21 weeks

Your Baby
Chances are good you're feeling someone performing a round-off back handspring in your uterus by now. Is there any other feeling this cool? Other highlights this week:

By now your baby looks like a mini-version of what she'll look like when she's born. All her facial features are formed and hair is growing on her head. She's even acting like a baby and will occasionally suck her thumb or yawn. Aww ...

Baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. Ask for a listen at your next prenatal visit! By 21 weeks, fetal bone marrow starts making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.

The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning your little bean now serves another purpose: Your baby uses it to "practice" chowing down. Yes, it sounds gross (as many aspects of pregnancy do), but it's an important step for your baby toward being able to chow down in the real world. Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that she's absorbing small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.

Your baby now weighs between 10 and 11 ounces and is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. Float anyone?

21 weeks

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

movement

I really do think I am feeling the baby move. That weird bubble feeling has happened every day since Saturday - mostly on the lower left side of my belly, but sometimes in the middle and other times and the right.

The way to describe it as a little bubble or bubbles gently popping inside my belly. Little tickles... It is lower down on my belly then I expected. (o:

Feel you/shopping

Dear Baby,
I am almost 21 weeks pregnant with you - which means you are about half way done cooking. In some senses, time is flying, but I really can't wait to meet you in person. Yesterday, we went to see a showing of Rent, one of mommy's favorite musicals, in the movie theater. On the way home, I thought I felt a funny, irregular throbbing in the bottom left of my belly. Was that you? Were you trying to tell me you liked Rent, too?  I felt it a few more times during the day, always in the same place.
Today, I am going to go shopping to start trying to figure out what we need for you. My friend Katherine is going to take me to tell me what she found useful with her daughter, Brooklynn.  Then daddy and I are going to make some final decisions.
By the way - your daddy is SO excited about you. He kept trying to feel my belly last night to see if he could feel you move at all. (Not yet. Maybe he should sing to you?) Daddy's specialty is research, and he has done a lot of it to help find the very best stuff for you - stuff that is safe for you, and easy to use for us!
Love you,
Mommy.

20 weeks - 1/2 way!

 Your Baby
This is the week most women get that ever-important gender-revealing ultrasound. If your baby isn't shy, the genitals can be clearly seen at this point. Will the baby pee standing up or sitting down? Well, that depends on how you potty train—but if you're interested, you could leave the appointment knowing if you're carrying a boy or a girl. Other highlights this week:

Your baby has established sleep patterns akin to a newborn now. Many babies even have a favorite sleep position already. Some snooze with their chins resting on their chests, while others nap with their head flung back. Many babies at this age fall into noticeable cycles of sleep and activity, so you may know before she arrives whether you have a night owl or an early bird.

If your baby is a boy, the testes have begun descending from the pelvis into the scrotum. If it's a girl, her uterus is completely formed and the rest of her "parts" are in development. (Is that TMI?)

From this point forward, your baby will put most of her energy into gaining weight and, not coincidentally, so will you! Right now your baby weighs approximately 10½ ounces and is about 6½ inches long, about the size of a can of Red Bull (which has way too much caffeine for a pregnant woman to be drinking).

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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Coming Feb. 10, 2009
(Well, that's an estimate, really!)

Kids say...

Last night, I was talking with Andrew - Angie's son.  We told him that we were having a boy, and that his name had to start with G. Grant asked him, "Don't you have any friends that have names that start with G?"

Andrew says no, only girls. Then he says, "Well, I guess there's God and Jesus."

Grant tells him, "Jesus starts with a J, but God works."

"Yeah," I said. "We could name him God. How's that?"

and Andrew says, "No. I don't think you can name him God. I think the name is copyrighted or something...."

Cool! Grant might be able to hear the heartbeat!

Baby Boy

Dear Baby,
Well, Mother's instinct won this time! You are indeed a boy! And you have daddy's nose (trust me, this is a good thing - except that I may never stop giving that cute little nose little kisses once you are here!) We also think you have daddy's feet.
You are quite the contortionist right now - your legs were bent so that your toes were right up to your head! So cute! We also got to see all four chambers of your heart, which was incredibly cool. You certainly don't have as much room as you had last time we saw you!
You are the perfect weight and all of your measurements were just what they should be. Your heart beat was 159 BPM, and you weigh 9 ounces. I am so excited that you are a healthy baby boy! Now everyone wants to know what we are going to name you! It's not a decision I am going to rush into, let me tell you! Besides, we still have a good 21 weeks, give or take, to figure it out!
So, you keep growing, little one. Stay healthy, grow strong, get bigger (um, but not too big, if you please...) and we'll see you soon!
Love,
Mommy

Boy or Girl?

