24 weeks... (missed 22 and 23)

     I am SO bad about updating. What is wrong with me? Not like I'm 6 months pregnant with an extremely tiring 21 month old to tend to. ;) But, really I've been so tired. I was reading through the blog when I was pregnant with Connor. I was really great about updating then.. and I read my post at 23 weeks. It said something a long the lines of "He must have hit a growth spurt because I've been sleeping alll day." Man, that must have been tough for me. HA. But, other than just being down right tired, I am good. I have a few aches and pains (mainly in my back at night), but I am still sleeping well and am enjoying feeling Austin kick and squirm. I did hit a major growth spurt between weeks 21 and 24 though. I will post pics in that order. I just got huge. And I'm at that point now, where it's not just a cute little baby bump. I am getting the "baby" ass, "baby" thighs, "baby" arms.. well you get my drift. It ain't pretty. My weight gain isn't crazy. I've gained the same so far as I did with Con at this point. I didn't gain a whole lot with Con until the end when I started retaining tons of water, so I feel good about it. Besides, my best friend said it best... "How many times in your life are you pregnant? And how many times can you enjoy that red velvet cake and not feel bad about it?" hahaha. I love Lauren and how she makes me feel great even when I feel like a walrus :) Calm down, I eat my fruits and veggies and am careful about what I put in my body, but I give in a little if I really want ice cream and cake and cake. (I sang that as I wrote it) But, really, I remember this point in pregnancy with Connor when I started looking in the mirror and cringing instead of smiling. I know I have so  much to be thankful for, and I'm incredibly blessed, so I'm trying to be positive about every little bit. I am lucky, and I really do enjoy being pregnant. I really enjoyed being pregnant with Connor as well. The end got a little rough, but despite the bad delivery, it was a peaceful pregnancy. I have my 24 week appointment on Monday! I can't believe I'm already 6 months, and Austin is "viable." This past weekend, Adam and I got the nursery together! I still have to make his bedding and decorate, but we removed the guest room furniture and set up the crib. It's so weird to see Connor in his big boy room and then look next to his room and see the baby nursery. I feel like he should still be in the crib, but he does so well in his big boy bed! He is getting so smart, sweet, and big! He has been communicating really well, and he loves to hug Mommy and Daddy and give us kisses. At night, we read before bed, and he runs in his room saying "read read read!" He doesn't really enjoy us reading to him, but he loves to point out everything he sees. Dog, girl, elephant, balloon, cat (eeeoww), lion, tractor, cow, apple.. etc. He can count too! He has a counting book, and he will point and count. He can count to 10. He usually skips a few numbers, but he did it on his own today, and I'm SO proud! I cannot wait to see my boys play and learn together. :)

Until next time, I'll leave ya with a survey and my gigantor growing belly!

How far along?: 24 weeks
Sleep: Doing well
Best moment this week: getting the nursery together.
Movement: Yes!
Symptoms: kicks, back pain
Food cravings: Nothing particular. Maybe twizzlers:)
 Food aversions: Not so much anymore.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: Oh no, no.
Belly Button in or out?: IN.
What I miss: a glass of wine.
What I am looking forward to: Mom, Kristen and Finn coming to visit!
Weekly Wisdom: Rest rest rest. The house can wait.
Milestones: our 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.

 21 weeks

 22 weeks

 23 weeks

 24 weeks