Week 24, Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

Thursday, January 29th (118 days to go)
Baby Update: The baby will grow about 2 more inches this month to become about 14 inches tall. The baby's environment is becoming more crowded as it is growing and filling up the space inside the uterus. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Friday, January 30th (117 days to go)
Baby Update: Throughout this month, changes in the appearance of your baby's skin will take place. Right now, the skin is wrinkled. When more fat is deposited and more muscle development takes place, it will begin to look smooth. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Saturday, January 31st (116 days to go)
The frequency of movements that we can feel from the outside is definately increasing, which is so cool. And it doesn't take a mighty kick either to feel something from the outside. Ella is beginning to really fill out the space she is in. Hard to imagine that just a few weeks ago she was small enough that she could hide away in just one corner. Just today I felt movement near my ribs... I wasn't even aware that the uterus was that far up yet. It's a tough call as to what is the coolest thing about being pregnant... hearing the heartbeat, seeing the baby on an ultrasound, or feeling her move around with my hands... I think it's the latter because it's the closest thing I have to touching her right now... hugging my own belly. I can't wait until she's here and I can really hold her.

I have my 24 week appointment this coming Thursday at 10am. I may be told I have to do a gestational diabetes test. I don't know if every one has to do that... my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book hasn't mentioned it as a routine part of any exam, but it seems like a lot of women on this message board I visit do it. I hope I'm done taking tests.

I think I'm going to create a page that has the milestones of this pregnancy all on one page. My intention is to save this site on to a cd for Ella to see when she gets older. It'll also be a good reference for me when I'm pregnant with #2. It'd be easier to see the milestones all on one page as opposed to scattered throughout the journal. But I'm very glad I've been doing this because I'm all ready forgetting exactly when things started happening.

Isaac and I are going to go see "Big Fish" today. I'll let you know what we think about it tomorrow.

Baby Update: Besides its wrinkled appearance, the baby's skin is also transparent because it's so thin. Thus, at this time, if you could see the baby, the bones, organs, and blood vessels would be visible, as they lie just beneath the skin. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Sunday, February 1st (115 days to go)
We did indeed see "Big Fish" yesterday. It was an excellent movie. Very entertaining, and touching. I got misty-eyed (but no tear drops developed) probably 3 times, and even Isaac said he kind of got misty-eyed at the end. It's a movie about a son and his relationship with is father. We aren't parents quite yet but we are all ready starting to relate better to things about the parent-child relationship.

Baby Update: The baby continues to grow at a steady pace. More than 6 ounces of weight will be gained during this week alone. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Monday, February 2nd (114 days to go)
We saw "Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King" yesterday at the Cinerama in Seattle. I hadn't ever been there before. If you don't know what's so special about this theater I'll tell you. Paul Allen (local millionaire, also responsible for the Seahawk's Stadium and the EMP), bought the place and had it renovated. When it was finished it was the most state-of-the-art movie theater in the country (maybe the world, I'm not sure about that). It's huge... seats like 2,000 people, but there's just one movie played at a time on one gigantic screen. And the backs of the chairs were very springy... almost too springy. I got no back support for 3 1/2 hours.

And oh yea... the movie was really good. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a sci-fi fantasy movie as much as I've enjoyed this trilogy.

On a semi-related note, I read recently as advice to parents-to-be to see as many first-run movies as you can. I have been doing that, even seeing movies all by myself during the week. At least that way I get to see girly movies Isaac wouldn't be interested in. I know that before long the only movies I'll see in a theater will be Disney or Dreamworks movies for kids.

Okay... back to baby-stuff. I'm feeling fine these days. I manage to sleep for many, many hours during the night. I wonder how tired I'd be if I had a job and couldn't sleep for 10 hours at a time? Even some of the aches and pains I was experiencing have gone away... at least temporarily.

Here is this week's heartbeat sound. And here is the Baby Center's take on 24 weeks. She gained a whole 1/4 of a pound (muscle and bone mass) just this last week!! And my uterus is the size of a soccer ball... explains all of the new places I can feel her moving around in.

Baby Update: Most of the weight gained during this time in your baby's development is muscle and bone mass and weight increases from growing organs and tissues. Very little fat is being manufactured at this time (heard recently the baby is the size of a barbie doll... kind of a creepy image, huh? I just see a barbie doll body with a baby's head.) - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Tuesday, February 3rd (113 days to go)
We'll take a picture of my belly today but it probably won't be up until tomorrow. That's something to look forward to. :)

Added that "Milestones" page I mentioned I might do.

Baby Update: Sounds that are heard daily by [the] baby include the beating of [mommy's] heart, the sound of [mommy's] voice resonating as [she] speaks, the sound of air filling [mommy's] lungs and being exhaled, and the growling noises made by [mommy's] stomach and intestines. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 4th (112 days to go)
Belly picture!!! Click here for a comparison with the last photos.


Baby Update: The baby measures 8 1/4 inches and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.