29 Weeks: Butternut Squash

Your baby is growing rapidly now. This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. (Babycenter.com)

I realize I never gave any details of the ultrasound. It was an amazing experience seeing our child at such a late fetal age. I have never witnessed one this far along in the pregnancy, so it was pretty interesting. We were able to see the facial features fairly clearly (much more so than the 20 week ultrasound!), down to the skin, and eyelids. We even got to watch our baby open and close it's eye. Poppy was in a jack-knife position, with one foot next to the cheek, and the other leg stretched straight. Poppsters also had one arm raised above the head, and the other tucked under the bottom. And they say the womb is comfortable... I don't know how that could be! We also got to see clearly that this babe, too, has daddy's toes. It's apparently a very dominant trait. My best friend, Abby got to witness this ultrasound with us! We have been buds since we were 10, and been through pretty much every major milestone together, so it was very special to me that she was there. My mom, Anna, and Yo Jung (their Korean guest for the summer), also got to sit in for the last few minutes.

The other highlight of the day was hearing that this ultrasound put my due date as October 4th (rather than 14th), which is closer to the original date again. This makes so much more sense in my mind, and believe that it is more accurate. The midwife, however, did not officially change the due date since it was only 10 days off (they only change it if it's more than 14 days off). So we remain at October 14th, with hopes of an "early" delivery.


I have been feeling okay this week. I have been annoyed by a lingering cold that doesn't seem to be clearing up. I have also found that balancing this heavy belly during daily activities is becoming a bit of a struggle. It's pretty difficult to roll over in bed, play on the floor with Sophia, bend over for any reason, or reach high above my head! Sophie and I have been perfecting the nursing dance as my belly grows as well. It is getting interesting at this point as she has to lay on top of my tummy. Poppy usually rebels and riddles me (and big sis) with kicks! Poppy is getting strong enough now that when he/she kicks, my whole belly moves.

I am growing out of some of my maternity clothes now as well. I have two sizes: 1st half, and 2nd half. The 1st half fit when my belly isn't too big yet, and are a little fitted. They are the "cute" pregnancy clothes that are actually somewhat stylish. The 2nd half clothes are basically patterned tents and never reach any level of "flattering." I always hesitate to dig into the tent clothes, for obvious reasons. No one likes looking like a blimp. Once I get over my hesitation (usually out of desperation), and submit to blimphood, I reach a new level of (semi) comfort again. Clothes that fit right (no matter how unflattering), are just plain comfy.

Beautiful Baby

Here are some pictures from our second ultra sound yesterday! Looks like another cutie (with daddy's toes!)

Beautiful profile

Cute little button nose:)

Daddy's long toes!
We got to watch the right eye open and close! The sonographer was even excited and said she had never seen that before!

28 Weeks: Chinese Cabbage

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. (Babycenter.com)

I feel myself slowing down these days. I can't get around as fast or as efficiently anymore. I've already reached the point that when I drop something, I debate whether or not it is worth picking up. Bending over (especially while holding Sophia) is quite the undertaking, and uses a lot of strength and energy. I have been getting tired faster than ever, and usually sneak in at least one nap a day.

On the up side, my hair has been growing fast! It is thick and soft, and getting longer with each hormone-packed pregnant day. I really have very little to complain about. I have no nausea, no heartburn, no swelling, and no complications of any kind. Other than my belly getting heavier and slightly more uncomfortable, I am doing just fine.

I have been dreaming about the arrival of Baby Nourse #2. During these revelries, I always pan a range of emotions. I start with excitement, travel through fear, then panic, then peace, and then circle back to extreme excitement again. I love this baby so much already and can hardly wait to meet him/her! I am excited see the similarities and differences to Sophia. I'm excited to see what he/she looks like. Heck, I am excited to see if it is a he or she! Sometimes I worry about how I will manage mothering two babies- one that is so mobile and already into everything, and one that is so helpless and needs me for everything. Then I remember that God has never let me down, and has chosen to bless us again with one of the best gifts in all of life. That makes me ecstatic! I am very happy that our children will be so close in age, as well. It will be so wonderful for Sophia and her sibling to have a playmate in each other.

