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!!!

Sugar Overload

A strange phenomenon has occurred this week.

Like I mentioned previously, sweets have taken the back burner when it comes to my recent cravings. Salty wins almost every time these days. However, I have apparently been in the mood to make sweets, just not eat them. A few days ago, I whipped up some dessert to bring to a friend's house, but was not satisfied with it when it was finished. So I ran to the store and bought a cake mix. Well, the cake never got made that night. So the following day I made it for us. Yesterday morning I rose at 5:45am to begin the 3 hour process of making homemade cinnamon rolls (which taste EXACTLY like Cinnabons, thank-you-very-much!). When I was finished, I turned and stared at the counter. A smile grew on my face as I said, "Hee hee. Sorry Jared, I guess I will stop making sweets for awhile." He laughed out loud and nodded his head.

My eyes were resting on a full pan of brownies, 3/4 of an angel food cake, a small pan of almond joy bars, and a tray of 8 remaining cinnamon rolls.

Anyone want some dessert? Come on over.

I'm Drooling

This would be my dream come true...







I may need run to the store.

Quality Nutrition

So far today, I have eaten:

• Two chocolate donuts
• One brownie
• One very tall glass of root beer milk

Off to a good start.

Sigh.

Cravings of the Week

• Root beer milk
• Ice cold plain milk
• Ice cream Snicker bars
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Oreos

(12 Weeks) 15 Weeks: Apple

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. (Babycenter.com)

I have been feeling wonderful this week for the most part. I feel queasy and uninterested in food about two days per week on average. I don't think that's too much to handle.


I am starting to pop out just the slightest bit now. I am still able to wear all my normal clothes, which is nice. Jared bought me some very cute summer maternity clothes this week that I am very excited to put to use in the coming months!


My next appointment is a week from today (next Thursday), and we are excited to hear Poppy's heartbeat for the first time. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my first appointment was at 10 weeks along, and we couldn't pick it up that early.


I still have not felt any defined movement from within. I have felt a slight fluttering that very well could be gas. I just can't tell yet. I get a weekly pregnancy email, and this week it said something like "If this is your second child, you will probably be able to feel your baby sooner than first timers. Second-time moms can easily distinguish kicking from gas bubbles." Um. No I can't. Does that make me a bad mom?

I have been craving SWEETS like crazy again. Pretty much anything sweet sounds appealing, which is quite dangerous. I remember a few years ago before I was pregnant, hoping to myself that I wouldn't be one of those pregnant ladies who craved sweets all the time. No such luck. Why couldn't I crave raw veggies? And fruit? And all the healthy food that I actually need to be eating as a breast-feeding preggy? Oh well. I have been trying to eat as healthy as I can. At my last appointment my midwife asked what I was doing for an exercise routine. I laughed at her. I nearly told her "I am a mom. That is my exercise routine."


I could hardly believe how similar I look to when I was 15 weeks pregnant with Sophia!
Left: Pregnant with Sophia
Right: Pregnant with Poppy

A view of Poppy's development

Crazy Cravings

As I was telling my family this week, my pregnancy symptoms have really been magnified this time around. I have been feeling a lot more queasy and have a very sensitive nose.

But now let's talk about the cravings...

EVERY SINGLE DAY I see some certain food on TV that strikes my fancy, and then cannot get it out of my head until I have some. Last night, I was watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" and saw a disgusting, lopsided white-frosted cake. That was enough to trigger my erratic hormones, and suddenly I needed to have some gooey, chocolate cake. Weird thing? I normally hate cake, AND it was 10:30pm. But, if I do not take action and eat whatever I am craving, I cannot stop thinking about it. I have tried to ignore these stupid cravings before, but then they just bounce around in my head all day until I go crazy. So now, I just try to find a way to get my hands on whatever crazy craving I am having asap.

So last night I set to work on my fudgy chocolate cake and finished it around 11:45pm. I was so eager to dig in that I didn't wait long enough before frosting it and the frosting melted a little. No problem! I enjoyed a big plateful of warm, drippy, gooey chocolate decadance. It was fabulous. Then the cake when in the fridge to harden up a little. Yum!

(9 Weeks) 12 Weeks: Lime

Poppy's biggest development this week is reflexes. Baby will be able to wiggle fingers and toes. Sucking motions will start now too. If mommy's abdomen is prodded, baby will squirm in response. Poppy is just over 2 inches from head to butt now. (babycenter.com)

As for me this week... I have been sick as a dog-- but not from the pregnancy. Jared brought home some horrible form of influenza and we were both pitiful invalids all week. We finally went to the doctor after being sick for four days, and got some medication. Unfortunately, this medication had no pain reliever in it, and I was not allowed to take Tylenol as it can interfere with the prescription. So I had one horrible night, but by the following day I was feeling much better. I have just about made a full recovery at this point. Praise the Lord!

My stomach has been fairly sensitive lately. I can never predict was is going to send me into a fit of overwhelming naseau. Tonight, for example, I made parmesan red potatoes thinking they sounded good with meatballs! Um, wrong. One bite of potatoes later, my stomach was in upheaval and my bowl was handed imediately to Jared. Ah, the joys of pregnancy. This is really the only "symptom" I have had this week. I feel really great in all other areas.

Just starting to get a little fuller in the waist now. My pants are fitting a little tighter and I can see my belly beginning to show a little, though I'm not sure anyone else would notice yet.

Favorite pregnancy treat this week: Creamy Coconut Fruit Bars from Edy's (OH MY GOSH, to die for!!)