27 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks
Baby is the size of a rutabaga!
Total weight gain: Haven't weighed myself for a few weeks, but I can tell you how much Billy or Olive weigh...no connection to the pregnancy.
Maternity clothes: Two pairs of maternity jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. That is my uniform. My favorite zip-up is often covered in food stains because I wash it once a week and wear it around the house every night. Don't judge me.
Stretch marks: Not yet!
Sleep: We are fighting against our dogs in the battle to get a full night's sleep. Their barking is loud enough to cross barriers of time and sound. Every morning around 4AM we figure out who has the higher threshold for annoying behavior; our behavior being not allowing them in our bed, theirs being barking and transforming into blocks of dead weight, stealing our blankets and cementing our legs into uncomfortable angles on the mattress. Baby girl wakes up around this time and kicks me while I try to tune everything out and get another hour of sleep.

Miss anything? Sometimes I miss running, but then I open the back door and feel the frozen air crisp my wet hair in just seconds and I realize running is stupid and only crazy people do it. Says the cross country coach...
Best moment this week: Baking Christmas cookies with family, and watching the Packer game at home with Billy.
Movement: Every day this baby girl gets stronger and it shows in her increasingly powerful karate chops and roundhouse kicks.
Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese shells (the cheap boxed kind). Oreo balls!
Food aversions: Not anymore. My new class schedule has helped me avoid the afternoon snacking I was indulging in before. I compensate by having to Christmas sugar cookies every night at home. Seems only fair.
Gender: We're having a baby girl! If the ultrasound was read incorrectly, we have a backup boy name ready to go.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: I've been very lucky with having manageable pregnancy symptoms so far. Thus, I do not feel the need to list them. Is this laziness? Possibly.
Emotional state: Normal...there's not much baby stuff happening in the coming month, so just trucking along like a semi-normal human being.
Looking forward to:  CHRISTMAS BREAK! 8 more school days!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks
Baby is the size of a head of lettuce!
Total weight gain: Less than a dump truck, more than a tricycle.
Maternity clothes: Two pairs of maternity jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. That is my uniform. My favorite zip-up is often covered in food stains because I wash it once a week and wear it around the house every night. Don't judge me.
Stretch marks: Not yet!
Sleep: Sleeping okay, but the peeing in the middle of the night thing has picked up lately.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.
Best moment this week: Seeing Billy accept his leadership award, eating homemade potato soup, having a terrible day at school followed by three great days with my students.
Movement: Every day this baby girl gets stronger and it shows in her increasingly powerful karate chops and roundhouse kicks.
Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese shells (the cheap boxed kind).
Food aversions: Not anymore. My new class schedule has helped me avoid the afternoon snacking I was indulging in before. I compensate by having to Christmas sugar cookies every night at home. Seems only fair.
Gender: We're having a baby girl! If the ultrasound was read incorrectly, we have a backup boy name ready to go.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Heartburn is back a few days every week. Otherwise, I've been really lucky. My back has even been better than it was. There are some days where I almost forget I'm pregnant...probably just getting used to the feeling of this basketball.
Emotional state: Normal...there's not much baby stuff happening in the coming month, so just trucking along like a semi-normal human being.
Looking forward to:  The weekend! I've been reading a lot the last few days, so I want to continue that. Starting the race to the finish with the third trimester coming in two weeks.

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks
Baby is the size of a cauliflower!
I started filling in my typical weekly update post, but almost instantly became bored with my responses. Instead of doing what's expected...I'm changing it up.









