27 Weeks - The end of the second trimester

Wow!! I am on my last week of the second trimester! I can't believe how fast it is going by... I only have 13 weeks left! :D Here is some of the info for this week -

The following is from the 3D Pregnancy website:

"Baby's lungs and immune system are maturing this week as baby prepares for his grand entrance. If he were born today he would have an 85 percent chance of surviving as his lungs are capable of breathing air (with medical assistance, of course)."

The following is from WhatToExpect.com:

"Most babies this age, yours included, still like to snuggle in a slightly curled position inside the uterus (thus the term "fetal position"). Even so, beginning at this stage, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago.

Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he or she may recognize [your voices]. So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun at 27 weeks pregnant: If [someone] presses [their] ear to your belly,[they] might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat."

ALSO.... on the big news for this week from mama, Kyler has kicked me twice so hard that I jumped and one time it was in front of some people! They looked at me a little funny and I had to explain that my son just kicked me hard! LOL He is definitely going to be an active child! :)

Movement VS. Kicking

I have begun to notice the difference between Kyler's kicks and punches versus him just moving around. The little fast kicks that I feel are very different compared to the large gurgling movement I get when he is shifting around! I have also been able to tell lately when he has the hick-ups! They are deep rhythmic jolts in my tummy!!! I am really enjoying being pregnant!

26 WEEKS..... yesterday

Sorry for the delay everyone! I have been so crazy over the last few days that I just came home from work and relaxed last night.... totally forgetting that I was 26 weeks and needed to update Kyler's blog. BUT, better late than never.

LOOK HOW BIG HE'S GETTING!!!!!!!!! :)

The following is from WhatToExpect.com

"What's up with your baby? [He] now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, [his] eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. (“Hey, I'm in here, Mommy! Where’s the party!”) What accounts for that response? [His] brain is more developed and sophisticated.

Feel like you're carrying the Karate Kid with all the kicking going on? Your baby is actually practicing all kinds of movements that will eventually be used in life on the outside — including pedaling against your belly, a sort of prewalking skill. As your baby's nervous system becomes more developed, the movements will become much more coordinated. And as the baby gets bigger and stronger, the movements will become much more powerful…and occasionally, even painful to you. If your baby lands a good one, that tiny left hook might hurt — a lot. Another trick [he] may try — stretching that leg out so far that the foot becomes lodged between your ribs (ouch). Next time you come under attack, try changing positions or doing some stretches of your own. You can also gently push your baby back with your hand when your knee-jerker jerks a little too hard. You just might be able to send your slugger back into the corner of the ring!"

NOW.... for the funny story! On Monday night I was on the couch and, out of no where, Kyler kicked my bladder so hard that I jumped up and ran to the bathroom to pee!!!! I have to admit, it was rather humorous!!! He definitely is an active little guy and it just gets me more and more excited!!!

First Teddy Bear

Oma went to New York and brought back for Kyler his first Teddy Bear!

I can see it!!!!!

So.... I was working today and Kyler started kicking a bunch and higher up on my tummy. I sat that there for a second to see if I could see the kicks from the outside. After a moment, I saw a part of my tummy pop while I felt Kyler kick!!!! It was SOOOOOOO cool! I felt like I could see him just kicking away, it was a sweet moment! :)

25 Weeks

The following is a segment pulled from 3D Pregnancy:

"Get ready for pat-a-cake! Baby's hands are now fully developed and he spends most of his awake time groping around in the darkness of your uterus. Brain and nerve endings are developed enough now so that your baby can feel the sensation of touch. That doesn't mean he can feel it when [someone] pokes your stomach, however, so tell [them] to knock it off. Other highlights include:

Your baby's arms and legs have grown to almost the proportions they will be at birth, which is still sort of short. So don't be alarmed when your newborn's arms barely clear his waist. Baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, clear out (like he's taken a super-dose of Sudafed) and he can practice breathing through the nose. The structures of your baby's spine are now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings and some 1,000 ligaments. Can you believe you're growing something that complicated inside of you?

The capillaries, the teeniest blood vessels, are now forming in your baby's body, giving his formerly translucent skin a pink glow. The blood vessels in the lungs also develop this week. You'll see how well that worked out when your baby gives those lungs a workout while you're on line at the bank in a few months.

Your baby weighs about a pound and a half and is about 13½ inches long—roughly the length of one of those recorders you played in elementary school music class. Who's up for a round of 'Hot Cross Buns?'"

*Picture from WhatToExpect.com

Well, I best be off.... I had to starve myself over the last 12 hours so that I could intake a lovely orange sugary drink this morning and head to the doctor's for my Gestational Diabetes test. I just can't wait to have some FOOD afterwords!!! LOL

The miracle of sharing

I was able to share a very fun experience today! For months I have been feeling Kyler kick me from the inside with out being able to share it with anyone.... until today! Grandma Christensen and I were talking when I felt Kyler kick around my belly button area. I quickly told her and had her move closer to me and put her hand where I felt him kick. We silently waited and less than 30 seconds later he kicked in the same spot again!! Her eyes got big and she lit up with excitement!!! It was such a fun experience!

6 Months!!!

Yes, that's right! I am 6 months along today!! I can't believe that I have been pregnant for half a year! It seems so surreal!!!! Here is what some of the pregnancy sites have to say about Kyler for this week:

What to Expect

"By now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair."

3D Pregnancy

"Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. Your little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds."

...... Next on my list is to find out about birthing classes!!! This should be fun! ;)

A Gift

Yesterday I found a really great bargain on a stroller and carrier set! They were in pretty good condition, came with 2 stands for cars, and they were only asking $60! Well, I talked to my in-laws and they decided to get it for me for my shower!

Later in the day they came over for a visit. It was so wonderful to see them!!! It wasn't a very long visit, but they brought me an Easter gift too! I was so excited when I opened it to find 2 lullaby CDs for me to play for Kyler!!!

I am so excited, I have to get a little CD player to put in his nursery! :)

Thanks Analee and Mom & Dad C.!

Doctor's appointment

I had my monthly doctor's appointment yesterday... they had me do a urine analysis at the hospital on Monday to make sure that the UTI was gone and today they told me I am all good! :)

I am excited about my weight too!!! I have only gained a total of 2 lbs during this entire pregnancy!!!! I am doing SOOOOOOOOOO good!!!! I even had very low blood pressure, 110! I just hope this all keeps up! I am going my glucose text next week to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes, so cross your fingers!

The best part of the appointment though was when the doctor put the sonogram machine up to my tummy to find Kyler's heart beat. Well... there was no "finding" about it!!! The minute it was put on my stomach we heard the loudest heart beat, we all were just kind of stunned! The doctor laughed at first, listened, and then said that the heart beat was at about 140 and that it was very good! My stomach was also measured at 24" which is normal for being almost six months as I am.

So.... we are doing very well!!!!! :)