24 weeks: baby is the size of a head of cauliflower

Baby girl has gained about 4 oz since last week and her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree." Her skin is still translucent but becoming more and more opaque. She's also developing sleep and wake patterns. Last night she was kicking pretty hard around midnight and now those kicks are visible jabs coming out of my belly! It's wild. Sometimes she gives a good stomp downward. Now that's a weird feeling, like her little foot is on the verge of coming out of me, kicking her way out into the world. Get back in there, you're not ready to come out yet!

While I was watching my belly when baby was kicking last night I noticed a new development. Apparently I  am turning into a gorilla because there is now long blonde peach fuzz on my belly. I consulted Dr. Google and read that it is common during pregnancy to grow hair in unwanted places. I'm waiting for the beard now. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty good these days. These last two weeks I've felt the best I ever have my whole pregnancy. I'm really cherishing this time right now.

Today is my 36th birthday. I don't work on Mondays so I had the day off. I started the day by bringing coffee and pastries to a friend's house while her 6-month-old twins were napping. She just went through a rough period of sleep training but now they're sleeping 9 hours straight every night. She did a modified version of the Baby Wise method. I'd never heard of Baby Wise before today, apparently people generally love it or think it's a form of baby torture. She loaned me the book so I'll decide for myself. Her babies both woke up smiling so at least today it seems to be working for them. From her house I drove the 45 minutes to Woodburn Company Stores to shop for baby clothes at outlet stores. Yep, that's my idea of a treat. Oh my gosh, the little girl clothes are so cute I can hardly stand it. I had to practice some restraint. I can't wait to dress her in these adorable little outfits. Sometimes I just lay out the little clothes I've gotten as hand-me-downs and new and just look at them getting excited for the little girl that will soon wear them.