How big is baby?

How far along? 24 weeks! 6 Months!!
Waist measurement: 45 inches
Total weight gain/loss: up 2.5 lbs. 197.5 lbs.
How much does Baby weigh?: 1 lb 8 oz (my guessing from 2 weeks ago to this week)
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides. Some of the old ones are expanding
Sleep: still napping, gets kind of hard to get comfy while situating the belly. Wondering how its going to be later on when I'm bigger...He likes to play on what ever side I lay on so this makes getting to sleep a little bit of a challenge.
Best moment this week: The belly still rolls, but the best moment this week was getting that stupid crib situation figured out. THANK GOD we have one now. Can't wait to bring it home and put it together.
Movement: more active. Especially after meals and sweets. He also seems to know when he's being talked about because he'll give me a hard boot closer to the breast bone to let me know he's still listening. Its so amazing! He even moves a lot for Adam.
Food cravings: cereal, milk, orange soda, donuts (glazed sour cream please!) and chocolate. I guess he really is like his daddy more and more!
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: Only when I poo! LOL (well, you have to expect some TMI on here!) Don't worry, they go away in a minute or two.
Belly Button in or out? in, but getting shallower! where my belly ring used to be is moved up from where it was. Kinda cool to see.
What I miss: walking up stairs without losing my breath, wearing certain jeans, sleeping like a log, enjoying a drink with friends at the bar.
What I am looking forward to: Adam also seeing the movement I see, our next appointment (maybe this one he will co-operate?) and spending time situating our registries and getting things started for the shower. Off to make my list!

And since TheBump.com only does monthly updates from week 21 on, I've decided I would use the size comparisons on Parents.com. Here goes!

A half Gallon of milk? Holy crap!
The unsung hero of the fetal support system is the umbilical cord, which forms a vital link between the fetus and the placenta. The cord contains two arteries and one large vein; by birth, it may measure up to four feet long. Every 30 seconds, nutrients and oxygen-rich blood are transported from the placenta to the fetus via the single vein, then back again to the placenta through the two arteries. This ingenious method ensures a constant supply of filtered air and nutrients, and keeps the mother's blood separate from the baby's.

How big is baby?

How far along? 23 weeks, just over the hump!
Waist measurement: 44 inches (he moves around a lot now...)
Total weight gain/loss: up 3 lbs. 198 lbs.
How much does Baby weigh?: 1 lb 6 oz (my guessing from last week to this week)
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides. Some of the old ones are expanding
Sleep: still napping, gets kind of hard to get comfy while situating the belly. Wondering how its going to be later on when I'm bigger...
Best moment this week: Watching my belly roll. I swear I saw it when he was doing his somersaults! I even saw him push off to one side and then to the other real fast while in the tub. And he kept going while I was talking to him
Movement: Fairly active. He likes to kick during work a lot and does rolls now.
Food cravings: milk, orange soda, and lots of fresh fruit (chocolate too now) and cheetos once in a while.
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: No, just cramps
Belly Button in or out? in, but getting shallower!
What I miss: walking up stairs without losing my breath, wearing certain jeans, sleeping like a log
What I am looking forward to: Adam also seeing the movement I see, our next appointment (maybe this one he will co-operate?) and more baby shopping next Saturday. Can't wait to see what crib we fall in love with this time! And we will probably be deciding the theme for his room.

The end of this week is an important milestone: Your one-pounder would have a good chance of survival if born now--about 85 percent if given the right care. His body is well proportioned, although lacking in body fat, and the blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. About 50 percent of "early preemies" experience complications ranging from eye problems to intracranial hemorrhage (spontaneous bleeding in the brain); the rate drops steadily from the 24th week onward.

Went to the dr today!

