27 weeks

how far along? 27 weeks

how big is baby? the size of a rutabaga

weight gain/loss? +12 pounds (I think) - will know for sure after my appointment on Monday

stretch marks? none

maternity clothes? picked up a few more maternity shirts to add to my expanding wardrobe, although I'm still wearing a fair amount of non-maternity shirts (the one in the photo below is from Loft that I've had for years).

sleep? great

food cravings? rocky road ice cream tastes really good most evenings :)

symptoms? mild constipation (ugh) and a few Braxton Hicks contractions

signs of labor? none

sex of baby? girl

movement? regular thumps and bumps after eating and while lying in bed at night

belly button? super shallow

what I'm worrying about: fears about labor & delivery 

what I'm loving: spring is finally here and the snow has begun to melt...June feels like it's just around the corner!

best moment this week? two successful work events checked off the list

26 weeks

how far along? 26 weeks

how big is baby? the size of a head of lettuce

weight gain/loss? +10ish pounds

stretch marks? none

maternity clothes? I'm finally starting to fill out some of my ruched-side tops

sleep? just fine, except for waking up with a numb hip once in a while

food cravings? spinach - I've had a side salad for lunch every day this week

symptoms? the faint beginnings of a linea nigra

signs of labor? none

sex of baby? girl

movement? I can pretty much expect thumps after I eat or drink; also John felt some kicks for the first time this past week - so fun to be able to share that with him

belly button? in, but slowly starting to disappear

what I'm worrying about: shower drama

what I'm loving: being under 100 days to go!

best moment this week? treating myself to a facial at a fancy spa this afternoon - complete and utter bliss...

25 weeks

how far along? 25 weeks

how big is baby? the size of a cauliflower

weight gain/loss? +10 pounds

stretch marks? none

maternity clothes? about half maternity tops and half regular tops (lots of flowy blouses and stretchy sweaters); all maternity pants (p.s. I am wearing the same top as last week's photo, only in a different color)

sleep? really good - I was tired this week and went to bed early every night

food cravings? cashew chicken salad from The Good Earth

symptoms? still a sore tailbone

signs of labor? none

sex of baby? girl

movement? lots of thumps after eating, especially something sweet like juice or ice cream

belly button? extremely shallow

what I'm worrying about: stressful work stuff

what I'm loving: a cute new pair of earrings from Zulily

best moment this week? John has been super proactive about turning his office/"man room" into the nursery, and spent an entire evening cleaning and organizing - yay!

24 weeks

how far along? 24 weeks

how big is baby? the size of a cantaloupe

weight gain/loss? +10 pounds

stretch marks? none

maternity clothes? starting to wear more and more maternity tops (and actually be able to fill them out for a change)

sleep? just fine, although I've been waking up with a numb hip from sleeping on my side

food cravings? fresh pineapple

symptoms? sore tailbone and loosening ligaments in my hips

signs of labor? none

sex of baby? girl

movement? feeling more consistent movement every day

belly button? it's still there, but probably not much longer

what I'm worrying about: feeling guilty about not returning to work after maternity leave

what I'm loving: our kitchen is soooooo close to being done! 

best moment this week? Tuesday was a freak snowstorm (10 inches overnight) and there was no way I was going to attempt to drive into work, so I took a personal day and it was glorious. I baked pumpkin muffins, made a big pot of pasta fagioli soup, took a nap, watched "Friends With Kids" and just enjoyed having a spontaneous day off.

23 weeks

how far along? 23 weeks

how big is baby? the size of a grapefruit

weight gain/loss? +9ish pounds

stretch marks? none

maternity clothes? all maternity pants, and a mix of maternity and non-maternity tops

sleep? no complaints here

food cravings? Subway sandwiches (specifically the BMT)

symptoms? my tailbone is still a bit sore, and my hips are usually numb in the morning from sleeping on my side

signs of labor? none

sex of baby? girl

movement? still feeling gentle thumps and twitches, usually after I eat or drink

belly button? getting more shallow...

what I'm worrying about: planning the nursery; we have a glider/ottoman, dresser, and rug, now just need to finalize a crib and pick a wall color. I'm anxious to see what all of these elements look like together.

what I'm loving: John bonding with the baby - he has started talking to my tummy every night, and is always willing to help rub some cocoa butter on it as well

best moment this week? celebrating our first anniversary! John surprised me with a prenatal massage on Sunday, and then sent me flowers at work on Monday. That night we went to dinner at what is widely considered to be the best restaurant in Minneapolis-St. Paul, La Belle Vie, and it was simply divine.