24 Weeks

6 months down, 3 more to go! I can't believe I'm already 24 weeks pregnant! 

I know I say this every week, but time is really flying by!!

Baby: Baby is 24 weeks and the size of a cantaloupe. He is beginning to look more and more human every week with his skin becoming less transparent and adding some chub to those little legs and tummy! His heart rate with each midwife appointment has been pretty consistently around 140 bpm. 

Weight: I've gained 14 lbs and am feeling large! I'm thankful to be out of the "is she pregnant or chubby?" phase, or I least I feel like I look very pregnant! Still haven't had to purchase any maternity clothes but I did wear a belly band for the first time the other day and I found it quite comfy.   

Symptoms: I feel great!! No nausea, I can eat what I like, I haven't gotten sick in the shower in almost 2 weeks, and car rides no longer make me ill! I'm guessing this is what most women experience their entire second trimester. It may have taken me about 10 weeks longer to get to this point, but I'm glad it's finally here and I hope it sticks around! My only complaint is some lower back pain. 

Sleep: Sleep has been a bit of a challenge. I have trouble turning from side to side and I still find myself waking up a lot in the middle of the night on my back (much to my frustration!), which I know is a no-no. Lower back pain is here to stay. I know it's not all pregnancy related due to an old gymnastics injury and I've dealt with it for years so it doesn't phase me much. 

Cravings/Aversions: I am thankful I'm not experiencing a lot of unhealthy cravings! I enjoy oatmeal with a banana in the morning and have been eating a lot of soup/salad combos for lunch. The weather is rainy and chilly here so I just want to eat hot meals that are comforting and filling. 

Body: Monday I noticed I'm beginning to get the dark line that runs down the abdomen (linea negra). It's faint, but I've heard it will continue to darken throughout my pregnancy and then fade after I've given birth. Other than that my belly is just getting rounder and rounder! No stretch marks yet and the breakouts I was experiencing the last couple weeks have subsided (for now). 

Random Thoughts: Baby is now a mover and a shaker and I love it so much! I'm definitely beginning to notice his waking and sleeping cycles. He is no longer breech, making it easier for me to feel his kicks and flips. He favors my right side and often kicks under my ribs over there making sitting at my desk all day a little uncomfortable. When it becomes to much too manage I get up and walk around the office a bit...I think the movement sways him to sleep because the kicking stops and I can get some work accomplished! ;) 

Also, this past weekend Steven and I were able to paint the nursery! We picked a light gray color called nimbus (okay, actually my mom picked it out. Thanks. Mom!) and it's perfect! Now the real fun begins...decorating!!