V-DAY!

So, as I have mentioned previously, today is V-Day (i.e., viability day). I'm not sure how the term was coined, but it is common lingo among pregnant women these days.

The idea is that once a baby is 24 weeks, the baby has over a 50% chance of surviving if born prematurely. Obviously, this does not mean that is okay if a baby is born this early. Even if the baby survives it will almost assuredly face serious health issues for months, years or even a lifetime. So, while it is cause to celebrate, as is any other milestone in pregnancy (especially for those who are constantly paranoid, like myself, due to previous losses), the notion of V-Day should be taken with a grain of salt.

A great chart showing viability percentages by week can be found at this website.

Many people have a "personal V-Day" as well - a date where they will actually relax a little bit more with the knowledge that they will be taking home their baby. Based on the chart linked above, I think my personal V-Day is more like 27 32 weeks(changed from my V-Day post with Joaquin just due to how traumatic it was when he was a preemie by only 1 STINKING DAY), when the chance of survival is over 95%. I like 95% much better than 50%.

Ticker Change Thursday - 24 Weeks

Noemi is now 24 weeks and still about the size of a papaya. She has gained about 4 ounces since last week and because she's almost a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How far along? 24 weeks

Weight gain/loss: 15 pounds, as of Tuesday. Woot! I'm 10 pounds lighter than I was with Joaquin at this point :-) I was a bit sick over the weekend so that may have something to do with it but I'm still happy with this number. It makes my feet happy too. And, for the record, my concern here has (almost) nothing to do with vanity. My OB is very strict on weight and really gets upset if I gain too much at a time because she says it will make me more uncomfortable as the pregnancy progresses and make labor more difficult.

Sleep? Not bad. I wish I could sleep more though!

Best moment this week? Joaquin has really started to enjoy coloring, which has been so fun for us all. I forgot how calming just sitting and coloring can be. OH AND, I forgot to mention that this week marks the first week of true presidential campaigning. And there's nothing I like more than an election year. And if you didn't already know - GO OBAMA!!

Movement: The movements are getting more obvious. They started as little taps here and there but now I can feel actual traveling movement (if that makes sense).

Food cravings: It is starting to feel more like fall, so crab bisque sounds amazing. It probably wouldn't help me keep the extra weight off though, so I will have to pass.

Belly button in or out? Still half way!

What I miss? Sarah Palin. Because everyone loves to watch a train wreck.

What I am looking forward to? TWO DAYS UNTIL ND FOOTBALL!! Go Irish! (yes, I do see the humor in one post containing both "Go Obama" and "Go Irish").

Milestones: It's V-Day!! (I will post separately on this)

What I'm nervous about: Oh please, dear god, don't let Obama lose this election.

Ticker Change Thursday - 23 Weeks

Noemi is 23 weeks today and still about the size of a papaya. On average, babies at 23 weeks are approximately 1 pound and 1 ounce.

How far along? 23 weeks

Weight gain/loss: I would guess I'm up 19-20 pounds. I will find out next Tuesday.

Sleep? I'm having more trouble sleeping now, as I have to be on my side. Unfortunately, sleeping on my side hurts my shoulders so I am constantly waking up and switching sides to keep from getting sore. It is not easy to switch sides with a body pillow.

Best moment this week? On Saturday Jay and I cleaned out and reorganized the office/third bedroom. I can't believe how much progress we made. We need to get rid of a book case and do a few other things in there, but it looks pretty good and it went a long way towards getting me less anxious about space issues.

Movement: The kicks keep getting stronger! Jay has even felt a few of them, which did not happen this early with Joaquin.

Food cravings: Does sparkling water count?

Belly button in or out? Still half way.

What I am looking forward to? Getting the garage reorganized and hopefully selling some stuff on craigslist and giving some of Joaquin's old clothes away to friends.

Milestones: Less than 4 months to go!!

What I'm nervous about: The 4 months that are left to go ;-)

Belly Picture Friday - 22w1d

My apologies for not posting belly pics the last few weeks. Fridays have been a bit hectic at work lately I guess!

