26 weeks - I aten't dead...

I completely missed my 25 week update. This time last week my cough had developed into a sort of nasty catarrh-riddled flu-ey virus that had completely knocked me for 6. I spent three days pretty much asleep on the sofa, or coughing (and then whimpering). On the fourth day, I went into work for a few hours, then came home and went back to sleep on the sofa with a cold cloth over my forehead. Then I slept for most of Friday as well.

The good news is the cough finally seems to be subsiding, although it's still making it's presence known occasionally. The time off also gave me time to observe a new aspect of pregnancy - froglet is actually kicking hard enough now that my belly moves! Very odd...

If, by some miracle, froglet arrives on his due date, I have 98 days of pregnancy to go, only 22 of which are work days. I've managed to use my annual leave to take most of the Fridays between now and Christmas off, and after Christmas I have two weeks solid annual leave and then maternity leave starting in mid January.

I can't wait. I am *so* over walking a mile to the station, sitting on a train full of germ-riddled commuters for almost an hour, then walking a mile and a half to the office, doing a full day at work, walking a mile and a half to the station, sitting on a train full of the same germ-riddled and now sweaty and grumpy commuters, then walking a mile home from the station every day...

According to http://www.babycentre.co.uk/ :

Measuring your baby from top to toe with her legs extended, she is probably about 36cm. She weighs a little more than 760g. Your baby's eyes begin to open around now. Her response to sound grows more consistent towards the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to her ears is complete. She may be able to hear you and your partner chatting. Your baby also continues to take small breaths, getting plenty of practice for when she's born. It's all preparation for when she takes that first gulp of air.

Since your baby is now growing so fast, and brain development is so intense at this stage, your nutrition is very important. Continue to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of grains and vegetables. Fibre-rich foods, including whole-grain breads and cereals, lentils and brown rice are high in vitamin B and help fend off constipation.

Your antenatal classes should start some time in the next few weeks, if they haven't already. Classes should provide you with good, clear information about the birth and the early days of parenthood. Keeping informed goes a long way towards calming any concerns you may have about giving birth.