35 weeks (-5) and some random things

Have you noticed the widget on the side with the baby floating in it? It now says 33 days! 33. I look at it every day and though that floating baby is inaccurate as mine is squished with very little room left, the days are numbered. Technically as of March 8th he will be full term and could come any time, that's less than 2 weeks away. And we are no where near ready. The bathroom is still a disaster zone and I haven't even begun to deal with his room. Not to mention the painting I haven't finished or the curtains I need to alter. I've been slowly working on things but I move so slow that it takes forever to finish anything.

I keep reminding myself that he's easier to take care of where he's at. And I take advantage of sleeping in if my body and baby let me because those days are numbered too. It's also really weird to think that a fully formed person will be coming out of me soon. And it's going to live here, in my house. The whole thing is weird.

Saturday evening we had a baby shower. I hesitate to use the word "shower" because it was more of a party with good food, alcohol, friends, and some presents. It was great fun and a wonderful evening. One of the thing we got was a book about dogs. It's basically a lot of dog sounds and Jonathan read it to the baby when we got home. Baxter went nuts with Jonathan making all of these noises. Baxter is our silent dog, I can count on one hand the amount of times I've heard him bark in his life and I think that number has now doubled from that book. Very funny.

This Week:

• The average baby weighs almost five and a half pounds now.
• Most babies born now will survive and without many long-term problems.
• Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. These layers of fat will help him regulate his body temperature. They also provide those cute little dimples on elbows and knees!
• Her hearing is fully developed, so be sure to talk to your daughter. Do you find yourself speaking in a high-pitched tone? That's okay since some studies show babies respond better to higher pitches.
• It's getting crowded! Your baby is now taking up most of the uterus and you may even feel like your chest has run out of room! Soon enough though, baby will move down and you'll be able to breathe easily again (just not walk so easily! Ha!).
• Your baby is 18.2 inches (46.2cm) long and weighs 5.3 pounds (2383gm).
• The testes have completed their descent in males.

34 Weeks (-6)

It's hard to imagine that the baby would need very little assistance if he were born now. The twins I used to take care of were born at 32 weeks. It seems very weird to me. I'm uncomfortable, it's just the way it's going to be. I waddle, you do what ya gotta do. And I always have to pee.

Right now the next thing I'm looking forward to is him dropping. I know this will require even more trips to the bathroom, which is hard to imagine, but it's so hard to breath that I keep having dreams that I'm suffocating. My ribs ache from all the pressure.

We had a great time in San Antonio over the weekend and as of today I'm not allowed to travel more than an hour from home. Which actually works out, sitting in the car for much more than that is next to impossible plus we have to stop every 30 min for me to pee so it's more of a pain than anything.

I have another nurses visit this week but it's nothing exciting, but at 36 weeks we'll get a final sonogram to estimate his weight and check his position. I do know that he's head down, I feel the hiccups really low and I get jabbed in the ribs by little feet, which is good.

And I can't believe how much bigger my belly looks. I know that he's about 4 1/2 lbs now, it's just amazing how quickly I'm growing. The main thing he's doing now is packing on the fat. How in the world and I going to grow for 6 more weeks?


This week:

• Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.
• She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!
• Antibodies from your blood are being transferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breast milk will add even more protection against disease.
• Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix.
• Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born!
• Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

33 weeks (-7)

Pregnancy symptoms are about the same. It's gotten more difficult to sleep. This is the thing that will get me in the end. I've only been sleeping 4 or 5 hours a night. Thank God I can nap a little, but more sleep at night would be better. Most people start sleeping in a recliner at this point but we don't have one and aren't buying one for 7 weeks.

This kid is also so high that he feels like he's attached to my right lung. The back and hip pain isn't too bad. It's there, but I'm managing.

I've been told that I'm not allowed to exercise. I tried last week and would have ended up at the hospital had I called them. I didn't want to go so I didn't call. I had lots of braxton hicks contractions for several hours after. They said that after I get to 36 weeks I can exercise a little so only 3 more weeks to go. Until then I'll simply enjoy swimming.

This Week:

• Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
• Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
• Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
• While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
• You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
• If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
• Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).

32 Weeks (-8)

I had a nurses visit on Thursday that went really well. There's not a lot to report, just that everything is on track. They said that if baby is head down by 32 weeks they usually stay that way, so yay. I was very very slightly anemic, by 2 points. As long as I take my iron supplements it should be fine. All of my other tests looked great.

My next appointment is at 34 weeks (almost 35) then at 36 weeks they start checking for progress and do the last sonogram to approximate baby's weight and check his position.

