Week 23: Making America Grape Again

Sprout is the size of a grapefruit this week! That seems....large. Mom is definitely feeling the kicks, hiccups, and elbows now. 

• She's forming little nipples (yeah, really!)
• Sprout's face is fully formed now— she just needs a little extra fat to fill it out.
• She's listening to our voices and Mom's heartbeat—and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking (I like to exercise that right from time to time and make noise).

Mom and Sprout: Week 23

Dad and Taylor set up Sprout's furniture this week. Mom and Erica just watched and played with the girls. It is so exciting to see her room getting established! Some finishing touches, and some unpacking of clothes, and everyone will be (physically) ready for her arrival. Good times!

Hadley had another fun week of snuggles, voting!, and being generally silly. This week, she learned how to give kisses which has been absolutely adorable and one of Mom and Dad's favorite things she's learned. It is just heartwarming. And she does love people so much. Such a sweetie! 

In her great-great-grandpa's
baby rocking chair

"I don't want to wake up, Mom!"

Elmo for President!!!

In other news, Hadley has decided to eat Mom and Dad out of house and home.  It must be from all the times I knock her over when we play that she thinks she's a linebacker, but this isn't an abnormal amount of food for her. Thankfully, cucumbers, blueberries, and strawberries are at the top of her favorite list (not Skittles and cookies).

Week 22: Papaya? Nope

22 weeks along, and Sprout is as big a papaya. Mom is starting to feel REALLY hungry during the day, but by dinner time, she's more tired than hungry again. More important, Sprout is starting to get big enough that Mom gets winded pretty easily. Oh well: all par for the course.

• Now that Sprout's got more developed eyes and lips, she's looking even more like a newborn
• She is sleeping in cycles—about 12 to 14 hours per day (FYI: they're when Mom doesn't feel any kicks!).

Hadley had a check up this week - she's perfect, we know - weighing in at 23 pounds and measuring 29 inches. So, she's still short, but she's healthy and happy. That's all that matters. 

And finally, for those of you who don't know, Mom is actually obsessed with the new musical Hamilton. Dad bought her very hard to get tickets for the NYC performance in May, and she's been listening to the soundtrack non-stop (which is a Hamilton joke, for anyone who knows the show). Anyway, her co-workers know too....as evidenced by her birthday presents. 

Week 21: Pom Poms

Sprout is as big as a pomegranate this week! That fruit is delicious, but really annoying to eat. Those seeds are small and they stain - not even OxyClean can fix that.

• Sprout's digestive system preps for the outside world; she's manufacturing meconium — the tarry black substance Mom and Dad will find in the first dirty diaper (EW)
• She's already got a lifetime's supply of eggs in her womb—about six million of them; Dad is preparing his gun collection and steely-eyed gaze for the "dating years"

Mom and Sprout: 21 weeks

Mom celebrated her 31st birthday this week, and everyone went out for a hibachi dinner. Hadley LOVED all the fire (yikes) and Sprout enjoyed all the food that Mom ate. Like, all night she enjoyed it. She kicked and spun for about 2 hours, starting at 1:00am. Cool it, kid. Mom likes sleep. 

HIBACHI! FIRE! FUN!

Mom and Dad also took Hadley and Sprout to Tampa to the Buddhist Temple and Thai market. It is a great little day adventure and the food is incredible. Hadley had more fun playing with rocks than in the meditation garden (no surprise there), but she also enjoyed eating the mango with coconut milk. 

 Finally, Mom enjoyed some time outside at work this week with her co-workers. It is such a treat to work in such a beautiful location. Come to Florida, everyone! It is lovely this time of year :) 

The view from New College's bay front campus

Week 20: Just Keep Swimming

Halfway there! Sprout is as big as a banana:

• She's got working taste buds
• Now, she's gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day—that's significantly more than before. Maybe that's why Mom has to go to the bathroom 4 times a night??

Mom and Sprout: 20 weeks

Hadley had a fun week. We spent some time at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where Mom was totally terrified of the birds, enjoyed lots of time in the sunshine, and she's almost over her most recent cold. The same can't be said for Mom and Dad, who are still struggling with that. 

Bruce, Hadley and her friend Elizabeth from school

"I'm going to get you, Ms. Flamingo. RUNNNN!!!"

A GOAT!!

Hadley also learned that, if she's very nice and gives me a bone, I'll let her bounce on me. Yes, you read that correctly. BOUNCE. This kid likes to bouncy, bouncy on me. Luckily, she's cute.

Bouncing....on me.

Week 19: Leggo My Mango

This week, Sprout is the size of a mango (about 9 oz. according to her most recent ultrasound), and:

• She is developing a protective coating over the skin, called vernix caseosa 
• Sprout is working on developing her five senses. Nerve cells for sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain

Mom and Sprout at 19 weeks

 Mom and Dad had an ultrasound this week to check in on Sprout, make sure everything was ok, and see how she looks. The result? She looks perfect and is measuring exactly normal, same as her sister at this time. Mom still feels good, Sprout is starting to move around a bit more, but Mom still only feels it from time to time.

Hey Sprout! You look comfy and healthy

Hadley had a lot of fun this week with her friends. She hosted a craft day with Grammy and Mom, had some fun at polo with her friend Ollie, and got lots of snuggle time with Dad and me. It was a great week! Happy Valentine's day, indeed! 

Logan and his wubbie

Hadley and her wubbie

Snuggles with Daddy

Such a happy girl!

PUPPY!

Week 18: Sweet sassy Mo-lassy!

The size of a sweet potato. That's pretty neat!

• Can you believe Sprout is yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?
• And she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too—and is big enough that Mom can feel her doing it!

Mom and Sprout: 18 weeks

This week, Mom and Dad are going to visit the doctor for another set of ultrasounds. I can't wait to see how big Sprout is getting! Sprout got the cutest outfit from her Aunt Kim and Cousin Kellie - it'll be perfect for summer sun bathing. She also helped Mom run 8 miles of a half marathon. It was really hard, and pretty uncomfortable, which is why Mom stopped early. But that's ok: they did their best, and got a medal to prove it!

Post-race - and cold!

In other news, Hadley had an awesome week. She made some pretty solid style choices and went to a sing-a-long class with Miss Kristen and Charlotte, our friends from swim class.  

"Hey lady - you're cute!"

"Shake, shake, shake!"

Hadley sharing with a new, much smaller, friend.

Week 17: French Onion Soup

Size of an onion, huh? Interesting. Mom has been craving onion soup a lot lately. Perhaps this is why! 

• Sprout's rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone
• And she's growing some meat on those bones—putting on some fat
• Sprout's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord too.

Mom and Dad are at a complete and total loss for a name for Sprout. But fear not! They are putting a lot of time and energy into researching options. 

Mom at 17 weeks

Hadley is STILL sick, but she's on the mend. To get some fresh air and have some fun, the family went to Ringling Museum's new park. While it's kind of a death trap for the big kids, it was a nice chance for Hadley and Hartley to hang out and play. Afterwards, both families went out for a not-so-relaxing dinner where the kids melted down and the parents feverishly shoveled food in their faces.

Snuggles with Dad

Hartley ROCKING the swing

Hadley, staying safe in Dad's arms

Dinnertime snuggles