Dear Baby Girl,

I can call you that now because everyone knows. Your family celebrated together this past weekend at our house; we had gyros, cookies, and taco dip (there was more food, but seriously, after taco dip does anything else really matter?). I have to tell you how wonderful your dad was with getting the house ready for guests. Yes, I did most of the decorating and planning, but he did ALL OF THE CLEANING! While I stood in the kitchen cooking some of the snacks, he ran around the house vacuuming, wiping windows, organizing rooms and clutter, cleaning bathrooms (both toilets!), folding laundry, and so many other things. When my feet started hurting, he gave me his cushy sandals to wear around. Any time the dogs needed to go outside before new people arrived (Olive still pees when she gets too excited), your dad took the lead and made sure every guest was greeted by the crazy ball of dog fur outside where she could pee without worry. He didn't get annoyed with me when I asked him to change his shirt to a blue one because I was wearing pink. He swept the pink confetti into the trash after the party popping craziness, and then swept it up again after your cousins spilled their plastic bags of confetti all over the floor. After everyone left, instead of heading straight to bed, he helped me take all of the decorations down and washed the dishes. I love waking up to a clean kitchen (thank your grandma Lazarescu for that). You have the best dad; we are so lucky to have him in our lives. Especially you...because you know, you wouldn't exist otherwise. FYI. Welcome to basic biology.


Baby girl, we love you. We are excited to meet you in 15 weeks! Every time you kick me I'm happy because it shows me that you are growing and active. You like to kick me after lunch and about 10 minutes after we lay down in bed. Last night you were kicking away after I ate some Christmas cookies. Maybe it was the extra frosting I slathered on each cookie that made you do jumping jacks!

I have to warn you...you're our first baby, and we have NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE DOING! Your dad and I have ideas of how to raise you, and we talk about hypothetical situations often. However, we are human and will make many mistakes as parents. We know that our perfect visions of the future are works of our imagination and not reality. I hope you can sense our open hearts and minds as we hold you that first day in the hospital. If not, we promise to show you that as often as possible as you are our dream come true. Our baby girl...teach us patience, share our laughter, forgive our errors, and make mistakes along with us while we work to be the strongest family we can be. As your dad always says, "Teamwork makes the dream work." Or something like that.

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks
Baby is the size of a cantaloupe!
Total weight gain: 13 lbs, pretty sure it's all in one area. All of the books say I'm at the point of carrying a basketball, and my back is feeling it every day.
Maternity clothes: Two pairs of maternity jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. That is my uniform.
Stretch marks: I thought so, but now I can't find them. Is that my superpower? I can disappear stretch marks!
Sleep: I look forward to sleep so much...I will cherish every second of it before the baby comes. Oh wonderfully-warm bed, please never leave me.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly. Having a back that doesn't ache every day.
Best moment this week: Finishing the painting of the house, building the crib and dresser, starting to organize the nursery!
Movement: Every day there's movement, and Billy finally felt it kick really hard! Four times in a row. I think it was ticked off about something.
Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese shells (the cheap boxed kind).
Food aversions: Not really into baked goods right now. Other than that, bring me all of the food.
Gender: Billy and I know! We'll be having a gender reveal party for our immediate family this weekend.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Do I really have to list them? Let's bring back the heartburn, the need to vomit if I don't eat within 45 minutes of waking up, back pain (did I mention that already?), belly, and a state of impatience filled with joy.

Emotional state: Feeling anxious about the level of discomfort that's going to come as my belly grows since I already feel like a balloon ready to pop. I've been checking the chart for fetus viability multiple times a week and have been wanting to get to 24 weeks for that 50% chance of survival if it was born now. It may be morbid, but now every week adds about 10% to the chance of survival, so I can finally start to get excited about Billy and I actually getting to have, hold, and keep this baby. The fear of loss is very real, and it's not something people talk about a lot.
Looking forward to:  Excited for the holiday season and Hallmark movies. Dreaming about the long weekend (five days).

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks
Baby is the size of a grapefruit!
Total weight gain: 6 lbs, but I haven't weighed myself in a while. It's probably about two tons by now.
Maternity clothes: Two pairs of maternity jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. That is my uniform.
Stretch marks: Yup, noticed the first couple over the weekend.
Sleep: What is good sleep? I don't remember anymore! Tossing and turning much more than usual. My wonderful students remind me every day, "You look tired."
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.
Best moment this week: Going to the extended family holiday party and playing party games. It was really nice seeing everyone again, and it's interesting to see all of my cousins taking care of their own babies now.

