19 weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that it may be able to hear our voices now. Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato or mango. Its arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. Kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on the scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on the skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How my life's changing:

Though I think I'm feeling big now, I'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, I may notice some achiness in my lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when I shift position or at the end of an active day. (Which I might add has already started! ouch!) Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support my uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight.

I could start noticing some skin changes, too. The palms of my hands my turn red. Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. Although this is not happening to me right now, I may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." I may also notice some darkening of my nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva, which also is not shown significantly at this time either. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, I need to protect myself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Although, I may have to make an exception for Mexico, in one week and one day from today! I think I'll take advantage of all the warm sun I can get during this snowy, cold winter in SD! I will be cautious though and wear my sunscreen...but everyone knows, you always look better with a little tan on the skin!! Plus it's like one of my favorites past times! If I have to give up alcohol and caffeine, then I'm not giving up my sunshine, yea! It's full of good vitamins, right! :-)

Next week... Gender appointment!! Boy or Girl?? Tuesday the 4th at 10am! Stay tuned to find out!

18 weeks!

How our baby's growing:

Head to rump, our baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. It's busy flexing its arms and legs — movements that I'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Blood vessels are visible through its thin skin, and its ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from its head a bit (just like daddy's...hehe). A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves, a process that will continue for a year after it's born. As my growing uterus starts shifting my center of gravity (belly forward, bottom out), hormones are causing my ligaments to relax and joints to loosen. As a result, back pain and soreness... which have been in full force for me, ouch! On the brighter side... in 2 weeks we'll find out if we're having a boy or a girl! If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place at this time. And, if we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, let's just hope he doesn't hide them from us during our next ultrasound!

How my life's changing:

My appetite has definitely increased, which is pretty common about this time. But not such a good thing considering it's the Holiday's and my sweet tooth is trying to take over! My willpower is a constant struggle to keep under control! My cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester my blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. I can't be springing up too fast from a lying or sitting position or I might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when I lie down, it's best I lie on my side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) This is very hard for me to do, 'cause I've always been a front and back sleeper, so staying on my sides has lead to some restless nights. But, I'm learning to cope!

17 week baby bump

Okay... you've been asking for it, so here it is, another baby bump picture! 17 weeks and 5 days today! And, the countdown continues for the next super exciting appointment: 2 weeks and 3 days, to know if we're having a boy or girl!
TGIF everyone! *hugs* to all!

17 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — the lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Our baby weighs about 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip or an onion), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom. It can move its joints, and its sweat glands are starting to develop. And those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

Every now and again I have been feeling little flutters, like a butterfly wings, in my stomach! It's not a constant thing yet, but I'm pretty sure it's our little bean movin' around inside! I usually feel it as I'm laying in bed, right before I fall asleep. It's very strange in an awesome sort of way! I can't wait to feel it on a more regular basis. Makes me smile every time!

OB Appointment #3

Well, the doc says everything's FANTASTIC! No ultrasound this time around, but we did still get to hear the heartbeat, measured at a 148 beats/min! You just can't help but put a smile on your face and giggle a little bit as soon as you start to hear that little heart a beating. Amazes me every time! And no troubles finding it this time either, thank God!

I also had some blood drawn for some screening tests done for any kind of chromosomal abnormalities (downs syndrome), spina bifida, and some other stuff that I can't remember the name of. They're just precautionary measures to let us know if our baby is at risk for any of these things.

No other news to tell you, except to stay posted into the New Year to find out the gender of our little one!! January 4th, 2010 is our next appointment (#4) and we'll be doing a 4-D ultrasound to get realistic pictures and to find out if we're having a boy or a girl! I already can't wait!
I'll try to get some more "bump" pictures up soon too!!

16 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

I'm getting ready for a growth spurt! In the next few weeks, our baby will double its weight and add inches to its length. Right now, it's about the size of an avocado: approximately 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Its legs are much more developed, its head is more erect than it has been, and eyes have moved closer to the front of its head. Its ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of the scalp has begun, though its locks aren't recognizable yet. It's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, the heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as our baby continues to develop.

How my life's changing:

The top of my uterus is about halfway between my pubic bone and my navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. I'm definitely feeling a whole lot better as I settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

I should soon be able to feel the earliest of baby movements. Which may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and I'll be able to feel them much more frequently. I'm looking very forward to experience this most amazing feeling!!

#3 OB appointment this week! Thursday, December 10th! Stay posted for updates from the doc!

15 Weeks

How our baby's growing:

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). It's busy moving amniotic fluid through its nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, and it can move all of its joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, it can sense light. If I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, it's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but it is forming taste buds. Finally, we could be able to find out whether our baby's a boy or a girl!!! (but we're not finding out till our appointment on Jan 4th - That is if he or she isn't modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

My body is definitely in ready, set, go mode for the baby to grow! I've grown out of all of my normal size attire (including undergarments...ugh). My Victoria's Secret shopping experience last weekend was not exactly uplifting, HA! Guess it's time to give into the official world of prego-wear. But, worse than that is my extremely stuffy nose I get ALL THE TIME! I have to carry around nose spray with me everywhere I go, 'cause I'm constantly stuffed. This condition (according to babycenter.com) is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." So, I if that's all I have to live with...then I can handle that! Amen for no more "morning sickness" feelings, or being completely exhausted!!

Oh, and other good news... my progesterone levels are rising wonderfully well as they should, as proven by the blood test I took last week. Yea!

GROW BABY GROW!