Dear Baby,
Something you need to know about your Mom is that I am very bad at some kinds of decisions. Not that I make bad decisions - just that I don't like to make them - especially in situations where there probably isn't a right or wrong choice. Right now, I am being very indecisive about whether or not I should find out if you are a boy or a girl. Silly, huh? I mean, I'll find out some day soon, right? But I have an ultrasound in a few minutes and I am wondering if I should find out. Silly, huh? I mean, I am so convinced you are a boy already. That dream I had the night I took your pregnancy test really sort of began my whole gut feeling. In fact, in one sense, I think so strongly that you are a boy, that I wouldn't be at all surprised if they said you were a girl. I am getting excited! I want to know. Is that ok? I am silly, I know.
See you soon!
Mom

Dr.s appointment

Dr.'s appointment today! Baby's heartbeat is nice and strong - 154 beats per minute. According to the doctors scale, I am at 169 pounds. Yikes! But that is okay, apparently! Mom (Grandma Galliez) and Grant came to the appointment with me. Everything is looking good. Most exciting news? Ultrasound on Friday to find out the gender!!!

19 Weeks

Your Baby
This week your baby starts bulking up and packing on the grossly named "brown fat" he'll need to keep warm when he gets evicted from his comfortable uterine home. Other highlights this week:

Vernix, a milky white coating that protects your baby's skin, appears all over your baby's body to keep his skin from getting pickled in the amniotic fluid. Think of it as if your baby has been dipped in yogurt, like those delicious but fake-healthy yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels. Ooh, we feel another craving comin' on. ... Under the vernix, a fuzzy layer of hair called lanugo now covers baby's body. Don't worry, your Mini won't look like Cousin It when he's born. Most of the fuzz will fall off before baby makes his grand entrance.

Good news: Your baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week. Bad news: That means there will be lots of diapers in your future. But so far you're safe—at the moment the pee just passes into the amniotic fluid.

He or she now weighs about 8½ ounces and measures 6 inches, as long as a turkey sub from Subway on warm, delicious Italian Herbs and Cheese bread (or Honey Oat bread, or Oregano bread or ...)

19 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

soooooo tired

I am so tired today. Now, it is the end of my first full week of school, so I am bound to be tired, I always am, but I feel REALLY tired today. My new bedtime is 9:00. 

funny story

So last Friday, one of my smart ass kids commented on the fact that I was eating a tangerine in class after I told them that they weren't allowed to eat in class. I told him that when he got pregnant, then he would be allowed to eat in class.

So today, he and another student were working in pairs. He said, "Too bad men can't get pregnant..." and the other guy said, "Actually, you can. A guy can get pregnant if he puts clothespins on his nipples for nine months..."

What??? I was laughing so hard - I didn't know what to say to that!!! I was just like, "You're kidding right?" And the kid kind of shrugged... so funny!

Baby Bump

SO I officially have a baby bump - and it really did kind of pop out sort of over night - well, over the last week or so. I am mostly leaving the "Is she fat or pregnant?" stage, and people are starting to recognize my actual baby bump.

In fact, I had my first person glance at my belly and say, without any qualms that they might be wrong or offensive say, "Oh wow, are you pregnant?"

Hee hee...

18 weeks - baby can hear!!!

Your Baby
Your baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear you talking now. You don't need to abandon your potty mouth just yet, but you might want to start thinking about it! Other highlights this week:

This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'll have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of your baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing.

Your 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 your baby's nerves.

Your baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli.

My belly

My belly is starting to pop out a bit. I can fit some of my regular clothes, but some are getting too tight. My belly is a little better on the left then on the right which is funny. Odd, though, is that my belly button hurts! It is kind of itchy and tender on the inside. My boobs are sore too. It is just like everything in stretching and getting tighter. (duh, I guess it is!) Such fun!

update

I'm still feeling pretty good - except for the heartburn, which I am mostly keeping under control by taking a half a zantac every day or every other day. I don't love to eat, but I am managing. I feel very lucky to be having such an easy pregnancy.

I gained 2 1/2 pounds ish over the past 2 1/2 weeks on the cruise. (I was at 159.6, not I am at 162. )

17 weeks

Your Pregnancy: Week 17
By now you're well aware you're pregnant, even if your Mini hasn't started to make too much of a ruckus yet. You'll feel random aches and pains in weird places as your uterus grows. It's all part of the whole journey so don't freak out too much. Focus on those little flutters you feel in your belly as your baby lets his presence be known.

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"OMG! Is something crawling on my stomach? Oh, wait! That was the baby!"