Movement: Every day there's movement, but now I'm thinking the baby is targeting my bladder. Right now I can feel it karate kicking it into submission.
Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese shells (the cheap boxed kind).
Food aversions: Not really into baked goods right now. Other than that, bring me all of the food.
Gender: Billy and I know! We'll be having a gender reveal party for our family in two weeks.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Last night I yelled for Billy from the bathroom, "Come here! Hurry, it's an emergency!" "What is it?" he asked. "My belly button is missing!" It's weird to miss something you always took for granted...I'll see you again belly button, one day.
Emotional state: Wanting to get the nursery put together after this weekend's last painting adventure. Feeling anxious about the level of discomfort that's going to come as my belly grows since I already feel like a balloon ready to pop.
Looking forward to:  Excited for the holiday season and Hallmark movies. Dreaming about next week and the long weekend (five days).

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 weeks
Baby is the size of a papaya!
Total weight gain: 6 lbs...haven't weighed myself this week, so really...who knows.
Maternity clothes: Two pairs of maternity jeans, and my comfy sweatpants and sweatshirt at home every night.
Stretch marks: Not yet, but this belly is growing.
Sleep: The past couple of nights are the first times I've noticed I need to lay on my side in order to be comfortable. Laying on my back feels too heavy now, and I like having extra blankets between my knees and under my belly for support.
Best moment this week: Having the house painted by some absolutely wonderful people. The CC awards banquet where we received a running stroller and adorable onesie from the team. We went on the birth suites tour at the hospital. So happy that the staff and policies of the hospital align with what we want from our birth experience. Super nice rooms.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.
Movement: The baby likes to kick me after I eat something, when I'm laying down, and when I'm driving.
Food cravings: I'm just hungry. All of the time. Feed me.
Food aversions: No. Bring me all of the food.
Gender: Billy and I know! We'll be having a gender reveal party for our family in three weeks.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Belly. It exists. It's growing. Be scared.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're past the halfway point. I really want to start organizing the nursery, but that probably won't happen until Thanksgiving break.
Looking forward to:  Excited for the holiday season and Hallmark movies. This week and next weekend are really busy, so looking forward to some quiet time. Looking forward to the weekend: seeing my athletes in a play, visiting family in La Crosse, and relaxing on Sunday.

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 weeks
Total weight gain: 6 lbs
Maternity clothes: Bought two pairs of maternity jeans, and I'm pretty sure I'm living the rest of my life in them.
Stretch marks: Not yet, but this belly is growing.
Sleep: Dear dogs, you do not need to wake me up at 2AM, and 4AM, and 5:20AM...seriously! I do not need the practice yet.
Best moment this week: Seeing the 20-week ultrasound and finding out the gender.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.

Movement: Every day I feel some movement. Billy felt it once (we think), but pretty soon it'll be too much to miss.
Food cravings: I'm just hungry. All of the time. Feed me.
Food aversions: No. Bring me all of the food.
Gender: Billy and I know! We'll be having a gender reveal party for our family in three weeks.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Definitely have a growing belly. The first person who randomly touches it without asking will be punched.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're past the halfway point. Getting the nursery painted this weekend and setting up some furniture.
Looking forward to:  Excited for the holiday season and Hallmark movies. This week and next weekend are really busy, so looking forward to some quiet time. We're getting the hospital and birth tour this weekend.

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks
Baby is the size of a cantaloupe!
Total weight gain: 6 lbs
Maternity clothes: Bought two pairs of maternity jeans, and I'm pretty sure I'm living the rest of my life in them.
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Weird dreams almost every night interrupted by my wonderful dogs whining outside the bedroom door. Loving the cold weather at night so we can have more blankets piled on!
Best moment this week: Being able to be home early after school and spend time with my dogs. The baby appreciates the extra walks we are getting in and the earlier dinner time! I am always starving around 5:30PM. It might be time to add two dinners to the nightly schedule.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.
Movement: Every day I feel some movement. Billy can't feel it yet, but that baby is kicking and turning all of the time!
Food cravings: Non that are specific. I'm just hungry a lot in the afternoon and evening.
Food aversions: I still hate the idea of chips and salsa.
Gender: I think it's a boy. We'll find out on Thursday.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Definitely have a growing belly.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're at the halfway point. Starting to make check-lists for birth and supply items. Started to think about the birth and what we want from the experience.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in two days, painting the nursery and getting it organized. Excited for the holiday season and Hallmark movies.

