26 Weeks

How far along?  26 weeks.  According to some, I've reached my third trimester!
Maternity clothes?  Oh, the usual.  Although it's getting harder and harder to find shirts that can fully cover my tummy these days.  I feel like Winnie the Pooh
Sleep:  Sooooo much...it's terrible & it's awesome.  Awesomely terrible.  Terribly Awesome.
Best moment this week:  The whole weekend.  Saturday morning at the dog park with the Yorks, a TFA Alumni gathering Saturday afternoon (and hanging out for hours after it ended with Jake & Jake), football all day Sunday with the Romero's...all in all, great people, great conversation, great food, and great fun!  Ooh, also DECORATING FOR FALL!!!  I bought some apple cider, cranked the AC, and pretended like the word "autumn" actually means something here in Texas.  It was fabulous.
Miss Anything?  I like sleeping a lot, but not NEEDING to sleep a lot, and especially not needing to sleep a lot while I'm working!  So...I don't know if I miss not needing to sleep or if I miss not working, but definitely something along those lines
Movement:  All. The. Time.  It's so great!  It really feels like a baby in there now, more than just muscle twitches.  I can feel arms/legs moving underneath when I have my hand on my stomach.  It's crazy and it makes this all so much more real!  I mean...there's actually a BABY in there! With arms and legs and stuff!
Food cravings:  I don't know about me, but Baby J is LOVING peanut butter these days!!  Every time I eat some, she starts kicking like CRAZY!  It's like a little happy dance in my belly.  If it's possible to have a favorite food in utero, this is definitely hers!
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope!  And no Uncle Jack moments either!!  Shake me!  (seriously, you can. It's safe now!)
Have you started to show yet:  Yeah, I think it's pretty obvious that I'm pregnant these days.  In fact, I was walking across the parking lot the other day and one of the teachers said "Aw, seeing you waddling over reminds me of when I was pregnant!"  So...apparently these days I waddle...
Gender:  Girl
Labor Signs:  No...I've heard that I could start having Braxton Hicks contractions now, but I don't really understand what these are.  All I've read is that they don't really hurt and they just make your stomach really hard.  What?? My stomach is hard all the time!  How are these a thing?  How are people even aware that these exist??   
Belly Button in or out?  Still half in/half out.  But now it's so far [half] out that you can start to see it through my shirts.  I think we can add this to the list of not cute things about pregnancy
Wedding rings on or off? Uh...for the answer to that question, please refer to the sausage fingers pictured above. 
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!!
Looking forward to:  Our first baby classes this weekend!!  In particular, our peek-a-boo tour of the hospital is this Sunday!!!  I'm so excited!!

25 Weeks

Can you even see the belly?? Note to self: white doesn't really work for these pictures.

How far along?  25 weeks
Total weight gain: You know what?  They forgot to tell me at my last appointment and I "forgot" to ask.  It's probably for the best that I don't know this month... (Update: they gave me my weight update at my 28 week appointment...I had only gained 17 pounds at 25 weeks.  Not too shabby!)
Maternity clothes?  I keep saying that I'm wearing lots of maternity clothes, but in reality it's just a couple pants and tank tops.  I'm able to wear pretty much all of my shirts still, which is nice.  
Sleep:  I have been going to bed SO early this week.  It's awesome, even though it means I'm officially old haha
Best moment this week: My new little nephew being born!!  Welcome to the world, Christian David!!
Miss Anything?  Not so much.  I eat a LOT so I really have no legitimate reason to miss anything.  I would really like some Chick-Fil-A right about now, but nothing is stopping me except my wallet haha
Movement:  Yes!  Today I had my hand on my stomach while she was kicking...not even just kicking, she was pushing her foot up against my stomach...and I could've SWORN that I could feel her toes from the outside!!!  That was crazy.  If I wasn't at work, I would've lifted my shirt to try and see her foot but...it was probably a wise decision that I didn't.  I'm not sure how your average middle schooler would've reacted to unannounced teacher midriff
Food cravings:  Chocolate.  This week's heroes: milkshakes, chocolate chip cookies, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and pumpkin M&Ms.  I guess this is my life now....
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope...although I have had a few more Uncle Jack moments.  So that's sexy.
Have you started to show yet:  Yep!
Gender:  Girl
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out?  The top half is out and the bottom half is in.  I've gotta be honest, I did not really imagine it progressing this way haha
Wedding rings on or off? Off.  I've been wearing my old purity ring around like a BOSS 
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Pretty happy!! Although I feel like I vaguely remember a couple of tearful outbursts this week...obviously baby brain is a current issue with me
Looking forward to:  BSF starting tonight!!!  I'm just really excited to meet my new group and to study Matthew this year!  Plus, when my long-term subbing job ends, I think I'll actually be able to do it daily, like it's meant to be done!  I know I know...I should be able to do that while I'm subbing because I have no take home work, etc.  But honestly, I've been SO TIRED coming home!!  I basically get in the door, eat dinner, and crawl into bed.  I don't know how people teach full time while they're pregnant.  Superheroes.

