26 Weeks

It's hard to believe but this is the last week of the 2nd trimester! Wow time is really flying now. There's only around 3 months 'til we meet our little man!

How far along: 26 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a lettuce (36cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss: 1kg under my pre-pregnancy weight
Stretch marks: None (moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas every night before bed)
Maternity clothes:  I've been wearing my maternity leggings a lot lately, thanks to the rainy weather we've been having
Wedding rings on/off: On
Sleep: Broken. I'm lucky to get 3 hours straight each night.
Food cravings or aversions:  None
Gender: BOY!
Movement:  Lots. As usual. But more rolling than kicking.
Belly button: It's officially surfaced and is now level with the rest of my tummy. Only a matter of time before it pops!
Exercise:  Still not allowed. Doctors orders. As much as I'd love to... ;)
Diet:  Trying to eat small healthy snacks rather than carb-loaded meals
What I'm loving:  How fast time is flying. Can't believe the 3rd trimester is next week.
What I'm not loving:  Round ligament pain, lightning crotch, back spasms, burping, farting, insomnia, heartburn, nausea... the list goes on. But it's all worth it for a healthy baby.
What I miss:  Sleeping through the night. On my back. Without it seizing up.
Sickness and symptoms:  I had quite a scare the past couple of days. Sharp shooting pains in my hoo ha and terrible cramping across my belly, more than likely just round ligament pain as bub's had a growth spurt this week and is as active as ever. Hopefully he runs out of room soon and sleeps the rest of the pregnancy. Ha... wishful thinking!
Notes: We have a 3D/4D ultrasound on Monday next week and are really looking forward to seeing how much our little guy has grown since we last saw him.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 26

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Fetal size: 28cm (crown to rump)
36cm total length
Fetal weight: 760g

Your baby's body has started to grow faster than its head. This new sense of proportion makes your baby look more like a newborn. Arms and legs are stronger and bones are hardening. Eyebrows and eyelashes are present and hair on the head is growing longer. Your baby is becoming longer, and although still red and skinny, it's body is rounding out as fat deposits start to develop under the skin. Genitals are now completely differentiated.

The lungs are growing, nostrils are open and muscles start to work to give your baby breathing practise prior to birth. Your baby has also developed patterns of sleeping and waking.

As brain cells start to mature, your baby starts learning and remembering. Your baby can also hear your voice and will start to move in rhythm with your speech. Beats such as drumbeats will also register with your baby, and he/she may move with the beat. Music that is played regularly while your baby is in utero may also be vaguely remembered after birth or later in life.

It is also important to note that your baby can distinguish its father's voice if he talks to the baby in utero. This means that your baby will also be able to recognise it's father's voice and distinguish it from others after birth.