26 Weeks and Trapped

We have hit 26 weeks today! That means only one more week until the third trimester starts. Here is what babycenter.com has to say about what's going on this week:

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.

We're pretty sure he weighs more than a pound and two-thirds by now, but I buy that he's getting long. It's very interesting to feel him move more often with more subtle movements, not kicks or punches. It feels like he's stretching out and trying to find the boundaries of his little world. Dan has started to feel the stretching movements too which is fun for both of us!

I'm going to add more info on how Baby Boy is growing from 3dpregnancy.com:

Deep breath! Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (technically called alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing. Other highlights this week:

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see you with. Well not you, per se, because his eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed.

Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. He can't understand what any of it means yet, but he's on track to comprehend an entire episode of Blue's Clues in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. One hint that your karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the best would be when the baby starts banging on your gut. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

So now about the "Trapped" part of today's post title. We're stuck in our house because of snow! We bought a new car right after Thanksgiving (a Hyundai Santa Fe) for just this situation. It snowed and roads are icy, and in case we need to go somewhere, the Santa Fe is a better option than my rear-wheel drive car. Right? Apparently not. When Dan went out yesterday morning to start the car, it wouldn't. Not only would it not turn over, but it didn't even try. The power door locks didn't work or anything. We called Roadside Assistance and they sent someone out to jump the battery. But it wasn't the battery. So then we called back to get a tow to the dealership but of course with the weather, there weren't any tow companies that could come help us. We kept our names on their list, and at 9:30 this morning, a tow truck showed up! Granted, his tools were iced shut and the first set of trailer wheels had a flat, but Dan and the driver just left to take our car in. The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that we bought the car specifically to use right now, and this is when the car fails us! The dealership is lending us a car to use until they can figure out what's wrong with ours, so maybe we won't be stranded for much longer. I know Dan's been suffering from cabin fever and there are only so many games of Scrabble he can school me on before we both go a little batty. The good news is that I've been able to rest a lot and keep my legs elevated. That seems to be helping with my swelling. We haven't been out of the house since Wednesday evening, so even though there wasn't room for me in the truck, I'm glad Dan's getting the chance to get out and about. Hopefully we'll have a chance to get to the store today before part two of this storm rolls in this afternoon. I'm okay with another few inches of snow, as long as we don't lose power.

Man, and I used to love the snow...