It would be nice if this baby would drop soon so that I could breath. Often times I find that I have to lay down and stretch out just to catch my breath. It's annoying. And my ribs hurt.

This week:

• Your baby is up to 3.75 pounds (1702gm) now and is 16.7 inches (42.4cm) long.
• You might notice she's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room. She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!
• All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!
• Toenails are completely formed even though she may not be quite ready for a French manicure.
• Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Will he have dad's black hair or your red hair?
• Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose your son is dreaming about?

31 weeks (-9)

It was an interesting week. My last day of work and a weekend away. Jonathan did a 12 hour adventure race with some friends. I'll do a whole other post just on that, with some fun pictures and everything. I went along to support them and cook them food. So Friday I was on my feet most of the day cooking and Saturday I was on my feet a lot heating things up and walking between the camper and the transition area. This is how my feet looked Friday night.
And Saturday they were worse. I didn't sleep well Friday night, between the bed, Sam (Jonathan's dad) and Jonathan snoring, and the dog chewing on a bone, I think I slept about 5 hours. And my back and hips were super sore. I took Tylenol all day and that still didn't help so I left Saturday night so I could sleep in my own bed. Luckily today they are getting better. I'll go float in the pool tomorrow and hopefully that will help too. I enjoyed being out there, but it was challenging.

This Week:

• The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
• Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
• Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
• Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
• His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
• She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
• Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

30 Weeks (-10)

Only 10 more weeks to go. I'm very much ready to be done working, but 2 weeks to go.

I have noticed that my belly has gotten heavier. My belly button is also threatening to become an outie. It hasn't popped yet but I suspect it will in the next few weeks.

The baby gets the hiccups on occasion now. It's very cute, as long as it's not at 4 AM, and it makes me giggle. And I could sit and watch it move for hours. If I can't even stop staring at my belly I'm not going to be able to take my eyes off the kid once he gets here.

I'll try and get a belly shot this week. In the mean time, here is a picture of where all of my organs have re-located to:

This Week:

• Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?
• His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.
• A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!
• He spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. His eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. He may even reach out to touch the light.
• Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.
• Toenails are entering their final growth stage.
• Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).
• Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.
• By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm)

29 Weeks (-11 to go)

This week hasn't brought a whole lot of new things, just more of the same. What's missing from the picture below are all of the woman's internal organs getting squished. Yes, squished. I was driving home from work one day and realized that I had a sore muscle, like I had been at the gym working one very specific muscle. Then I realized that muscle was my stomach, getting squished. It was a very odd feeling. Everything is just a bit sore from being relocated. I hear that when the baby drops I'll be able to breath a little better so I'm looking forward to that.

The swelling in my feet has set in again and I don't think it's leaving. It's not pretty but at least it's not hot outside. We did actually plan for that one.

And I'm thrilled to report that he has finally turned!!! For the time being at least, he is head down. I realized this 2 days ago when it felt like he was trying to kick my right boob. He's done this before, went head down for 2 days and then decided he liked it better the other way. This way is much more comfortable for me so I'm hoping he stays there, but he still has plenty of time to get into position. In the mornings he is usually sideways. And by morning I mean 5 AM or when Jonathan's alarm goes off, that wakes him up too. It's weird feeling him stretch that way because both sides of my belly move. I usually put my hand on it and feel from the outside too but I haven't gotten up the nerve (or desire) to turn on a light and actually watch both sides pooch out at once. Waking up that early definitely comes from Jonathan.

And speaking of things that come from Jonathan, have I mentioned his big head? We had a sonogram at 28 weeks and they always take measurements. His legs were right on track, his belly was right on track, and his head... his head was a week big. A FULL week. Maybe he's just going to be smart? But I want him to fit coming out too.

This Week:

• Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!
• Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
• Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
• His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.
• Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
• He is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
• Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)

28 Weeks - the 3rd trimester

Today marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester and 12 weeks until D-day. I was hoping that it was going to seem closer after the holidays, but so far it doesn't.

About 3 days ago I started having sciatica. I can't get comfortable and doing just about anything hurts. I've been stretching but so far it's not really helping. I'll go in for some acupuncture if it doesn't clear up soon. It doesn't take long for it to get really annoying. But other than that, no new symptoms.

Here are lists of things I want to remember, and forget, about the 2nd trimester...

Remember:
Jonathan feeling him move
Seeing him move
The good parts of the Vegas trip
Our level 2 sonogram and finding out that he's perfect!

