29 weeks (December 25-31)

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

In other news:
Mike and I have both been off work this past week. It's been SO nice to have time to relax and not have the stress of work! We both still have one more week to savor and here's to hoping that it will go by slowly! :)

We celebrated Christmas at his sister's house on Monday night. Then we went to my mom's house on Wednesday and Thursday. We exchanged gifts there and then came back home to spend our last quiet Christmas Day at our house. Next year will be so much different, but I am totally looking forward to it! :)

For Mike: tickets to the Clemson bowl game (probably our last big trip before Brantley arrives!), the Jason Aldean CD, some socks and other clothes, a Clemson chair and a paper shreader (for us both).

For me: foot bath/massager, Clemson snuggie, body sprays, a baby calendar for Brantley's first year, gift card to get more maternity clothes (yay!), rechargeable batteries for my camera, and some clothes.

We also got some things for Brantley: some clothes, a diaper bag, mobile for the crib, playpen, and a few blankets.

We also went to see Yogi Bear in 3D. It was a pretty cute movie!!

Today, Summerville actually got a little bit of snow! It rained all night and then after church today, snow flurries starting falling. Nothing stuck on the ground but we had snow flurries for a while this afternoon. Then later on tonight, a little bit started to stick, but no big accumulation. At least it was pretty to watch! :)

28 weeks (December 18-24)

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

This week marks this first week of the third trimester! I can't believe I only have 3 more months left! This pregnancy has been very easy and I hope it continues to go that way. I had my glucose test this past week at my doctor's appointment. I haven't heard about my results yet though.

Since Mike and I are both on break for two weeks (YAY!), we hope to get some things done around the house to prepare for Brantley's arrival. And I also plan on getting some rest because I know that's one thing that I won't be able to do once he is here! :)

I hope that everyone has a blessed and wonderful Christmas with your families! Remember the reason for the season! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

Free?? Yes, please!

I love free stuff just as much as the next girl. So, when I was reading another friend's blog about receiving FREE Christmas cards from Shutterfly, I thought I would give it a try too!

I have sent out picture cards in the past but did not do so last year. Since I am pregnant this year, I wanted to show all of my out-of-town friends and family members by baby bump and I figured that picture cards would be perfect! In the past I have used other companies but this year I decided to try out Shutterfly because I know a couple of my friends have been very pleased with their products! And after browsing their site, I LOVED the Christmas card designs that they offer!

Since, I am expecting a little boy in March I know I will be using Shutterfly for many other picture related formats. I plan on sending out birth announcements , like these cute designs, when Brantley is born. I will also definitely need photo books made with all of the pictures that we will be taking as well as thank you cards to thank everyone for the great gifts!

I can't wait to finalize our Christmas cards for this year and get them sent out to friends and family and with this great offer, it will be it so much easier!! :) So, check out Shutterfly for all of your photo needs and be sure to send me a Christmas card too! Merry Christmas from me and Shutterfly! :)

27 weeks (December 11-17)

How our baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

My mom came to town this weekend to go Christmas shopping. I had my last class for this semester on Saturday morning and then we shopped for the rest of the day. Man, I was exhausted after all that! I was able to get a few presents but still have a few more people to buy for. This coming week is the last week of school for this calendar year. Can't believe that time is passing by so quickly!

Oh, we have also decided on a name. Drumroll please....Baby Smith will be Brantley Richard. We both liked Brantley for a first name and his middle name is in memory of my dad.

26 weeks (December 4-10)

How our baby's growing:

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 — a trip that will take about two to three days.

25 weeks (November 27-December 3)

How our baby's growing:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Thanksgiving was this week and we traveled to my mom's house to spend time with family. It was great to see everyone, including another pregnant cousin. She is 8 weeks ahead of me and is having a little girl! The food was also delish!! This was a super great time to be pregnant! :)