Sigh

So I'll be in my third trimester on Wednesday. I feel huge already. River is pressing against my lungs and diaphragm and it gets really hard to breathe at times.

Feeling a little down right now. I feel out of shape, even tho I'm not; it's just the pregnancy. Yesterday was Christmas and even tho I'm Wiccan and celebrate Yule, it just sucked not having my own family here. My mom, uncle and brother were supposed to come over for dessert; dad couldn't come because he had to go to work early. Well, uncle Tony is sick so mom didn't want to bring him over and Jared went to his friends. Then mom and Jared were supposed to come over today but that didn't work out because it had been snowing all day and they didn't think about coming out until 5pm-ish... *sigh*

And Sandy is at work, like usual. So I have no one to talk to. I feel alone. I just want someone here. I've been thinking a lot about having a newborn here. Well, it's kinda hard NOT to think about it. I think I'm starting to look forward more to having someone to care for, who needs me, and even tho he won't be able to respond for a while, someone to talk to. Before, I was real nervous and couldn't believe I was pregnant. I still can't believe I'm going to be a mom. None of my friends can either, even tho they're all happy for me. I don't know how to go into detail how I used to be, because in reality, it doesn't matter. I'm different compared to who I was, even right before I became pregnant.

I am going to be a mom. Wow.

Of all the titles I have.. sister, aunt, niece, coach, friend, mentor.. mother will be among them. And it will be the best title of all.

*sigh*

Right now I'm listening to Rapture - "Two Dead Names."

I may just crash. I don't want to, but it feels like the only escape I have right now from the loneliness.

Week 26
(counting from first day of last menstrual period)
Around 24 Weeks After Conception

Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider.

Fetal Development:

Your baby could weigh about two pounds now and be around 9 inches long (crown of the head to the rump). As the blood vessels in the lungs began last week, the air sacs in the lungs begin this week. The lungs begin to secrete surfactant which covers the inner lining of the air sacs which then allows the lungs to expand normally during breathing. Besides the active lung growth, the brain kicks in with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems.

Maternal Changes:

Your uterus is about 2 1/2 inches above your belly button. If you feel your uterus suddenly tighten and then relax, don't panic. You're experiencing "Braxton Hicks" Contractions. These are normal, usually painless or feel similar to menstrual cramps and happen at irregular intervals. They are your body's way of practicing for the real thing and help to tone up your uterus for the tough job of labor. Are you eating well? You need about 300 extra calories now. Make them count! Multiples: Women carrying multiples will have more Braxton Hicks contractions than singleton moms. If you have more than four in an hour, you should call your doctor.

Ideas for Dad:

How is the nursery coming? Not everyone prepares a nursery before the baby arrives. However, if you are planning to have everything ready, now is a good time to start. Paint the nursery (and keep Mom away from the fumes), put the crib together and have fun preparing for this new little family member with Mom. These are a few of the things you can do for your baby while Mom is gestating. Week 27 (counting from first day of last menstrual period) Around 25 Weeks After Conception Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider. Fetal Development: During this week, the brain continues its rapid growth, and the lungs continue to grow. Eyelids begin to open, and the retinas begin to form. The babywill grow over 1/2 inch this week and will be about 1 1/3 feet long (from crown of head to the toes or 9.6 inches from crown to rump)! Maternal Changes: Congratulations! At the end of this week, you will have finished the second trimester already! You may be experiencing some shortness of breath. Your uterus is close to your rib cage now, and your lungs may not be able to fully expand. Don't worry though. Your baby isn't lacking oxygen and your circulatory system is actually working more efficiently thanks to those pregnancy hormones that have caused you so much discomfort. To Work Or Not To Work . . . In week 25, we discussed paternity leave in the dads section. If you're a working mom, you're probably thinking about maternity leave and whether or not you'll go back to work after your baby arrives. This can be a very difficult decision for some families while easy for others. If you're struggling over this, visit our cubbies for stay at home moms, work at home parents, and working moms: StorkNet's Stay At Home Moms Cubby StorkNet's Work At Home Parents Cubby StorkNet's Working Parents Cubby Ideas for Dad: It's 2 am, and you're blissfully dreaming about winning the Indy 500 in record-breaking time. Suddenly, you're awakened by a pregnant woman who is shaking the buttons off your pajamas. You come to your senses (or at least you think you do), sit straight up in bed and ask her if she's sure it's time. "No, of course it's not time. But I HAVE to have some cold mooshy McDonald's french fries NOW or I'll just DIE. Hurry, PALEEEEEEZE." Nope, it's not labor . . . it's cravings! She's craving weird things, and you just want to sleep. She's insistent and you know there'll be no sleep until you go. What's a dad to do? Sound remotely familiar? Think of this as preparation for being awakened in the middle of the night by the baby - and you won't have to go to McDonald's for him. Try your best to suggest healthy snacks for Mom but realize at this point, your suggestions may not carry a lot of weight. If all else fails, keep your slippers by the front door and your car keys handy!

