What the heck is V-day?

This is exactly what I was thinking to myself as I was completing my daily perusing of "The Bump" message boards. For the first time, I noticed several posts titled "Happy V-day to me" and all I could think of was valentines day... but we are a tad early for that people (even though the Christmas decorations hit the stores before we could say trick-or-treat). My curious mind lead me to ask what this suspicious V-day was all about, since everyone else seemed to be in-the-know. Drum roll please... it means day of viability. See, when a fetus reaches their 24 week birthday, they are considered to be viable outside of the womb. Well to me, the bean's viability day is more like 28 weeks, that is what I have been preaching to her anyways. I won't go into all of the statistics and scary things that happen to a precious baby born at a mere 24 weeks, but let's just say it ain't pretty. It is crazy to look at some of the 24 week fetus' in our unit and to know that my girl looks just like them. It is during my encounters with these tiny human beings that I remind my bambino to stay put, for at least 16 more weeks anyways. Who is in a rush to get out into this scary world anyways?

Speaking of entering this scary world, sometimes I think that she is going to just bust right out of my abdomen. Everyday my little miss gets stronger and her punches are becoming not so sweet and tender. Also, my belly growth has become a little out of control (see the above picture), so much so I have nightmares about her being the heavy-weight champion of the world. For those of you I have not told, Mike was an astonishing 12 pounds when he entered this world, one word....YIKES! Let's just hope that my body will not allow such a tragedy to occur. Which leads me to my next reoccurring nightmare: now that she is finally in my uterus, she has to come out somehow. Let the panic attacks ensue.

How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 9 pounds! It's all her... right????

Maternity clothes? Gap and Old Navy maternity are legit!

Sleep: Still one of my favorite hobbies, energy surge my butt.

Best moment this week: Actually seeing her move my belly, that is the strangest but cutest sight of all time.

Movement: Oh yes! There were quite a few "loving" cervix and bladder punches served up this week. How sweet of her!

Gender: A sweet little miss.

Labor Signs: No thank you! Remember our talks this week mamacita.

Belly Button in or out? It is flush with the rest of my body. I thought that this ugliness was supposed to happen later :(

What I miss: Laying on my stomach, this has been one of the hardest things to give up!

What I am looking forward to: Our vacation next week, it will be the bean's first trip out of the country!

Weekly Wisdom: I have probably already said this but enjoy each day, as each moment is truly a milestone.

Milestones: Reaching this so-called viability day. So not get any ideas my love!