24 weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: Month 5 (21w - 24w)– Baby is the size of a papaya, 10.5 - 12 inches long and weighs about 1 - 1.5 lb.

Peyton’s growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. Since he's almost a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Maternity Clothes: Yup – maternity pants only though. I love them. I told a friend who is still struggling with her normal pants and a belly band, just take the plunge.

Weight Gain: I didn’t hop on the scale this morning – I was too tired. But I think I’m up 8-9 lbs.

Belly:

Stretch Marks: None so far.

Sleep: Sleep is sleep. I long for it, but no longer look forward to it because I know I will be tossing and turning all night.

Best Moment of the Week: C saw my belly move with a kick from Peyton.

Movement: She is moving, but not as much on a schedule anymore. But C FINALLY felt her kick for real. He was so cute and so excited.

Symptoms: Swollen Hooha is rearing her ugly head again and I swear I have major allergy like symptoms. I sneeze ALL. THE. TIME. Doesn’t help that I pee a little each time I sneeze. I’ve been good though – I know to cross my legs really tight or if I’m alone hold my crotch. LOL. I’ve been getting leg cramps in the middle of the night. Not fun.

Food cravings: No more consistent cravings. Gender: My little Miss Peyton.

What I Miss: Sleep.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Registering. My baby shower date is set and C is out of town for a few weeks in March, so we are going tomorrow. Also it’s suppose to be 70 degrees tomorrow … I need some warm weather! YAY!

Weekly Wisdom: I saying this again –drink water because I keep waking up with leg cramps. OUCH!

Milestones: We have made the viability mark!!! Meaning if I were to go into labor they would take measures to stop it and monitor the baby. And god forbid if she came now, she would have a 60% chance of surviving.

Emotions: Still all over the place. But I recover fairly fast. So that’s good.