24 weeks

We just finished our 24th week over the weekend! YEAH!

The baby is officially viable if something (God forbid) made him come early.

In the last week, I have increased in size by an additional .5" around my belly - equaling a total of 1" over the last two weeks! I am growing by the second and noticing it mostly in the dwindling amount of clothes that actually fit me!

We had a great week! Jonathan finished painting the baby's nursery and tore out all of the carpet to reveal a lovely white vinyl tile.....ugh!!! The hardwood floors will go down this coming up weekend!

Tearing out the nasty carpet

OMG! Who would have EVER put this in a bedroom!!!!

The look of ... "YEAH! It's done!"

We also went to Raleigh over the weekend to visit my goddaughter Quinn, Melissa, Mike and baby Catie. We had a GREAT time ~ but boy I got tired quickly! Here are some fun pictures from our trip:

Playing Play Doh

On the Carousel

At Pullen Park

Here is a 24 week belly shot - Total circumference = 36"

Here is what is happening with baby:

* He has gained about 4 oz. since last week - measuring a little over a pound now.

* He is a little over a foot long now ... about the size of a:

Papaya

or an....

Ear of Corn

* 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 is born).

* His skin is still thin and translucent, but will change quickly in the coming weeks. This skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix.

* He has now developed a sense of balance, which means that he can tell when he is upside down!

* He is sporting a fine, downy hair called lanugo.

* He is still practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into his developing lungs.

What is the most surprising to me, is that this is what he looks like right now..... still a little surreal!!!

Its also getting exciting, because the showers are quickly approaching! YEAH!

Well....that's it for the moment!

Have a great week!

Melanie & Jonathan