24 Weeks

How far along: 24 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Approximately 18 - 20 lbs. (Yikes)

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing them pretty much exclusively now. 

Stretch marks: Quite a few on my stomach.

Sleep: It's getting more uncomfortable to sleep because I'm such a light sleeper these days and if someone or something wakes me up, it's difficult to fall back to sleep because my back hurts. I have your dad rub my back in the mornings before he leaves for work and taking warm showers helps, too. It's also difficult to get enough sleep because your brothers are early risers and get up around 6:00am. 

Best moment last week: I don't know that it was a specific moment but I'm enjoying working on your dresser with my friend, Autumn (we're painting an old dresser I purchased and adding new hardware to it for your room). Also, my friend, Jodi, gave me a huge container of clothes for you, as well as a carseat and bouncer. The clothes are adorable. I'm so excited to dress you in them!

Movement: I feel you move frequently, often at night and in the morning when I'm laying down.

Food cravings: Still sweets, especially chocolate. This is not a good thing since it was Halloween on Friday and Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentines Day are still to come with 3 1/2 months to go until your expected arrival. 

Baby Stats: You're measuring right at 24 weeks.

Symptoms: Backaches, exhaustion, I feel "heavy" (I can feel the extra weight from carrying you bearing on my legs when I walk up the stairs). I'm starting to feel uncomfortable and the thought of 3 1/2 more months seems like a lot right now. I can't bend over easily. I put on tennis shoes the other night (I actually made it to the gym) and it was very difficult to bend over to tie them, even in a sitting position. I'm also loosing lap space. It's difficult to hold your brothers on my lap because there isn't much room. 

Labor signs: None (thankfully). 

Belly button - in or out? Starting to poke out a little.

What I miss: I still miss having the energy to go to the gym. I also miss laying on my stomach. 

What I am looking forward to: Finishing your dresser and getting your clothes and your room organized.