Trucking Along at Week 24

Baby Hami is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. BabyCenter says that puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

I am gaining a pound a week and thanks to playing tennis and walking every once and a while I am feeling pretty good physically. My appetite hasn't changed too much...(I have always loved eating!! haha!) but I think I have been able to keep most of my cravings in check. I got a nice compliment from Linc's friend on Sunday night who said I was looking really good and he was glad I wasn't like other pregnant women he knew and had let myself go! For him to comment on my looks in a positive way is a huge compliment in itself so I was feeling pretty proud afterward! hahaha

So far, the hardest part about being pregnant is definitely sleeping and I find that my legs go numb after laying on my sides all night. Linc still finds me on my back occasionally when he comes to bed and forces me to roll over but I have enough pillows on the bed that even when it happens I am sort of propped up. I also get leg cramps from pointing my toes under the covers and wake up every once in a while with a nasty Charlie Horse. I have been sleeping for longer periods at night though, and can usually make it til morning before having to go to the bathroom. It probably doesn't hurt that I get up at 5am!

Week 24 Highlights:

• It's V-Day/Week! Baby H has a 40-70% chance of survival now if he decided to come early. But don't get any ideas here little man...we're not quite ready for you yet and I would love for you to keep cooking a while longer!
  
• Baby H is much stronger now and I have been feeling his punches and kicks more regularly. Just today I saw him move from the outside! It was really neat. Sorry hus! Your time will come! Poor Linc still hasn't even gotten to feel him move. The baby seems to settle down every time I grab Linc's hand.
  
• I clocked internal movement one day and found that Baby H was wiggling around every four hours. I wonder if he is already on his own little schedule in there?
  
• I had my glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes today. She had to take a second vial of blood to check my iron levels...something about my low blood pressure, but I am not sure how those two correlate. My midwife said I am looking awesome though, everything is measuring right on track, and Baby H's heartbeat was nice and strong. Our next two appointments will be pretty routine and unfortunately there won't be anymore ultrasounds unless something goes wrong.
  
• I am coming to terms that my "innie" will soon be an "outie." It's gotten more and more shallow as the weeks have gone by!