Week Twenty Five: Exploration continues

	My wife is now 25 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 23 weeks). Here is what is going on with peanuts development as of this week. Peanut is around 13.5 inches in length and weighs 1 and half pounds. His bones are becoming solid and hands are now fully developed. The brain is growing rapidly, the brain cells are starting to mature. The sexual organs are fully developed. Peanut is now pretty well built portion wise even though he still has little body fat and his skin is thin. The structures of the spine begins to form -- All 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments. The tiny brain is growing rapidly, and he is starting to fill the space in my wife's uterus. Her uterus is now about the size of a soccer ball and she looks pregnant. Peanuts hands are now fully developed, although some of the nerve connections to the hands have a long way to go. Dexterity is improving. He can make a fist and clasp objects placed in palm. Exploring the structures inside my wife's uterus may have become peanuts prime entertainment. Fascinated by the amount of tactile stimulation a peanut gives himself; he will touch a hand to his face, one hand to the other hand, clasps his feet, touch his foot to his leg, his hand to his umbilical cord. Blood vessels of the lungs develop. His nostrils begin to open. The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. His swallowing reflexes are developing. He can hear sounds outside the womb and the brain cells are starting to mature also. Already he can learn and remember and can recognize our voicees. Babies at 25 weeks of pregnancy stand a 50% chance of survival.