Week 26: Our Babymoon!
We just got back from our babymoon, and I am on a serious love high.
I love my husband. I feel like I drank this love potion where I am more in love than I knew I could be, and I can’t stop thinking about or looking at him with googly eyes. I found my perfect crazy match and I am so thankful for it. And now we get to bring a bambino into the world together too! I can’t wait.
(click on the images to view larger)
/<end gushing>
Our weekend was exactly what we needed, and I am starting to believe we are actually having a baby. Not only do we have a crib, but we even went on a babymoon! I share our babymoon in numbers over on Babycenter today.
Anyway, I am really, truly pregnant. I feel like my belly was still hiding out just waiting for the opportunity to completely overwhelm me, and out it came this weekend. Strangers made comments all day every day, and I found myself rubbing my belly absent mindedly on many occasions. Why do pregnant women do that? Whatever the reason, I can’t make it stop and I don’t want to stop. It is somehow really comforting to rub that belly in slow circles.
26 week pic:
Here is what Babycenter says about this week:
The network of nerves in your baby’s ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner’s as you chat with each other. He’s inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he’s born and takes that first gulp of air. And he’s continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you’re having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum โ a trip that will take about two to three days.
A few complaints… I, the traveling champion, was really uncomfortable in the airports and most especially on the planes. My seatbelt is normally set to the biggest length to allow lots of moving around in my seat, but with my big belly (and apparently extra large hips?) there isn’t that much room left. I couldn’t put my pillow on my tray and rest my head there because my belly got in the way. The lady next to us on the ride out was drunk and drank like 6 little vodka bottles on the flight and the smell of alcohol emanating from her body made me nauseous. In the airport, I silently cursed the airport engineers for making the bathroom soooo far away. In reality, it was a pre-pregnancy 2 minute walk for me. Rolling my suitcase made my belly feel weird, but luckily PB rolled it for me. I don’t know how I will do traveling alone at the end of the week. I relied a LOT on him to take care of me. Basically, things are getting harder now.
I don’t mind that things are getting harder, but it is weird to think that such small, basic tasks are a big challenge. In the airports I carefully considered my strategy as we walked to the gate, trying to minimize the walking I’d have to do in the terminal with my stuff.
This morning I left our house to run to the market before work to grab some fresh fruit and a couple of other items for the week. Only problem? I couldn’t find my car. I power walked for 30 minutes in my flip flops, sweat dripping off my face and from every part of my body before I had a Eureka moment and remembered where it was. When I saw my shiny Honda I almost cried with relief. I consider it my workout for the day although I never would have counted it before.
I’m not saying any of this to complain because in fact I find it rather comical and feel very blessed to be carrying this baby. I simply feel this strong desire to share every mundane detail with all of you like you need to know what this pregnancy business is all about. Through my eyes it is definitely an entertaining, comical, and sometimes sad experience.
I read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth this weekend, and there is so much I want to say on the topic. First, I think everyone should read this book (but first read Taking Charge of Your Fertility as that is a very educational one too). Second, I am kind of excited for labor. Is that weird? I just want to know what it feels like for myself and I can’t wait to see how I handle it. I asked PB to read Ina May’s book so we can discuss some things he can do to help me through labor, and he has agreed. We had a good long talk about why I don’t want an epidural or many other things unless they are medically necessary, and now I think he understands. I hope that when I go to my next doctor’s appointment he will understand too. I really hope our hospital will work with us. I am willing to do anything for the safety of my baby or myself, but I’d like to do it all as naturally as possible.
This weekend left me thinking about my mom even more than usual. I wish I could ask her questions about pregnancy, her first few days as a mom, how my dad was, etc. I can ask my dad or my nonna or my auntie, but it is not the same. My mother in law shares lots of stories about her pregnancy and PB as a baby, and I love them so much. At the same time, it also makes me feel an empty place in my heart where my mom’s stories should be.. right alongside those of my MIL. Even though I don’t know how my mom was during this time, I feel myself turning more and more into her. I don’t know if that sounds weird, but I just know it is true.
And to end on a happy note.. I feel like this baby is coming September 12th. That might sound nuts but I had a weird dream about that date and I also see that it is a full moon that day. Could it be? Only time will tell…
Random facts of the week:
Weight gained: no idea- will have to see next week!
Weeks until 3rd trimester: 1
Current cravings: very cold ice water. Bagels. Peaches. Blackberries. Greek salads.
Current craving I haven’t satisfied in way too long: a proper strawberry shake. Take me to Newport Creamery please!
