twenty-five & twenty-six weeks!

bump watch: i cannot believe how much my belly has grown over the past 2 weeks! the even crazier thing is that my weight has stayed stable (up 20 pounds at 24 weeks and holding steady -- in the second trimester i've tended to gain a few pounds one week and then plateau for the next few weeks). i'm able to distinguish baby's head, butt, and back now, which is fun! she's still flipping all over the place and doesn't seem to prefer one side of my belly over the other (as opposed to her sister, who was always hanging out on the right!). 

little peanut: baby girl has grown from the size of a rutabaga (1 1/2 pounds) at 25 weeks to the size of an eggplant (two full pounds) at 26 weeks. this week's big accomplishment is opening those eyes! baby's brain is also developed enough to respond to sounds or bright lights with increased activity and pulse. and she's more coordinated, able to play with her toes or grasp the umbilical cord. 

image credit from What to Expect When You're Expecting

best moment: there have been so many great moments in the last two weeks! we traveled to New York City, where Nick played a fabulous recital at St. Patrick Cathedral. truly phenomenal. we visited with Kira, Jon, and Jeremy; went to Central Park for the first time; rode the subways; and attended Latin mass at Holy Innocents. we then flew to New Orleans and spent a few days visiting Paul and Chris, eating fantastic food,  and enjoying the music and vibrant city life. we also went back to the spot in Jackson Square where Nick proposed almost exactly seven years ago, and recreated the moment (see above photo!). we are so blessed to have each other, and our two precious daughters! 

however, one sweet moment does stand out among the rest. Greta got to feel baby girl kicking for the first time yesterday. her whole face lit up and she said "I'm so es-gited!!" (read: excited). she frequently tells her baby dolls that she has a baby in her belly, and tells them that they can feel the baby kicking too. she is so ready to be a big sister! 

symptoms: the back pain comes and goes. after coming home from our week away, my back was really stiffening up on me, but it seems to be better now after a few days of my regular workout routine. on a happier note, i'm starting to feel the nesting urges kick in! i'm kicking off freezer meal cooking this week -- nothing too involved, just choosing one or two meals per week to double and freeze so we'll have at least a dozen meals stocked up. and i'm starting the Hypnobabies program again this week. oh Kerry Tuschhoff, how i've missed the dulcet tones of your voice. but seriously, i am still so impressed with how well it worked for managing labor with Greta! 

cravings: mostly sweets. and Chinese food. 

what i miss: seriously never thought i'd be saying this, but the endorphin rush of a good summer evening run! i'm going to start the Couch to 5K program again as soon as i'm cleared for postpartum exercise.

looking forward to: going through all the newborn clothes. (see above re: nesting urges.) there's just nothing like itty bitty baby clothes!