The Carter Twins

This is a very important week for me. We are exactly 24 weeks today and the girls are considered “viable” at this point. Here is what is going on inside the bump:

• Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
• Their bodies begins to fill out with their appearances 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 their palms. The muscular coordination of their hands has improved as they sucks their thumbs.
• Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
• Their 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.
• Each Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long — almost the length of a ruler!

Our next OBGYN appointment is on Friday. We have a “growth” ultrasound to make sure the girls continue to grow and a healthy rate… more pictures to follow…

All our love,

Steph

I felt my first movement from the girls on Tuesday, most likely from Baby A. It was so amazing, my first real confirmation that something really is inside of that belly! It felt like a very small hiccup or a tiny jab, although it felt more like a rolling wave for Stephanie. She has been feeling their movements much more frequently now, especially after drinking ice cold water. They are still very elusive for me; you have to feel in exactly the right spot and it always seems like they quiet down just as you start paying attention.

The very first baby movement I ever felt was Godbaby Connor, probably at 32+ weeks. It felt like a foot swiping across my hand – very cool but a little creepy too. I’m sure we’re going to feel a whole lot more activity in there over the coming months, especially with two in there negotiating each other in cramped quarters.

–Jason

Well we have just entered our 22nd week and continue feeling pretty good. I have started to feel the twins roll around my stomach… they feel like a water bed or a lava lamp inside of me. They especially get movin’ if I take a huge drink of ice water… it’s so weird. Our next check up is on Friday.

Stephanie