Pregnancy #2: 25 & 26 weeks

 

{25 weeks}

  {26 weeks} 

And compared to 26 weeks with Lizzy:

How far along: 26 weeks.

Size of baby: A head of lettuce (The Bump) or a cucumber (Baby Center). I also happened to see that What to Expect says baby is the size of an eggplant this week. In other words,  about 13-15 inches inches and 1.5-2.5 pounds.

Weight Gain: +5 pounds total, from pre-pregnancy weight as of Saturday. It's kind of weird to feel like I'm actually gaining weight after I had been losing it at first, and I honestly have to keep reminding myself that it's okay. Considering the fact that the bambino weighs an average of 2lbs at this point, I do not need to freak about having gained 5 pounds total.

Symptoms: Still heartburn and still Braxton Hicks.

Exercise: I've been on the elliptical a couple of times in the past two weeks...maybe averaging two or three times a week? I've started dialing down the speed and upping the resistance, which makes me feel like I'm still getting a good workout without jiggling all over the place.

Clothes: Both photos are non-maternity--Target Long & Lean tank, and a Target fold-over skirt (sized up) in the 26 week photo, and a Wal-Mart maxi dress in the 25 week photo. I have to say that all you other pregnant and/or newly post-partum moms inspired the 26 week outfit pictured above (from my birthday party yesterday), especially the belt! I never would have thought to do that on my own, but I like it, and I feel just a tiny bit trendy, ha!

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific, really. I am LOVING watermelon though. 

Movement:Yep :)

Worries: Nothing major. It's occurred to me recently that our normal nap routine (snuggling on the couch and watching Food Network until L falls asleep and then me carrying her to her room) may not be the best option when #2 makes her appearance. Maybe I really should try to get Lizzy into the habit of going to sleep for naps in her own room before the baby comes? But (a) I don't think she'll ever actually sleep if we do it that way and (b) I would miss the Lizzy snuggles big time, since that's the only time I get them! I don't know...

Also, I've noticed that I've been bruising pretty easily lately...and then shortly thereafter realized that I've totally spaced taking a prenatal vitamin for the past week or so. I need to get on that!

Milestones: Her eyes will soon be opening, and she's practicing taking breaths of amniotic fluid. Basically, she's fattening up and getting ready for the outside world. Also, I've heard "pregnancy brain" is increasingly common at this point, which makes me feel slightly better that this past week I accidentally left the sprinkler on in the backyard for two full days. Whoops.

What's Different This Time: Depending on which doctor/website you're talking to, the 3rd trimester starts next week...and we've basically done nothing to prepare for this little one! I think by this point with Lizzy, her nursery was just about done! We may wait to lay flooring until after this one is born (which will be fine, really), so the nursery may not be truly done until after she's born, but I'd really like to get started here soon.

Best moment of the week: Last Friday, we met with the mortgage lady who closed on our house the first time around, and talked with her about a new pilot USDA program that would let us refinance from our current rate of 6.375% to 3.75(ish)% with no appraisal necessary. Um, yes. That would save us big time--probably at least $250 a month. She's never done one of these refinances before, and it's a new program, so I think everyone's still trying to feel out what all the requirements are, but we are really hopeful that we'll be able to do it and close in November. And since you don't make a mortgage payment that first month you refinance, we'd have no mortgage payment in either November or December...right around the time the baby is born. I don't think I have to explain what an AMAZING thing that would be, and I'm just praying big time that it all works out! {Thank you Sarah for all your help and suggestions about this!}