Maximum consecutive hours slept: 5 (impressive, right?!)
Pregnancy books read this week: 2
Days I waddled: 2.4999, probably because of the oppressive heat
Braxton Hicks contractions: way too many before our trip. I need to drink more water and put my feet up more.
Weird pregnancy symptoms I am currently not willing to share: 2… errrr 3.
Laughter at my pregnant self, from myself or PB: tons. Pregnancy is really funny.
Baby stuff purchased this week: nothing!
I feel like the time is flying and before I know it (ahem 1 week!) I will be in my 3rd trimester! Off to take yet another cold shower to keep me cool…
For more pregnancy posts, check out the PhillyBaby tab on the left sidebar of my home page! And for some more pregnancy talk, visit my blog on Babycenter!
Previous weeks:
Week 25
Week 24
Week 23
Week 22
Week 21
Week 20
Week 19
Week 18
Week 17
Week 16
Week 15
Week 14
Oh, I’m so jealous- what a wonderful babymoon! I wish we had time to fit one in. You look gorgeous and are just glowing, and I totally understand the ‘in love with your husband’ feeling. Everyday I feel like I’m falling harder and harder for the handsome, giving guy I’m so lucky to have.
I haven’t had any Braxton Hick contractions yet- is that weird?!
I’m so glad you had fun on your babymoon! You are gorgeous and glowing!
The babymoon sounds great!
Do you have a list somewhere on here of the pregnancy/childbirth books you have read and recommend? I’d love to get recommendations!
@Meredith, I haven’t put together a list yet, but I will! For now let me share the following: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Baby Wise, What to Expect… I’ve read a few others but I can’t think of the names right now! I’ll share them when I find them ๐
Your babymoon sounds like so much fun!
Your babymoon sounds like so much fun! Where did you go?
@Ashley, We went to the W Fort Lauderdale. Basically I called Starwood (who owns the W and has a great points program) and asked them if any of their beachfront hotels had availability for that weekend to use with points. The W FL did so we booked it and that was that! The decision was made for us and it was just perfect!
@RhodeyGirlTests, Amazing! We travel off starwood points also! Love the amex card! We are hoping to book our honeymoon through our points as well. =)
@Ashley, YES!!! I want to start a Starwood Amex fan club I love it so much. I use that card for every purchase I can possibly use it for just to rack up points. We paid for as much of our wedding as possible (anyone who accepted CCs) on the Starwood Amex and then spent our honeymoon at the St. Regis Bora Bora. We didn’t use our points for the stay but we did get a bunch of free upgrades just for being (new) gold members. It was awesome.
Where do you want to honeymoon??
“I just want to know what it feels like for myself and I canโt wait to see how I handle it.”
I say the SAME thing!!! I can’t wait to just know – even if it is horrible. It’s a womanly bond or something.
You guys look stunning!
Glad y’all had such a nice trip! The pictures are adorable. I’m with you on the natural stuff…but I’m also a never say never gal…I just know the pain could be wayyy too much :). I haven’t read a single book about birth..I know, gasp! But I kind of think it’d freak me out more. I do better when I’m thrown into pressure filled situations without knowing too much about them first haha.
You and your husband are adorable…. I’m so happy for both of you.
I bet your mom is watching you now and so proud of you. You are going to be a great mother!
We are throwing around 2 ideas….Maldives or Thailand. I can’t sit on a beach for 10 days straight so I’m thinking we will do Thailand so we can do a couple days in Bangkok and the rest in a water villa on the beach to relax.
I have friends that stayed at the St. Regis Bora Bora for their honeymoons and they absoluetly loved every second of it.
I’m in for the SPG Amex Fan Club!! haha =)
You guys look so, so happy! I’m glad the babymoon was a successful trip. I often found myself rubbing my belly for comfort. It wasn’t like I was in physical pain or anything, but it just made me feel better to rub it. Strange, huh? I was the same way about just wanting to feel labor for myself. It wasn’t so bad at first, but I sure did feel it towards the end! Enjoy the last trimester. I think it was my favorite.
Looks like a perfectly fun and relaxing babymoon! Glad you guys had a good time ๐
You’re such a cute pregnant woman! Looks like your babymoon (and how fun is that!) was a success ๐ I’m not pregnant but have thought about becoming a doula so I love the pregnancy books. Baby Catcher is a great one!!
Awwww, Sabrina you are just too cute. I love reading your posts because you make the old crusty veteran mom in me remember what it was like to be pregnant the first time. All the changes, the wondering what labor is like, the excitement for your new little one. It’s all so precious and it passes you by so quickly. So, revel in it!