Forget:
Freaking out on the day I didn't feel him move
All the swelling in Vegas
My feet hurting all the time
Not being able to breath
Being uncomfortable

As I'm tying this I'm realizing that I'm not going to be able to forget those things until this is over with, because I don't think they're going away. Can you tell that I'm ready for this part of it to be over with?

And he's getting bigger... much bigger.

I'm feeling huge and wondering how he's supposed to grow so much more. I'd also like it if he would turn already. Usually his feet are in my bladder or they feel like they are trying to escape. It's not comfortable.

From here on out he's mostly growing and putting on fat. Here's what's happening this week:

• Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
• Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
• Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
• Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone.
• Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
• Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
• Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
• Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

27 Weeks

I can't believe we're at 27 weeks already and approaching the 3rd trimester. If you notice, the little counter on the side says how many more days we have and it's below 100!

Symptoms have been about the same. Heart burn and reflux have been the biggest annoyance and I'm always trying to stay on top of things so I don't get leg cramps at night. My feet were a little swollen before Vegas but they poofed up like an old Russian woman during the trip and have yet to return to normal, I may not see them again until after delivery. At least it's not summer. Someone mentioned swimming to help, but then I realized that I don't have a swim suit that I would fit into.

The baby is getting much stronger and he's flipping around constantly. Sometimes I have feet in my bladder and sometimes they are in my ribs. All of my internal organs have headed north so it's getting harder to breath. The cool think is sitting on the couch and watching him move. It's hard to imagine how big I'm going to be in 3 more months because I already feel like a beached whale.

This week:

• Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth. Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even books with your baby!
• Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's.
• Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!
• He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born.
• Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.
• Retinas have formed.
• Your baby will grow over an inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenomenal growth rate repeats in the preteen years!
• Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

I'm working on a Vegas post, hopefully I'll get it up tomorrow.

25 weeks & date night

Tonight Jonathan and I had a date! We won tickets to a comedy show at the Paramount and it was great. My favorite by far was a guy named Mike Reyburn. Here's a clip, one that he did. It's Led Zeppellin sings Dr. Seuss.



And I'm now 25 weeks pregnant. I'm getting bigger and baby is getting stronger. The reflux and heart burn are annoying. Even when I haven't eaten anything for 2 hours, I still have reflux. If I had money to put into the stock market, I'd invest in Tums.

Here is a rare shot of me wearing make up. It was for the big date. And it was taken in the baby's room so you can see the nice color of the walls.

This week:

• The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.
• Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
• Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!
• The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!
• His swallowing reflexes are developing.
• Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.
• Your child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).

And I'll leave you with a close up...

24 weeks - Viability!

This is the best picture we got at the sonogram the other day. He was wiggly and stubborn at the same time. The other clear picture we got was of his boy parts. There is no doubt about his gender. The white blob in front of (above) his face is his placenta. The placenta is high and in the front so his head is right around my belly button and his feet are down. He seems to like that position right now. Sometimes I'll feel him kick towards my left side, which I prefer to him kicking straight down, but it's always one of the two.

We are now officially at 24 weeks which is considered viability. What that means is that if the baby were born now they would do everything possible to keep him alive. The chances aren't great and the risk of having long term problems are high so we wan't to keep him cooking for a while longer but it is a big milestone.

I have a runny nose and a headache. Everyone seems to have something right now so I guess it was just a matter of time before I picked something up. Hopefully this is as bad as it gets. This is the down side of being pregnant during the winter instead of the summer, there are so many more germs and the chances of getting sick are much higher. And when you are sick, all you can take is Tylenol, Sudafed, or Benadryl.

The child birth preparation class yesterday was okay. It was good to find out what happens in the hospital and what the standard procedures are. It just re-confirmed that I love my doctor. All of his staff has been with him for a long time, and as long as everything is ok medically he lets the patient call the shots. He's very big into making this my day and even though things don't always go as planned he does everything he can to help the plan happen. He also delivers 90% of his own patients. All during the week, even in the middle of the night, he's the one there. If I have the baby on a weekend it's whom ever is on-call, so we're shooting for a week day.

We are also back to not knowing which hospital we're going to be at. The nurses have all been talking like it's going to be up north. We now need to take a tour and pre-register at that one just in case.

This week:

• Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
• His body begins to fill out with his appearance 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 his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.
• Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
• His 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.
• Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler! (ours is 1.4 lbs, according to the sonogram)
  

23 weeks

Yesterday makes 23 weeks. The little guy has been quiet today, but I've been moving around a lot. I've gotten to where I always have to have tums around, otherwise I'm miserable. Other than that, no new symptoms. My feet still hurt and my hips are sore but I don't think those things are going to go away.