24 Weeks

Warning!  Warning!  Warning!  This post is NOT cute.  You have been warned.

Just in time for the NFL Season to kick off this week!!  Yeah buddy!!

How far along?  24 weeks
Maternity clothes?  Oh yes.  Constantly.  I probably need to get some new ones at this point...not cute.
Sleep:  Meh...on and off.  I'm always really tired but it's tough falling asleep and staying asleep.  I constantly feel like I have to pee, which doesn't help with the "staying asleep" part.  Not cute.
Best moment this week:  Getting my first PSL of the season!  Although the first one I got was not filled all the way and was lukewarm...like someone else was drinking it first.  So gross.  I try not to think about it.

Not cute.  Don't worry, I exchanged it for a better one!

Miss Anything?  Nah.  Although I have looked a little wistfully at some of the fall beers that have started to appear on the shelves...
Movement:  Dude.  Yes.  And it's VISIBLE!  I just happened to be looking down at my stomach at work and I saw it MOVE!  It like...jumped (pulsed it too gross a word, albeit more accurate) when the baby kicked and I could see the baby moving around underneath.  It was SO WEIRD!  There have been a few times before where I thought I could see something move out of the corner of my eye, but I convinced myself I was wrong.  This I could not explain away as a trick of the light.  I mean, it was SIGNIFICANT.  I feel like people are going to start to notice it when we're just standing around and talking.  Super weird.  Not cute.
Food cravings:  Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.  I can't stop myself.  I'm having dreams about M&M's, I'm stopping to buy shakes after work even though I'm not really hungry, I'm finding reasons ("Oh, I had a hard day..." NOT!) to make cupcakes and mug brownies and whatever else.  Someone give me an intervention, PLEASE! Not cute.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Uh...not exactly.  We were having dinner with some friends (not at a restaurant or anything, thank God) and I ate a lot because, you know...that's how I roll.  So anyway, one thing that I've been noticing in the past few months is that food comes back up a lot easier.  It's because of #1 the relaxin (a hormone released during pregnancy) that causes all of your muscles (including the esophagus) to...you guessed it...relax and #2 there's just a lot more stuff inside of me these days and it pushes on my stomach.  Anyway, I inhaled a little ice cube, started coughing, and ended up having a little bit of dinner...come back up.  Not like projectile vomit or anything, I was able to spit it in the trash, but still.  I totally felt like Uncle Jack from Arrested Development when he's like "shake me!"  If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's probably for the best.  Not cute. 
Have you started to show yet:  Yep, feelin' pretty huge! Not cute.
Gender:  Girl...ok, that's pretty cute.
Labor Signs:  No, but they will not be cute.
Belly Button in or out?  Starting to pop out. Not cute.
Wedding rings on or off?  Off.  Swollen fingers = not cute
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy...even though I'm not cute
Looking forward to:  Feeling cuter.  Maybe next week?

23 Weeks

Lordy...every so often over the summer I've looked at myself and been like...

...and then somehow magically a month later, I am.  Like way more pregnant.  For example, I remember looking at this and being like, "Whoa. Super preggo!"  And now I just look back at that and laugh...I know I'll probably feel the same way about this picture in a month or so.

