much surprised. "That's hard as a rock! And alllll baby! She must have had one heck of a growth spurt since the last time you were here!"

She advised they will probably throw in another ultrasound just to make sure everything is going well. Any time I get to see my precious girl is a good thing to me so now I'm waiting to get that scheduled.

[[Belly pic to come!]]

How far along? 26 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: 13 pounds

Maternity clothes? Pants, yes. And i need more tops!

Sleep: is wonderful! 

Movement: Her rolls are becoming a lot more prominent. It's the best feeling in the world. I could lay still for HOURS just to feel her boop my belly over and over again!

Food cravings: dr pepper!

Gender: Baby GIRL :)

Baby is: 14.5 inches long, 2lbs and plumping up! She may be able to recognize mine and Daddy's voices now.

Best moment this week: So far just hearing her heartbeat and feeling her movements.

Looking forward to: Christmas!

All bellies are NOT created EQUAL

Older feller I work with asked me at our company Christmas party last night (while I was all dolled up and feeling fancy)- "When are you due?"

Me-"March 24th"

Older Feller- "Gah dang you're going to need a wheelbarrow to walk around by then!"

ANNNNNNNND KILL all confidence I had in my cute new dress.

Today another coworker says to me-"You're belly really has dropped! I don't think you'll make it to March the way you're growing!"

So those two conversations prompted me to go to Pinterest and search "26 weeks" and I immediately smiled. Bellies come in all shapes and sizes and I think they are all completely adorable! Mine is large. She is healthy. And if it turns out that I do, in fact, NEED a wheelbarrow, I'll ride along proudly :)

And her name is......

Almost to 26 weeks, guys!

Why is this going by so fast?

Baby girl has a name now! It's been a pretty common reaction for people to say "Huh?" or "What" when I tell them her name. It's a name I have had picked out for years! Husband just warmed up to it and said "that's fine" when it came down to making the final decision. Her name will be Evaleigh Ann. I have always loved Evaleigh. Ann was my dear Momma's middle name.

Evaleigh Ann. Although I'm not too keen on the spelling of Evaleigh yet. I have always written it as Evaley. I think it's more simple. But using "leigh" will cover a few more bases as far as naming her after loved ones :)

I've noticed a bit of a waddle when I walk now :)

 A sweet coworker made these for me because I loved them SO MUCH last time she made them! And don't be fooled-they are weight watchers brownies!

How far along? 25 weeks, 4 days!

Total weight gain: I'll find out on Monday when I go back to the doctor. I haven't been since November 14th!

Maternity clothes? Still wearing a combination of regular and maternity tops, but I'm wearing maternity leggings and pants...they are so much more comfortable. 

Sleep: Sleep is still coming very easy to me :) I don't think i require as much of it anymore, but I never turn down an opportunity for a snooze.

Movement: She goes through spurts of movement. A few days in a row she is a little monkey in there and then some days she just boops here and there. Early morning when I wake to use the restroom and lay back down I really enjoy the time I have to feel her move around. I feel like that's when she moves the most and I don't mind laying there awake and just soaking it all in.

Food cravings: Teriyaki Chicken and baked potato this week. On Wednesday I actually thought I might lose my mind if I didn't get to eat it!!

Gender: Baby GIRL :)

Baby is: the size of a zucchini, about 13 inches and almost 2 pounds!

Best moment this week: Two people at work randomly commenting on the same day about how much my belly has grown. I don't mind it at all! It means she is a growing girl!

Looking forward to: Buying some more maternity tops. Visiting with family over Christmas :)

I'm NOT complaining.

1. If you're fluffy like me, don't expect a bump right from the start.
2. Heartburn is imminent.
3. When you're crying and screaming and feel like the whole world is against you, you'll talk yourself into believing it's true and continue to cry until you're just too damn tired to do anything. The emotional roller coaster I have experienced has been one for the record books. From happy to crazy in 0.2 seconds is not something to be proud of. Sorry to anyone who has to experience this with me.
4. Don't expect your husband to even remotely understand the meaning of you being exhausted....because they are "exhausted" too. (yeah but are YOU growing a tiny human? NO)
5. Your eyesight will change and you'll feel like you're losing your eyesight all together. Don't panic, though, it's normal, right........???
6. My excitement over the alleged growth spurt the boobs are supposed to get has dwindled down to nothing at all. They are still tiny boobs. Not any bigger.
7. Dreams are very very intense.........
8. Your hair will either fall out or grow awesome. Mine has grown so awesome that my roots are about 4 inches out. Tell me I'm sexy.
9. If you got the baby glow, you lucky turd, you. I got told ONE time that I had a "glow" and I'm fairly certain it was because I bought new foundation that was "illuminated" so that your skin would be brighter. Fooled you, didn't I? To you others who got acne and backne ...I feel you. 
10. Whether you don't need to tinkle while sitting down, you will as soon as you stand up, like bad, so much so that you may not be able to stand up straight.
11. Drink water as often as you can...it actually helps everything.
12. You won't crave anything good for you...unless you are just one of the lucky ones. Other wise it's anything from cake to Chinese food.
13. No matter what, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE WORTH IT IN THE END :)

24 WEEKS!

I wish time would just stand still at this exact point in my pregnancy.
She is moving so much more and I adore every second of it.

The swelling feet
the mood swings
the constant need to pee........

I absolutely don't want it to end. Of course I am excited to meet our baby girl, but at the same time it's a little bittersweet. As far as babies go, this will probably be my first and last. This will be Husband's second baby, and we will be set with having two girls to raise :)

24 weeks! I know all bumps aren't created equal but mine sure is large and in charge!

 I currently have an obsession with floral prints. And to mix a soft cheetah print with?? I found this sweet onsie for $3.99!! I had to have it :)

How far along? 24 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: 10 pounds as of the last appointment.....but I'm sure it's gone up since then!

Maternity clothes? I love them! I wish i had more! The pants are so comfortable and i am starting to want a bunch of maternity tops because they are a lot longer.

Sleep: Dare I say i don't think I require as much sleep as I had previously been needing?! It still comes easy as pie, but it's not such an overwhelming feeling anymore. 

Movement: LOTS! It's so exciting to feel her move around all day. In fact, I now know when she moves the most and how to lay to get her to move more. I cannot describe how happy it makes me when she "boops" me all the time. Daddy put his head on my tummy and she booped him three times! Absolutely precious!

Food cravings: Still loving a cold Dr. Pepper! I only have one a day, if that, but gosh i could be starving and the best part of my day would still be that first drink of an ice cold pop :)

Gender: Baby GIRL :)

Baby is: 13 1/2 inches long, weighing 1 1/2 pounds. Using her hands to explore new world of tactile sensations. 

Best moment this week:  Every time she moves. every.single.time! We are also pretty set on her name, which makes me happy and nervous all at the same time! It's such a big deal, you know?!

Looking forward to: Christmas with my family.