Week 18
Developments: She's yawning, hiccuping, sucking, and swallowing by now! I've been able to feel her move, but Jake hasn't. In this dress, you can see the bump, but most clothes still hide the bump.
Mom's feelings: Loving life. Feeling great.
Week 19
How big is Baby Taylor: The size of a mango (6 inches, 8.5oz)
Developments: She's working on developing her senses!
How is mom: Doing great! Starting to get the baby bump!
Week 20
How big is Baby Taylor: The size of a banana (6.5 inches, 10.2 oz)
Developments: She now has working taste buds!
How's mom: She's still feeling great. I can feel the movement, but Jake hasn't been able to yet.
Week 21
Developments: She's continuing to get bigger!
Mom's Feelings: Just trucking along!
Week 22
Developments: Her eyes and lips are more developed, making her look more like a human! She's sleeping about 12-14 hours per day, but I can feel her moving in there!
Week 23
Developments: Her face is fully formed, she just needs to get more fat on her face! She's able to hear our voices and my heartbeat.
Mom's feelings: At this point, we were at Sam's Club just hanging out when we spotted a diaper sample table. I wandered over, because seriously, we're going to be needing diapers--a lot of diapers--soon. This is the conversation that happened:
Me: Just looking at the diapers
Sam's Lady: Do you even have a need for these?
Me: Yes, actually. On its way!
Sam's Lady: Well, how about you come back in 9 months when it's real?
So....I guess that's that. I guess you have to have a baby in the flesh to buy diapers at Sam's.
Week 24
Developments: Her skin is currently transparent, but it is becoming more pinkish! That is because her capillaries are forming.
Week 25
How big is baby Taylor: As big as Cauliflower (13.6 inches, 2 pounds!)
Developments: She knows which way is up and down! How doctors figured that out, I'll never know. But I'm sure they are right. She's also gaining more weight and growing more hair.
Week 26
How big is baby Taylor: As big as a head of lettuce (14 inches, 2.25 pounds!)
Developments: Her eyes will start to open. She also has full grown eyelashes. She's getting so big!
Mom's Feelings: The doctor had me take the glucose test at the hospital to test for gestational diabetes. At the doctor's office, they gave me a little bottle of the orange sugar drink. (Which, didn't taste horrible, but it certainly makes you feel horrible.) I already have blood-sugar issues, so that was fun. Anyway, the nurse at the office made it clear that I needed to drink the sugar syrup BEFORE going to the hospital and show up no later than an hour after. I had my drink and we headed to the hospital.
We wanted to get to the hospital early because I had been fasting. It was a perfect plan, until we hit Bentonville work traffic. I was stressing out because we were on a time limit. Then, the hospital was taking a long time to check me in. Not only were we pressed for time, but that orange drink really does a number on your body. Weird feelings.
Anyway, we finally showed up at the lab, with 5 minutes to spare. I told the nurse my situation, only to be told there was nothing they could do. I had to drink the orange IN the hospital, then wait the hour. I had to come back another day. Ugh. Disappointing.
The second time went smoothly. It felt just as icky, but the blood draw was quick and easy.
Week 27
Developments: She's really working hard to develop her lungs! She's also starting to show brain activity!
Mom's feelings: Traveling to Utah was a little rough. Being in a car for long periods of time and then flying was pretty hard. I've started swelling a little bit. Overall though, I really can't complain. This pregnancy has been really easy, relatively. I love being able to feel her moving. She has gotten so much stronger! You can also see the movements on the outside. Such an odd sensation, but lovely and wonderful at the same time. I feel so blessed to be this little one's mommy.
I was never an emotional person. I didn't cry at anything. Ever. But now, anyone mentions a baby or becoming a mom, and I turn into the water works. I just don't understand. But I love this baby, no matter what she's causing my body to do.
Week 28
Developments: She's getting fatter -- which is a good thing! Her skin is currently wrinkly, but will smooth out as she gain more fat. Her lungs are mature enough that if she were born, she would likely survive. Each passing week is another blessing!
