25 Weeks

What is that, a hairy onion?! No, it's actually a rutabega, which is apparently the same weight as our little one at this point in the pregnancy - 1.5-2lbs! Baby measures 13.5inches from head to foot, or 9inches from head to rump - I have a feeling it's starting to get a little crowded in there! Baby has more hair - and, if we could see it, we could tell the color and start to feel texture! He/she is also able to feel the sensation of touch, thanks to it's little brain development and the progression of nerve endings. This explains why he/she responds when we touch my tummy! Our baby also now has fully developed hands and feet, complete with tiny little fingernails and toenails - so cute! - and he/she is actively "feeling around" in utero (the face, the umbilical cord, the placenta, etc). Baby's skin is starting to smooth out and "pink up" as some baby fat is developing and the capillary system continues to develop, and the arms and legs are about the length they will be at birth (weird!). Another cool development - the nostrils had been plugged up to this point, but now they are open and clear, allowing Baby to practice breathing in and out through his/her nose! The blood vessels in the lungs are also starting to develop this week, bringing Baby just another step closer to breathing in the real world! Last big "'update" on Baby's development - some sweet numbers to meditate on: Baby's spine now consists of 150 joints, 33 rings (of cartilage), and about 1,500 ligaments - that's a pretty well-developed spine!!

As for me, I continue to expand and allow for Baby to grow - my uterus has now reached the size of a soccer ball or volley ball (and according to Tyler, it looks like I have swallowed one!) - no wonder my digestion has slowed down a bit! I've also been experiencing some pretty significant swings in my blood sugar, which tends to make me weak, dizzy and cause some blurred vision - not fun! This is not too uncommon for me, as I have had issues with my blood sugar dropping prior to pregnancy; it just seems that the "symptoms" are a tad worse now that I'm pregnant. The midwife isn't concerned at this point, only recommends eating more healthy "protein packed" snacks at frequent intervals throughout the day. Also coming up in the next few weeks.....my glucose test! YIPPEE!! Haha, not! Eww...have to drink a very sugary drink in 5min and get my blood work drawn 1hr later - so not looking forward to that! This is testing for gestational diabetes...yippee. Other than that, I've been feeling great and things are going well :) Feeling the baby move pretty regularly, and it's still so exciting!

We've painted the nursery!!! YAY!! We also have (almost) finished painting the entire condo - only kitchen and bedroom remain. It looks very nice; Tyler's done a great job :) I've helped with taping and painting trim, but he's done all of the rolling...such a hard worker! We have also decided to deliver at the Midwifery Center, and we've decided to get a 3D/4D ultrasound on September 1st! So excited!

Here's a 25weeker outside of the womb - so cute, but oh so tiny!

We are SO excited to be coming home in a few short days - very much looking forward to a vacation and spending some time with family - and of course the wedding and baby shower!! Prayers for safe travel would be greatly appreciated. Please continue to pray for the growth and well-being of our little growing child, that God would keep him/her inside and developing appropriately. Lastly, continue to pray for us as we prepare for his/her arrival; that we would be good, Godly parents and raising our child as He directs us.

Thanks for all of the love and support, and we look forward to seeing most of you (hopefully!) in the next few days!