Ticker Change Thursday - 22 Weeks

Noemi is 22 weeks today and about the size of a papaya. She will stay approximately papaya-sized for the next few weeks. Noemi is now able to hear outside noise. Studies show that babies finds gentle music and their mother's voice most soothing. Her little face is fully formed. And, she is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day, which I can apparently figure out by paying attention to kicks.

How far along? 22 weeks

Weight gain/loss: I guess I'm up 15-18ish pounds. I will check again for a more accurate measure in about two weeks.

Sleep? Sleep is going well. When I was pregnant with Joaquin I was experiencing a strange rib twitching when I tried to sleep so I am very glad that is not happening this time, at least not yet.

Best moment this week? We had a great time at the beach with Joaquin on Sunday. He is getting so bold in the water. It's really cute to watch. I need to get him in formal swimming lessons soon.

Movement: Noemi has really started kicking hard this week, but in a wonderful way. Jay even felt two of the kicks, which was pretty exciting.

Food cravings: Seafood.

Belly button in or out? Still half way.

What I miss? Energy.

What I am looking forward to? I think this weekend I am going to have Jay help me start reorganizing/cleaning out our house and garage. It won't be fun but I am excited to tackle this project so I can create some more space for Noemi (and for us!).

Milestones: Just four months left!

What I'm nervous about: How to juggle all of the items on my to-do list. But, hey, what's new?

Ticker Change Thursday - 21 Weeks

Noemi is 21 weeks today and about the size of a banana. I'm not sure how a banana is bigger than a cantaloupe, but I'll go with it. Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. So, I guess I need think about what I want Noemi to eat as I prepare my own meals. I think this worked with Joaquin, as he has a precocious love of all things spicy and will scarf down slices of brie cheese. :-)

How far along? 21 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Up 16ish pounds.

Sleep? Not bad. Not great.

Best moment this week? Celebrating our anniversary. We didn't do anything fancy, but it was nice to reflect on the last 7 years together.

Movement: I am starting to feel little kicks here and there. SO MUCH FUN!

Food cravings: Sushi. It's all I want.

Belly button in or out? In, barely. It's starting to pop out slowly.

What I miss? Wine.

What I am looking forward to? Getting to 24 weeks, aka "V-Day" or "viability day." At 24 weeks, a baby has a greater than 50% chance of surviving if born.

Milestones: We are more than half way to seeing our healthy baby!

What I'm nervous about: I really need to spend some significant time reorganizing and cleaning out our house. I also want to do a yard sale at some point this summer. We need to purge to make room for the new baby, but the process is very daunting.

Ticker Change Thursday - HALF WAY!

Noemi is 20 weeks today - that's half cooked!! Woohoo! She is about the size of a small cantaloupe. Noemi's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth.

How far along? 20 Weeks Today - half baked!

Weight gain/loss: Up 16ish pounds. :-( I got a speech from my OB about this involving eating healthier. I guess I will have to give up the bagels for breakfast.

Sleep? We finally dug the body pillow out of the garage this week. It is my new best friend. I can't believe how much better I am sleeping now. Stomach sleeping is officially impossible, so the pillow is a must.

Best moment this week? I got all of the real results from the anatomy scan on Monday. Everything looked perfect and all of our risk levels for various problems were way down. yay!

Movement: I can feel her now and then, but I have to be sitting still to notice it. Just like last time, this is because I have an anterior placenta, which means that the placenta is between Noemie and my skin. So, when she kicks or punches, I don't feel it much because she is kicking or punching the placenta.

Food cravings: Sushi. Sushi. Sushi. Yum!

Belly button in or out? In, barely. I give it maybe 3 more weeks.

What I miss? Heels.

What I am looking forward to? Jay's birthday and our anniversary this weekend! 35 years and 7 years.

Milestones: We are half way to seeing our healthy baby today!

What I'm nervous about: Not much.