How far along?  26 weeks

How big is Allie?  Measures about 14 inches long!

How is Allie developing this week?  The nerves in her ears are developing and she can probably hear my voice and other outside noises.

How I'm changing: Full on nesting mode.  I've taken 2 trips to Goodwill, cleaned out closets, organized toys....you name it.  I'm also finally warming up to all things girl.  The pink and girly things don't freak me out like they did at first.  Whew.

What I'm eating:  Normal food - oatmeal and sticky roll for breakfast.  (I made sticky roll for Christmas breakfast and we've been eating leftovers all week - heavenly)  Salads and sandwiches for lunch.  Regular suppers and snacks.

What I'm NOT eating: Strong onion flavors. 

How I'm feeling:  Physically speaking, I'm learning my limits so I'm doing better at pacing myself.  I know Landon and I can only handle 1-2 errands a day.  I can't do too much on my feet.  I also have to rest as much as possible.  It's frustrating, but I'm trying to be positive.  It's hard to not get that "me time" at the gym though.  I really miss that. 

How my workouts are: Non existent

Highlights this week:  Christmas!!!  It was SO FUN this year with Landon.  He really got into it and just had a blast opening all his gifts and playing with his toys.  It was a really special day.

Bump details:  I'm almost positive Allie is in the same position as Landon was (frank breech).  All her movements and kicks are in the same spots as his - lower half of my belly, around my belly button and my sides.  I can even feel her little head (at least I assume that's what it is) up by my ribs sometimes.  But then sometimes it feels like she's laying horizontal.  Who knows.  I just know it's uncomfortable!  Also, my belly button is out.  It's not out as far as it's gonna go, there's more to pop, but it's definitely out.

Facts this week:
- I felt hiccups for sure this week.  I probably felt them a couple weeks ago, but this week is a "yep, that's definitely hiccups".
- Allie's movements hurt more now.  I can tell she's getting bigger and a growing girl!
- Landon still talks about her several times a week.  We've started talking about him "helping" with different things when she comes.
- Ben (with some help from Landon) set up her crib on Christmas Eve!!!!  Ahh!!  I love it and it's starting to make it even more real.  I also got her bedding from my parents for Christmas so that's super exciting.  It's perfect. 
- I got out our baby toys and put them in baskets in her room and closet and Landon loves to go in her room and play with them.  He's currently obsessed with Sophie the giraffe.  :)

How far along?  25 weeks

How big is Allie?  Size of a head of cauliflower

How is Allie developing this week?  She knows which way is up and down and is getting more fat on her body

How I'm changing: This week was ROUGH.  Things kind of shifted for me this week.  Friday Landon and I ran some errands and all morning I just felt really uncomfortable.  It was a painful uncomfortable, not just a "oh I'm pregnant and uncomfortable".  I felt like Allie was in an awkward position, every time she moved it hurt and every time I stood up, my belly would get rock hard and it was nearly impossible to do much.  That afternoon, about 2:00, I called my Doctor's office and for whatever reason they were already closed for the weekend.  There's no doctor on call to take questions/concerns (seriously annoying) so I got to texting a cousin of mine who is a midwife.  After some googling on my part and talking to her, I took her advice and went to the hospital to be monitored to play it safe and rule out pre-term labor.  At 25 weeks, it was just too scary for me not to.  I was monitored for about 3 hours and they watched Allie's heart rate and confirmed I was having some "irritable contractions".  They checked my cervix, did some lab work to see if there was any protein present that pointed towards pre-term labor, and did an ultrasound to check on Allie and see how long my cervix was.  I wasn't dilated, my cervix was closed,  I tested negative for the protein, Allie was fine, and my cervix was 4+ cm long - which is exactly how it should be.  They sent me home telling me I was also probably having round ligament pain as well as some irritable contractions and Braxton hicks.  They didn't give me any limitations and just said it's common for it to happen in 2nd pregnancies and just to take it easy.
I was calm on the outside, but extremely scared on the inside.  My mindset became all about doing whatever it took to take care of myself and Allie.  I was also extremely happy I wasn't put on bed rest.

What I'm eating:  Normal food - oatmeal and english muffins for breakfast.  Salads and sandwiches for lunch.  Regular suppers.  Apples and clementines are regular snacks. 

What I'm NOT eating: Strong onion flavors. 

