26 Weeks - Babymoon!

And we are back from our amazing babymoon! Instead of the usual belly picture update, here is one with a slightly different background :) I'm about 26 weeks and 3 days here. The belly grew significantly over the past 2 weeks. Now there is no mistaking, even strangers are now commenting and asking when I'm due. People will be very surprised at work next week, because I've been able to hide the bump so far...not anymore! I blame it all on all you can eat buffet:) He is now about 1 kilo (2 pounds) and 37 cm (14 1/2 inches) long - the size of a head of cauliflower. The baby kicks are getting stronger and stronger, but I still can't tell whether he is kicking with a foot, or hand, or if it's a hiccup - not sure how I'm supposed to tell the difference?

Words can't describe how relaxed and content we are with this fantastic trip, which was full of sunshine, celebrations and adventures. Oh, and lots and lots of food. I don't think we've ever eaten this much. The buffets at our resorts were so tempting, that we called every meal a "food battle" and almost always lost. We had a total of 40 of these battles, after each one we would roll back to our room to take a break. However, I don't feel too bad about all this, after all, it was baby Morris craving all this food and he got what he needed :)

Speaking of cravings, the biggest craving of the past 2 weeks - Watermelon. I had it with almost every single meal, including the snacks on the beach. It was pretty great.

I have to say, that none of the scary predictions about traveling while 6-7 months pregnant materialized: I read that flying would be "super" uncomfortable, that warm/hot climate would be unbearable, that I would swell from head to toe - none of this happened. I felt great the whole time. Of course the downside of traveling now was related to all of the limitations: no hiking, no diving, no exotic food or great looking seafood, except for grilled small fish, no dune surfing, no this, no that - everyone is just to scared to deal with a pregnant woman. We still managed to get past some ridiculous precautions and have some fun, within reason: we went on a great hike, took a trip into the desert, sat on a camel :)

Auntie Jenni gave us a challenge: to take a picture, where I'm buried in the sand, with only my belly showing. Toes and head were optional. We accepted the challenge and decided to go for the optional extra credit too.

While laying on the beach, I read 3-4 books about babies and how to deal with them. Of course, each author has their own opinion, that is completely opposite from the other: let the baby cry vs. don't let the baby cry, keep the baby warm vs. the cold will develop endurance and immune system, feed the baby at night vs. don't feed the baby at night, use the feeding bottles vs. don't use them because the baby will get lazy etc etc. This stuff is hard!

Still got some nice jumping pictures, this one is my favorite! The desert was one of the most impressive places I've ever seen!

But most importantly - we got some major chillax time, which is great for the baby. Here are some more pictures below, enjoy!

25 Weeks

We are super pumped about going on our "Babymoon" tomorrow for 2 weeks, so there probably will be a pause in my updates. We will be in Dubai for 4 days, celebrating Rob's Birthday, and then are flying to Seychelles for some much needed beach time. We are so incredibly excited, we can't stop talking and thinking about it.

Last weekend I visited my family in Moscow and met my new 6 month old nephew Sasha. I managed to practice putting on diapers and baby outfits - and that was quite a challenge :) The poor baby was content and smiling and then Auntie Maria tortured him with complete lack of skills, so he was not happy at all. But they say it will take very little time to get used to, so I'm not too worried

The baby kicks are now pretty strong and are visible from the outside - but I'm still yet to catch him on video.

See you when we get back!

24 Weeks

According to the pregnancy calendar, our little Bobs is officially "viable" now at 24 weeks, which means that he is able to survive outside the womb! Of course we want him to stay nice and cozy for the next 16 weeks, but it completely blows my mind.

The belly is growing, the pounds are slowly, but surely creeping up and, for the first time, a few people offered me a seat on the tube! I guess it's obivous now. The kicks are getting stronger and Rob was finally able to feel some of them - he giggles like a little kid (just like Grandma to be predicted) ! The baby moves around at random times during the day, but mostly when I sit or lay down, or after I eat. I haven't noticed him react to loud noises or different voices - hopefully this will happen soon? I really want to film my belly move, but haven't been able to capture his kicks on camera - he is so unpredicable!

Last week we went to John Lewis (London department store) and got educated on strollers and why some cost £150 while others cost £1000. We also got more goodies: an adorable baby bath robe, towel and accessories from Auntie Danni! Our bag of baby stuff is starting to get full :) We finally started a wish list at John Lewis and Amazon, so many things are required for this little person.

Finally, We can't wait for our babymoon in the next 2 weeks, I was so excited - I packed 10 days in advance! Tried out all of my summer clothes and regretablly discovered that only a few things fit...more reason for some shopping!