2/3 DONE!

Week 27:

Puffy? That's to be expected — about 75 percent of soon-to-be moms experience edema (mild swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles) around this point in pregnancy. That's because fluids build up in your body tissues thanks (or no thanks) to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on the vena cava (the large vein that cycles blood from your lower limbs to your heart). So while you may have a hard time squeezing into shoes or getting your rings on (or off), keep in mind that the puff factor is completely normal and temporary. As for baby, it's time to trade in the old crown-to-rump measurement for a new head-to-toe standard (that's 15 inches this week — more than a foot long!). His weight is creeping up the charts as well, coming in at just over two pounds. More big news: Your baby may recognize your voice by now, so feel free to serenade your belly.

He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Yea, we are 2/3 of the way there people! Wow. It's crazy to think about the end product in all of this. You realize that there is a baby, but I don't think you really REALIZE that there is a baby. Don't know if that makes sense, but it's the best way I can describe it. For me, I'm feeling pretty good. Noticing some mild swelling, but nothing major. My appetite is CONSTANT, but eating large meals is out. My stomach is getting crowded with all that baby in there and I can't eat all that much at once, which means I have to eat a little pretty much constantly. You should see my lunchbox with my daily snacks... it's pretty funny.

Baby is rolling around and moving like crazy. He had a few lazy days last week, but I think it was a growth spurt. The last few days he's been going nuts. You are starting to be able to tell where he is just by looking at my stomach as he sticks his back or butt up and it makes my stomach look all lopsided. Jimmy and I need to get on the ball here soon. I'm thinking next weekend will be a baby weekend. We are going on our hospital tour this coming Saturday and will most likely be signing up for classes through the hospital then. From there I think we will be heading to some baby stores to get serious about registering and picking out the essentials. Jimmy's Dad told us this weekend that they need to know what crib we want as they would like to buy it for us. :) That will help SO SO SO MUCH! So that makes me excited. And hopefully knowing that that is one cost we won't have to cover, Jimmy will be a bit more excited to take all of it in. He sees the prices and any sense of excitement he had goes away. He's such a boy.

Anyway, here is this week's belly pic. Since I can't hold my hand still, it came out a bit artistic, don't ya think...