Rocker Baby

So I'm sitting here with the computer headphones on my stomach, listening to various artists. River is kicking soooo much! It's so cool to see the headphones on my stomach, hear the music that is coming out, and see my stomach move! My son definitely takes after his mama when it comes to music ;) So far I've played:

Stone Sour: "Say You'll Haunt Me"

Darling Violetta: "Angel Theme" "Spoiled & Rotten" "A Smaller God"

Lacuna Coil: "Swamped" "Closer To You" "Enjoy The Silence"

I'm about to start a wave of Opeth songs. :-)

So I turned 26 weeks on Wednesday. Two more weeks and I'll be in my third trimester! Whoa! lol.

26 weeks

26 weeks, 2 days

6 months, 1 week today

River is moving more and more! I was over at my parents and told my mom her grandson was moving. So she handed me a paper plate and set it on my stomach. We waited for a bit, then saw the plate move! It was really cool. We're still working on a middle name for our baby boy. I like Kiernan; Sandy doesn't. I like Aiden; Sandy doesn't know how he feels about it. lol. Argh pick something, dad!

So I told Sandy his son was moving, and Sandy laid his cheek against my belly. River heard his dad talking and started kicking! Sandy got socked in the face! lol. Oh he was soooo happy to feel his son moving.

I'm still swimming and moving around well, even though I'm feeling more like a planet. I still pee quite frequently, and when River moves a certain way, there's an almost sharp quiver in my bladder that makes me feel like I haven't gone to the bathroom in hours when really I have very little urine in there.

We've currently moved into the add-on apartment on the house in which we were renting a room. Stuff is everywhere. As soon as we get some storage containers, we should be ok.. for the most part. I just can't believe all of this was in one room!

Week 24
(counting from first day of last menstrual period)
Around 22 Weeks After Conception

Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider.

Fetal Development:

The baby gains about 6 ounces this week as the body begins to fill out. This weight is in muscle,bone mass and the growing organs and tissues. The weight could top 1 1/3 pounds by the end of the week. Multiples: Week 24 is usually considered the point of viability, meaning that if your babies are born now, they have a chance for survival. They would, however, be in intensive care for many months.

Maternal Changes:

Between weeks 24 and 28, your care provider may order aglucose tolerance test to determine if you have gestational diabetes. Your uterus is 1 1/2 to 2 inches above the navel. Multiples: Watch your vaginal discharge and report any changes to your caregiver. Preterm labor may start by infection that ascends from the vagina. Visit week 25 for Preterm Labor Warning Signs. Your doctor may want to do a check of your cervix sometime soon so that if you develop preterm labor symptoms, s/he will have a baseline for comparison.

Ideas for Dad:

Take lots of pictures of Mom. Even though she may not like it at the time, she will treasure the photos later. They will make a wonderful keepsake, and maybe she'll pose for you a la Demi Moore in Vanity Fair!

Week 25
(counting from first day of last menstrual period)
Around 23 Weeks After Conception

Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider.

Fetal Development:

The structures of the spine - 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000ligaments - begin to form. The blood vessels of the lungs are developing and the nostrils begin to open. Busy week! Maternal Changes: You may be feeling like a "Soccer Mom" now that your uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Your growing uterus places pressure on your back and pelvis and may cause periodic shooting pains in your lower back and legs. When you experience this, rest, change your position, take a warm bath or apply ice to the sore area.

Preterm Labor Warning Signs:

Do you know the warning signs of preterm labor? The March of Dimes advises that you never ignore any of these symptoms: Menstrual-like cramps (constant or occasional) Low, dull backache (constant or occasional) Pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is pushing down) Abdominal cramping (with or without diarrhea) Increase or change in mucous vaginal discharge Uterine contractions every 10 minutes or more often (may be painless) Be sure to discuss with your caregiver what you should do in the event you experience these warning signs before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Ideas for Dad:

Now is a good time to start thinking about your work schedule when your baby arrives. If you want to take a leave, check with your employer about your options. Your company may qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Most companies still do not pay for maternity/paternity leave, some do but do not announce that information unless you ask, while other companies have a whole range of benefits. You may have other options available such as telecommuting (working from home), job sharing and/or flexible work schedules. Start your research now and do some soul-searching about how much time off you wish to have.