Week 29: Squish Squash

Sprout is as big as an acorn squash and she still moving and shaking in Mom's tummy! Mom's still having Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing to be concerned about. Everything is completely normal, and Sprout is super healthy.

• She's getting a little cramped in there, given how fast she's growing. But Mom knows that, since she's feeling all those kicks and jabs (and Dad can see them now!).
• She's growing white fat deposits under her skin, and her energy is surging because of it.
• Feeling a subtle twitch? Mom knows it might be baby hiccupping.

Last weekend we celebrated Dad's 32nd birthday with a fun day at the beach with our friends Hartley, Erica, and Taylor. Hartley and Hadley had so much fun playing in the sand and in the water - and eventually fell asleep! Mom and Sprout enjoyed the sunshine as well.

Week 28: Egg(plant)-ceptional

Sprout is getting so big, and so mobile!, inside Mom's tummy. Everyone is starting to remark on how she all of a sudden looks very pregnant. To her, it doesn't seem so sudden though. 

Sprout's the size of an eggplant and she's:

• Starting to develop more fat, so the once-wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.
• Her lungs are mature enough that if born now, she'd probably survive. Wow!

Mom and Sprout - 28 weeks

For comparison: Mom and Hadley
28 weeks

As you can see form the pictures above, Mom basically looks the same with Sprout as she did with Hadley. I actually think Mom looks more compact (and higher) this time around, but that's just my opinion. 

This past week, our friend Carl and his parents (who just moved to Cape Coral, FL) were on our docket to visit. Because we were so busy having fun, we forgot to take any pictures BUT let this one suffice it to say: Hadley had fun. 

And finally, Hadley is starting to play quite dangerously on her toys. I worry she'll get hurt and I'll be blame. She worries about nothing until the injury occurs. Typical toddler thinking. 

Rutabaga vs. Turnip. You Decide.

Rutabaga. Looks more like a turnip to me....Sprout is getting bigger, and we are getting more and more excited about her arrival (I didn't think that could even be possible!):

• She's practicing inhaling and exhaling with her rapidly developing lungs.
• It's official: Sprout's showing brain activity! And the brain will keep on getting more complex.

Mom is starting to really feel the effects of having a toddler and being pregnant with No.2 at the same. She's tired, and sore, most of the time but Dad is really pitching in. I've decided to be helpful by demanding my dinner when Hadley eats and playing fetch. Apparently, one of those things is more helpful than the other. 

Hadley had an awesome week. We started sending her to day care 3 days a week, and she is thriving. She loves seeing her friends more often, is getting better at drop off, and the teachers adore her. She's also talking up a storm! Some of her favorite words are, "flower", "ball", "puppy", and "NO". Yes. We've ventured into "No" territory and it isn't fun. 

Week 26: Lettuce Play in the Teepee!

Sprout is the size of a head of lettuce, which is funny because right now, even lettuce is giving Mom really bad heartburn. 

• Her eyes are forming, and the eyes will soon start to open
• And eyelashes are now grown too
• Her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies
• She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

Mom is looking good, despite
feeling "ehhh"

Like I said, Mom has been feeling a little icky lately. Sprout is sitting really high and uncomfortably on Mom's tummy and that makes eating difficult. Lots of heartburn - lots of nausea. But, the good news is that it won't last forever! In the meantime, Dad has been a big help with Hadley and letting Mom rest when she starts to feel not well. There's still plenty of fun to be had! This week, I'm working on teaching Hadley not to drop objects on my head and enjoying plenty of Hadley kisses on my nose. 

Teepee time! A Hadley favorite. 

"Hi Daddy!!" Face-timing with Dad while
he was away on business

Texting while driving. TROUBLE.

Week 25: A bouquet of cauliflower

Sprout is the size of a cauliflower this week, and she has been making her presence known. 

• She's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium—and now knows which way is up and which is down.
• She's growing more fat and more hair too!

Mom, Sprout, and Hadley - at
25 weeks

This week, we said goodbye to Grammy and Pop-Pop....and it was really hard!! They've been here since December, helping us take care of everything and being some of our biggest supporters. Grammy will be back in July when Sprout arrives, but until then, we are on our own (for food and laundry!!!)....

"Hey Daddy - I see you taking that picture!!"

After we said goodbye, Dad flew to New Orleans for a trade show, so Mom, Hadley, Sprout and I played fetch and snuggled in the teepee. It was a lot of fun, but Mom is getting winded a lot more quickly now than she used too. Sprout is kicking and growing like a weed! It is great that she is so healthy, but Mom is starting to feel the effects of a toddler and baby in her belly.