Week 24

*How far along?: 24 weeks

*Total weight gain: 6.5 kilos - which is about 14 pounds

*How big is baby?: Sparky is (still) the size of a papaya

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long, 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.

*Maternity clothes?: Yup - I tried on a bunch of my t-shirts this weekend & nothing will fit over the bump now (without a lot of skin showing at least!)!

*Sleep?: Not too bad lately, although Sparky has started kicking later in the evening, as well as throughout the day (not a good habit Sparky - night time is sleep time! And yea I know I'm kidding myself in that respect). Lately I can even feel Sparky kicking when laying on my side which is new (before it was only when I was laying on my back). I guess he's getting nice & strong!

*Best moment this week? Celebrating my 31st b-day with Sparky:) I think he enjoyed the cake & cupcakes!

*Movement?: SO much movement this week - I really felt like I could feel some somersaults.

*Food cravings?: Nothing specific - although I did buy a MASSIVE jar of pickles - Murray said it was the size you could keep a head in - ha ha. It's not really that big, but I figure we'll eat them before long anyhow (on toast with peanut butter is heaven - and no this isn't a pregnancy thing, I have always liked that - ask Grandma Sis - she used to ask me when I was a teen why I was eating such a weird combo, but it's GOOD!! Even my husband agrees!)

*Labor signs?: too soon for that!

*Belly button in or out?: Eeeeek on it's way to becoming and outtie now! Still quite flat - but starting to slightly poke out!!

*What I miss: I miss being able to stretch out my legs & feet in the morning to stretch when I wake up. I have to remember not to do that now as it makes my calves cramp up which really hurts!!

*What I'm looking forward to: moving into my sixth month of pregnancy next week!

*Milestone: Well I don't know if it's a milestone, but my linea nigra has really shown up this week (the line down the middle of your belly). Old wives tales say that if it goes from your ribs down it's a boy, and if it just goes from belly button down it's a girl - so according to that story - Sparky is a boy.

*Feelings this week: (I am adding this section this week after the suggestion from my Mom)

Well I am super curious about Sparky's sex of course, but lately I have been thinking mostly about hair color. Murray was born with very blonde hair and I had very dark hair, so I wonder what hair color our baby will have - if he/she has any hair at all when born!

Although we both decided we'd like the surprise of finding out the sex when Sparky is born we are both still SUPER curious!! I don't believe in old wives tales, as some tell us boy and some say girl, but I do wonder pretty much all the time - it's going to be such an amazing surprise! And I must say that keeping the names we have chosen secret is pretty much the longest I have EVER kept a secret in my life! Again, it'll be a great surprise though when we say 'It's a ..... called......' Can't wait:)

We both feel a bit like it's unreal that there's a baby in there when we see Sparky moving around. It's just so bizarre! I don't think it will 100% sink in until Sparky is sleeping in the next room!! It's amazing though to see our little baby moving around & feeling his kicks during meetings!

Otherwise, I am feeling really good. I had a relaxing facial this week (which also reminded me that I will no longer be able to lay for an hour on my back til baby arrives - I could barely get up afterwards cause I was so stiff, but it was lovely & relaxing anyhow). Also I found some crib (cot) sheets I LOVE but of course they are pink/blue, also they don't have enough in stock. So I may just note down the name of the brand for later.... Exciting to find something I like though, I'm not crazy about the gender neutral sheets here, I'd rather go cute & boy/girl specific:)