[caption id="attachment_307" align="alignright" width="344" caption="This is a turkey - not my belly. Ew."][/caption]

My belly has definitely been getting plumper.� Wanna know how I can tell?� The bigger it gets, the shallower my belly button cavity gets.

It's kind of funny how much my belly button has been the topic of discussion between James and me lately.� At this point, if I squeeze the sides of it I can make it temporarily pop out.� Was that too much information?� Is this too weird?� We think it's hilarious.� And my research has proven we're not the only ones obsessed with the pregnant belly-button phenomenon.

James is truly looking forward to the day when my belly button pokes out from its little lair.� Although, this is probably because he thinks there will be an actual, defining moment when my belly button will suddenly burst free, making an audible "pop"ping sound.� Keep dreaming, James.� My belly button is not a turkey timer.� (Although the similarities between a baked turkey and a near-ready bun in the oven aren't too far-fetched!)

As for my bun's development this week, Baby Lump should be about 14� 1/2 inches long and weigh 2� 1/2 pounds.� What's even more exciting is, if born today, he/she would have a whopping 85% chance of survival since his/her lungs are now capable of breathing air!

Feel free to also join in on congratulating me on the completion of my second trimester.� It's all downhill from here ... that is, unless you count the whole natural birthing part.

Oven Timer: 27 weeks, 1 day

[caption id="attachment_218" align="alignright" width="199" caption="not me "][/caption]

I've been getting a lot of comments lately about how small my baby bump is relative to how far along I am.� After last week's post, my friend, Keith doubted there was any way a $5 footlong from Subway could fit in my belly.� Actually, I ate one the other day, so truth is, my mini belly can actually fit two!� Take that, Keith!

Seemingly, it's some kind of phenomenon.� I mean, check out the woman on the right compared to me - no wonder people think I'm a freak.� James laughs at me because I'll look at pictures on Baby Gaga of other women with similar due dates and get what he calls "belly envy" because I'm so much tinier than they are.

What's funny is that women who have had children keep saying how lucky I am to be so small at this point in my pregnancy.� The only problem is that my paranoid self keeps worrying something is wrong with Baby Lump, even though my doctor seems to think everything is normal.

[caption id="attachment_220" align="alignleft" width="219" caption="me"][/caption]

I am, however, secretly hoping my lack of bump means my baby will turn out to be one of those five and a half pounders instead of one of those bowling ball-heavy babies like James was.� (He was almost 11 pounds at birth!)� James laughs at me for thinking this, too.� Hey, I can dream ...

I'm pretty confident strangers can't even tell I'm pregnant.� At least, I haven't had any random people give up their seats for me on the train or pet my belly yet.� Although I'm thinking maybe the latter is a good thing.

In developmental news, Baby Lump won't really be getting any taller this week - just chubbier.� Keep thinking $5 footlong, just ask the sandwich builder to stuff some more meat in there.� Anyway, hooray for adorable baby fat weight gain!� This week alone, he/she will be gaining half a pound, totaling 1� 1/3 lbs.� In addition, rapid bone formation is occuring and Baby Lump's brain and nervous system continue to grow in complexity.

Another major milestone is that Baby Lump is now at the point of viability, which means if Baby Lump would pop out of the womb today, he/she would actually have a fair chance of survival (30%-70%!).� If born this week, Baby Lump would look something like this.� Can you imagine?� I have to start watching for signs of premature labor.� Yikes!

Let's just hope Baby Lump decides to bake for a while longer, shall we?

Oven Timer: 24 weeks, 2 days

Today is my parents' 32nd wedding anniversary.� Wowzers!� That's quite an accomplishment.� I was tempted to send them the following someecard:



Instead, I sent them one a little less sarcastic.� The one above definitely doesn't do them justice.� My sisters and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and loving set of 'rents.� I only hope I turn out to be as wonderful a parent as mine have been to me.

Tonight, mom and dad, I will toast to your awesome accomplishment (with sparkling cider, of course).� Congratulations!

Oven Timer: 23 weeks, 3 days

Just thought I'd keep you posted: James and I have been moving into our new apartment (we love it!) the past few days, and Comcast won't be able to install cable and Internet until Monday. This means that, sadly, I'll be unable to make any real blogging updates until then (thank goodness for my Blackberry though!). If I can't make it to an Internet cafe in the meantime, you'll hear from me come Monday.

For a fun, quick, little (big) update, James was able to feel the baby kick a little bit last night! Baby Lump must truly feel at home in our new apartment!

Don't worry, there are plenty of quirky food-baby analogies to come!

Oven Timer: 21 weeks, 1 day