31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks 3 days
Size: Weight of about four navel oranges (3.5 lbs and over 16 inches long)
Maternity clothes? My new maternity jeans are so comfy and I am happy I bought them. Other than that, it’s dresses and yoga clothes.
Symptoms: Exhaustion and Braxton Hicks
Sleep: Was good this week. Between traveling and the baby shower, I was pretty tired which made for some good sleep!

Pre baby shower coffee date with my love

Best moment this week: My baby shower! I was blown away with the amount of thought and detail that went into to planning and feel very blessed to have such awesome sisters and friend. I don't have any photos on my phone, but as soon as I get some I will share.

We had our 30 weeks appointment on Friday (I had to reschedule because I was traveling, so it was late) and got to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I can’t wait to actually see him on the ultrasound next week.

Worst moment of the week: As fun as it was to visit our Boston office, traveling at almost 31 weeks isn’t very comfortable. At times I felt bad for squishing the baby so much - but it's clear that he is happy and moving around a lot in there so I'm not too worried about it!

Miss anything? I missed my chocolate chips while away :)

Movement: Lots of pushing on the outer side of my stomach and pressure everywhere, which can be painful at times. He had the hiccups several times this week and moved a lot during the take-off and landings.I am interested to see how big he measures next week - he feels big!  
Food cravings: Nothing in particular, although I am still thinking about the Nothing Bundt Cakes at my shower - so good!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Same as last week – just random bouts of nausea. I notice it more when I am standing for too long.
Have you started to show yet: Feeling very large and in charge :) 

Only picture I have from last week

Labor signs: I don’t think so. I had some contractions while in Boston, but I think it was just from traveling. Water helps.
Belly Button in or out? Pushing further out, but still innie-flatty
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Picking up our puppy from SFO tomorrow - can't wait!

Baby A, weight of about four navel oranges

What's the baby up to?

• Baby weighs 3.5 pounds and measures 16.5 inches from the head to heel.
• The eyes have now completely opened and are responding to light and darkness.
• A loud noise near you may cause your little one to jump.

Baby continues to grow. Baby's lungs and digestive tract are very near to being mature. Now that almost all of the major organs are functioning, growth will focus on maturing those organs and growing muscle mass and fat stores. Baby's weight gain will exceed its growth in length from now on. He or she should more than double their weight again between now and birth (yikes). It weighs about 3.5 pounds, and total length is 16.5 inches.
A loud noise near you may cause your little one to jump. Baby may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that they may also prefer some types of music to others at this stage. The eyes can now completely open and the irises are now responsive to light, dilating and contracting as needed.
You will probably find that though you have been feeling pretty energetic throughout your second trimester, you are beginning to slow down now (yes). Pay attention to your body's signals and rest when you need to. Exercise is still an important activity for you, even though it gets harder as you get larger and heavier. Try swimming, stretching and walking all excellent options for pregnant women.
Your total pregnancy weight gain by this time should be between 21 and 28 pounds.

24 Weeks (6 Months)

How far along? 24 weeks (viability week - if the baby were to be born at this point, there would be a chance of survival)
Size: Ear of corn (1.3lbs and 12 inches long)
Maternity clothes? Nothing new - still mixing and matching, although it is becoming a lot more difficult to wear normal clothes and takes some creativity!

Symptoms: Still having back pain, but I feel so much better this week compared to last week. I have gained a few pounds and am feeling it! Good to know he is growing, but it's harder to move around and so weird feeling this big. Better get used to it! 

Wrinkly arms

Sleep: Much better than last week. I slept through the night three nights in a row - amazing.

Best moment this week: Spontaneous date nights with Robert. Neither of us has taken the initaitive to do the grocery shopping this week, which has led to impromptu date nights. Don't mind if we do! <-- maybe this the where the extra poundage is coming from, hah! Also, yoga. I am becoming obsessed with my prenatal yoga classes and am sad thinking I won't be able to go anymore once the baby is born! The studio I go to has mom and baby yoga, but something tells me that's just not the same.

