I actually had to look back at last weeks post because I didn’t believe I was 25 weeks today! CRAZY, right?? My goodness, each week just feels like a surprise that I am SO grateful for! I can tell my little Bambina is growing bigger and stronger with each week, and it continues to feel more and more realistic and possible that she might actually come home to us at a reasonable time. This might actually work! I am ever so slowly creeping up to my third trimester!
Size Comparison: Apparently Bambina is the size of a napa cabbage. In my research to figure out what a napa cabbage actually is, I learned that its pretty much the same as a normal green cabbage, though its leaves are more wrinkly. So *shrug* there you have it. Also, a prairie dog. Apparently she’s finally getting some fat on that skinny little body, too!! Yay!!!
Appointments: No appointments. I have one booked for Mid-April and thats all thats on the books. It feels weird, and a little unnerving. To have NO ultrasounds books in the foreseeable future doesn’t feel great to me, but I know that all is looking well for the time being, so why should I worry? Ugh. For lots of reasons.
How am I feeling emotionally: My emotions are struggling hard, if we’re being honest :/ But so little of it is based around the pregnancy. Its not a secret that its been a very rough stretch around here over the last month or so, and I am just so drained on all of the levels. When it comes to my pregnancy, my emotions are better than they were in the beginning, for sure, but they aren’t exactly batting 1000 either. But thats ok. I’m not expecting perfection. The once in a blue moon that I get nervous due to not feeling my baby move, I still have our doppler to help my sanity. So, we’re making it.
How am I feeling physically: My pelvis is so much stronger these days, and I’m SO thankful to my amazing physiotherapist for that! I’m rocking my exercises and its paying off. Its not perfect, but its way better than before! I’m so relieved! Other than that, reflux is in full swing, and I take Zantac for it every day. Not a max dose, thankfully, but thats likely coming. Yes, I know the tricks. Its part of the loosening tendons, unfortunately, and is hard to combat. Regardless of how close I eat before bed, how much water I drink, etc. its still raging and angry in the morning. So thats not my favourite, but again, I’ll live. A small problem, really.
Wish Lish/Purchases: A while back, I posted two different carseat covers that I was debating between, but I strongly preferred this one. It was lovingly gifted to me this Sunday, and I am SO stoked!! It is soft and the colours are gorgeous, and I’m so thrilled to have yet another baby thing that just fits perfectly with what I’ve pictured for her. Another amazing friend mailed me a care package a few days back with some soft little personalized items for our little miss that brought me to tears. I’d show you, but that might give away too many secrets 😉 It did come with Red Vines, though!
Whats a good Canadian treat to send back her way??
I’m so floored by all the love for our baby and our family. You guys would just laugh if you saw my room in its current state. Little packages are building up on the chair beside my bed, on the dressers, and everywhere else. Its a MESS of things just waiting for their owner to arrive safely at home. Part of me knows it needs to be cleaned up, because our room used to be so nice and tidy and sanctuary-ish, and now its a total mess. But the other part of me loves to see her things accumulate around like they inevitably will once she’s home.
Pictures: This mornings quick belly shot for your viewing pleasure…
I feel HUGE for 25 weeks!! When people notice my stomach and ask how far along I am, I always am a bit nervous to tell them, haha! I feel like the “you’re ready to pop” comments are juuust around the corner. I have to get over the complex though, haha! I have this particular picture in mind of being 22 weeks along with Dekker, and I was so much smaller. But really, that was pregnancy #1, and this is pregnancy #7, sooooo I think it makes sense. Haha!
How are the kids feeling: In our talks of going to the lake this summer, the kids are more and more excited about our little Bambina joining us! She comes up ALL the time. Dekker kisses my belly and whispers to his sister multiple times a day. He is going to be just an amaaazing big brother! They’re all in such high anticipation for her! Except Solly, who has no idea, but still. I think of how Dekker was when Laela was born, and he caught on and loved her pretty much immediately 😉 So I’m not worried. Just excited.
Getting to know the baby: This might sound a bit odd or “sick,” so PLEASE don’t take it like that! This past week, I saw pictures of a few little premature babies born around the 23rd week of pregnancy. Sadly, these particular babies didn’t live very long at all. In seeing their pictures, however, I was able to see what my baby likely looked like around 23 weeks. And WOW! There is SO much to see at that point. These babies are amazingly small to be SO formed and developed and just gorgeous! While my heart will never not ache for the families who have suffered losses of children, it was mind blowing to actually see these beautiful children who very likely look a LOT like the little girl living within my womb right now. So, based off of some of what I’ve learned through seeing these little babies, I can tell you that my baby doesn’t actually look like an alien like people often think of premature babies. She is likely smooth skinned, fuzzy headed, with a fully formed face, ears, fingers, and toes. I haven’t seen Bambina recently, but I can confidently tell you she is beautiful.
The BEST part of being pregnant: I think I can say that the best part of being pregnant recently has been actually planning ahead. Letting myself believe that she will join us at the lake. Letting myself make some minimal beginning baby party plans. Planning out where her clothes will go, and in whose closet. Its like I’ve bit a new bullet and I’m jumping in a little deeper. Yes, I’m still scared, but no amount of fear or nervousness will affect whether she lives or dies. Somehow, this last week, its come a bit more naturally to just let my heart open up a bit further, and I’m loving it.
Favourite thing: I think my favourite thing right now is my hair! Is that bad? Haha! I really really love having the chance to play with my hair colour and be creative that way. Its been SUCH a fun thing to look forward to and plan for with my rockstar hair girl, and I feel more put together in the day, regardless of whether or not I’ve actually put myself together. Its good to be different, and I REALLY enjoy having hair that stands out. This coral has been SO much fun!!! Anyone care to weigh in on what color I should do next? Not only will my next colour be in all the new baby selfies, but it will likely be my summer hair colour! Yay! Another thing to think ahead about!
These weeks have been strange and challenging with our kids, but they’ve been going by surprisingly quickly! When I look at the upcoming week, I feel somewhat overwhelmed with ALL that is on my schedule, yet I’m so thankful to have things on the go and people coming over who I love and who help pass the time. It seems to be a good balance between busyness and quiet, which is exactly what I need!
As if it hasn’t been said enough, by myself and everyone else around here, Spring can’t come soon enough! I anticipate that will only make the days go by even quicker and a heck of a lot warmer!