27 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

This week, my baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, my baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. I can chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements I may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so I can just relax and enjoy the tickle.

How my life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as my body gears up for the final lap, I may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, I'm finding that my leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and my expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from my legs to my heart as well as on the nerves leading from my trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as my pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give me some relief. Straightening my leg and then gently flexing my toes back toward my shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging my calf sometimes helps, too.

Well the nursery is almost done. Just waiting on the canvases my mother-in-law is painting and the curtains and it should be complete. Here's a preview of the room, I will post more once it is all done.