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.

 

Week 24: Cantaloupe Antelope

This week, Sprout is growing - and KICKING - a lot. Mom has certainly noticed the change in activity level. She's the size of a cantaloupe.

• Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque
• And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed 

Mom and Sprout: 24 weeks 

Hadley had a great week spending time with Dad and her friends. We had a big party at our house for all of her friends - 9 little kids!! - and their parents. It was pretty chaotic, but the kids had a lot of fun. Hadley also got a really cool new toy : a teepee!!! She loves to lay in it and read. She also plays peek-a-boo with Mom and Dad from inside. It's awesome. 

"I'm just going to take a break on your back, Dad. I'm sleepy"

Crafts with the kids!

Reading "Justice League" in her
teepee

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