Our lil' Eggplant

Well to start off my weekly bump update, I wanted to share a quote I found last night as I was 'surfing the net.'

A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.

-Author Unknown

How perfect is that for me right now?  I am, as a matter of fact, not alone :)  There is just nobody here physically.  Although Baby B has done a fabulous job letting me know he/she is there.  Plenty of kicks...all day and all night.  I am sure that was b/c I wasn't sleeping well...and maybe I was keeping the baby up.  Sorry Baby B!  Please, don't get me back.  I promise to be better about my sleep stat.  ha!

In the beginning, I wanted to measure my 'waist' for each month.  I haven't written a thing down though.  Partly b/c I'm confused at what my waist was before I got pregnant.  And quite frankly, it makes me frustrated.  Maybe it's for the better.  Well, anyways.  I will state it now:  at my actual waist line I currently measure 31".  I am pretty sure in my wedding dress I was 25"...or maybe 28".  I looked in my wedding file...nothing was written down on my copies at my fittings.  Bummer.  

Baby B and I are still going strong!  I am loving my nails...so strong and, dare I say it?, pretty!  I have always disliked my hands...especially my nails.  So this is a major change to me.  I don't like being pasty white though and there's nothin' I can do about it.  

26 weeks 

At this point, Baby B is an eggplant, measuring at 2 pounds, 13.8-14.2 inches head to foot and 9.2 inches head to rump (or so the websites say).  The baby can now see what is going on in the uterus, as the eyes are opening this week.  The retina has had time to develop.  The iris still has no pigment, so the baby has no eye color, but will in a month or two.  With increased brain activity, the baby will start to respond to noises and movements outside the womb.  He/She is preparing the immune system, therefore, taking all of my antibodies.  

There's a small chance that we get to see Daddy this weekend.  Hopefully, he gets to come home between his down time, however, it may be only a few days long and he still has to drive from Dallas to Chicago (boo!).  BUT he might get to sleep in his own bed and see Gracie!  Those are the 2 things that make me happiest when thinking he might be HERE.  If he does come, I will put a flashlight on my belly to see if the baby reacts.  

This past Saturday I spent the day changing out Doug's old room into a baby heaven!  Here are some pics of Gracie helping me:

The comfiest spot is right in the middle of all the baby clothes.

I think she was a tad jealous- so I bought her some toys on Sunday!

Gracie is beyond high maintenance.  She's downright spoiled.  And she's the only one I give my attention to right now.  I do believe, she's quite content with having it all...all the time anyways.  She took one of the baby's stuffed animals as her own, throwing it up in the air and shaking it in her teeth.  I had to hide it at the top of the closet b/c she was staring it down once I took it away.  She also got ahold of a towel and a set of 6 pairs of socks...little brat.  She sniffed every little thing.  I am sure her nose was tired!  I wonder how she is going to take our little addition :)