Friday, April 12, 2013

24 Weeks (6 Months)


How far along? 24 weeks (viability week - if the baby were to be born at this point, there would be a chance of survival)
Size: Ear of corn (1.3lbs and 12 inches long)
Maternity clothes? Nothing new - still mixing and matching, although it is becoming a lot more difficult to wear normal clothes and takes some creativity!
Symptoms: Still having back pain, but I feel so much better this week compared to last week. I have gained a few pounds and am feeling it! Good to know he is growing, but it's harder to move around and so weird feeling this big. Better get used to it! 
Wrinkly arms
Sleep: Much better than last week. I slept through the night three nights in a row - amazing.

Best moment this week: Spontaneous date nights with Robert. Neither of us has taken the initaitive to do the grocery shopping this week, which has led to impromptu date nights. Don't mind if we do! <-- maybe this the where the extra poundage is coming from, hah! Also, yoga. I am becoming obsessed with my prenatal yoga classes and am sad thinking I won't be able to go anymore once the baby is born! The studio I go to has mom and baby yoga, but something tells me that's just not the same.
Warm walks after work
Worst moment of the week: It's been a pretty good week - no complaints.
Miss anything? Fitting into clothes - now that everything else is getting bigger, it's harder to get dressed.

Movement: Lots - although there were a couple of days where he didn't move much. He came back in full force and let me know he was okay. I've heard this is totally normal so I am not too worried about it.

Food cravings: After a long walk in the sun yesterday, I was craving a big bowl of cereal so we stopped by on our way home and grabbed a few boxes :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes. This week has been a rather large week, too. Looks like I need to pick up some new clothes...I resorted to wearing a maxi dress to work, out of sheer laziness/comfort. Probably not something I should get used too! Here is a comparison between 14 weeks and 24 weeks.

14 weeks                                                                                    24 weeks
Labor signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Inny-flatty, depending on the day. Robert is fascinated by it.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat on Monday - we have our 24 week check-up. Also getting excited for our trip to Cabo in two weeks. I can't wait to lounge in the sun and relax for a few days!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6OfvBM1aXw8/UTZx_Z3zUgI/AAAAAAAAEkU/C22PHfOAFfM/24a-corn-open%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800
What is the baby up to?  
  • He is now gaining around 3 ounces a week.
  • He weighs about 1.3 pounds and is 12 inches long.
  • The eyelids can be seen very clearly.
  • If born at this stage is officially considered viable, he may well be able to survive (this is very exciting). 
The lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree and cells that produce surfactant. This is a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily and also keeps the small air sacs in our lungs from collapsing. He practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into developing lungs.Baby gains about 3 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs. The body begins to fill out with its appearance increasingly becoming more like that of a newborn. Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste (wonder what he thinks of kale juice).
Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of the hands has improved as they sucks their thumb. Over the next week or so, the sweat glands will be forming in the skin. 



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