26 weeks

26 weeks down, 14-ish to go! Two more weeks until trimester three. Time is really flying now. Tonight we had our first Bradley birthing class. It was an introductory class and we were given exercises we should be doing daily including squats, butterflies and, of course, kegels. I just asked Graeme what he thought and I quote "it was fine." I think later classes will have more information, and I'm looking forward to it.

This week I've been having some back aches, as if my ribs are stretching, which they are. Still some sciatic pain, and the heartburn continues. But energy levels are great, Baby Texan continues to kick me frequently, and the belly continues to grow. I'll get a photo shortly.

This week:
- She may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm).
- To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
- Air sacs in the lungs form now.
- Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
- Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, her eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week.
- Retinas begin to form.
- Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
- Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.