Baby movement and a crazy week!

I've been feeling the baby's movements since about 17-18 weeks, and I wanted to write a post to remind myself (and any pregnant ladies who are reading this!) how normal it is for the baby to go through lazy days and active days when it comes to movement and kicking. I keep freaking myself out if she has a lazy day thinking something is wrong, and then the next morning she is back and kicking away.

Of course a few months ago movement was spotty and light, but it's picked up as Lila has gotten bigger. She can practically knock the air out of me now! But there have been days where I have barely felt anything and I get a little scared that something is wrong.

For example, this weekend we went home to visit family and friends in our hometown. On the car on the way there I was getting kicked so hard that I was about to cry! Then Saturday she was pretty calm - just a few kicks in the morning and night. Sunday I just wasn't feeling her much at all. She normally keeps me up at night around 1am and wakes me up with her kicks at 6 or 7. Sunday, nothing. Neil did say he got kicked in the morning though while I was sleeping, but I just wasn't feeling her like I normally do.

So all yesterday I kind of prodded and poked and shook my belly to get her to kick back. That usually works - I almost feel like I'm playing a game with her, but I guess it's more like taunting. Oops, bad mom already. Anyway, she wasn't responding to that or drinking orange juice and laying on my side. I tried not to freak out too much because I had felt some tiny movements but just nothing like I was used to.

Luckily I have my doppler so I can check her heartbeat, which was fine, of course. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't get too worried because last night before bed she gave me three big kicks and then I woke up to a belly dance routine this morning. She's even kicking away right now.

My point is, babies at this stage go through active days and lazy days. She's done this pattern before. She'll have 2 or 3 really active days with strong kicks throughout the day and then she chills for a few days without doing much.

Now that I'm in the THIRD TRIMESTER!! Baby's kicks will probably get a little softer as she runs out of room. I'm going to try to remind myself as long as I'm feeling some movement every day that she is fine. I'm just being extra cautious, which is okay, I think.

Anyway, this week is going to be crazy. Tonight is our first of four childbirth classes. I'm kind of nervous but excited to see what it will be like. After class I have to start fasting for my glucose test Tuesday morning. Then Wednesday is flu shot time. Add in going to work, a conference Friday and Saturday morning and Neil's finals week schedule and we are running everywhere this week.

So, I'm 27 weeks today! Officially out of the 2nd trimester and into the 3rd! I can't believe it. I'm not going to do my normal update this week, because not much has changed!

Best moments this past week:
Spending time with my family at our early Thanksgiving! I love them! Seeing Stephanie and Jenny this weekend - two of my childhood friends. Wish I could see them more! I also got to see and hold Jenny's 6-week-old baby Mekhi! He was so cute and so little. I had no clue how to hold him and I tried to burp him and did it all wrong. Ha! Jenny is such a great mom, it was so cool to how she is with her baby. She is a natural. I don't think I'll know what to do at all!

What's coming up:

Tonight: Childbirth class
Tues at 7:15am: Glucose test
Saturday: Thanksgiving with the Youngs :)
Next Tuesday at 2pm: 3D/4D ultrasound!!! Just scheduled it today!

...then real Thanksgiving and the start of Christmas season! I'm not planning on going all out and putting up my big tree and all my decorations this year, but I do plan to decorate when we get home after Thanksgiving. I'm so excited for Christmas this year!

I'll update later in the week with how the class and test go today and tomorrow. Oh I'm also really excited to hear about a couple other ultrasounds happening early this week!! It's so fun to have friends that are pregnant right now too. It's so exciting to see them go through this experience practically at the same time as me. I can't wait to hear how it goes and see pics! Have a great week everyone!