third trimester

Today I'm 28 weeks pregnant. That shouldn't be a surprise to me, yet I can't even believe I'm typing those words. The first weeks and months of this pregnancy were long, and the last 2 months have literally flown by. I am getting more to the point of being "done with pregnancy" and ready for this babe to be here… although I am trying not to wish these tiny baby kicks away because I know I will miss them.

28 Weeks:
gender: girl
baby's name: surprise! I think we have it narrowed down to 2 (I haven't even told 1 person. This is a. miracle.)  
baby's size: 2 1/2 pounds, and around 14 inches long  
food cravings: depends on the day. Nothing too crazy… still loving a bowl of cereal  
food aversions: about the same as before I was pregnant
sleep: it's getting harder to get comfortable, (and get out of bed!)  but as long as the girls sleep, I'm sleeping great  
movement: all the time! In the evening she is the most active
maternity clothes: I am loving light weight linen shorts, and v-neck t-shirts. It's been HOT the last few weeks. and I hate to be hot, so although I normally don't love shorts I've been wearing them all the time.
morning sickness: rarely anymore!

Last night I put a few things in her nursery.

Jude was born at 28 weeks + 1 day into the pregnancy, so tomorrow I am officially the most pregnant I've ever been. Being 28 weeks means that this baby has a great chance of survival even if she would be born now. I am so thankful to be wading in uncharted waters, and that this part of pregnancy is all new to me.  Nothing to compare it to. No more, "remember when"s, or "at this point"s. I am so thankful to be able to have a part of this pregnancy that is all new to this baby girl, and hopefully only full of the best memories. As excited as I am to meet her, she has 2 big sisters who are even more excited I think. They have affectionately named her "cuckoo loca", and I'm starting to worry that nick name may stick!

Lola is 2.

Although you love to eat, you never stop running… and you only weigh 22 pounds.
You're the messiest kid I've ever known.
You are fascinated with anything with a lid, a buckle, a zipper, or a latch. You refuse to have help when you want to tie/open/close something and although you are very clearly frustrated when you can't do it, you are incredibly determined and eventually you figure it out.
You had your first real haircut the week of your birthday, and you enjoyed the sucker very much.
You're the happiest child I've ever met. and sometimes the most dramatic.
You talk in sentences, and say new things every day.
You ask me every morning if you can "put Nike on". (you want to wear a pair of blue Nike athletic shorts)
You wear size 18months tops, 12 month bottoms, and size 4 shoes.
Your hair is soft, and curly. and you hate having it combed about as much as anything in the world.
You love to do "the hotdog dance" at the end of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
You tell me (and everyone you see) that you want to go to Preschool.  "I go to preschool. Like Larkin does".
You have a pink blanket, and pacifier that you won't sleep without.
You have grown into a little girl right before our eyes in the last couple of months.
You want to do everything Larkin does, and you hate to be away from her for even a few minutes.
You finally have teeth! and even have 4 of your molars now.
Your favorite things to play with are dolls, trains, and books. (You want to look at books yourself, not have them read to you)

You keep our lives very interesting Lola Renne. You pick locks, hide, and escape in silence. But you give the best hugs in the world, and have such a sweet side. Your determination is going to so fun to watch as you grow up. No one will ever tell you you can't do something you set your mind to. You are so full of personality, are so expressive, and are so full of joy. I have been told many times this summer when we are out and about, "She just loves life"… and you do.  I could never have imagined how blessed I would be to get to be your mom, and we thank God for putting you in our family. We love you so much, bug!