24 WEEKS!!!!

We made it...We made it...We made it!!!!! 6 months pregnant!!!

How far along? 24 weeks today!!! We made it to viability!!!

How big are the babies?

(This is a picture of fraternal twins, not identical, but you can get the picture of how tight they are beginning to get in there!!)

(Info for 24 weeks--from babycenter.com)

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.

(Info for 24-28 weeks with twins--from i-am-pregnant.com)

You have encountered a magical point in your pregnancy. Around 24 weeks, the babies will enter the stage of viability. If born now, there is a 90% chance of survival with medical intervention. During these four weeks, the babies will double their weight and by week 28 each baby will weight around 3 pounds and will be around 15 inches long. Fat is developing rapidly under the skin and the babies are beginning to get more pigment in their skin. Hair continues to grow and facial features are becoming more distinct. During this month your babies' eyelids will become unfused. If observed on ultrasound, you can see your baby opening and closing their eyes. Each baby is already very individual and has their own cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Babies will begin to respond to sound during this month. Turn on the music and read to your babies each day.

Total weight gain/loss? Unofficially, about 18 pounds. Next weeks' appointments will give us official updates.

Belly measurement? 43 inches!

Maternity clothes? Definitely...bigger and bigger ones!

Stretch marks? None found yet!

Sleep? Getting more uncomfortable. I just can't seem to get in a comfy position, even with my now 7 pillows! I seem to not be able to get back to sleep quickly once I've woken up either! =( But it is all worth it for these precious boys!!

Best moment this week? Hiccups!! A few times this week, I'm sure that I'm feeling them hiccup! Yesterday, I felt like I was getting regular headbutts from Will on my left side...so precious! Justin felt sorry for him, but the doctor says that hiccups in utero are good because it means that they are continuing to practice breathing, and that their diaphragms are strengthening! So good for them, and fun for me! I know, I know...probably in another few weeks, I might not think it is so cute anymore, but for now, I'm LOVING every minute!!

Movement? Lots of movement...all over my belly! It has been fun to feel them both moving at the same time! Also, since will is still laying transverse, I feel his head and arms move on one side of my belly while his feet are kicking on my other side (and probably kicking poor Jack in the head!) It is the most reassuring thing in the world to feel them kicking so often. Every day Justin comes home and asks if they've been moving today, and it is so nice to be able to report in that they definitely are!

Food cravings? Nothing really this week that has been specific...

Labor signs? Nope!!! And I told the boys that they aren't allowed to show their faces (except on ultrasound) for at least 90 more days!! And they told me that they are good boys and would obey their mommy. =)

Belly button--in or out? Still about the same as last week...acting like it wants to pop out, but not quite there yet.

What am I looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to my two doctor appointments next week...my official 24 OB appointment, and another ultrasound with our specialist! I just love the fact that we get to peek in so often...I love being high risk, but not at risk. Does that make sense?

I'm also looking forward to the glucose test in a few weeks. I know those of you that have done all this before are probably thinking I'm insane, but it is just so exciting to me to be reaching all these pregnancy milestones that I never reached in my pregnancy with Jonathan! I'm officially farther than I have ever been before!! What a miracle--and so encouraging to Justin and me!

Milestones? Obviously, the fact that we are at 24 weeks is our HUGE milestone for the week! We just can't wait for the next 3+ months to fly by so we can hold these precious miracles in our arms!!

...Now on to full term!!! At least 36 weeks!