Three things I have learned this week:

1. I hate demi-panel maternity pants.

I’m currently rocking some awesome red crop pants, but they have this stupid demi panel in them! It is pretty tight in order to hold the pants up, which isn’t the most comfortable. Even having it that tight doesn’t stop the pants from slowly inching down so I have to keep tugging them up every five minutes. And when I sit down the panel folds over in front. Plus it makes my bump look weird. Maybe it is supposed to be supportive or something? Whatever, I don’t like it. Give me a full panel or go under the bump – none of this halfway in between business.

2. I can get a free breast pump through my insurance.

One of my friends mentioned this the other day and I jumped all over it. I called my insurance company to see if I qualified, and it turns out all you need is a prescription for a pump from your doctor. I also have to order from certain retailers, so I checked their websites to see if they carry either of the two I had been looking at (they do)! Now I just have to order it and the claim goes right to my insurance so I don’t even have to get reimbursed. We will save around $300! I love saving money.

3. Never believe Chris Harrison.

I watch pretty much every season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, so the show really doesn’t have to do much to get me to watch. However, I found this season to be… slightly boring. They really tried hard to make it seem dramatic, but in reality it just seemed like Des was too normal for the show, so nothing crazy happened. Yes, I know that Brooks leaving was supposed to be dramatic, but it came off more depressing than anything. And the fact that Chris Harrison said something along the lines of, “I know I say this every season, but trust me, this season finale is the most dramatic thing that has ever happened in Bachelor history!” had me all excited to watch it. Then nothing crazy happened other than the Brooks thing. Um, didn’t this happen already? I’m pretty sure Frank left right at the end of Ali’s season, so really, we’ve seen this exact situation before. Sort of a let down of a season. But of course, they reeled me back in by choosing JUAN PABLO to be the next Bachelor! I think that was the highlight of the season for me.

This week according to What to Expect:

Your baby’s facial features are really filling out… and your belly button may really be popping out!

Your Baby in Week 24 of Pregnancy

Your baby is about eight and a half inches long and weighs one and a half pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week. Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is your baby a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there’s no pigment yet.

Your Body in Week 24 of Pregnancy

If your former innie is now an outie, welcome to the club. Almost every expectant mom’s pregnant belly button pops at some point as her swelling uterus pushes on everything in its path. Things should return to normal after delivery, though your navel (and some other parts of your body) might look a bit, well, stretched. Just think of it as one more badge of honor that only moms get to wear. What other pregnancy woe is pushing your buttons? Well, probably your uncomfortably numb wrists and fingers, thanks to carpal tunnel syndrome. (Don’t worry — the sensations will disappear when you give birth.)