Sorry, guys. I totally dropped the ball on getting this post out on time! I was on a lovely week long vacation at my parent’s house on the lake, and I was too lazy and relaxed to post anything last week.

Now I’m back in business, so I figured I should get this out before I run into week 28!

My vacation was perfect. I had super hot weather, which was great for the lake, and when it was too hot to be outside (the humidity was pretty bad) I went shopping with my mom at the MOA. I got a cute little maternity tube dress that I love, plus some fall essentials like sweaters and jeans. Geoff was there with me for the first few days, and we went out on the boat a lot and even managed to squeeze in a trip to the famous Nelson’s Ice Cream shop in my hometown, where a “child size” ice cream is bigger than my head.

Here are a few photos from my trip:

This week according to What to Expect:

Your baby moves on to a whole new growth chart this week, while your swollen feet and ankles may need a growth chart of their own!

Your Baby in Week 27 of Pregnancy

For a baby, it’s time to trade in the old crown-to-rump measurement for a new head-to-toe standard. So what are your baby’s stats this week (which, coincidentally, is the end of the second trimester)? Fifteen inches — more than a foot long — and triple (or even quadruple) what it was in week 12. His weight is creeping up the charts as well, coming in at just over two pounds. More big news: Your baby may recognize your voice by now, so feel free to serenade your belly (start learning those lullabies!).

Your Body in Week 27 of Pregnancy

Puffy? That’s to be expected — about 75 percent of soon-to-be moms experience edema (mild swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles) around this point in pregnancy. That’s because fluids build up in your body tissues thanks (or no thanks) to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on the vena cava (the large vein that cycles blood from your lower limbs to your heart). So while you may have a hard time squeezing into shoes or getting your rings on (or off), keep in mind that the puff factor is completely normal and temporary.