24 weeks

**New belly pic in Chris & Nicole's Albums on blog. Then look in Lil Pea's album**

How Far Along? 24 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 12 pounds. YIKES!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and I have quite a selection thanks to friends Katrina and Dana for letting me borrow all their many tops & dresses.

Sleep: Still pretty good.....some issues with reflux at night so I sometimes tend to fall asleep sitting propped up on my pillows.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing Lil Pea again during an ultrasound we had done Friday @ the Pediatric Cardiologist office. Since my niece was born with VSD (ventricular septal defect) they consider that a family history of genetic defect. So we had baby girls heart checked out just to make sure. And it looks perfect so far! And she looked so cute!♥ At one point she looked right at us and you could see her cute lil face. No longer looking like a skeleton. Crazy how much she has changed since our 20 week scan. The tech said now she has been packing on the fat. This is why they say to wait until at least 26 weeks before getting a 3D/4D ultrasound done. This scan lasted for 60 mins! The whole time the wand was on my belly. I actually thought I might have some bruising later. They push hard @ certain points to get all the views they need of the heart. The tech said baby girl was being good in the beginning, but then she decided she'd had enough and turned around to face my back. Then they couldn't get the last pic of the left side of her heart. A certain area they needed. Finally after the tech practically was on top of me with all her weight with the wand she got a pic the Dr. was happy with. My Mom said, are you sure that is ok for the baby?? For her, yes she is very cushioned in my uterus from what I have read. Me, ouch! lol Oh and Lil Pea was breach which is completely normal still this early. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VfNWbal0FDsu2U2BatrVoA?feat=directlink (pic from scan Friday. we weren't supposed to get any but the lady was really nice and printed one)

Movement: Yes, all the time now. I'm starting to learn her schedule now. She is always up throughout the night.

Food Craving: Nope.

Food aversions: Garlic!! Used to love it being Italian. Now I HATE it and what it does to me. Also still avoiding coffee even though I would LOVE an Iced Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. The caffeine just kills me.

Morning sickness: Still gone thank goodness!

Gender: It is a GIRL!

Labor Signs: No. Let's keep it that way for at least 12 more weeks!

Belly Button: Still in, although it is definitely growing and stretching!!

Stretch Marks: none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on

Exercise: Yoga on Tuesdays and starting back walking next week. Also doing my three exercises my Bradley class teaches you to do daily. One is a squatting exercise (20 per day). Another is done on all fours were you arch your back down and then pull back up even to shoulders. (20 per day, twice a day) Last one is done with your coaches help. Sitting down with your legs in front of you bent. Feet together. Then your coach puts pressure to keep your knees together as you try to push them out as far to the ground as you can. (20 per day)

What I miss: There is a lot you start to miss about your "old" body before pregnancy, but that will come back in due time. Chris promised I could get a trainer! ;-) I think I just want a jogger stroller and my ankle weights so I'll still be with baby girl.

What I'm looking forward to: Wow, so many things. Our shower March 6th. Our 3/4D ultrasound that will be scheduled sometime between 28-31 weeks. (this is the time I have been told by many is best) Lil Pea's furniture to come in. Decorating her room. And of course meeting her in about 3 1/2 months. WOW!

Other NEW news this week: It has been freezing here!! South Florida & 30-40 degrees! Don't get me wrong, it's a nice change from the heat we had Christmas, but I'm running out of warm clothes that fit!! Most of the maternity clothes friends gave me are shirts and dresses. Thinking of going to buy another pair of leggings tomorrow.

Weekly Wisdom: I've said it before but enjoy every minute, it goes too quickly.

Favorite item bought this week: Finally ordered our Glider. Sooooooooo comfy. A bit expensive but I was told by many friends if I am going to breastfeed to get a good comfy glider even if it's a bit pricey. So I used my bonus and got the one I had wanted. I might just be sleeping in it my last few weeks of pregnancy! We also found a mini picket fence @ Lowes which I think will be perfect for her room. For those that don't know we are doing her room as an outdoor garden theme. The fence just needs sanded and then painted white. (i put a pic of it in her bedroom album in Chris & Nicole's Albums)

Making it to 24 weeks is so wonderful to me. It actually brought tears to my eyes when I thought about it Friday morning. If god forbid something was to happen were Lil Pea had to come early she would have a fighting chance of survival now. 24 weeks doesn’t really “mean” anything in the sense that it’s a guarantee of exactly, well, nothing as far as outcomes go. But she would be given a chance by health care professionals to help her survive.
I plan to keep cookin her for many more weeks, though, and it looks like she does too! :-) It's just nice to know this after everything. We really will be bringing a baby home in a few months. And hopefully have an at least semi smooth delivery!!
(this is a frame my BF's Mom gave me. she put the pic of Lil Pea @ 12 weeks in it. PERFECT, thanks again Judy)