26 weeks

As baby Sean continues to grow, he is putting on the weight and inches. He is close to (if not already at) 2 lbs and measures about 14 inches in length from head to toes (about the length of an English hothouse cucumber). Eyes are starting to open, which means he may startle or react to light near my belly. And his nerves in his ears are more developed, which can also mean more activity in response to certain sounds. Also his testicles are starting to descend into his scrotum- it takes about 2-3 days for that process to complete.

This week mommy has been battling some swollen ankles (I know, again? But this time it is mainly ankles and not my entire feet!) and some major heartburn. The weight of the baby has really hit me harder than normal this week- my feet are exhausted, along with my hips. I've also been experiencing the belly taking up it's space- this morning I almost spilled my coffee because I bumped it with my belly while trying to sit at the kitchen table!

But this week has also been fun- I only had to work M-W this week, and then my parents flew into town Wednesday night, I have been vacationing with them here since Thursday. The are flying back home tomorrow, but we have enjoyed having them here. We celebrated my 26th birthday on Thursday, which was one of the best birthdays I have had in a long time- First, my husband made me breakfast (my favorite, french toast!) and then my mom and I went to get our nails done. Then we went to the mall, where I got a few fall maternity clothes and a new comfy bra from VS. Much needed, at this point, I will take what I can get to help with back pain. Then we went home, took a quick nap, and met up with a bunch of friends for dinner at the Olive Garden. It has been tradition every year in LA so far to have dinner there on my birthday, but up until this time it was always just me and Mike. The service there was great, and I got so much food and dessert it was almost too much to handle! My friends chipped in and bought me an ice cream cake too- not just any old ice cream cake, but they actually drove to the Dairy Queen in Rayne and got a real ice cream cake, with the yummy fudge chocolate center! I was ecstatic : ) Then we all just hung out and talked until it was late and went to bed. I felt so loved and special, it was a great day : D