The story of the two weeks is best summed up in the words “18-hour road trips,” “too many sweets,” “family baby showers,” “gratitude,” and “viability.”
And, pink. A whole lot of pink.
More on “pink” at the bottom of this update, but for now…
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Abigail is now the size of a cantaloupe, weighing about 1.3 pounds and measuring about 11.8 inches long! According to my phone’s pregnancy app, Abby’s hair is beginning to change to the color that it will have at birth. Her weight will double in the next four weeks. Right now she weights about the same as a lengthy paperback novel. The lungs are developing and preparing for their first breaths. They are also producing a substance called surfactant that helps in keeping the lungs from collapsing or sticking together during exhalation. Loud noises may startle her, causing a sudden jolt in my uterus. (Yep!) Due to her growth, space in my body is getting reduced even further. Talking to Abby will help her recognize our voices at birth. Abigail is now viable!
How far along? 24 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain: 6-7 pounds
Maternity clothes? I live in leggings as much as possible when I’m not in pajamas. Maternity tank tops and sweaters are wonderful additions to my wardrobe. Larger bras have been a must.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Not much in the past two weeks. Traveling was wonderful, but not conducive to rest or sleep.
Best moments of the past week: (1) Feeling Abby’s hiccups, and (2) Spending time with family in both Kentucky and Texas that may not have another opportunity to see me pregnant.
Miss Anything? Not really. I’m truly enjoying this pregnancy! I do miss my family though.
Movement: Yes! Hiccups. Stretches. Kicks. Punches.
Food cravings: Just about anything edible sounds good. I always want to eat. Snooze Cafe for my birthday on January 6 was particularly yummy!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Smells. Left a Japanese/Sushi restaurant twice for air before returning to my seat. Turbulence while flying to Houston (the third trip of the past two weeks) was particularly hard to stomach.
Labor Signs: No, thank you.
Symptoms: Bad acne (specifically on my face and chest). Crazy dreams, resembling wild hallucinations. Hunger. Lack of motivation to exercise.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it’s nearly popped out!
Looking forward to: The start of our 10-week birth course next Monday, January 13.
Next appointment: January 16 at Avista Women’s Care for my normal check-up and then January 30 at the specialist’s office for my final Level II ultrasound to check baby’s growth. Technically, I will also go into the lab before January 16 for my glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes. I’m dreading that test, as I hate sweet drinks.
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Now, the story of the past two weeks in photos…
We left within an hour of my last 7th grade final and drove 18 hours for Kentucky, stopping every 1.5 hours to stretch and pee at the behest of my midwife. Arriving on Saturday the 21st in Lousiville, we hung out with our amazing cousin Luke (David’s twin) and his wife KatyAnn (a fellow Texan and best friend). We were so blessed that they agreed to become Abby’s godparents!
The next day, David’s mom hosted a sweet baby shower with about 15 guests for Abigail. She did an amazing job orchestrating food, decorations, and letters of blessing. 
After enjoying Christmas in Kentucky, we left bright and early on the 26th for the 18-hour drive back to Colorado. Arriving past midnight on the 27th, we slept for a few hours before picking up David’s mom from the airport on Friday, his dad on Saturday, and driving several hours up the snowy pass to Winter Park for a family wedding. It was a beautiful event, and God’s presence was so strong and sweet as Kali and Sean committed their lives to one another. The wedding’s rehearsal also happened to fall on our 7th wedding anniversary 🙂 
New Year’s Eve brought with it a “Boston Tea Party” with some of our best friends. The lull in our travels lasted about 48 hours before I boarded a plane for Houston to see my family.
The final saga of my two-week Christmas break consisted of a wonderful trip to Houston. I’ve missed my mom and sisters so much during this pregnancy. Late nights and baby shower planning took over the brief visit, but the results were quite…pink 🙂 My youngest sister will graduate from culinary school next year and provided all of the ethereal desserts. Her vision came to life, and I felt as though I was eating the game of Candy Land. Another dear friend provided the decorations. Many friends of my parents gathered to celebrate this child that they have been praying for. Truly, this community (many of whom I do not personally know) blessed me beyond belief! One of the final pictures at the bottom is my family. I owe them so much thanks for the couple of days that they devoted to making the weekend special.
If you have made it this far in the post, then enjoy some culinary creations and…pink…everything. 
acupofbliss 
Love it all!! I was wondering where you have been and am so glad you have been having a great time!!! Sounds like you need a couple weeks of rest though to recuperate! xoxo
So true! I am right into teaching this week, but oh well 🙂
Wow, two baby showers already! So blessed! Thanks for sharing, it was really fun to see all the pictures. 🙂
Mainly because this was the only time I will be able to travel until after Abby arrives. My family is all 16 hours away 😦
Of course!! It’s hard when your family lives so far away. I had a small baby shower at 22 weeks because it was when my sister was visiting from overseas. Got to take advantage of those times! 🙂