25 Weeks

Today is another milestone for the little one - he could now survive with assistance from the NICU much easier if he was born today. When my IPs visited, they toured the hospital where we'll deliver and found great comfort in the NICU. It is very well-equipped for babies born early along with knowledgeable doctors and nurses. One of my IPs told me how different the hospitals in France are and how a baby born this early would more than likely not be saved. It's amazing how many are saved now in the U.S. and how they grow and mature into wonderful little people.

Last Friday, the 23rd, I had my 24-week check-up. It was pretty uneventful. I gained 5 pounds, I'm not sure what my running total is now, but I know it's more than my last pregnancy. I am still wearing a couple pairs of my jeans, so I don't feel like I've gained over twenty! My blood pressure was right where it should be and the baby's little heartbeat was pounding away at 140 bpm. He sure is a little squirt! Dr. V had difficulty catching him so we could listen to his heart, Little A was moving around so much! I don't Little A likes it when I lay on my back.

We'll be moving out of the second trimester next week and into my final trimester. The first two have been relatively easy, and I'm hoping the last one is too. I was thinking this morning how the holiday season is approaching and how I usually gain some holiday weight - at least this season, I have an excuse! Little A needs to eat some turkey, pies, and cookies, right?

Lately, my students have started asking more questions about the surrogacy. They are finally realzing, or should I say understanding, that Little A is not biologically my child. It's comical to listen to them sometime. Overall, most of my students feel it is an amazing gift I am giving. I know Little A is a gift - but I'm not giving him to anyone, he is supposed to be here, for my IPs...they are going to be wonderful parents!

Banana Boy

Banana boy has been extremely active - at night! I think he's already starting to prepare for the time difference when he moves from my womb to Paris. Over the weekend he woke me up twice around 2:00 AM - which is 9:00 AM in Paris - it felt like he was doing somersaults. After about twenty minutes, he calmed down enough so I could sleep.

My neighbor has been keeping an "eye" on my bump. When I first returned from Chicago in July she said, "Wow! You've popped out!" Since then, she's watched closely to see if I've grown at all. Each week...nope you look the same. LOL Honestly I think it is my clothing - but this last Friday, she said, "Oh yeah, I see it now...he's a growing!" I wish I could remember what I was wearing that day because I have been feeling huge everyday for awhile. I even measured my waist, well what once was my waist, and it has grown 11 inches since becoming pregnant.
Any guesses on how big my waist will get?

Banana boy is still sitting very low too. I have been able to get 2 1/2 hours stretches of sleep in recently compared to 1 before - my bladder is going to have a huge dent in it once he's born.

I'm not sure what vegetable or fruit he'll be compared to tomorrow, but I'm sure it's a big one! My IPs told me their ED is 6 feet tall and the IP is 6ft 3in, so he's going to be long...here's hoping his feet don't get stuck under my ribs!