Week 24.  Almost six months behind us and only a little more than three months to go.

 
It's been a busy week.  More than a little stressful at work, but that is always how it is from about October through December each year.  I noticed that I've been a lot more tired, both at work and when I get home.  I think Amelia has been using all of my excess energy to fuel her recent growth spurt.  Bill is probably tired of me falling asleep on him in the chair when we watch television after dinner every evening.  If so, he's being very nice about it. 

Here is a photo from Amelia's 3rd 10K.  Clea and I participated in the run last weekend and and had a good time enjoying the cooler weather that has finally come to Austin.  Also in the photo are Michelle and her little girl Leah.  I've decided that 10Ks are MUCH more enjoyable when you have an excuse to take walk breaks and bathroom stops. 

Every Thursday, we progress another week with this pregnancy.  I reward myself by reading on several of the fun "pregnancy week-by-week websites" about the changes that are going on with Amelia in the past week.  I find the rapid and complex pace of her development to be pretty amazing.  Here, for example, is what the website says is going on with Amelia during Week 24:

"Your baby isn't just sitting around (on your bladder) doing nothing, she's working hard preparing for life outside the womb—perfecting her lungs and packing on the pounds. She'll gain ½ pound this week alone. Other highlights this week:

Things are starting to get a little crowded inside the old womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. Your ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Hate to break it to you, but it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the her.  Baby's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air and the growling of your stomach.  Baby will even be able to hear your voice, so talk nice!

Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means her sense of balance is working and she can tell whether she's hanging upside down or right side up. She can also feel you moving, so go ahead, pop in your favorite tunes and boogie.

This week your baby is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds."

I have noticed that Amelia gets VERY wiggly when Bill and I go to movies with lots of loud noises or music, so I'm pretty sure that her hearing is developing like the article says.  She also seems to wiggle a lot after meals. 

It is definitely starting to feel like there is a 1 1/3 pound baby in my tummy.  I notice her every time I attempt to climb the stairs or bend over.  I've decided that it's time to get serious about getting the baby's room ready to go.  If I wait much longer, Bill will have to do all the work because I physically won't be able to help out.  I have been waiting for all of the baby furniture to arrive before worrying much about it.  I got a call today saying that our furniture is in.  Hopefully, there will be some photos of Amelia's room in the next few weeks that show some real progress.