week 26!!!!

Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length

To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.

Air sacs in the lungs form now.

Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.

Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.

Retinas begin to form.

Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.

Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Week 25 Check up

Went today for my routine check up. Everything seems to be moving along fine except for the fact that I've lost 2 more pounds weighing in at 165 and I'm underweight compared to where I should be at this stage in the game. However, despite this the doctor says that my fundal height  is exactly where it should be and the heart beat it strong and I have quite the active little girl in me!!!

Belly at 25 weeks ^_^

My newest belly shot ^_^

25 weeks!!!

The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.

Blood vessels of the lungs develop.

Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!

The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!

His swallowing reflexes are developing.

Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.

Your child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).

Week 24!!!!

Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.

His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.

Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.

Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.

Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.

His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

This week your baby is officially considered viable.

Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler!

Week 23!!!!!

Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.

Bones located in the middle ear harden.

Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?)

The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.

The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.

If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day.

The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.