Once again I am a few days late. The truth of the matter is, there aren’t many new exciting updates on the pregnancy front (aside from the gross ones — see below) and it’s almost becoming a drag writing these weekly updates. HOWEVER, I know that there are readers who look forward to these posts AND I know that I will treasure them later down the road so I will do my best to keep truckin’.

This week is the last of the second trimester. I am not looking forward to the third trimester for various reasons (becoming a whale in this horrible heat & humidity, general discomfort, etc) but at the same time, grateful for each day that brings us closer to meeting our daughter. It is bittersweet to say the least.

A couple of days ago, I saw that my armpit bulges (fellow ladies are probably aware of this delightful phenomenon that is caused by armpit fat) were uneven. I first chalked it up to uneven weight distribution…but then my morbidity took over and I proceeded to squeeze the bulge.

What I discovered was a lump — and quite a large one at that. I was all ready to panic, then remembered that milk ducts can be present in the armpit and what I was feeling is most likely an enlarged milk duct. There is, of course, the possibility that it can be a tumor or even breast cancer. But I’m not too worried about it. My next OB appointment will be next week so I’ll just bring it up to the doc then.

Fortunately my breasts have not started leaking (yet). However, I have noticed another wonderful byproduct of pregnancy: BO.

While I tend to sweat like a pig, I have never had problems in the body odor department until now. I’m pretty sure it is related to my growing milk ducts, because the scent is not unpleasant. Rather, it almost smells…sweet. Not “sugary” sweet, but more like a cross between Asian yogurt drinks and plain crackers. TMI, I know, but I imagine that this is what my breast milk will taste and smell like.

As for the baby herself, most experts estimate that she weighs about 2 lbs and is 14 inches long at this point. At 26 weeks, she now has an 80-90% chance of survival if I were to suddenly go into premature labor. She continues to grow stronger every day — she even wakes up mommy with her sudden movements! And when I put stuff on my belly (ie, remote control), she’ll sometimes kick it off.

J and I still haven’t bought anything for the baby yet, spare for some cute onesies here and there. I keep reading about all these women who already have the nursery prepared and ready to go at a moment’s notice…I think it’s time to at least order the crib, since I read that some cribs can take up to 8 weeks to be delivered!