26 Weeks

Baby’s Size: Cucumber

Baby’s Milestones: Baby is about 9 inches long and weighs about two pounds. Baby's eyes are beginning to open. Baby's brain-wave activity is also kicking in this at this stage in fetal development, which means our litle one can not only hear noises but can now respond to them.

My Weight: 159.8 (up almost 10 pounds from my starting weight and about 3 from last week. This is definitely my biggest weight gain so far!)

Symptoms: My upper back and neck have been really sore. I haven't noticed any swelling in my hands this week, but my feet looked a little swollen a couple of times. I have had some slight cramping this week and my hips feel really sore quite often. I am still having trouble falling sleeping and I still can't sleep in on the weekends to catch up on the low amount of sleep I get during the week. I have had a few headaches again this week. I've also had indigestion/heart burn occassionally, which is not pleasant, but overall I am still feeling pretty good.

Cravings: No real obvious cravings this week.

TP: 10

Measurements: Waist: 35  Below Belly Button: 38

Emotions: I have been a bit teary again this week, similar to how I was in the first trimester.  

Feeling the Baby:  Little baby has really been having fun using my bladder as a punching bag. He usually sits really low and constantly kicks my bladder. Those movements can be really uncomfortable, but when he is in a good position and kicking my middle stomach area I absolutely love feeling him move. 

Mother's Day (Mother~to~Be Day)

This year we didn't get to spend Mother's Day with my mom. Don't worry we sort of celebrated last weekend and we are celebrating some more next weekend. I did however wake up to a nice surprise. Many of my family and friends wished me a Happy Mother's Day! Some people say that you aren't technically a mother until you give birth, others say you aren't technically a mother until you care for a child and other's believe the moment you conceive you become a mother. Well, I know I haven't experienced the sacrifices, hardships and indescribable joy you experience once your child is born and you care for them, but I will say that I definitely changed the day I found out I became pregnant and I have felt like my baby's mom since that day. Whatever your opinion is, it sure felt good to receive so many kind wishes and to have a mini-celebration of my mommy journey so far. I can't believe next year I will officially be in the Mom Club and will celebrate mother's day with my sweet little boy.

Here are some of the texts and facebook messages I received from family and friends. Thanks for making my Mommy~to~be Day so special.

happy mothers day!!! i hope you are having the best day ever! little baby campbell is going to have the best mom ever!!!! xoxoxo-Lauren Ballard

Happy Mothers Day Crystal!! My little nephew has the best momma around and I know he is gonna be one happy little boy because of you! Xoxox-Sabrina

Happy 1st Mother's Day mommy to be! Next year your sweet little boy will be here to celebrate!! I know you will make a great mom! Love you! xoxo-Mom

I know this day is a bit more special to you now! Happy Mommy's Day!-Brittany Watson

Happy mothers day, almost mommy!-Rachelle Bell

Happy almost Mother's Day!-Dad

Happy mother's day, momma to be! xoxo-Ashley Dyer

Happy mommies day Crystal! Cant wait for the little one to be out! Love you!-Yesenia Walter

Happy mother's day! It's technically your first time to celebrate but imagine how special it will feel next year - you'll be a mommy! <3 -Rebecca Grover

Lakers Playoffs Round 1 Game 7

On Saturday, May 12th, Nic and I went with friends of his Derek and Denise to game 7 of the first round of the Playoffs. We had a great time and thankfully the Lakers won.

25 Weeks

Baby’s Size: Eggplant

Baby’s Milestones: Baby is about 9 inches long and weighs more than a pound and a half. Baby's skin is turning pinker because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Blood vessels are also developing in baby's lungs, bringing him one step closer to full maturity and taking his first breath of fresh air. Baby's nostrils, which have been plugged until now, are starting to open. This actually allows our little one to begin practice breaths.

My Weight: 155.8 (Almost up 6 pounds)

Symptoms: My upper back has been hurting quite a bit this week. I'm still getting occasional leg cramps and my legs also get numb on occassion. I'm still taking my rings off at night as a precaution, but they always slide right on in the morning. I am still having trouble with sleeping and on top of that I have felt extra tired this week (baby must be growing). I have also had a few headaches this week. I must say though, overall, I am feeling really good.

Cravings: I'm still on my ice cream kick!  

TP: 10

Measurements: Waist: 34½  Below Belly Button: 37

Emotions: I had two teary moments this week. Moment #1- While we were waiting for our 4D ultrasound Friday we could hear the group in front of us in the room. When they found out the sex of the baby the entire room (about 10 people) erupted in cheers and one shouted "It's a Boy!" Then the big brother (who was wearing an adorable big brother shirt) said, "It's a Baby!" in the cutest little toddler voice. It totally choked me up. Moment #2- Nic read the baby the book Love You Forever on Sunday night. That book has always got me a bit emotional, but now that I am going to be a mom to a little boy, it really got me. I totally started crying.

Feeling the Baby:  Nic finally felt the baby move Saturday night! :) He has been moving a ton this past week and I'm so happy Nic could finally feel him.

