Bumpdate: 26 Weeks

This weekend definitely got away from me. On Friday night (or Saturday early morning, rather), some friends and I loaded a bus on base and took a trip to Salzburg, Austria, for their annual Christmas market! I went last year (see the post here) and had to go again. I ate way too many deliciously bad things for me and finished buying all of my Christmas presents for family. I’m also happy that the weather was about 10 degrees warmer than last year, so we didn’t freeze. (Although, my ears were cold, so I bought myself a hat that you can see in the photo below.) 

All in all, it was a good day-trip, but I’m absolutely shocked at how much my body has changed. I was hurting a lot by the end of our six-hour day there. My “normal” walking paced felt like I was speed racing by the end. My back hurt and I was just exhausted. It didn’t help that there were NO places to sit and I ate like crap. Luckily, I felt as good as new the next day; I was worried I overdid it to the point where I’d hurt. I’m doing the whole thing over again this coming weekend in Munich, so I need to really take it easy.

Other than that, nothing much new going on over here. I still have wicked bad heartburn that’s making me fall in love with Pepcid AC, and besides the lack of sleep, I think I’m doing okay. Some days she’ll be really active and other days I think she sleeps the entire day. Maybe she wears herself out from her active days? 

I totally forgot to take a bump picture when we were in Salzburg (#fail), so hopefully I’ll remember to take one in Munich.  

click to enlarge

How far along: 26 weeks (+ 3 days)

Fun facts: The nerves in her ears are being better developed and are more sensitive. She’s also inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid to help develop her lungs. She’s soaking up my antibodies, which is helping her immune system prepare for life outside the womb (another reason why I’m trying hard to eat better). Her eyes are forming and soon she’ll start blinking!

How big is the baby: Either the size of an eggplant or a head of lettuce. She’s around 14 inches long and a pound and two-thirds.  

Sleep: UGH. Waking up anywhere between 3 and 5 a.m.—usually at 4 a.m. on the dot. She just starts kicking and just when I think I can fall back asleep, she’ll kick again! By then, I’m wide awake and can’t go back to sleep.

Best moment of the week: Feeling those kicks. Despite how much I want to sleep, I still love them. I also like feeling where she is based on what part of my stomach is a little harder. I’ll sometimes give it a little nudge and she’ll punch or kick me back.

Food Cravings: I’ve been eating two eggs (almost over medium) with a little bit of cheese and green chile sauce on top. Oh man…it’s so good and easy and fast to make. Sometimes I have it for lunch, too. Not sure if it’s a craving, but it’s the only thing I’ve eaten for breakfast for the past several weeks. I know she needs more protein, so I feel good about getting it first thing in the morning. Some days I’ll have Canadian bacon and some mushrooms and spinach with it, too. (It’s 11 am right now and I’m pretty sure I’ll eat it for lunch in just a little bit.)

Movement:

Yup! It’s interesting, because some days she’ll be really, really active, and then she’ll be somewhat mellow the next day. (Same as last week)

Gender: GIRL! Loving all the pink stuff.
 
What I really miss: A complete runny egg. I’ve been cooking my eggs so that they’re soft. (The eggs out here kinda worry me, so I don’t feel completely comfortable having the yolk runny.) Also, Bailey’s. I could really go for some Bailey’s and hot chocolate at the Christmas markets.

Most worried about: My glucose test this week. My newly-acquired sweet tooth is kinda freaking me out. I hope my body is processing it okay. I guess we’ll find out and go from there. I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to stay away from the sugar and carbs and have more protein and vegetables, but it’s HARD! 

I’m looking forward to: Being done with the glucose test and getting the results.

Anything else? Lots of heartburn and I also miss my lung capacity. I’ve also started waddling. Not a lot, but definitely on the days that I do too much or when she’s sitting really, really low. It’s so crazy to waddle and be aware that I am—not sure if others can tell, but it’s the only way to walk comfortably. Oh, pregnancy!