How I'm feeling:  I was feeling like I was getting some energy back (maybe because I started taking iron) but after my hospital visit I just feel way different now.  I really only feel good when I'm sitting down and resting.  If I do too much, on my feet, it's just uncomfortable.  I was REALLY fearful the night after I went to the hospital (I think it all kind of sunk in) and had to really breathe and focus on JESUS and who He is, not my fears.  I woke up feeling better emotionally, but the same physically.  The end of the week was mostly the same.  I did feel better, but I just had to watch my activities.  I'm trying to see it as a blessing to get extra time with Landon, at home, to just enjoy him before Allie comes.  I called my Dr and talked to her nurse that Monday after the hospital and she suggested using a belly support band, minimizing my lifting of Landon, and holding off on exercise until I felt better.

How my workouts are: I got in 2 days before everything went down hill on Friday.

Highlights this week:  We celebrated Christmas with Ben's side of the family over the weekend.  So fun to watch Landon enjoy all of it!

Bump details:  Feels like it's running the show 100%.

Facts this week:
- We sold our guest room furniture and will set up Allie's bed next week!  Yay!!

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." 
Isaiah 40:29-30

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."  Ephesians 6:10

How far along?  24 weeks

How big is Allie?  Size of a cantaloupe!!!

How is Allie developing this week?  Her see through skin is starting to get a pink tint to it

How I'm changing: This week I had my 24 week appointment and had to get another ultrasound done.  At my 20 week ultrasound, Allie was in a position that made it impossible for the technician to measure her lower spine, so I had another one to get that measurement.  She cooperated perfectly and all was perfect with her lower spine.  I also had my glucose test this week (I passed!) and was at the doctor for almost 2 hours because they were WAY behind.  The sweet ultrasound technician gave me a free 3D ultrasound because I was there so long, and seeing Allie's face looking like an actual baby, instead of the skeleton like it does on the regular ones, was HUGE for me.  I don't know what it was but something about that was a turning point for me.  In that moment I thought "that's my daughter" and it just really hit me.  Instant Momma Bear feeling.  I instantly fell in love with her sweet little nose and lips (which I think looked a lot like Landon!) and I couldn't wait to snuggle her.  The thoughts of "Oh my gosh, I'm having a girl" and any freaking out about it has really subsided after that 3D ultrasound.  :)

What I'm eating:  Normal food - oatmeal and half bagel for breakfast.  Salads and sandwiches for lunch.  Regular suppers.  Apples and Gingerbread Cliff bars are regular snacks.  I've eaten a LOT of food lately with two different Christmas parties this week.  Whew! 

What I'm NOT eating: Strong onion flavors.  I did have BBQ for the first time in a while and it was good.

How I'm feeling:  My energy level is really low these days and I feel so limited on what I can and can't do.  At my appointment, my blood work showed I was a little anemic so they told me to take some extra Iron.  I'm hoping that is why I've been so worn out and it will help up my energy level!  I've also been getting indigestion and heart burn.  Plus, I caught Landon's cold.  Boo!

How my workouts are: I got in 2 days again this week.  One day focused on upper body and another on legs.  I get a LOT of stares and comments at the gym now. 

Highlights this week:  Hands down the 3D ultrasound!!!!  And passing the glucose test.

Bump details:  It measured right on track (24-25 cm) which was a relief.  It looks and feels so big I was concerned.  Several people (the doctor included) told me I was "all belly" so that's encouraging to hear when you feel as big as a house. 

Facts this week:
- I gained 4 lbs from my last appointment.  Eeek!  I guess that's what Thanksgiving and 2 Christmas parties will do to you!  Gotta reign it back in.  I'm up 14 lbs total.
- Allie's heart rate was 151 bpm.
- She's still a girl.  Ha.  The technician checked and the girl parts were much more noticeable this time.  (They were harder to see at my 20 week)
- I go back for my 28 week apt and then start going every 2 weeks!  Ahh!
- Keely moved out so we've got to get our guest room furniture moved out to its new owners and get started on the nursery.  I CAN'T WAIT!! #majornesting
- I've already got 2 baby "sprinkles" on the books for January!  Yay!
- I'm still super anxious and afraid about C-section #2....still working and praying through those feelings.

Are you in charge of bringing a dessert to Christmas this week?

Pour all these ingredients in the crockpot, cook on low for 3 hours and you'll have a yummy, quick and easy dessert that everybody will love and took you no time at all!  I made a batch for Ben's co-workers this week.  They're always a big hit!

Ingredients:
1 jar unsalted peanuts
1 jar dry roasted peanuts
1 bar German's chocolate (green box)
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips
2 lbs white almond bark (I use vanilla candy coating if I can't find almond bark)

Directions:
Pour all ingredients in the crockpot.  Cook on low 3 hours.  Stir to mix and then drop in spoonfulls on wax paper* for setting/cooling.  Let set 15-30 minutes before storing in airtight container. 

*Tip: place magazine/newspaper under the wax paper so it doesn't stick to your counter.