24 down, 16 to go!

I can't believe we are at 24 weeks...time is flying by! It's hard to fathom that in 16 short weeks we will meet our miracle. I am full of emotions every time I think about it. I want to jump up and down and scream because I'm so excited I can't stand it. But I am also nervous about taking care of another {helpless} human being. Here is what's happening in week 24...

Size of baby: According to babycenter.com, Baby S is about the size of an ear of corn {in length}. He/she is still a little over a pound and almost a foot long...growing like a weed each week!

Weight gain: I will continue to dislike this topic over the next 16 weeks {and the weeks thereafter, I am sure}, but anyhow, as of my last doctor visit on Friday I am up 14 pounds from the start of this journey.   I suppose it could be worse!

Stretch marks: NO!! I still use cocoa butter every day, though.

Gender: Still just Baby S...can't wait until August 26th to find out!

Movement: Are you kidding? This baby flips around, and kicks, and does whatever else babies like to do in utero all.the.time. I can feel it all day, but that baby is most active at night when I get in bed. It's my favorite time of the day!! The movement has gotten so strong that we can see my tummy move when the baby kicks. It's crazy, but so neat! I still can't believe there is a tiny baby growing inside me.

Sleep: Still sleeping like normal...thankfully.

Food cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary. I just eat what I ate pre-pregnancy. I get the same random cravings I did before this baby came along...sweets, pizza, bread. Same as always!

What I miss: Aside from the normal beer, wine, and sushi, I miss my long runs. I miss running 5 miles during the week or going on 6+ mile runs on the weekends. I also miss my 9:00 - 9:30/minute pace. I feel like a slug when I run my 3 miles now! But every time I feel discouraged for only running 3 miles {slowly}, I try to remind myself that a lot of people can't/don't run 3 miles on a daily basis when they aren't pregnant, much less 24 weeks pregnant! I'll be back to my normal running self one day soon {ish}.

Symptoms: Nothing much to report here...I feel occasional back/hip pain, but it's certainly not something that's going to kill me!

Belly button: Oh gosh. It's still in. But I'm not sure how much longer it will be...it's slowly {or quickly} becoming flatter and flatter. Not sure how I'll handle it when it pops out!

Wedding rings: Still on!

Maternity clothes: Still a negative. My doctor was amazed that I was still in my regular jeans on Friday! I have rubber banded some of my pants recently and will continue to do so as long as it is still comfortable. I've also worn one of my pairs of maternity shorts twice, but other than that everything still fits and I can't bring myself to spend money on any more maternity clothes right now. I know the day will come when I have to, though.

Best moment of the week: Going to the doctor and getting to hear this baby's heartbeat. Friday was my glucose test. After drinking the sugar drink the baby was so active that the doctor had a hard time finding the heartbeat. When she would find it the baby would move...it was like a game! She finally found it and was able to listen to it. I could sit and listen to that heartbeat all.day.long. and never get tired of it. By the way, baby's heart rate was 135...lowest it's been yet!

These next few weeks are going to go by in the blink of an eye. Britt graduates from law school in two weeks. I am finished with school in three weeks. Then I will be in my third trimester....say whaaaaaaat??? I'll be back soon with more on what's going on in the Smith house!

Until then, much love from our home to yours. -jess&britt