five eighths

This is a little late, but here's an update from 25 weeks. My musings on 20 weeks can be found here.

25 Weeks - October 15, 2011

Baby fruit size: Eggplant

Milestones: Blood vessels are forming in the lungs, getting him ready to breathe air. His grip has developed and he can clutch onto the umbilical cord. Fingernails, eyelashes and eyebrows are fully formed.

Sex: Still a boy.

Sleep: All good. Thankfully, I rarely have trouble falling back asleep after the 2-3 bathroom breaks I take in the middle of the night. And sleeping on my stomach hasn't gotten terribly uncomfortable yet, so I still take advantage of that preferred position. My energy during the day has been great, too.

Stretch marks: None (knock on wood, apply a variety of potions and oils and repeat). On a related note, I did spy the first faint showings of the linea nigra this week, a couple of inches below my underwear line. Wonder how prominent that's going to get over the next 15 weeks?

Weight: Up just about 12 pounds. Almost 2 pounds of that is baby at this point.

Food cravings: Soup and grilled cheese. Chipotle salads (4 in one week, no lie). Pumpkin spice lattes (although this is probably a symptom of fall more so than pregnancy).

Food aversions: After the 1st trimester, I've been such a disappointment in this area. Truth is, I eat absolutely everything.

Other symptoms: My hair has just started going a little crazy. Short, wispy baby hairs are showing up all over and my hairline has new cowlicks. My belly also bumps against the waist-high bar on the treadmill when I run. Neat.

Movement: Little dude is moving all the time now. It feels more roly-poly, like he's completely rearranging himself in there as opposed to the flutters and thumps I first experienced. I notice it mostly in bed just before waking up and falling asleep. Eddie hasn't been very willing to perform for others, though. This week he had 2 very disappointed aunts who sat with their hands on my belly for 20 minutes without feeling anything.

Best moments: Moving into a bigger apartment! NESTING. Having my 2 brothers, sister-in-law and nephew in town to visit. Watching my friend Casey run her first marathon.

What I miss: With the 3rd trimester almost here, I've been thinking less about the wine and abs I've given up and more about how much I'm going to miss being pregnant. As Ed jokes, "You think you own this baby, don't you?" While that's not exactly the case, I will miss the private connection I have with this 9 month miracle and the feelings (both physical and emotional) that are all mine right now.

What I'm looking forward to: Slowing down for the months of November, December and January (hopefully) and spending time relaxing and hanging out with just Ed. Completing the nursery. Spending long winter mornings in bed with both of my Eds.

Reading: The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Your Pregnancy Week by Week, What to Expect When You're Expecting and Baby Bargains.