the update and more:

Baby update as of week 24:

"Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon."

It's been about a month since the last time I updated this blog but I promise that I have some good reasons.  Around the last time I updated was the beginning of a much-needed break from school (which was fantastic by the way!) This was our last break between semesters that we will have here while being in Dominica and it was the most relaxing one Brandon and I have had yet.

The vacation was 2 1/2 weeks long and week 1 consisted of:

our family coming to visit,

plenty of good food,

found out we're having a baby BOY! (Parker James),

No more 3rd Semester! Home stretch....4th Semester here we come!

We filled the week with different trips that everyone would enjoy (Fort Shirley, hiked to Bense Pool, Scott's Head) and also spent lots of time relaxing at the pool and just spending time together.  The week went by way too fast and Brandon and I both wished that they stayed longer.

Besides staying a night at Pagua Bay, we spent the rest of the week catching up on sleep and hanging out in our apartment.  We really wanted to take the time to spend some quality time together since I will be leaving in about a month.  I've been getting some things together and starting a sale list to get rid of things that we've accumulated since we've been here.  The girls are having a clothes swap tomorrow night so I will be handing off a great deal of my clothes to fellow spouses. 

As for the baby, we are getting sooo excited!  I have an appointment on Friday so more updates then.