End of the Second Trimester and on to the Third!!

25 Weeks

This week the spine structures are all coming into place and she is able to support her own body weight.  But its still weak so good thing she has all that amniotic fluid to swim around in.  Brainwave patterns are starting to develop which means she is able to remember things, like the sound of our voices or familiar noises. 

We had a check up Dr appointment and all went well.  It was a very short appointment, he just checked the heartbeat and asked if all was going well.  He even gave us the cutest stuffed bear and recorded our little Penny Lou's heartbeat on it.  So now we can play it back at any time.  Its very cool and I can't wait to put it in her nursery.  

Had my glucose test this week.  This is a test where they check the way you process sugar to determine if you have gestational diabetes.  There were lots of different things I heard about fasting or not fasting before but according to my Dr he just said not to overload on carbs before going in for the test.  So I decided to go in first thing in the morning.  I knew I was going to have to sit for a while during the test so I had some eggs for breakfast and off I went.  They make you drink this sugary drink, then you have to sit for an hour and then they draw your blood to test how your body processed the sugar.  The drink really wasn't so bad.  Kinda tasted like an Otter Pop if you let it melt, sugar water. Since I've been having these ridiculous sweet cravings I actually kind of liked it (gross I know, it was like 9am :)).  Well it took a while for my Dr to get back to me with the results but all checked out to be normal.  

26 Weeks

Penny is going to be spending the next few months perfecting her brain functions.  Half of her expelled energy will go to brain development from now until delivery.  Lung function is still very premature but is improving more and more every day.  She is gaining weight every day.  She is expected to gain anywhere from a half ounce to and ounce per week.  I'm pretty sure I felt her have the hiccups this week, which i guess is pretty common.  

Corey ran a half marathon!!  I am so proud of him.  He is always heading out for a run after he gets home from work and please remember it is summer and here in good old Awesometown and this means HOT!!!  But Corey doesn't let that set him back.  He gets out there to run because he loves it!!  His hard work payed off and he completed his second ever half marathon.  It was at the naval base in Point Mugu.  Corey and myself along with my mom headed out there early Saturday morning to get him going.  And Corey's dad met us at the finish line to cheer him on as he finished.  It was a great event to raise money for the Wounded Warrior fund.  The weather was nice, a little warmer than expected, and Corey did a great job!!  

We signed up for baby prep classes this week.  So over the course of the next month or so we will be taking classes to cover the stages of labor, active labor, post partum care, transitioning to parent hood, child/infant CPR and breastfeeding.  Hopefully the classes will give us a little bit more of an idea as to what we are up against.  I'm always open to learning and I'm looking forward to what these classes have to offer.  I do however realize nothing can truly prepare us for what is to come and I am really looking forward to all the challenges and rewards we are going to face as parents.  

27 Weeks

Last week of my Second Trimester

Penny's eyelids will start to un attach this week and she will be able to open her eyes in utero and see.  Her lungs are preparing to breath air.  Her hands are completely functional at this point and I'm pretty sure are poking me all over inside.  She has a spot she likes to hang out in, right in the middle of my belly, but I felt her kicking over on the side of my stomach the other day so I'm not sure if she is still moving positions a lot or just getting bigger and now can reach all areas of my belly, my guess is a combo of both.  

I read somewhere that babies can hear music while in utero and based on the development from week 25 where she is starting to remember sounds I decided we better get her going on some tunes that we love.  Country was the music of choice this week and well, being Corey and My daughter I'm sure she enjoyed listening to it as much as we enjoyed playing it for her.  

We went house hunting a few weeks ago.  Found one we LOVE and its very close to where we are now.  Has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, two story, a nice open floor plan, attached garage, separate laundry room, in the master a detached bath tub and even a small yard with grass.  They accepted our rental application and we move in on October 5th, we are so excited!!  I can't wait to get started on decorating and setting up the nursery.  But first, packing and the move!!  Lots to do!!!

23 Weeks/24 Weeks

We are on to month 6 and Mommy has really popped!!  

Penny Lou is growing large and moving around quite a bit.  Her brain is developing and the cerebrum is rapidly forming.  This is the area that controls emotions.  She is learning to feel hunger and thirst as well as sadness, fear and  happiness.  She is gaining fat in the pockets below her skin which will give her that pudgy glow when she is born, and which also means she is gaining some weight.  And well Mommy is too ha ha.  By the months end she is expected to double in weight!  She is developing eyelashes and eyebrows and maybe even some hair!!  I have already started stocking up on bows and headbands.  It is too hard to resist!  

We had some fun events these past weeks.  We went to the Dodger game with our wonderful friends Mike and Mel.  It was so much fun and not sure if it was the chocolate malt or all the noise but Penny was moving all around. 

And we had baby Harper's baptism.  Such a beautiful day and so great to spend time with the family.  Little Harper looked cute as ever and she makes the most adorable faces and little noises.  Hard to believe we will have a little one like her in only a few more months!!  

I have to continue to thank my lucky stars, I have been feeling great through it all so far.  Aside from the brief cold I had last week I have just been feeling wonderful.  I've been very fortunate to be able to get plenty of rest, I poop out pretty easily, but with my work schedule it is nice to be able to have some down time. I know life will be changing completely once our little one arrives and I just can't explain how excited I am for her to make her debut.  I just might burst and shoot out happiness all over.