Thursday, October 28, 2010

Halfway There!

Yesterday marked my 19th week of pregnancy which means I am halfway there! It's amazing how fast the time has flown and how much my belly has started to grow. It's fun to watch the growth from week to week. Unfortunetly, I don't have a new belly pic yet. My camera is out of juice at the moment. So until I get more batteries, you'll have to visualize me in your head as best you can, lol. I've definitely got a noticeable bulge though. Over this past weekend, I felt the baby move for the first time. It is very slight and you really have to pay attention to your belly. The other day I hadn't felt the baby until Brian came home and we were talking with each other on the couch. Then the baby started to kick-it was SO cute! Here is a little bit about baby this week:
Our baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that the baby may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to the baby, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. (I have read to the baby once.)
Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now. The 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.
That's all for now. I hope to post a belly picture soon! :)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

18 Weeks

Our baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear us talking now. This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'd have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of our baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing. Our baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating our baby's nerves. Our baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (I'm familiar with pickles, right? My regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream? Just kidding.)
At about 18 weeks, I have begun to feel a suspicious flutter in my belly. The professionals call it "quickening," some call it "baby's makin' waves!" Within the next few weeks, those tiny bubbly feelings will become more obvious. And soon enough they'll be unmistakably identifiable—especially when I (and anyone within 10 feet of me) can see tiny feet, elbows and knees moving across your belly.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

16 Weeks

It's official! I am now 4 months pregnant! Time sure has flown and by baby bump has seemed to grow by the minute! Here is a snippet about the baby from www.whattoexpect.com:
Your baby now weighs in at a whopping three to five ounces, and he's four to five inches in length. The bones that are now in place in his ears means he can probably hear your voice as you talk to your partner and pals and sing in the car. While he’s getting used to your voice, the tiny muscles in his body, especially the ones in his back, are gaining strength, so he can straighten out a little more. And thanks to his developing facial muscles, your baby is capable of making a few expressive frowns and squints, even at this early stage. (Don’t worry, those frowns have nothing to do with the sound of your voice!) And his eyes are finally working, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed). Peekaboo!
I will soon feel the baby move....I'm so excited! :) I had a routine doctor's visit yesterday and heard the heartbeat as well as learned I gained a few pounds (but it's for a good cause!). The next time I see the doctor will be for my first ultrasound on November 1, and I hope to learn whether it is a boy or a girl! :) Then it's time to register for the little peanut. Everything continues to go well for me, more headaches lately, but still taking daily naps and putting my feet up often. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.