Warm walks after work

Worst moment of the week: It's been a pretty good week - no complaints.
Miss anything? Fitting into clothes - now that everything else is getting bigger, it's harder to get dressed.
Movement: Lots - although there were a couple of days where he didn't move much. He came back in full force and let me know he was okay. I've heard this is totally normal so I am not too worried about it.
Food cravings: After a long walk in the sun yesterday, I was craving a big bowl of cereal so we stopped by on our way home and grabbed a few boxes :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes. This week has been a rather large week, too. Looks like I need to pick up some new clothes...I resorted to wearing a maxi dress to work, out of sheer laziness/comfort. Probably not something I should get used too! Here is a comparison between 14 weeks and 24 weeks.

14 weeks                                                                                    24 weeks

Labor signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Inny-flatty, depending on the day. Robert is fascinated by it.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat on Monday - we have our 24 week check-up. Also getting excited for our trip to Cabo in two weeks. I can't wait to lounge in the sun and relax for a few days!


What is the baby up to?  

• He is now gaining around 3 ounces a week.
• He weighs about 1.3 pounds and is 12 inches long.
• The eyelids can be seen very clearly.
• If born at this stage is officially considered viable, he may well be able to survive (this is very exciting). 

The lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree and cells that produce surfactant. This is a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily and also keeps the small air sacs in our lungs from collapsing. He practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into developing lungs.Baby gains about 3 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs. The body begins to fill out with its appearance increasingly becoming more like that of a newborn. Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste (wonder what he thinks of kale juice).
Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of the hands has improved as they sucks their thumb. Over the next week or so, the sweat glands will be forming in the skin. 

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 weeks
Size: Spaghetti quash (11 inches, 1lb)
Maternity clothes? Nothing new - mix between regular and maternity
Symptoms: Back pain, exhaustion
Sleep: Not as good as it used to be. I am still going to bed late and waking up early (plus waking up throughout the night). 

Best moment this week: We signed up for childbirth classes and a Infant/Child CPR class! Also, while Robert was in Vegas last week I got crafty and made some items for the nursery - they turned out great and I am really happy with the end result. I like one of the items so much, I'm planning on making something similar, but larger, for our bedroom.
Worst moment of the week: My grandpa passed away on Tuesday afternoon - he lived a wonderful and very long life. It's always sad when someone passes away, but I am happy knowing he had a wonderful family and he lived close to my parents, who took great care of him. Honestly, he is probably happier up their with my Grandma anyway, she was his world and I think he missed her a lot over the past four years.
Miss anything? Sleeping on my back
Movement: He is busy in there - in fact, as I am typing this I can see him moving from the outside. The other day I had just finished a cup of hot chocolate and he was doing spins from the sugar. Robert is able to feel him more and more now, which is fun.
Food cravings: None
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week
Have you started to show yet: I'm getting approached at work by people asking about baby Andersen. I think the bump is loud and proud at this point.

Gender: Boy!
Labor signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but funny shaped depending on the day.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: It was a sad week, but overall I am happy
Looking forward to: Robert turning 30 next week - what a monumental year for him! I have a fun surprise for him and am very excited to give it to him at his birthday party. 

Birthday boy

Baby A, size of a spaghetti squash!

 What's the baby up to?

• The fetus reacts to loud sounds.
• The baby is about 11 inches long (crown to heel) and weighs in at about 1 pound.
• Baby starts having a regular sleeping and waking rhythm (he moves a lot around mid morning and right before bed).
• The mother's movements can wake her baby (yea, well his movements wake me up too!).
• Taste buds are forming on your baby's tongue.

Your baby is about 11 inches long and weighs in at about 1 pound. The eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed, and the fingernails cover the fingertips. Sounds from a conversation are loud enough to be heard by the fetus in the uterus. If you talk, read, or sing to your baby, it's reasonable to expect him or her to be able to hear you (aw, hello!).
By this week, your waistline is definitely gone (yep, buh bye). The top of your uterus is now about 1 inch (3cm) above your bellybutton. You're still able to bend over and to sit comfortably. Walking shouldn't be an effort. Your friends and relatives can tell you are pregnant. It would be hard to hide your condition.

