26 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 weeks. We have finally made it into the double digit countdown... 95 more days until Micah's estimated arrival! So awesome. :)

Size of baby: 14 inches & just under 2 lbs... about the size of a hothouse cucumber.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 29 lbs gained. :/ My doc said I'll probably gain closer to 40 lbs for the entire pregnancy because of my starting weight. Not too thrilled about this, but I know it is all part of the beautiful privilege of having a healthy child. My doctor sees no worries and says I am measuring perfectly. Still exercising and eating right to stay in the best shape for delivery.

Maternity Clothes: I have been very blessed by thoughtful ladies who have given me maternity clothing. I haven't had to buy any! Basically, I live in dresses. And if I wear pants, well let's just say... thank you Lord, for the "belly band."

Gender: As far as I know, there's still a little boy in there. ;) We are having our 3D/4D ultrasound done in 2 weeks! It will be our first and last since the gender appointment. I am so excited to see him again!

Movement: All day, every day! And yes, he moves the most when I lay down to sleep at night... but his kicks and punches are very much welcomed! I wouldn't have it any other way. I honestly get worried if I don't feel him within an hour.

Sleep:  Changing positions is getting difficult and I wake up in the mornings feeling like I just ran a marathon. Literally, my whole body aches. I don't understand how one tiny little baby can cause my back and legs to cramp so much. Still thankful for my body pillow, it helps a little.

What I miss: Being able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want to! Due to a couple bad bouts of acid reflux/indigestion, I can not eat anything three hours before bedtime and must avoid acidic foods (like tomatoes and oranges). This too shall pass.

Cravings: Not really having a lot of weird cravings. At least nothing out of the ordinary. I still love greek salads like nobody's business.

Symptoms: Indigestion/acid reflux, aches and pains... oh, and a growing belly!

Best Moment this week: Hearing Micah's heartbeat at the doctor appointment on Tuesday. Always a blessing.

I have been convicted lately of doing the ONE thing I promised myself I wouldn't do when Josh and I were blessed with finding out we were pregnant... complain. I hate even admitting it, because I know there are some of you out there who would give anything to be pregnant right now. I know this feeling so well, which is why I felt the need to share this. The Lord has taught me so much through this whole process - including the waiting to conceive, the surgery and now the pregnancy.

Before I was pregnant, I thought I had the RIGHT to be angry when I saw a woman complain about morning sickness or heartburn or other aches and pains. And most of the time, I do think it's pretty immature to write these things on Facebook or Twitter. But I have learned (through experience!) that these things DO happen and they are not comfortable. I don't find a problem when people complain that they have a head cold or the flu, so why should it anger me when I see someone complain about pregnancy-related symptoms? It goes deeper, of course. It was my own envy and pride that was at the root of it. I felt that if I were pregnant, I would cherish every moment and never complain... well guys, when you're standing over a toilet vomiting profusely because of the acid that's been burning in your throat... it's hard to smile. (Sorry, TMI? I think you get the point.) But I've learned that I should never say I'm above anything or anyone. God has a great sense of humor. :)

Another lesson I've learned is that "looking fab" while pregnant is not the goal. Sure, it's nice when people give compliments and I'd rather not hear the negative things. But, the fact is our bodies are going to stretch and grow through this process. And everyone is going to look different when it happens. Some carry high, some carry low, some carry wide, some carry... well, you know how it goes. I was really encouraged by this article that I read today called "The Right Kind of Damages." It had some great truth that I wanted to share...

“First of all, our bodies are tools, not treasures. You should not spend your days trying to preserve your body in its eighteen-year-old form. Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have a very dinged and dented body. Motherhood uses your body in the way God designed it to be used. Those are the right kind of damages.

The joys of motherhood are just beginning for me. I'm embracing every kick and praying through every pain. I have a feeling that this pattern will continue through the rest of my life.