Week 24: Munchkin is a 1/2 Gallon of Milk

Welcome to Week 24: Munchkin is a 1/2 Gallon of Milk
Baby's Length: 11-12 in.

Baby's Weight: 1.25 - 1.5 lb.

Everything has been going great. I have tons of energy and although my bump is showing, I really haven't gained very much weight (6.5 lbs), which I must admit is nice. I had my monthly prenatal visit. J.D.'s mom, Susie, joined me for the appointment. We got to hear the heartbeat again and they measured by belly. The last few times they listened to the heartbeat, they had to push the doppler really hard on my stomach to find it, but this time it barely had to touch me. Our little guy defies the old wives tale that boys heartbeats are slow, because his heart was beating very fast (but still in the normal range...no worries!) :)

He's been moving like crazy this past week. He doesn't kick me that often, but he's a squirmy little guy. It often feels like he's doing barrel rolls inside of me! Maybe we have a little gymnast on our hands. J.D. has felt the baby several times now. He says it still feels pretty faint to him, which is funny, because it's definitely not faint to me! Check out the belly bump at it's prime (right after dinner!!):
What's happening with Munchkin this week:
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 (picture an ear of corn), 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.
In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

• Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
• His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
• Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.
• Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.
• Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
• His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
• This week your baby is officially considered viable.
• Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler!
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