Pregnancy with Norah: Weeks 26-27

These past two weeks have been so great. I am so grateful to carry this tiny miracle in my belly and feel her kick and punch on-and-off all day long.  We even got some somewhat exciting news at our appointment with the neurosurgeon.  Basically we have two options for her surgery, one being to place a shunt and the other being to do a newer "corrective" surgery.  We had no idea we had any option besides the shunt, which we would have been grateful for but shunts can come with a lot of complications.  We are praying through our decision and ask that you do the same.  We are pretty sure we know which surgery we are leaning towards but want to make sure this decision is guided by the Lord with His infinite wisdom... He knows what is best for Norah.  We want this decision to be His.

Overall the appointment with the neurosurgeon was very encouraging.  It was sort of strange sitting in a room with a row of doctors and nurses staring at you with your belly hanging all out... stretch marks and all (thanks Zoey).  They really seemed to be wonderful people who genuinely cared for the health of Norah and took their jobs very seriously.  I appreciated that.  God bless these people that take on the burden to handle these cases, what a heavy weight it must be to know parents are placing their child's livelihood in their hands.

Moving on... I can't believe I am one week away from my third trimester!  Holy Moly!  Here are some pregnancy facts:

• Maternity clothes? Same as last week... all maternity except lounge clothes.
• Movement? She is still just a'movin.  I can't tell if it is her hands or her feet but something has found my ribs, the top of my belly and my bellybutton.  Those little hands (or is it feet?) are so precious.  
• Sleep? Well, sleep was going better but then took a turn for the worse.  I sleep so lightly and Zoey hasn't been sleeping well so that makes for an exhausted lady right here.  My hips and legs hurt most all night long. There is no telling how many times I toss and turn.  
• Symptoms? We replaced the floors in a large portion of the house and just like that my allergies are soooo much better. I'm thinking the dust and pet dander that collected in the carpet was irritating me.  I am having tons of Braxton Hicks... well, tons in my opinion.  I don't remember having very many with Zoey but I have them at least once an hour with Norah.   
• Food cravings? This week is the first time this pregnancy that I have had an outright craving... Peanut M&Ms.  I am not even going to admit how many bags I have eaten.  :-/
• Labor signs? Nope, just lots of Braxton Hicks.
• Best moment of the week? Meeting with the doctors that will care for Norah after she is born.  It was just relieving to meet them and know there is a game plan in place.