Nuh Uh ... 24 Weeks?!!!!!

• How far along?: Yep ... that's right folks, I'm 24 weeks!!!
• Total weight gain: 13 pounds. Yuck! That was at my last visit though ... almost 3 weeks ago ... my next visit will be on the 19th ... this Thursday before my graduate faculty meeting ... we'll see where I stand then. I think its gonna be bad ... I'm not gonna lie ... "I don't miss no meals."
  
• Maternity clothes?: Happily wearing maternity shirts and jeans ... I feel attractive in them ... Not as much like a heifer ...
  

• How big is baby?: she's more than one pound (1.3 pounds) and is about 11.8 inches long! What a big girl!
• Stretch marks?: still nothing ... keep your fingers crossed ...
  
• Sleep?: A little better ... but good sleep is a thing of the past ...
  
• Best moment this week?: Walking in Target last week and she moved so strongly that it stopped me in my tracks ... it wasn't painful but definitely a "show stopper" ... I couldn't help but smile ...
  
• Movement?: Yep ... she's a wiggle worm ... she moves around all over the place ... definitely active
  
• Food cravings?: Just food in general ... LOL
• Labor signs?: Nope ... that wouldn't be good
  
• Belly button in or out?: still in ... again, lets keep our fingers crossed ...
  
• What I miss: Mojitos ... I don't even drink ... not really ... before I became pregnant ... maybe I'd have a cocktail at dinner once a month ... if that ... now, I'd kill for a mojito ...
  
• What I'm looking forward to: The arrival of our little lady & of course, maternity leave!
• Milestone: During my research ... I came up with the following:

How Big is the Baby at 24 Weeks Pregnant?
During pregnancy week 24 your baby is now more than one pound (1.3 pounds) and is about 11.8 inches long! As you track your pregnancy week by week from this point out your baby will resemble a tiny albeit complete little human being!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby continues to grow more proportional each and every day. During pregnancy week 24 her organ systems continue to mature as do the central nervous system, digestive system and even reproductive and circulatory systems. During a pregnancy at 24 weeks your baby's lungs are also starting to form little branches and will eventually start producing a substance called surfactant which happens closer to the time your baby's lungs start maturing.

The amniotic fluid surrounding your baby begins to increase in volume after about pregnancy 24 weeks. This continues until delivery when your uterus will hold up to 2 pints of amniotic fluid.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus continues to grow at pregnancy 24 weeks, now between 1 ½ and 2 inches above your belly button. Many women are surprised that people want to start rubbing their bellies as they start to show during pregnancy at 24 weeks and beyond. While some women don't mind, others feel uncomfortable. It isn't uncommon for perfect strangers to come up to you and rub your belly.

If it really bothers you, you can always tell them you are ticklish. Or head them off by patting your own belly that way your hand is in the way and may prevent them from reaching out to touch your belly without an invitation. Remember that babies tend to fill the world with joy, that's why so many people are fond of rubbing a pregnant woman's belly. Others believe there is luck to be had by rubbing a pregnant woman's belly... while this has yet to be 'proven' it certainly can't hurt!

Changes in You

Your baby has less and less room to move in your womb after you are about 24 weeks pregnant. You should be feeling strong kicks by 24 weeks pregnant, but gradually your baby's movements will start to seem slower and more rhythmic rather than all over the place. This is perfectly normal.

Though your baby’s first kicks and movements will seem random, gradually your baby will be kicking regularly. You should notice patterns of wakefulness and sleeping throughout the day. Enjoy each and every moment you have to enjoy your baby's gymnastics. It may seem hard to believe but you will miss the feeling of your baby moving around inside of you once you give birth.