26 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

The network of nerves in my baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both my voice and Micah's as we chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat.

How my life's changing:

We had a wonderful vacation to Kansas City to see my family. I mainly took it easy while Micah picked up a new hobby not only in the sport of golfing but one called frisbee golf as well. He also was able to shoot guns for several hours with my step dad and brother. I think he had fun.

My mom threw me a baby shower with the family - I am so thankful to have gotten to see all the family that attended as well as the gifts for Mack. It was a great start to the things we will need going into this journey. My favorites were the baby blankets both my mom and grandma made - they are priceless!

My your lower back seems a little achy lately, I can thank both my growing uterus — which shifts my center of gravity, stretches out and weakens my abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen my joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight I'm carrying means more work for my muscles and increased stress on my joints, which is why I may feel worse at the end of the day. Sleeping in several different places on vacation without my normal pillows surrounding me didn't help. Oh well, I figure from this point on I'm probably just going to be uncomfortable anyway...

And lastly the promised 6 month picture.