Almost 26 weeks

I am about to begin the last week of my second trimester. Which means the “honeymoon stage” of pregnancy is almost over. From what I’ve read (and heard from friends), the last three months tend to suck.

The “books” tell me that right now: 

1. 
   
   The babe weighs about 2 pounds.
2. 
   
   I should gain about 1/2 inch in belly/fundal size every WEEK from this point on. So that means I have about 7 inches to grow – that sounds like a lot. This also means that I will gain roughly 2 inches between now and the wedding I am in at the end of August. The big question is whether or not my bridesmaids dress has two inches worth of room to grow. I don’t know the answer to this yet. And I’m a little nervous.
3. 
   
   As long as I’ve been following a “nutritious and sensible diet plan” I should have gained between 16-22 pounds. I have instituted a strict rule of only weighing myself at my monthly OB appointment, so I have no idea how much weight I’ve gained thus far. But considering I’d already gained about 21 pounds as of two weeks ago, I’d bet I’m above the 22 pound mark. I just keep telling myself that my mom gained 50 pounds and she lost it all, so maybe I’m just genetically prone to gaining more weight during pregnancy. Or it could be the ice cream floats. Or maybe its the Pad Thai that I just can’t get enough of. Or the newest craving – waffles with peanut butter and honey for breakfast. It’s definitely not from the carbs I’m loving. Couldn’t be the carbs.
4. 
   
   I'll be putting on weight at the rate of about 1 pound per week now. This means about 14 more pounds will probably be added to my frame. Lovely.
5. 
   
   I may be feeling some rib pain as the baby grows and pushes upward. The pressure may also cause indigestion, heartburn and shortness of breath. I may even be feeling stitch-like pains down the sides of my abdomen as my uterine muscle stretches. Yup. Feeling the side pain. It was so bad this weekend that I was having trouble breathing. I thought my bra might just be too tight, but even after removing that impediment the pain remained. Luckily I haven’t had any heartburn since my random episode back in June and I’m praying it doesn’t strike again. But I do have indigestion. Though I’m not sure I can blame this on the pregnancy. But I will. 

My emotions are still all over the place. For the most part, I’ve kept it together the past few days. I’ve talked to some friends who have already gone through pregnancy and they’ve reassured me that this is normal – it seems that people just don’t always talk about it. Nobody wants to be a downer. But I still think it’s really important for me to be honest and vocal about the emotional rollercoaster. I feel lucky to have such a wonderful support system of friends and family to help when I need them.

Lukas is doing well (as far as I know). I often feel the rhythmic bumps of his hiccups. And I think he must be practicing kicking the soccer ball with my bladder and other organs and boy is he strong. Or maybe I’m just sensitive. Last night I laid in bed and just watched my stomach move up and down as he danced inside – I yelled for Mr. Cob to come see but of course Lukas decided to stop doing the Macarena. I’ve also begun to notice his patterns of wakefulness and sleep and worry a little if I haven’t felt him move in some time.

Some days its hard to believe that we’re already two thirds of the way through and other days it feels like I’ve been pregnant forever. And in all honesty, I don’t think I’ve completely grasped the fact that in about three and a half months I will actually have a baby to take care of. I’m still not sure that will hit me until he’s here.