Reppin' my Illini!  If anyone wants to buy me these shoes to go with the tank top, feel free :)

How far along?  23 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes but I'm starting to not love it so much...I'm constantly having to pull my pants up!  Still, they're WAY more comfortable than regular pants
Sleep:  Epic proportions now that I'm working again.  Waking up is so hard!
Best moment this week: Reading all the celeb tweets reacting to Miley's VMA performance.  How badly do I wish this snapshot was legit?!! So badly.  Still...I guess I should mention that my ACTUAL favorite part of the week was that Jacob felt Baby J kicking from the outside for the first time!!!! I've been trying to get him to catch it for weeks, and he finally did!  The trick was to get him to come over when I was watching something on my laptop.  She always starts moving around when I have something on...this time it was Friends but it was actually kind of an inappropriate scene so...that got weird real quick.
Miss Anything? Nah, I'm pretty content.  Maybe not being so hungry all the time...haha
Movement:  Oh yes!
Food cravings:  Um...CHOCOLATE.  Oh my gosh, today I literally thought I would die I wanted chocolate so badly.  There was someone in my vicinity eating chocolate today and didn't offer to share.  It was so rude.  They didn't exactly know me, but still.  You don't just eat chocolate in front of a pregnant lady and not offer to share. It all turned out ok though because Jacob bought some ice cream and Reese's and we made shakes after dinner. #heavenly #cravingquenched #fornow...
Anything making you queasy or sick:  No
Have you started to show yet:  Whoa baby, yes.  I actually started bumping into things with my stomach while walking around the classroom I'm subbing in.  Want to know how to make an 8th grader any normal human feel awkward?  Knock into them with your huge protruding belly.  Go ahead, give it a try. It's hilarious.  
Gender:  Girl
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out?  In...but not for long.  Little known fact, folks: my belly button used to be an outie.  True story. I was about 6 years old, just hanging out   doin' like I do   chilling  playing with my belly button and I just all of a sudden...pushed it in.  Just like that.  And then I had an innie.  For like...ever.  Anyway, this past week I was just hanging out   doin' like I do   chilling  playing with my belly button and almost popped it back to an outie.  Seriously guys, should I be concerned about this?  More importantly, what am I doing with my life that I have so much time to be playing with my belly button?  
Wedding rings on or off?  Yeah, off again.  Forget that noise.
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!  No more tears this week!
Looking forward to:  Cooler weather!!  Not even coat weather, just jeans or something.  Weather where I can drink apple cider and hot cocoa and not feel too weird about it

22 Weeks

...and I weigh about 1,000!

How far along? 22 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yeah, and desperately needing to expand my wardrobe.  Any other big booty Judy's out there want to hand down your maternity jeans to me?
Sleep:  Sleep has been great!
Best moment this week:  We had a really fun weekend...lots of friend time, which is always good!
Miss Anything?  Sleeping on my stomach :) 
Movement:  Big kicks!! Jacob hasn't been able to feel them from the outside yet, though
Food cravings:  Fruit!  I had the most fantastic fruit pizza this weekend, it was total heaven
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope
Have you started to show yet:  Oh yes
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out?  In for now, but not for long!
Wedding rings on or off? On consistently!! Reunited and it feels so good
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy...except for one super embarrassing crying outburst in particular that shall not be named.  It was the Voldemort of all weepfests, I'll just leave it at that.
Looking forward to:  Need I say it again?  Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  School has started...today was my first official day back (I have a little permanent sub gig going) and nothing says fall semester like a nice steaming cup of PSL.  Come on, Starbucks, bring the juice.