The baby's hearing is fine. The other night I was in bed and I heard this huge sound coming from something inside me. It was loud to me so I can only imagine how loud it was to him. After the second time it happened he started kicking around. He had been sleeping but that woke him up.

He's getting stronger and I've felt him move from the outside a few times, still not very often though.

This week:

• Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
• Bones located in the middle ear harden.
• Your baby is able to hear.
  
• The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
• The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. He has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
• If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day.
• The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

22 Weeks!

It seems like time is flying now, thank God. I hope it continues this way. Not much is new, but the acid reflux and heart burn are getting worse. I don't expect them to get any better until this is over with. The headaches are mostly gone, which is great. My feet hurt but if I wear shoes most of the time it helps.

I love feeling him move around. Jonathan can't wait to feel him, he's just too little still. Jonathan often talks to him, reads to him, and sings or resits poetry to him. It's very cute.

This week:

• Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!
• Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly than before!. When you talk, read, or sing, expect her to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.
• Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
  
• Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
• Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth.
  
• With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.
• If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to the scrotum.
• Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing testosterone.
• Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).

21 Weeks

The little guy is definitely growing, I feel him more every day. Today I tried to take a nap but he wouldn't stop kicking me. It's cute now, but I have a feeling that it's going to get old. Unfortunately my feet are growing and most of my shoes are too small now. It's a bummer because I love my shoes. I went and got some ugly crocks, I don't like how they look but they fit.

My stomach still isn't back to normal. I'm hoping it regulates soon. And my back and hips are still really sore. It's not nearly as bad as it was a few weeks ago though, thank God.

Oh, and thanks to my friend Beth we have a bunch of 0-3 month clothes! They are so tiny and cute!

Here is how the baby looks in my belly this week:

• White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body's defense system. They help fight infections and diseases.
• Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
• Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing giving you a raspberry!
• Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system!
• Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
• Length is now measured crown to heel.
• Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).

20 Weeks

1/2 way there! Things are going well. I feel him moving more, still not very consistently but it's getting easier to distinguish between what the baby feels like and what's digestion related. Jonathan reads to the baby most nights, usually Dr. Seuss. My back and hips are feeling better now that I've become good friends with the chiropractor. They are still a little sore but I can sleep okay and they don't stop me from doing things anymore, thank God. I'm still having a lot of headaches though, which is frustrating.

I had my 20 week nurse visit on Friday. Everything looked good, I got to hear his heart beat and it was strong, and we found out that I will be having the baby at Seton down town. I also scheduled the next big sonogram where they measure all the organs and body parts, it will be December 5th.

This Week:

• The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
  
• The baby's heart grows stronger. His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
  
• Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect him from viruses you've already had for up to six months after birth!
  
• The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in a specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
  
• Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, he can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during his development stages often are calming after birth.
  
• Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).

On a different note: I have someone coming out to look at the refrigerator tomorrow and assess the damage. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

19 Weeks

The pregnancy has been rather un-eventful lately... thank God. My appetite has increased but baby is going through a growth spurt so I'm assuming those two things are related. The only thing that has been really different is that the baby has moved to my butt and is growing there now. My back and hips are still rather sore but the chiropractor is helping a ton. I'm hoping to get a massage later in the week and I think that will help a lot too.

This Week:

• Your baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
• Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
• Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
• The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
• If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.
• Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
• Your little one's size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm) and 8.47 ounces (240gm).

I'll be spend some of the later part of the week with this little girl. This is my youngest niece, Grace. My brother and sister-in-law are going on vacation to Mexico and both sets of grandparents and I are taking care of her. It should be an interesting week.

15 Weeks

My sinus infection is mostly gone. I feel fine, but I'm still a bit snotty. The nausea comes and goes. Last night after dinner I felt the baby move! It was 2 or 3 thumbs all in a row. Everything is going along just fine, I'm having a bit of indigestion and am taking tums. I have a mild headache most of the time, it's annoying but nothing uncommon or serious. I can't wait for my next dr's apt, it can't come quick enough.

I still don't have the house cleaned up, I'm going to work on that next, and there's no way I'm getting to the painting this weekend. I had a long lunch with my friend Rita, which was great, and spent some time with my family yesterday evening. Jonathan and Randy finished their ride and had a blast. I post a few pictures after he gets home.