Kings Playoff Game Round 2 Home Game 2

On Sunday, May 6th, my mom, Sabrina, Nic and I went to the Kings Game 4 in the second round of the Playoffs. We have a bunch of free food coupons (because of the lockout) so we went to the restaurant. It was delicious. The Kings won and swept the series! It was so exciting! I can't remember the last time the Kings did this well in the Playoffs!! I am so happy our team is doing so well and am hoping they can go all the way!

Nicole's Shower

On Saturday, May 5th, my mom, Sabrina and I went to our cousin Nicole's shower. She is having a baby girl in June. We got to catch up with a bunch of our cousins and meet a few new family members. My cousin Amy and I are both due in August (about 6 days apart) so it was fun for us to see each other and compare bellies. After the shower, we went back to Buy Buy Baby to check out strollers some more. Then we grabbed dinner at Islands and saw a movie. It was a really fun day!

First 4D Ultrasound

On Friday, Nic, my mom, Sabrina and I went to Insight 4D Ultrasounds , which a friend of mine recommended, for a 4D ultrasound. I was excited for it all week and Nic and I both kept reminding the baby not to do his usual pose where he blocks his face with his arm so we could get a good glimpse of him. I was also slightly nervous that we might be disappointed like we were with the quality of the last ultrasound images or that he wouldn't be cute (one of our more recent ultrasound pictures was a bit scary looking). The room was huge and had couches, chairs, footrests and an almost movie theatre size tv screen on the wall. The first thing the girl did was let us all hear baby's heartbeat. She recorded his heartbeat and put it in a giraffe for us to take home. Then she confirmed the gender. I had read about so many people finding out that their baby's gender was different from what they had originally been told that I wanted that confirmation to feel confident before preparing the nursery, etc. We were all relieved that he was still a he and we all agreed that his boy parts were much more obvious this time. Then we got to see his face and my heart just melted. He is the absolute cutest little baby I have ever seen. He has really big lips and an adorable button nose and the most gorgeous profile! He is also impressively flexible. He had both his legs up over his head and was holding on to his foot. His little foot and his hand were so amazing to see and were actually quite big, in fact not surprisingly, all his limbs look very long. He was moving around a ton, but at one point he returned to his favorite resting position with his arm up by his head. He has done this at every single ultrasound! The entire ultrasound was about 30 minutes and we all loved every second of it! We decided that he had Sabrina's lips, Justin's nose and overall he looked a lot like Oliver (especially from certain angles). I am so in love with my little man and am even more excited now to meet him! He is just perfect and we all love him SO much!!!

Aren't these images amazing?!! We are so in love and can't wait to meet our little guy in August!

Kings Playoff Game Round 2 Home Game 1

Sabrina flew into town on Thursday and went to the first Kings home game of the second series of the playoffs with my mom, dad, and me. The Kings were playing the St. Louis Blues and already led the series 2-0. It is so exciting that the Kings have made it this far in the playoffs and the atmosphere has been incredible at Staples Center. The Kings ended up winning the game so they now lead the series 3-0. Pretty impressive seeing as they are the number 8 seed and the Blues are the number 2 seed. I've been having so much fun at these Kings Games and am so excited for my team; I hope they keep on winning!!

Dinner with Tri Delts

On May 2, I met some of my sorority sisters in LA for dinner. Our friend Tera was visiting from New York, so it was the perfect excuse to get together. Amy, Tera, Miri, Kat and myself had a fabulous time. It was so fun to have a night out and catch up with some great girls.

24 Weeks

Baby’s Size: Ear of Corn

Baby’s Milestones: Baby is about 8½ inches long and weighs more than a pound. His face is almost fully formed, with the exception of fat that will be piled on under his skin before he makes his debut. The skin is still very transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones and blood vessels.

My Weight: 155.8 (Almost up 6 pounds)

Symptoms: My back still hurts occasionally. I've also started getting occasional foot and leg cramps. I've also started taking my rings off at night because some nights my hands swell a bit. I am still having trouble falling asleep, but I've been sleeping through the night better, although, I woke up early both days over the weekend. :/ 

Cravings: I am really on an ice cream kick at the moment. I've been having a few scoops of cookies and cream every night. YUM!!

TP: 10

Measurements: Waist: 34½  Below Belly Button: 37 (This is the first week I realized I no longer really have a waist. It is usually pretty obvious where I should measure, but this week, I had no idea.) I had a Dr. Apt. on Tuesday and my fundal height was exactly 24, so I'm measuring perfect. I can also no longer see my toes when I look straight down, so the baby and my belly are definitely growing.

Emotions: My emotions have been very stable this week. No crying or anger, just this constant overwhelmed feeling. We have SO much to do and not a lot of time before baby gets here so that has made both Nic and I feel a bit stressed.

Feeling the Baby:  Baby's movements became significantly more intense over the weekend. I've tried to have Nic feel him move, but whenever Nic puts his hands on my belly he stops moving. Nic did get to see my belly move on Saturday though, which was really cool (and sort of weird/creepy looking at the same time). Feeling my little guy move all the time is an incredible experience and it definitely makes everything more real.

Lakers Playoff Game

On April 29th, Nic and I met Tyler and Laura at the 1st Laker Playoff Game of the season. The Lakers played the Denver Nuggets and won easily. It was fun to spend time with Tyler and Laura, especially since we don't get to see them very often.