(The ultrasound is from week 8.)

 

 

18 Weeks

 

 

           The baby is still growing strong and added  1/2”-1” in length this week and another 1/2 ounce in weight.  (Of course, I don’t think I’ve found two sources that are consistent on the sizes and weights, so it makes it confusing.)  S/he is busy moving around a lot, swallowing amniotic fluid, and ‘hiccupping’.  Later on I guess I’ll be able to feel the little hiccups, but I haven’t felt anything substantial yet (just minute things that may or may not be the baby).  The doctor said that once the baby’s bigger and the feelings are stronger I will probably recognize the movements as something I have already felt!  We got to listen to the heartbeat again on Friday (Feb. 24) and the baby kept moving around so the doctor would lose the ‘signal’ and have to find it again!  It was pretty neat.

           We’re very excited for our ultrasound on March 13th (less than two weeks away!).  Hopefully the baby will cooperate and we will be able to see if it’s a boy or girl.  Neither of us have any premonitions on what it will be, but we’ll be thrilled either way. 

 

                                

 

           I told you my little tummy was getting bigger!  You ain’t seen nothing yet, though...I’ve still got around thirty more pounds to go!  It’s filling out and my uterus is starting to feel more firm, too.  Right now if I feel my tummy the top edge of my uterus is an inch or two below my belly button.  It’s pretty sweet.  I confess I am quite fascinated and proud of this little home in me and I enjoy watching my ‘progress’ in the mirror every morning and night. 

           Loren is happily working out the details that will need to be taken care of for Baby’s arrival.  He’s compiling lists of things we’ll need and learning about infant care.  He also enjoys assessing the growth in my belly and poking around in there to feel where stuff’s at and maybe even to get some wiggles out of the little one!

           Our baby is becoming more and more ‘real’ to us every day and is always a source of joyful thoughts for us!

 

 

Weeks 16 and 17

 

 

(This picture is from Feb 11, the first day of week 16)

 

           The baby is now around five to six inches long, depending on who you ask.  S/he weighs about 5 ounces, which is finally more than the placenta.  His/her little bones have begun to ossify (change from cartilage to bone).  The baby has been moving and kicking for quite a while now, but in the next month or so I should be able to start feeling it!  Hair is growing all over the body and Baby is starting to “fill in” with some fat.  His/her eyes are closed under the eyelids and will open again around 26 weeks (I think).  The eyes, ears, and nose have moved into their final position, so our baby is looking more human than ever!  The baby can already hear my voice, but s/he won’t be able to hear normal sounds outside of me for a couple more weeks at least.  That doesn’t stop Loren from talking through my belly, though! :)  I did read that very loud sounds at this point can cause the baby to respond by moving...so maybe if Dad is really loud he’ll finally get through! 

           As for me, I am feeling very well!  I was starting to wonder if everything was okay in there since I was not feeling sick or tired or even monstrously hungry.  But then a nice wash of hormonal moodiness over a few days convinced me we’re still on!  Jimmy’s supposed to have a little growth spurt these couple of weeks and my little tummy is already bigger than it was a week ago in this picture!