24 weeks Belly

I went in for a checkup this week and learned that I have gained 14 lbs since pregnancy. That means I'm still 'normal' but I think i'll be skewing on the above average in terms of total weight gain. Look at how much the belly has grown! What exactly is the 14 pounds doing? if the baby is only over 1 pound, what is going on with the other 13?

You mean a double ice cream scoop isn't helping??? (We went out for Mitchell's Famous SF homemade ice cream last night on Mira and Dan's last day with us)

Meanwhile I am still doing Prenatal Yoga, about 2-3times a week. It's been more useful lately because I'm starting to feel the need for lower and middle back stretches now that the weight in my belly is increasing. Also at night I've learned to builda fortress of pillows on my left side and hug the pillows to keep my back straight (and not caved in) when I sleep.

As for the kicking, Bambina is quite active at night- around 10-11pm she is kicking up a storm. Not sure what she's doing in there, leg extensions, somersaults, yawning, probably. I noticed also that if I watch my belly when she kicks, you can see the skin jiggle. No 'poking' movements-- it isnt' that strong of a kick, but you can really see the area move like jello. Ok so the weekly carnitas I've been eating is probably taking a toll. In such a way that she might be asking for it- but at 11 pm? hmmm. The carnitas at Nopalito is the best we've had, so I'm sure Colin wouldn't mind getting some Carnitas for Bambina again... next week!

How your baby's growing:

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.