24 weeks

And in the world of being pregnant, we has our 24 week check up. Baby3 is measuring on schedule (ps, I'm already huge) and her heartrate was in the 140s (perfect for her age). I passed the glucose screening (passed with baby1 but failed with baby2 so I was a little nervous. The stuff you have to drink is vile. Claiming it tastes like a flat soda is like telling a kid their medicine tastes like bubble gum--while the flavor helps, it still tastes like medicine. Now imagine chugging a bottle of it when you're already nauseous. Bleh.)

Baby3 is active and healthy. She particularly favors the evening for her soccer practice. She's big enough now (over a pound according to my book) that I can enjoy feeling her move and play without being too uncomfortable. I feel pretty good most of the time (especially compared to the nasueated, emotional train wreck that I was during first trimester). My biggest complaint is feeling tired but I suspect that's more because of the two kids than the pregnancy. I feel like this pregnancy has gone much faster than before so I feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of her arriving so soon but I'm sure it won't be long before I start getting impatient. No significant food cravings (but I do regularly want salty stuff or cheese).

We don't have a name for her yet (but then again we probably wouldn't announce it anyway. With our first two girls we came up with a "short list" and even had a favorite for a first choice but wanted to wait until baby was born before we made it official. Partly because we don't want to commit yet, partly because we don't want other opinions to influence us but mostly just because we wanted to meet her first). It's fun to talk about but after two girls already, we are having an even harder time deciding on a short list. Sometimes we ask the girls what we should name the baby. Ladybug said "nemo" but I think she just wanted to watch the movie. Butterfly thought about it and said "dixie lizard". She will not be naming the baby.

Butterfly LOVES the baby. She puts her hands on my belly to feel the kicks and especially likes to "cuddle" the baby (we lay spooning on the couch so the baby can kick against her back which makes her absolutely thrilled). She likes to get out her doctor kit and use the stethescope to "listen" to the baby. My particular favorite is when she sings to the baby. The other day, she even began picking out toys for the baby and setting them aside and then getting mad at Ladybug for trying to play with them.

Ladybug watches her big sister do this and finally she too is showing interest in the baby. Her first acknowledgment was only about a week ago when after watching Butterfly feel for and listen to the baby, she pattered over and put both hands on my belly and giggled. I don't think she gets it yet but she will soon.

Butterfly has also told me my belly button is ugly and that someone scribbled on my tummy. Sad but true.