26 Weeks!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 26

If it feels like time is speeding by while simultaneously dragging on, you're not crazy, you're just pregnant. One minute you feel totally unprepared for the changes having a baby will bring, the next minute the anticipation of meeting the Mini that's been swinging from your ribs makes you cry. Such is the roller coaster of pregnancy (and strangely enough, of being a parent, too).

Your Baby at 26 Weeks:

Deep breath! Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (technically called alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing. Other highlights this week:

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see you with. Well not you, per se, because his eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed.

Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. He can't understand what any of it means yet, but he's on track to comprehend an entire episode of Blue's Clues in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. One hint that your karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the best would be when the baby starts banging on your gut. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of his stay in Hotel Womb. Your baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as your primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months).

We had our appointment today with Dr. Reiter! Baby looked great on ultrasound, as usual! He is weighing in at 1 pound 15 ounces! Such a big boy! He is now head down and is indeed sticking his toes in my ribs. I knew something funny was going on there. He was moving throughout the ultrasound. It was amazing to feel him moving and actually see what he was doing. :) I loved it. His heartrate was a healthy 150 and he still shows no signs of a goiter! My fluid levels looked great, everything is moving along just as it should! PRAISE THE LORD! We are so very thankful for this little boy I can't even begin to explain. Dr. Reiter said that we will continue to see him about every 4 weeks throughout the rest of my pregnancy. When we left Dan informed me that we only have 2 more definite appointments with Dr. Reiter, and maybe 3 if I am still pregnant. ISN'T THAT CRAZY!! Where did the time go??? I am SO excited! <3

Once again not the greatest of ultrasound pictures. Nonetheless, here's our little boy at 26 weeks:

It looks like he is smiling, but I don't think he actually was. This was the best picture of the 3 so that's the one we are sharing.

Baby Belly at 26 Weeks:

So Dan and I have been working hard getting as many things done as we possibly can. We are almost completely done with our registry's. We have to add just a few more items, then we will be DONE. I can't wait. :) We cleaned out baby boy's closet and I organized all his clothes in there last week or so. It looks really cute, I just have to get dividers to put up to separate the sizes. I am itching to finish the nursery, but have to wait til we get the rest of the items off the registry. Patience is not a strength of mine. :/  I am also trying to get the guest room completely organized. We have so many random boxes full of random things in there that either need to find a home in our house or in the trash. So that's on our short list.

I have all of his shoes and socks in a little tray that makes them look super cute. The panda is from Momo and Grandpa. That cute little Winnie the Pooh hand sewn alphabet?? No, not by me my friends. My Aunt Jane did that for me when I was a baby and it hung in my nursery. Mom held on to it and gave it to me, so now Baby Boy gets it! :D So sweet!

Speaking of sweet, our sweet Aunt Bonnie bought baby boy a cute little outfit and I have to showcase it on here! Thanks so much Aunt Bonnie!! It says, " I make my own sound effects." Perfect for daddy. :]