This Friday will be a busy "pregnancy" day for me. I have my ultrasound (SOOOO excited for that!!!), my glucose test, and my 28 week check up.

27 Weeks: Califlower

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were 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. (Babycenter.com)

I am getting tired much easier these days. Luckily, my fatigue has not dampened my summer spirit to get out with Sophia. We have both been enjoying the numerous activities summer has to offer, including swimming, walks, picnics, day trips and visiting the zoo! Poppy loves coming along for the ride too, and always lets me know so with kicks of excitement.

Today while Sophie was swimming in her pool, I attempted to lay on my belly in the sun. Poppy quickly vetoed that idea and pelted my abdomen with kicks. ("Get off me, Mommy!")

Pregnancy is one of those weird stages in life that seem to creep by at a snail's pace until you reach the end. Then looking back, it seems like the time raced by before you knew it. I can hardly believe I am already 27 weeks along, yet only 27 weeks along. I am getting uncomfortable now, and am not thrilled about what I know the remaining months will bring. Like I said before, pregnancy is not the fantastic utopia I always dreamed it to be. Don't get me wrong, the FINAL result, will make it all worth while. Being a mother has not only fulfilled my lifelong dreams, but surpassed them in so many ways. Mothering Sophia (and Poppy too!) has satisfied me in a way I didn't know possible.

CRAVINGS OF THE WEEK: S'mores, Peppermint Bon Bon ice cream, Blazin' Buffalo & Ranch Doritos

Ultrasound Countdown: 10 DAYS!!!

26 Weeks: Cucumber

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. (Babycenter.com)

Bagels. Toasted, with a little butter. Mmmm. I can't get enough of them this week. I would seriously eat them for every meal, and snack time, if I could. For some reason, my inner mom voice tells me that would not provide enough nutrients for little Poppsters.

I have been feeling a little sick this week, which could possibly be something I picked up in Mexico. My tummy was extremely queasy for a full day accompanied by a throbbing headache. The following few days have been comprised of occasional sharp abdominal cramping. I cannot tell if the cramping is in my uterus or stomach though. It stretches right across the middle of my belly. I have been trying to take it easy and not overdo it until I feel restored.

I have also been completely exhausted lately. When I sleep, I sleep hard. I nap almost every time Sophia does, and still fall into bed at night, worn out. I think my ideal day would be: eat a bagel, take a nap, eat 2 bagels, take a nap, eat a bagel and yogurt, play outside, go to bed. But that is definitely not how it goes! Sophia keeps me so busy and running all day, which is good for me and baby. We also try to get out on a walk everyday when possible.

Poppy is such a mover! I know I talk about this every week, but it such a huge part of the pregnancy that I can't neglect it. I feel Poppy moving, thrusting, kicking, poking, punching, wiggling and flip-flopping around at least once an hour, generally more than that. There has even been the occasional kick that is painful, and always in the same spot (lower, right abdomen). Sometimes I stop in my tracks, clutch my belly and yelp. Even Jared recognizes what that means now. Yesterday when that happened, Jared looked at me and asked, "Poppy kicking you again?"

25 Weeks: Rutabaga

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. (Babycenter.com)

Jared and I took an amazing vacation this week to Akumal, Mexico (an hour south of Cancun). As far as the pregnancy is concerned, it was a great trip. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, so I could eat as much as I wanted. I was a little concerned going into it about getting sick from the food or water, but it wasn't an issue.

The weather was extremely humid, and intensely hot. Poppy was very active and was a constant companion on the trip. Baby never let me forget that he/she was along for the ride! A few weeks ago, I said this baby isn't as active as Sophia. That's history. Poppy has far surpassed big sis in the kicking and squirming department. I feel Poppy moving around all the time throughout the day. I did indulge in a few more cappuccinos than normal on the trip, so that could attribute for some of the activity from within.

My feet began to ache and get a little swollen this week, but I know that was from the hot weather and all the walking we did (in flip flops). Jared, amazing husband that he is, gave be extensive foot-rubs that eased the pain. Thank you Sweetie!

It was wonderful to have one last big vacation as husband and wife before our family of three becomes family of four!