So glad you got to enjoy a weekend away together before baby arrives. Looks like you had fun. Just want to say… I felt like you w/#1 – ready to take on labor and do my best to go the natural route BUT don’t rule out an epidural. Don’t limit yourself. Be open minded to all possibilities because there is no way of knowing how labor will make you feel or how you’ll be able to handle what comes your way until then. I wish you the best of luck. Truly I do. I’ve already had two very drastically deliveries so just go into it with an open mind and be ready to work with what happens. ๐
Your babymoon sounds lovely! I am sure something like that, and just pregnancy in general, brings a couple closer together.
p.s. I am so excited you live in Philly! I love that city and live about an hour and a half away ๐ Will you be at HLS?
@Amanda @ The Beauty Notebooks, I will be at HLS as long as I don’t have a baby yet!! (it’s 4 weeks before my due date…)
That’s true..I hope to meet you there!
Beautiful post! You and PB look absolutely beautiful and full of love!
sabrina you two are seriously the most gorgeous, loving and fun couple I’ve ever met. LOVE this post! you seriously look amazinggg!
I’m not going to lie. This post made me teary eyed at work.
Haha.
You are fabulous.
You should definitely think about hiring a doula if you want to try to have a natural birth! I definitely couldn’t have done it without my doula!!!
@Liz, My Babycenter post tomorrow is asking about this very subject! We are on the fence right now about a doula.
You look incredible! It is nice to hear someone else who wants to do everything as naturally as possible when it comes to labor + delivery. I am definitely picking up that book before my beach vacation!
You look amazing! I am so glad you had such a magical time on your babymoon. ๐
Sabrina,
I saw your comment on How Sweet It is and knew you had to be a fellow Rhode Islander!! So exciting that you’ve transplanted, too!
Love your posts and updates on your baby – congratulations!! I went through my second and third pregnancies without my mother. To this day I have so many questions I’d love to ask her and it’s been almost 19 years.
Hugs and many blessings for a beautiful, healthy baby, and an easy delivery!
I’ll be back.
@Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking, Thank you so much for coming by and for sharing about your mom. I thought I had a lot of questions for my mom when I got engaged, but this is a whole new ball game.
Thanks again for your comment!
You are adorable! And I would totally ship you a strawberry Awful Awful right now! ๐
@Erin @ Big Girl Feats,
Erin, Send one my way too, please, but make it coffee!! Oh How I MISS those!!!
Good for you for wanting a natural childbirth. I also wanted natural for my first. I have had 2 babies – the first was natural and the 2nd I had an epidural. I love that women can go naturally, but I honestly had a MUCH better experience the 2nd time with the epidural. I was in so much pain with my first and my labor was very hard and very fast but with my second I felt like I was able to enjoy everything about the labor and delivery. I was miserable during the first one and my husband was too because he hated seeing me in so much pain. We have pictures of all of us laughing during a contraction for my second because that’s how good I felt. Just wanted to share. You will make the absolute right decision for you when the time is right. Also – we had a doula but only hired her to come to our house for labor/delivery coaching before I actually went into labor, we never had her at the hospital with us. I enjoyed the coaching she provided to us. Good luck!
Such a sweet post! I promise you, if you fell more in love with your husband on your babymoon, your heart will feel like it’s leaking joy when you have that wee one of yours. We’ve had three babies, two were natural and wonderful, the second one was an induction and an epidural and it wasn’t nearly as amazing as the other two. You can’t really ever know how you’ll feel until it happens, and either way I look forward to seeing you as a mama!
It looks like you had so much fun! And I really really really am sending positive thoughts your way on the no epidural thing. I tried. I said I was going to go natural. And it turns out that I am just not that strong. But I am amazed by women who do it. Good luck!
Love reading all of the details!! Sounds like things are going really well and that is too cute about falling more in love with your hubs! ๐
I laughed out loud at your random cravings…a strawberry Awful Awful from Newport Creamery! Love it!
I went home to see my parents in RI this weekend and had to have one. Nothing like them anywhere else
I’m inspired to go on a baby moon with my husband now. I think ill avoid the plane trip though. I also lost my mom a little over a year ago. I never understood any of the reasons my mom acted the way she did but now I do and I haven’t even popped out my son yet. I know exactly what your going through my dad barely seems to remember large details of my moms first pregnancy let alone the little things like how she felt. I miss her so. Your lucky you have yr husbands support. What keeps me strong is knowing how happy shed be to know of her first grandson. Stay strong and Congrats on yr boy!