Oh my it was a day too! My cold (or whatever it is) seems to be breaking so that's good news. I'm done with being sick. Then, we went to the dr and MIL came with. I could tell she was super excited so that made it extra special.
As I was advised, I drank quite a bit of OJ before hand so that he would be active. Yea, did nothing. Little pain in the belly decided if he was going to move any body parts, it was going to be on the upper half, so no money shot and we are still 90% sure its a boy. But now we have a good reason for another u/s next time because he's big. Trust me.
Last time, we found out it was a boy because he wouldn't be still enough for the dr to use the doppler to get his hb. So we had a quick u/s and got a money shot but weren't totally sure. We also were told I wasn't gaining like I was supposed to, so the next appointment (which was today) she would take measurements to make sure he's growing right. Well, he is. And then some.
He should be right around 22weeks, but his head is measuring 24 1/2 weeks. His arms and legs and all those? 23 1/2 weeks to 24 1/2 weeks. So, he's measuring consistantly and all, just BIG. He's got long legs, long fingers, big hands, and a big head. She said he's in the 61 percentile for size. He's also weighing about 1 lb 4 oz, which is more than any of the books I've read said he should and thebump.com says he should be about 15 oz. But I suppose when you are measuring ahead, you have to expect to weigh more. He also had one leg up by his chest, near his chin and his other leg kind of under him, but he wouldn't spread the legs for a money shot. Little turd. He also had his hands up by his face with one of his arms extended right infront of his nose and over his head. The dr did all she could to try and jostle him into moving somewhat, but he wouldn't give it up. Then, while checking fluid levels, the little turd starts waving his hand! We didn't get a good shot of it, but it was adorable. He has a good strong hb of 155 bpm. But since he's measuring big, that means a few things. We will be getting another u/s soon to check on his growth more and that she won't let me go over 40weeks at all. We all knew he was going to be a big boy since Adam and I were both bigger babies, but we weren't expecting this! LOL might be a hunting season baby after all! Just means that I will probably be in the house taking care of little one while Adam is out hunting. MIL might not hunt this year too, depending on when he's born.
Also got some great news from my girl Elisa in AZ. SO happy for you sweetie! Crossing fingers this time is the last trick you need! Love you!

How big is baby?

How far along? 22 weeks, just over the hump!
Waist measurement: 43 inches (he moves around a lot now...)
Total weight gain/loss: down 1 lb. 194.0lbs. Got sick on friday and been getting a little worse every day.
How much does Baby weigh?: 1 lb 4 oz
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides
Sleep: still napping, gets kind of hard to get comfy while situating the belly. Wondering how its going to be later on when I'm bigger...
Best moment this week: Watching my belly roll. I swear I saw it when he was doing his somersaults!
Movement: Fairly active. He likes to kick during work a lot and does rolls now.
Food cravings: milk, orange soda, and lots of fresh fruit (chocolate too now) and cheetos once in a while.
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: No, just cramps
Belly Button in or out? in, but getting shallower!
What I miss: walking up stairs without losing my breath, wearing certain jeans, sleeping like a log
What I am looking forward to: the u/s next time to confirm gender and to make sure he's growing like he should. I also can't wait until Adam can feel him move too!
Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
Hair today, gone tomorrow? Your baby develops two kinds of hair in utero--the soft, downy body hair called lanugo, which generally falls off before or shortly after birth, and the hair on his head. Many parents are surprised (to say the least) to see their baby's hair at birth--blond couples often have black-haired offspring, dark ones are just as likely to deliver a little blond or redhead, and parents who have tight, wiry curls often produce babies with soft, loose ones. The bottom line seems to be that birth hair--or lack thereof--bears little resemblance to your child's "real" hair. The birth hair generally falls out by the time the baby is 6 months old, to be replaced by a more logical set of tresses.

How big is baby?