This week:

• You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as baby kicks, flails, twists and turns (but don't panic if you don't yet). She can also grasp, squint, frown, grimace and maybe suck her thumb!
• Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the body is now longer than the head.
• And you'll be happy to note that he is moving those arms and legs often!
• His skin is very thin -- so thin blood vessel are visible. It's covered by a fine, soft layer of hair called lanugo. Lanugo comes from a Latin word meaning "down." This hair is thought to help insulate your little boy.
• The three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden. The auditory centers in your baby's brain haven't developed yet, so she might not really understand what you say but her hearing capacity is in the process of developing.
• Fingernails and toenails are growing.
• Eyebrows are beginning to grow and even the hair his head is sprouting. It will probably change color and texture after birth.
• All this and your little one is an amazing 3.98 inches (10.1cm) long and may weigh 2.47 ounces (70gm).

14 Weeks: The Second Trimester

So far, I like this second trimester thing. About 4 days ago the nausea let up a bit. I had a little today, but not too much. I'm hoping it's not a fluke. My sinus infection is almost gone. There were a few days that sucked, I couldn't take much, I couldn't breath, and I had green gunk coming out of my head, but it could have been much worse. I slept horribly but I could stay in bed for 12 hours so I'd at least sleep for about 8. Thank God it didn't last too long and it was over the weekend so I didn't have to take time off work.

One thing I'm not liking is trying to fine clothes that I can exercise in. I have to order something because no where in town has anything, so I have to guess at sizes and I've got to have some things to take to Yosemite. It looks like I'll be wearing some of Jonathan's shirts to work out in because the one maternity shirt I found was $44, which seems insane for something I'll wear for a few months. I also can't find bras to work out in, what do people who are this big do? I've got no clue.

Last week I swear I felt the baby move. I was driving home and I felt one little thump, it was kind of like a kernel of popcorn popped in my belly. I haven't felt anything since then, and I want to start feeling it so that I know he's okay in there, but it will probably be a few more weeks until it happens. I have to wait another 2 weeks for the next sonogram, it seems like a really long time.

This week:

• Thyroid gland has matured and your baby begins producing hormones which will be used throughout his or her life.
• In boys, the prostate gland develops
• In girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen to the pelvis
• Your little one may have learned to suck his thumb by this point!
• Your child's bones are getting harder and stronger by the day!
• Your baby's skin is very transparent still
• Lanugo (very fine hair) covers the baby's body and will continue to grow until 26 weeks gestational age - Generally this will be shed prior to birth. Its purpose is to help protect baby's skin while in all that water!
• Your baby is 3.42 inches (8.7cm) long and weighs about 1.52 ounces (43 grams) - approximately the weight of a letter!

13 Weeks

This is the last week of my first trimester! Overall the first 1/3 was okay, it could have been much worse, and thank God it's almost over. I'm feeling okay and in the last few weeks time seems to be moving at a more normal rate, it was very slow before. I'm not nearly so tired, I have some energy, and I haven't barfed in the last 3 days. I always thought I'd be a very crabby pregnant person, and I have my moments, but for the most part I've been pretty okay. It helps to have such a supportive husband who is willing to do a little extra around the house. I hope our boy turns out as great as he is.

It's weird to not have a doctor's appointment for 4 whole weeks. I'm looking forward to feeling the baby move so at least I'll know that he's okay in there. I didn't like the reason why I was watched so closely before, but I did really enjoy seeing my baby so often and checking in on him.

Here's a belly shot at 13 weeks. Pardon the fat, not all of that is baby, but most of it is. It's funny, it looks so much bigger to me when I look down on it than it does in the picture.


This Week:

• Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm)
• If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
• Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
• Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest
• His hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with his fist.
• At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta

Sonogram & a pro-noun

Thanks to Starbucks our little one was awake and moving for the show today.

They measured the fluid on the back of the neck and it is way below the worry mark. Anything less than 3 mm is good and ours is at 1 mm. I also had some blood work done and they'll call in a few days if there is anything to be concerned about.

My mom went with us so she could see the action and we weren't disappointed. I also asked the technician if she could take a guess at the gender. And we're having a boy!!! She was pretty sure that it wasn't just a guess too, there was some strong evidence for it. We'll confirm it in 4 weeks but they've already put "male" on my chart. It's so nice to be able to say "he" now instead of "it". Everyone is very excited. We would have been excited either way, but I had a feeling it was a boy. He was stretching and moving all over the place.

The other great news is that the blood clot is completely gone! Yay! So I've been cleared for normal activity. Yay! I'm going to look on-line for some hiking pants and I'm planning on going for a walk in the morning.

My mom called to tell me that was the most fun she'd ever had at a doctor's office. And Jonathan took video of the whole thing and he's up-loading it now so hopefully I can post that soon. It's very cool. In the mean time, you have the pictures.