26 Week Update (A Long One)

Wow.  What a weekend it was. I was supposed to go to Baltimore for my friend Shelly's bachelorette party and our friends' Josh & Lindsay's wedding.  But, due to some miscommunication about rides etc. I literally got left in Roanoke at the last minute Friday afternoon with my bags packed.  Oops! 

As it turns out though, God knew what he was doing (imagine that) because at about ten Friday night some minor tooth pain I've been having for a few days became MAJOR tooth pain.  I have a low tolerance for pain - I'll admit that - but this was one of the most miserable nights of my life so far... THROBBING pain in the entire left side of my face moving into my ear and head. Anyway, I have friends in high places (thank goodness), and my friend Jen's husband (who happens to practice at my regular dentist office) met me at his office the next morning at 9:30.  It turns out I have a bad cavity and a possible abscess - meaning I will go back to the dentist this afternoon to have the cavity filled and am on an antibiotic to try to clear up any infection without a root canal... (I know, I'll stop eating the sugary sour candy.  I get it!)

I called the on-call OB to OK everything, and she assured me that one x-ray and amoxicillin are perfectly safe for our baby... But, of course, I'm still freaking out.  Everything I read says that an infection of any type in my body is worse than whatever other procedures I might have to have done... But, I worry, because that's what moms do right?

Needless to say, we didn't ever make it to Baltimore.  Instead, I spent most of the weekend on the couch cuddling with a bag of frozen carrots, feeling sorry for myself, and feeling our sweet baby move to assure me that he's OK.

Yesterday, I felt a little better and was able to get a few things done around the house... BUT, the drama didn't stop there.  My parents called Sunday morning to inform me that my Poppy had had a minor "incident" at church and passed out.  The rescue squad had to be called to revive him.  They did lots of tests and can't determine what is wrong, so he is meeting with a cardiologist today at 12:30.  Wild, I tell you.  Prayers would be nice.

Anyway, let's talk about something more fun...

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 weeks (According to the pregnancy ticker on the side of my blog, I have less than 100 days to go!  This still seems a little long to me; but, considering that the entire pregnancy is about 280, I'll take it.)

Size of Baby: Almost two pounds and the length of an English cucumber, give or take a little. 

Source

This is pretty neat too... His ears are formed well enough now that he can hear most everything that goes on outside of the womb.  I've been teaching Romeo & Juliet for the last several weeks and reading it aloud/ listening to it on CD three times a day every day.  I figure this could either make my baby really smart or really weird.  We'll see. ;)

Source

Maternity Clothes: Of course. Almost always.  Top & capris below from Motherhood Maternity.

Gender: A little man. :) (Looking at that belly, I use the term "little" very loosely.)

Movement: Yep! Pretty consistent these days, especially at night. We've even had a few BIG kicks showing off for dad. 

Sleep: This week we moved a fan into our bedroom and it has made all the difference.  I still wake up once or twice during the night, but I always fall right back asleep.  And, of course, I could nap anywhere anytime.

What I miss: Sundresses (maternity options just aren't the same).  My ankles (enough said).

Cravings: Mexican food.  Honestly, every single night I crave a taco salad.  I think our baby could be born Mexican.  (A Shakespeare-speaking Mexican, imagine that! Haha!)  I also really love milk.  Weird, I know.

Symptoms: My feet have started swelling at night which is unpleasant and not at all cute.  I've also noticed that my skin is kind-of "dull," and I've had a few bad breakout spots recently. Otherwise, I can't complain. 

Words of Wisdom: I started reading Baby Wise a few days ago and have really gotten a lot from it so far.  One of its main points in the early chapters is the importance of welcoming baby into your world, not making him your world.  The talks a lot about the fact that even after you become a mother you will still be a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and how important those relationships are even to the healthy development of my baby.  I think it is good advice that I will take to heart.

Best Moment(s) This Week: Seeing the nursery finally start to look like a nursery. Here's a little "sneak peek."

(I thought the wall color was a little more gray when I picked it out; but, now I think it has a major blue tint.  Oh well, at least we're having a boy.)

Dear Baby,
Your daddy has been working very hard preparing a space for you in our house.  He wants everything to be "just right" for you.  He even sacrificed his Man Cave and converted it into an office so that you could have a bedroom and wouldn't have to live in the unfinished basement... We obviously still have a lot to do to get ready for your arrival --- you just hang tight another few months, ok? But, I hope you like your nursery so far!  I get so happy every time I even walk past the door just imagining your little life. We love you A LOT.
Mom