Monday, June 05, 2006

My weekend excitement

First off, I want to thank everyone for their comments on Kaily's story. It really means a lot to me.

Over the weekend I hit 26 weeks (man, do I need a picture to update you on my current size). It is amazing to look at all the new things that are happening with Dorothy this week...

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Week Twenty-Six

* Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length
* To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
* Air sacs in the lungs form now.
* Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
* Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.
* Retinas begin to form.
* Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
* Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.
~~~~~~~

I am so new to this later pergnancy thing, and am surprized by the fact that I will be in my third trimester on Saturday. This baby could actually come home with us and I.... am not ready! To tell you the truth, I have not even THOUGHT about a birthing class (mainly because I have not believed that this whole thing is going to happen). Not that I could get out and go to one anyway. I think I am going to have to settle on watching a video and hope it's not the cheesiest thing I have ever watched. Sarah, got any suggestions? How was the lovely one you watched? Do you recommend or shun?

I also went SHOPPING on Saturday! I went to oldnavy.com (at the suggestion of you other wise and experienced bedresters) and got a bunch of stuff, including the sandals that have the ankle tie/wrap thingies!!! That I have been in search of for oh, say, 7 years. I can't wait to get the box. It'll be like Christmas I'm pretty sure. I also got some shirts for the hot weather and a skirt that is cream colored that will match practically every maternity shirt I have. I will have to take a picture of me in a fabulous new outfit. Of course, a couple of the shirts I ordered in Large even though I am medium because I feel that my belly is going to outgrow a lot of my shirts by the end of the summer, so I won't be able to wear them quite yet. Pictures are coming, I promise. As soon as I get off my lazy buns for long enough that David can take some.

19 comments:

Elizabeth said...

yay! 26 weeks! Only 2 weeks to go until the next landmark.

Caleb was born at 26 weeks, 6 days. He was 2 pounds, 1 ounce and 13.5 inches long. He was very, very close to being a success story. If I remember right, 26/27 weeks is about a 85% chance of survival. BUT, you're going to make it to 37 weeks!

Good idea to but some large shirts. I started out as a small and by the time I had Caleb, I has very close to a large.

Lori Rode said...

Hooray for Dorothy! Grow, baby, grow!

It's so exciting to know that she's working on those lungs and eyes. We have high hopes for a healthy baby girl.

It sounds like your weekend was eventful. Dave was sick as a dog (not our dog), but went to work on Monday. I'll wait a day or two and call. I'm hoping to visit soon!

Anonymous said...

Well, you made it farther that we did, and I am so so so so happy that you have reached 26 weeks! I remember anxiously counting down to the next milestone, so I know you have reached this one with a lot of hope and worry. Hang in there. Crossing everything that you make it to 28 with nothing out of the ordinary.

And congrats on the shopping. I hope your stuff arrives soon. It will be like Christmas. It is amazing what being on bedrest will make you appreciate.

Rosemarie said...

Hi, you don't know me, but msfitzita asked her blog followers to give you some cool things to do while you are on bedrest. Here's a fun website that has tons of strange and funny things to look at. It's appropriately called: bored.com

Good luck with your pregnancy!

Maggie (Sarah's mom) said...

26 weeks!!! OMG! That is incredible. 28 weeks is on the horizon.

Becci - You are doing an awesome job! I know bedrest stinks but you are doing SO much for Dorothy!

Keep growing Dorothy!!!! You can do it!!!
:) :) :)

Tonya said...

Wow 26 weeks!! That rocks.. I am so happy *does little dance* You keep up the great work Becci.. and glad you got to do some shopping at Old Navy :)

Blair said...

I loved oldnavy.com... they were great! I still wear some of the things I bought...
About.com has a birthing course you can take that did not involve any crazy videos... it was another way to pass the time... I think the link is still on my blog if you want to try it out! Frankly, nothing at all prepared me for childbirth... but then, I only pushed three times, which made me feel like such a fraud... so much so that I asked my mom (and I was not really joking) "Mom, do I get to be in the club?"
26 weeks, I am so thrilled for you!

Melissa said...

Wow...26 weeks! Congrats!
And, hooray for shopping! I can't wait to see some new pics!

Emmakirst said...

Yayyyy on 26 wks, only 2 more for 28!

Keep on growing Dorothy :)

Can't wait to see some pics of your new clothes.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful milestone. Mine was always 30 weeks. When I hit that mark I breathed a tiny sigh of relief!

purple_kangaroo said...

Wow, how exciting! Have fun opening your packages.

We're well now, so would you lke to get together soon?

Mandy said...

I love online shopping and when the UPS guy shows up you would think he is a long lost love. I get so excited and start jumping around. Luckily I hardly ever order anything so the UPS driver is always someone different. I bet they all talk about the nutty lady in the white house :)

26 weeks! The girls were born at 26weeks 3 days! They were 1lb and 13oz and 12 1/2 inches long. I am so happy you have made it this far.

Dorothy has a very wonderful mommy. Keep up the good work.

sarah said...

congrats on getting to 26 weeks!

The childbirth DVD I used is called "Laugh & Learn about childbirth: Lamaze and Beyond". I got it at Amazon.com & it's fine, if you can tolerate her NY accent and cheesy jokes. She also totally lied to me and told me that I'd have hours of "mild discomfort" before the pain hit--liar!!! (of course, that might have been b/c of the cerclage and it only lasted a little while until the epidural kicked in). Other than that, there was quite a bit of good information in the classes. Had my delivery been remotely "normal", I would have found the DVD very helpful, I'm sure.

I'd send you the DVD, but I lent it to another pregnant friend of mine.

here's to hoping for another couple of months of behaving cervix!!

kate said...

Hi! Came over from Kristin's blog...i don't have any good suggestions passing time for you but i just wanted to say hi and i will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers!

Amy said...

You'd be surprised how huge a large in maternity sizes is... :)

You're getting closer!!!!!!

Elizabeth said...

anyone hear from Becci lately?? Two days without an update. I'm starting to worry.

Anonymous said...

Becci had her appointent today and it went well. We got some cute 3d pictures today as well. She's over at her parents and I don't think she has access to a computer, but I'm sure she'll want to give you all a detailed update soon (with pictures). :)

Shawn Marie said...

I had two babies born at 26 weeks! One is 9 and the other is 8 months old today! Hang in there girlie cuz you are getting closer and closer. How long will you be on bedrest? I had my cerclage put in one year ago at the end of July and I was in the bed for two weeks. I am glad to see that you got some new clothes coming. Yea for you!

Anonymous said...

How 'bout that crib now? And I need to refinish your dresser. That shouldn't take long, either. Next week seems like a good time to get started. What do you think?

Can't wait to see your new clothes!

I will continue to pray for Cheri. She has been so through so much, and is always such an inspiration to us all.

Actually, Becci, reading your blog and all these other wonderful people commenting on it has been very inspirational to me. In a short while, just think. You will be holding that new life in your arms instead of in your tummy!