How far along? 21 weeks, just over the hump!
Waist measurement: 44 inches
Total weight gain/loss: up 1 lb. 196.0lbs. Should make the dr happy also! I'm gaining a baby belly!
How much does Baby weigh?: about 13 oz (how accurate is TheBump?)
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides
Sleep: still napping, gets kind of hard to get comfy while situating the belly. Wondering how its going to be later on when I'm bigger...
Best moment this week: shocking so many people at the wedding...Heidi's reaction was PRICELESS! "Oh! Goose! Its been SO long! Obviously things are...um, changing and growing!" while her jaw about hit the floor.
Movement: Fairly active. He likes to kick during work a lot.
Food cravings: milk, orange soda, and lots of fresh fruit (chocolate too now) cutting back on salt to help with the MAJOR swelling I've been having. It all hit at once too.
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: No, just cramps
Belly Button in or out? in, but getting shallower!
What I miss: walking up stairs without losing my breath, wearing certain jeans, sleeping like a log
What I am looking forward to: the u/s next time to confirm gender and to make sure he's growing like he should. The 27th can't come quick enough!

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.
By the end of this week, he'll measure about 7 inches from crown to rump and weigh nearly a pound. Not bad for a little guy who weighed barely an ounce 10 weeks ago! His hearing is developing, and sounds from your conversations can be heard inside the uterus--along with your heartbeat, stomach rumblings, and the pulsing of blood vessels. In fact, the womb is so noisy that it's been compared to an airport runway during takeoff; it's thought that the stimuli prepare the baby for the cacophony of noises, sights, and sounds that will greet him at birth.

How big is baby?

How far along? 20 weeks, Half way there!
Waist measurement: 43 inches
Total weight gain/loss: down 4.8lbs. 190.6lbs.
How much does Baby weigh?: about 10.6 oz (how accurate is TheBump?)
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides
Sleep: still napping, sleep is kinda hard with all the stupidly odd dreams...
Best moment this week: Being told I look even more pregnant. I was also asked "how is it all going" and I couldn't think of a bad thing to say. I'm loving it!
Movement: Fairly active. He likes to kick during work a lot.
Food cravings: milk, orange soda, and lots of fresh fruit (chocolate too now)
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: No, just cramps
Belly Button in or out? in, but getting shallower!
What I miss: Shaving my legs in one quick movement rather than having to stop to catch my breath. Plus I miss the occasional drink.
What I am looking forward to: the u/s next time to confirm gender and to make sure he's growing like he should. The 27th can't come quick enough!
Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!
This week marks the halfway point in your baby's development. And right around now, nature gives her a spa treatment--a white, cream-cheesy moisturizer called vernix coats every inch of her skin, keeping it smooth and wrinkle-free for the next 20 weeks as she floats in a warm bath of amniotic fluid. She'll still be covered in vernix when she's born; your doctor or midwife will wipe it off a few moments after birth, revealing skin that's (you guessed it) baby soft.
And as an extra special bonus, here's the belly photo from last week. Sorry its late, but better late than never!

How big is baby?

How far along? 19 weeks
Waist measurement: 43 inches Starting to grow!
Total weight gain/loss: down 5.2. 190.2lbs.
How much does Baby weigh?: about8.5 oz (how accurate is TheBump?)
Maternity clothes? but of course!
Stretch marks? same ones. possibly some new ones on my sides
Sleep: still napping when possible. Get tired easy but don't seem to sleep well.
Best moment this week: feeling our little one move and kick. He likes his chocolate but hates zesty Italian!
Movement: Fairly active. He likes to kick during work a lot.
Food cravings: milk, orange soda, and lots of fresh fruit (chocolate too now)
Gender: I was right! Its a BOY!
Labor Signs: No, just cramps
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: Shaving my legs in one quick movement rather than having to stop to catch my breath. Plus I miss the occasional drink.
What I am looking forward to: the u/s next time to confirm gender and to make sure he's growing like he should. I'm not gaining weight like the dr wants me to. I'm trying though! I gained about 5 lbs from last week!
Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.
Chances are you'll have a mid-pregnancy ultrasound (also called a sonogram) between weeks 18 and 22 to monitor fetal development. Be sure to bring your partner along--you'll both be amazed as your little one kicks, boxes, and even somersaults for the camera. Based on the baby's size, your doctor or midwife will be able to confirm or adjust your due date. Plus, you'll get photographic printouts to take home for friends and family. Save a couple for the baby book--these fuzzy, black-and-white snapshots are your child's very first baby pictures!