Mom's Feelings: More movements--yay! So fun! She really is an active little thing. Jake was trying to feel her one night, when suddenly, his face lit up and he exclaimed, "Oh my goodness!" And he sat up. She had really kicked hard and he was lucky to feel it! So fun. :) More swelling. Could be worse.
Week 29
Developments: Getting so big! She's moving so much, and getting much stronger!
Mom's feelings: I can't wear my wedding ring anymore. It still fits, but if I haven't had enough water, my fingers start to swell and I start to panic. My nurse told me she had to have her ring cut off during her pregnancy--and I didn't want that to happen! So, just to be careful, I don't wear it anymore. I wear a ring I owned in high school--it's a little big. But it'll do!
I'm still running and feeling good, so counting my blessings. :)
Week 30
Developments: She's working on developing her brain! She's now strong enough to grasp a finger. Mostly, she is just working on getting fat on those little bones. She's supposed to gain about a 1/2 pound each week from now until she's born. She's got a lot of work to do!
Mom's feelings: Swelling. Lots of swelling. Jake thinks I just don't take enough time in the day to put my feet up--there's just so much to do before baby girl arrives! Cutting down on salt has also helped.
Week 31
Developments: Her irises can now change according to light. She also has all 5 of her senses now. We went to the doctor and he told us that in 3 weeks, they would not longer stop labor if it happened. Crazy!! That certainly made it feel more real. Only 3 weeks until she could come. Granted, I still have 8ish weeks, but it makes it feel so close! The doctor also made sure to tell me I'll probably be really uncomfortable for the next 2 months. More swelling, less sleep, harder to get situated. Why? Because baby is getting bigger! I'm okay with that. She needs to grow and I want her to be healthy, so I'll take a few more weeks of being uncomfortable for her. :) The doctor also told us she is already head down! Good news!
Mom's feelings: Bladder is squished + lots of water...typical pregnancy problem. I really can't complain though. I've had a pretty easy pregnancy. A few quibbles here and there, but overall pretty good. It's been so fun because her movements have become really distinct. We can tell what body parts we are feeling (usually). She's also gotten into the habit of kicking me in the ribs...
Anyway, brace yourself. My old roommate, Tabitha Sumsion, took maternity photos for us and I LOVE THEM. I didn't put them all up, but I put up a few of my favorites. (It was hard to narrow it down this much.) We were un Utah for the pictures, which allowed for beautiful snow pictures. Cold, but beautiful. I just really like how they turned out. If you are looking for a photographer, I would definitely recommend Tabitha. She is super talented. :)
Week 32
Developments: She's in the head-down position, so she's ready to go! (Not for a few more weeks, but at least she is headed in the right direction.) She's just working on putting fat on those little bones. Most of the developing is finished (key word: most) and she just needs to put on some pounds. But she's getting there! She moves a lot! She seems to really like kicking into my ribs and diaphragm. But that's okay, I like to feel her moving around. She also seems to prefer to be situated on the same side that Jake is sitting on. The other night, Jake was sitting on the right...so was baby girl. Just to switch it up, he moved to my left side. Almost immediately, I could feel my stomach convulsing as baby girl shifted herself to the left side as well. We could very well be imagining things, but it is much more fun to think we already have a little daddy's girl. :)
Mom's feelings: I've been contracting more, but they aren't painful, so we should be good. :) Other than that, we're just getting excited to meet this little one! I can't believe how quickly the due date is coming up. It feels like it wasn't too long ago that we were finding out gender, now we're weeks away from delivery and the biggest change of our lives. People keep asking if we are ready. To be completely honest--I don't think we will ever be ready, but we are excited. :) We love this little girl so much and can't wait for her to be a part of our lives (more so than she already is).
Here's to a new year full of changes, love, and new adventures! Happy 2016 y'all!