19 Weeks

How far along? 19 weeks
Baby is the size of a mango!
Total weight gain: 3 lbs
Maternity clothes: Bought two pairs of maternity jeans, and I'm pretty sure I'm living the rest of my life in them.
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Weird dreams almost every night interrupted by my wonderful dogs whining outside the bedroom door.
Best moment this week: Feeling the baby kick/move while laying in bed and driving home from CC practice. Spending Saturday and Sunday with Billy at Conference CC, grocery shopping, watching football and Dexter, and cooking potato soup.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body. Being able to bend over to pick things up off the floor without feeling like there's a road block in the form of a belly.
Movement: Every few days I'll feel a few kicks.
Food cravings: Taco rolls a lot lately.
Food aversions: I still hate the idea of chips and salsa.
Gender: I think it's a boy. We'll find out in one week.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Definitely have a growing belly.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're almost at the halfway point. Starting to make check-lists for birth and supply items.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in October, painting the nursery and getting it organized. Not looking forward to CC ending and missing out on seeing my runners every day.

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs
Maternity clothes: None yet, but I tried a couple pairs of jeans on at Target...why do they have maternity waists but make the foot hole so small you can barely fit your heel in? WHY?
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Loving the feeling of laying in bed, but having some weird dreams. They last all night and feel so real.
Best moment this week: Feeling the baby kick/move last night while laying in bed.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body.
Movement: Last night! Felt three kicks very faintly.
Food cravings: Chinese take-out, bread sticks, taco rolls, basically anything...
Food aversions: Why do I have no interest in eating the ice cream that's sitting in my freezer at home? I hate the idea of chips and salsa.
Gender: I think it's a boy. We'll find out in two weeks.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Definitely have a growing belly.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're almost at the halfway point. Stressed because it's conference time for cross country!
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in October, painting the nursery and getting it organized.

17 Weeks

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs
Maternity clothes: None yet, but I have officially moved to using a hair tie to hold my jeans button together.
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Loving the feeling of laying in bed, but having to toss and turn a bit more this week. Why am I still getting up so many times during the night? AHHH!
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat of our baby.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body.
Movement: None yet...hoping it comes soon.
Food cravings: Chinese take-out
Food aversions: Why do I have no interest in eating the ice cream that's sitting in my freezer at home?
Gender: I think it's a boy. We'll find out in three weeks.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Headaches every day, definitely have a growing belly.
Emotional state: Happy and excited that we're almost at the halfway point.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in October, painting the nursery and getting it organized.

16 Weeks

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 1.5 lbs
Maternity clothes: None yet, but I have officially moved to using a hair tie to hold my jeans button together.
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Loving the feeling of laying in bed, but having to toss and turn a bit more this week.
Best moment this week: Telling my CC family about the pregnancy. Received so much support and love!
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body.
Movement: None yet...hoping it comes soon.
Food cravings: Fruit, veggie hot dogs, Starbursts, Chinese take-out
Food aversions: Not really anymore! Finally started eating peanut butter again this week. Missed it.
Gender: No idea.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Heartburn, headaches every day, pain in the lower ribs was bad yesterday (none today)
Emotional state: Happy since being able to see the baby on an ultrasound and share the pregnancy with everyone we know.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in October, our doctor appointment tomorrow, adding to our baby supplies pile.

15 Weeks

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain: 0 lbs
Maternity clothes: None yet, but I have officially moved to using a hair tie to hold my jeans button together.
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Sleep: Been sleeping really well, mostly because I don't have to get up to pee every hour.
Best moment this week: Seeing and feeling a baby bump (tiny, but there).
Miss anything? I miss not feeling bloated and having control over my body.
Movement: None yet...hoping it comes soon.
Food cravings: Fruit, veggie hot dogs, Starbursts
Food aversions: potato salad, chicken, cake...
Gender: No idea.
Labor signs: None.
Pregnancy symptoms: Heartburn, headaches every day, pain in the lower ribs started in the last couple of days.
Emotional state: Happy with an edge to it.
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in October, our doctor appointment next week, adding to our baby supplies pile.