26 weeks pregnant and baby O pictures

Time is seriously flying by WAY too fast!  I can't believe in just a few months I'll have another little baby!  Totally freaking insane!  I was a little bummed as I was reading these updates to learn that this is typically the most active time for baby.  Baby O is a lazy bum!  I feel her/him move daily, but it's very random and short lived.  I hope as baby and my belly get bigger we will be able to feel more.  I loved all of us poking at and feeling Sawyer for weeks and weeks.  Overall I still feel great and honestly forget I am even pregnant.  I am sure I have gained a few pounds but as of 2 weeks ago I still only had gained that 4 pounds.  I am rounding out more but luckily have managed to keep my weight good.  I tend to gain the majority of my weight at the end, I'd love to keep my gain at or below 20 pounds though!  I gained exactly 30 with Karly and Sawyer though so I am not holding my breath ;)

Two-ish weeks ago I went in for an ultrasound.  The previous one O wasn't cooperative and they couldn't get a very clear scan of the heart so yay me, I got another ultrasound!  (S)he still wasn't very cooperative, but they saw what they needed.  Here are a few pictures from the scan.

This one is my fave; baby O is all smooshed up, but in real life it was so clear!  It was like a real little baby in there :)

Baby O is a big foot!

face shot; sorry if you can't see it, I should have labeled it.

Here is what Baby O is up to this week!

You are 26 weeks pregnant.

The baby measures 14 inches long and weighs over 1.7 pound.

The feet are 2 inches (5cm) long. Hands are very active.

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

The fetus makes breathing movements, but there is no air in the lungs yet. Hands are active and muscle coordination is such that they can get a thumb into the mouth. Thumb sucking calms the baby and strengthens the cheek and jaw muscles.

The fetal brain scan will show response to touch. Touching and playing with the baby is possible now, as they may respond to your touch through your belly wall. Brain growth continues with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems starting to develop. Baby is probably very active in the womb, as the most active weeks are typically between weeks 24 and 28.

You may begin feeling your belly tighten and relax at odd moments or irregular intervals. These are Braxton Hicks contractions. They are painless and help the uterus prepare for the birth. Many babies have developed a predictable routine for sleep and active periods.

If your back is feeling the strain of your growing belly, try doing some pelvic rocks to relax it. Stand with your back against the wall, knees slightly bent. As you inhale a breath, press the small of your back against the wall. Exhale and relax your back. You may be experiencing shortness of breath as the uterus is very close to the rib cage at this stage. Some moms are not able to fully expand their rib cages; however, this does not negatively affect the baby in any way.

This week marks the end of month six, which is the last month of the second trimester.

I KNOW!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?

did you miss last week (25 weeks)??? You did?  Oh yeah, so did I ;)  I just posted a 25 week update it if you are curious what went down in there last week!