How far along:: 25 weeks // 6 months 1 week
Gender:: Girl
Movement::
Sweet Maylin is very active! I can feel her now at any time throughout the day, kicking, squirming, stretching, hi-fiving. I can only imagine the energy I'm going to have to put forth when she starts rolling, crawling, walking, and running. I guess I always thought that I would feel my baby move only periodically. But I feel her literally all the time. Michael is able to feel her when he puts his hand on my belly, although the child does have a stubborn streak a mile wide. Yeah, we can tell already. She can be moving and dancing all over my stomach, yet when I say "Babe, she's moving!" and M puts his hand over her, she becomes more still than she's been all day. I can practically see her putting her chin in the air and clenching her little fists, thinking "nope, I'm not gonna move, I'm not gonna move, you can't make me move." Oh dear.
Symptoms::
~ My clothes are getting smaller.
~ My belly is very firm.
~ Persisting back pain (not unbearable, just nagging)
~ Shortness of breath after doing simple activities (chalking it up to all that extra blood flowing through my body)
~ I tend to lose my balance more often. I find myself tipping slightly forward. I wonder why?
Craving::
I've decided to list the things I eat frequently; that is, every day or at least three times a week. Since I've had no "burning desire" to eat a certain food, I'll just say these diet staples are what my taste buds want.
~ Apple juice
~ Dried apricots
~ Frozen yogurt (classic tart with strawberries & pecans)
~ Dill pickles
~ Wheat crackers with cheese
~ Oatmeal with cinnamon, raisins, and honey
~ Gala apples (every day for recess snack)
~ Popcorn (the old fashioned way- kernels popped in a skillet with organic butter)
~ Whole, organic milk
I do not like fish of any kind, or unfortunately, salads, which I absolutely loved before I got pregnant. Now I eat a bite or two and push it away. Not even appetizing.
Looking Forward To::
~ Spending Christmas with Little Miss! I'm looking forward to watching her have fun with wrapping paper, fish in her stocking, totting around in adorable Christmas clothes, and yes, even pull ornaments off the tree. Her first Christmas will be so special and so much fun.
Fun Baby Fact::
~ Little Miss is (supposedly) as long as an eggplant.
~ My uterus is the size of a soccer ball.
~ The fluid inside my uterus is perfectly climate controlled, so whether I'm freezing on playground duty or burning up under the blankets at night, she feels nothing but comfort.
Weekly Development::
~ Little Miss weighs about one pound, maybe a little more, as per our doctor at our visit this week.
~ Maylin's nostrils, which have been plugged until now, are beginning to open. She is practicing "breathing" by sucking the amniotic fluid in and out of her lungs. This helps develop and strengthen her lungs so she can take that big first breath and wail loudly when she makes her first appearance.
~ Her eyes are starting to open too, even though they have no color yet.
~ Brain wave activity is kicking up a notch. Soon, if not already, Maylin will have the ability to respond directly to outside light and sound with an increase in pulse rate and activity.
Emotions::
~ Smitten by our little girl. We can't wait to meet her!
~ Still torn between wanting my pregnancy to speed up but slow down simultaneously.
~ Unfortunately I think the moody spells have started. I'm so sorry, Michael! I can be perfectly happy one minute and completely depressed the next. I've cried more over the last week than I have over the past 5 months of being pregnant. M has been very encouraging though. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, more loving and supportive teammate to be with me through this.
Best Moment of the Week::
~ While waiting for a table in a crowded restaurant, two separate people offered their seat to me while we waited. This big bump does have its advantages at times!
~ Story time by the Christmas tree. M always reads to her. I just get to sit back and listen and enjoy the magic of this miracle.
~ Another "perfect" pronouncement by Dr. at our visit. I was slightly concerned due to the fact I was kicked in the side near my ribs on playground duty the day before our appointment. Within the hour I could feel Maylin moving so I doubted anything was wrong. But to hear Dr. confirm that was a relief. In fact, he said it would take more than a kick to harm our precious girl due to all the fluid surrounding her little body. That made me feel better!
In other news:
I neglected to post last week, or even take a 24 week picture due to the wonderful early Christmas present given to M and me by my parents, sister, and brother-in-law. They surprised us with tickets to the Saints game and made reservations at our favorite hotel. It was our first game to experience just the two of us, not with other friends, and it was such a great trip. Here are some pictures.
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| New Orleans at twilight, all dressed up for Christmas |
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| Great seats to watch the action! |
I hope everyone fully relishes time spent with family and friends over the next couple of days. And overwhelming gratitude to the Father of Lights for giving us Jesus, Emmanuel, Messiah, to be God with us, our Savior, and to take away the sins of the world. Lord, may we not forget that every good and perfect gift is from You, and that your lovingkindness is limitless.
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