21 Weeks

How far along?  21 weeks
Total weight gain: 15 pounds...everybody be cool, I'm on track, ok?  Plus, we got a sneak peak of Baby J on the sonogram this week and it looks like she's got quite the pair of ham hocks on her.  That must be where all the weight comes from.  She got it from her mama...
Maternity clothes? Yes and lovin' it! 
Sleep:  Lots and lots...I was exhausted this week!  Maybe I need to start taking an iron supplement?
Best moment this week: Seeing Baby J on the sonogram!  This is the second time we've gotten a good look at her on an ultrasound.  Both times she loves to keep her little hands up by her face, a lot of times with one hand on her forehead (drama queen).  I keep wondering if once she's born she'll lay the same way in her crib...can't wait to find out! 
Miss Anything?  Lunch meat!  A turkey sandwich sounds so good right now
Movement:  SO much! 
Food cravings:  Fruit, milk, and red meat!  I can't stop thinking about hamburgers. Also, do yourself a favor and walk past the peaches and nectarines in the grocery store.  They smell so good I almost passed out
Anything making you queasy or sick:  No, thankfully
Have you started to show yet:  Yes
Gender:  Good news folks, she's still a girl
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out?  In
Wedding rings on or off? On and off...more on than off though, I think 
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Ah...I have so many people to thank for the huge range of emotions I felt this week.  Thank you to the dollar store for having knock-off versions of Pinwheels, they were delicious.  Thank you to the sonogram lady for helping me see my baby girl.  I, of course, have to acknowledge the Precinct 4 Constable's office for sending me that warrant for my arrest...but mostly, I'd like to thank that officer who pulled me over last spring and made my day by telling me I wouldn't actually get a ticket and then secretly turned one in anyway.  The anger, the laughter, the tears and, dare I say it, the entire warrant...wouldn't have been possible without you.  Thanks so much for that.  Finally, I'd like the thank the schools who hired me as a substitute teacher anyway.  Your blind faith in me despite my delinquent record is touching. 
Looking forward to:  Our Fantasy Football draft this weekend!! I'm making chili, cornbread, and I'll be darned if ____________ doesn't end up on my team! [name removed to protect strategy]  Can't wait for football season to officially start!!!

20 Weeks

How far along?  20 weeks...halfway there!!!! Baby J can hear sounds and even cover up her ears if it's too loud (how cute is that?!)
Maternity clothes? Oh yes.  I tried to wear a pair of regular shorts this week with the rubber band trick and it was a disaster.  I ended up walking around the Riverwalk with my pants completely unbuttoned all day (thank the Lord for tunic shirts.)  I felt like one of those unfortunate size 0 Hollister-wearing girls that walk around all day like that ON PURPOSE looking like they got dressed so fast they literally didn't have time to zip their fly.  Which was great, because I've never felt like a size 0 before... 
Sleep:  Pretty well, although I got my first calf cramp one night this week.  Ow ow ow....the funny thing is I mostly slept through it and really put two-and-two together when I woke up the next morning and had an extremely sore left calf!
Best moment this week:  So many fun times with Jill, Luke & Gina...I think my favorite was when we went to Gruene Dance Hall and learned how to two-step.  FINALLY!  Now I'm officially Texan.
Miss Anything?  No I pretty much overindulged on everything this week.  There was no room for missing any pregnant-unfriendly foods because I was just trying to find extra room in my stomach for more brisket.  My life is tough, what can I say?
Movement: Ok, yes for sure.  I've been feeling them for a while, but I've been looking for "butterfly wings" for so long and ignoring all of the other things I've been feeling because no one told me they STOP feeling like butterfly wings!  They definitely feel like kicks and I can even feel as she's somersaulting around (one of her favorite pasttimes for sure)
Food cravings:  Fruit still.  And apparently Baby J can taste what I'm eating now so she is going to come out LOVING the taste of peanut butter and banana!
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope! Feelin' great!
Have you started to show yet:  Yep, I've definitely popped
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In, but getting flatter by the day
Wedding rings on or off? On!!  I tried to put it on and it fit!!  I wore it for a little while, but then got nervous my fingers were going to swell up again (it's so hot) so I switched back to my fake one.  BUT it gives me hope for when it cools down!
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy...a little emotional sometimes but mostly happy
Looking forward to:  Pumpkin spice lattes come out in a month!!!!  Is anyone else counting down the days?? Also, my 20 week appointment is next week, so that's always fun!  Technically that's when I'm supposed to find out the gender...can you believe that?? If we hadn't gone to that private sonogram place I STILL wouldn't know that Baby J is a girl!!!  Mind blown.