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks
Size: Length of a carrot (10.5 inches) 
Maternity clothes? Earlier this week I tried on all of my springy dresses and had to laugh because most don't fit me like I thought they would. They come up in the front too high for what I feel is appropriate at work. Looks like I have to grab a few new dresses when the weather gets hot. 
Symptoms: Back, round ligament, and tailbone pain 
Sleep: I am not sleeping as much as I used too. Falling asleep later waking up earlier. Weird dreams too.
Best moment this week: Found out he is a boy, finished up the registry, got the crib (thank you Oma & Opa!), and signed up for the hospital tour. It's been a great week! 

Wiggly right before ultrasound

I don't think I got any work done on Monday - my mind was racing over and over with excitement. Our last ultrasound was 8 weeks ago, so it was reassuring to see the baby dancing around in there. The doctor asked what I ate for breakfast because he was so wiggly (which led to horrible ultrasound photos!). The doctor measured his limbs, counted his finger/toes, looked at his brain, spine, kidneys, eyes, and heart chambers. It was pretty neat and I wish those appointments lasted longer. It feels nice to call him a he :)
Our registry is almost done, give or take a few things. Thank you to my sisters for all of their help - it's scary when you see how many baby products are out there (and you have no idea which ones you actually need). It is a huge help having two sisters that have gone through this not too long ago!
The crib is up and looks so pretty -  thanks to Robert and my dad for assembling! Lastly, we signed up for the hospital tour/orientation. From what I hear, the Stanford birthing center is really nice and brand new - can't wait to see it.

Baby looking at camera

Worst moment of the week: Nothing to complain about this week
Miss anything? Sleeping on my back and on my stomach. I get sore sleeping on my side and find that I have to readjust often.
Movement: All the time and I love it. He is getting stronger and there is no mistaking that he is in there.
Food cravings: Still eating my chocolate chips at night. Not sure if it's a craving or a routine at this point. I wonder how many bags I will have consumed by the end of my pregnancy?
Anything making you queasy or sick: My beloved steamed broccoli (cue the crying). So sad and I hope I'll get over quickly.
Have you started to show yet: Yep, I am up 8lbs so far and can definitely see that I am getting bigger all around :)  

Gender: Boy! 
Labor signs: No - did have some tingly sensations across my stomach yesterday, not sure what that was about.  I think the baby might be resting on some nerves. After drinking lots of water and walking around, it went away.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but, weird looking. I have a scar right above my belly button from my appendectomy surgery, so the bigger I get the funnier it looks!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Feeling grateful he is healthy and right on track. I am enjoying all things pregnancy since I know it will go by quick (it already has). Before we know it life will be very different, so we are savoring our last months as a twosome.
Looking forward to: A couple of DIY projects for the nursery while Robert is in Vegas - surprise Robert! I am not crafty, so this may not go well. Now that we know he is a boy, I can't wait to at least window shop a little bit too. Baby Gap carries the Gap maternity line, so every time I go in I get distracted by the baby clothes (I'm sure that was an accident). I love that Baby Gap's style is basically adult clothes in baby size.
 

Baby A, length of a carrot!

What's the baby up to?

• Length is now measured crown to heel.
• The fetus has grown to 10.5 inches - 12.7 ounces.
• It is now gaining weight steadily, with fat being added to the body.
• Bone marrow has started making blood cells.
• Their small intestine is starting to absorb sugars.

Your baby's bone marrow has started making blood cells, a job done by the liver and spleen until this point. The placenta has provided nearly all of your baby's nourishment, now your baby will begin to absorb small amounts of sugar from swallowed amniotic fluid.
 
Based on the size of baby's head, which is about 2 inches (5cm), the date of birth can be determined to within one week. The fetus is steadily gaining fat and has grown a whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance to protect skin in amniotic fluid and to ease delivery.
The baby can hear and recognize the mother's voice, and may respond to some types of music (uh oh, Robert better clean up his music selection).