Week 28

*How far along?: 28 Weeks

*Total weight gain: 8.3 kilos - which is about 18 pounds

*How big is baby?: Sparky is (still) the size of an eggplant

Baby's lungs are mature enough that, if born right now, she has a pretty good chance of surviving (with help from medical technology). Her skin is still pretty wrinkly (one by product of living in amniotic fulid) but will smoothen as fat continues to deposit.

*Maternity clothes?: Oh yea - and even those are starting to get tight as the bump seems to be expanding in every direction now.


*Sleep?: Not great. I wake up at least once or twice a night, just from being uncomfortable. I do feel like I'm starting to get used to it though... I'm not too tired during the day, I guess my body's just getting me ready for Sparky's arrival. The maternity pillow I bought is helping a LOT though. However, last night was the first night I was woken up by indigestion - that lovely taste of acid in my mouth at midnight freaked me out - I thought I was about to be sick. But no, just needed a sip of water, then went back to bed. I read I should be propping my head up higher to sleep so that doesn't happen - so will do that from tonight.... just one more pillow to add to my pillow fort:)


*Best moment this week? Feeling Sparky hiccup for the first time!! On Thursday as I was waiting in the lobby for Murray so we could drive home from work, I felt some light movements. I started counting them, and they were quite close together, once I got up to 30 I thought hmmm I don't think these are kicks. Too many, too close together. Then I realised ahhhh this much be hiccups!! They continued on like that, every couple of seconds, for a few minutes. Poor Sparky - no fun to have hiccups! I was thrilled to feel that for the first time though:)


*Movement?: Sparky is starting to get quite strong. As of the last couple of days we can now see bits poking out (head, bum, arm - sometimes hard to tell), but if you touch it it feels quite firm, then he will move back like 'hey - don't poke me!' Also, sometimes when I gently push on an area where I can feel a limb, he will give me a kick back. So bizarre to feel body parts now - but good to know/feel that he is getting so strong (just keep out of my ribs please - ouch)!


*Food cravings?: Mexican is a pretty consistent craving (burritos, enchiladas, yummmm). But other than that, nothing in particular:)


*Labor signs?: Too soon for that


*Belly button in or out?: Still a flattie


*What I miss: Hmmm nothing really - I'm loving this stage:)


*What I'm looking forward to: I am looking forward to seeing my doctor more often from next week. Will be great to hear Sparky's heartbeat every other week and know that everything is ticking along well!


*Milestone: This is the last week of my 6th month! Only 12 weeks to go until my due date - wow - time flies!


*Feelings this week:

*So the conclusion of the poll last week - 27 people voted - 70% say boy, 30% say girl.
I will put it out there and say Murray and I really don't have a clue, but we are both leaning towards girl. He had a vivid dream where Sparky was a girl, and I am basing my guess on the fact that every Chinese gender predictor I look at online says girl. We shall see!

*This week was kind of 'body maintenance' week for me. I had a skin cancer check (we go every 6 months) and the lady said I had the best skin she's seen all week. It was a very 'exposing' experience though with my big stretched belly on display, but good to have a check over. She asked if I had lived in Australia all my life - when I answered no she said 'but you have an Aussie accent?' Ummm no I don't - ha ha - ask anyone who knows me - I still sound American.

I also went to the dentist this week - ouch that was painful. He kept apologising as my gums were so sensitive, I guess it's that extra 40% of blood pulsing through my veins - including my gums. But again, it was nice to have a checkup, and nice to get a good cleaning:)

Also I'd just like to wish a BIG congrats to our friends Beth & Mike on the arrival of their second son Blake this weekend. CONGRATS to you two and Tommy - we wish you all the best :)