Your Body
Talk about mixed messages. After spending your whole life trying to avoid gaining weight, now you're told you must pack on the poundage. But not too many pounds, of course. And not the wrong kind of weight. It's exhausting. The bottom line is this: It's essential to gain an appropriate amount of weight but via healthy foods, not milkshakes and FlufferNutters. Work with your health-care provider to develop a weight-gain plan that will work for you.

Now's not the time to diet. You should never try limiting calories while you're pregnant. Don't worry about gaining more weight than you should while pregnant. You can lose it after the baby is born. Remember that a pregnant woman needs about 300 extra calories each day, which is just a small snack, like a small bag of trail mix or some crackers with cheese.

Your Baby
Speaking of packing on the pounds, that what it's all about for baby this week. He's adding fat stores that will keep him warm and cozy after he's born. Your baby's weight will increase approximately six times over the next four weeks. Good to know you're not the only one tipping the scale. Also this week:

Your baby is hard at work honing his sucking and swallowing reflexes—all the better for eating that 2 AM (and 5 AM, and 8 AM ...) meal in a few months! The finger- and toenails are beginning to grow from their nail beds, which would explain why he'll need them trimmed almost as soon as he's born!

Your baby weighs nearly 5 ounces and is a little over 5 inches long—about the size of a baked potato (load on the butter and sour cream, please).

 

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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Coming Feb. 10, 2009
(Well, that's an estimate, really!)

17 weeks

What changes are occurring with your body?

As your abdomen continues to grow, it will begin moving other organs around to compensate for the growth of your uterus and baby. The top of your uterus is beginning to appear more rounded and is lengthening. Your uterus will begin pushing your intestines up and out towards the side of your abdomen. Most women find it easier to feel their uterus when they are standing. If you lie down and try to feel your uterus it can be quite difficult since it falls back towards your spine.

How big is your baby?

Your baby is about 6 ½ inches long and weighs 4 ounces.*

What is happening with your baby?

His/her umbilical cord is not only lengthening but also becoming thicker and stronger for these last 23 weeks. Your baby's sense of hearing is also developing since the ears have fully formed and moved into their final position.

Your baby is also beginning to form adipose or fat tissue. This will help him/her take on a more normal appearance by filling out the fine features that he/she has. Fat is important in helping regulate the body's temperature and metabolism.*

16 weeks

How your baby's growing:

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

16 weeks

What changes are occurring with your body?

Your uterus is continuing to grow and weighs approximately 8 ½ ounces. Your placenta is also growing, and your body is producing an increased amount of amniotic fluid that helps protect your baby during your pregnancy. Right now your body has about 7 ½ ounces of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby.

When you are pregnant, your body produces 50% more blood, resulting in more blood circulation through your body. This increase in blood circulation causes your face to be brighter. Your body is also producing hormones that cause your oil glands to work in over-drive, leaving your face shiny. Both of these things can result in a "pregnancy glow". What can you do about it? If your skin becomes too oily, you can use an oil free cleanser to clean your face. Other than that, do nothing but smile!*

How big is your baby?

By the end of week 16, your baby is approximately 6 inches and weighs 2 ½ ounces.*

What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is preparing himself/herself for a growth spurt over the next several weeks. Your baby's head is more erect now than it has been in the previous weeks of pregnancy. His/her ears and eyes are situated in their final positions. These three things are giving your baby a more "normal" appearance than he/she has had up to this point.

Several of the more complicated body systems are also beginning to function including your child's urinary and circulatory system. Your baby's heart pumps around 25 quarts of blood per day. However, by week 40 this amount will increase to 1,900 quarts per day!*

15 weeks

Your Baby
Although many women don't start feeling the baby move until the 17th week (or later), your baby has been having his own party in the amniotic sac he calls home. If you feel a little flutter in your belly this week, don't discount it as gas or hunger. It could be your babe banging around. Here's more to look forward to:

Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like Igor. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give you that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) The hair on the head also begins to grow and, with some creative styling, you'll be able to turn those locks into a Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk some day.

Although baby's eyes are sealed shut, he's now able to sense light. His eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. As your baby practices sucking and swallowing actions, he may actually hiccup. You'll know he's had one too many shots of amniotic fluid by the steady thump-thump you feel.

Over the next month, baby will grow faster than ever, so make sure you load up on enough nutritious food and fluids to support his growth. Your baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the Big one you get at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces.

15 weeks

Your Baby
Although many women don't start feeling the baby move until the 17th week (or later), your baby has been having his own party in the amniotic sac he calls home. If you feel a little flutter in your belly this week, don't discount it as gas or hunger. It could be your babe banging around. Here's more to look forward to:

Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like Igor. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give you that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) The hair on the head also begins to grow and, with some creative styling, you'll be able to turn those locks into a Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk some day.

Although baby's eyes are sealed shut, he's now able to sense light. His eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. As your baby practices sucking and swallowing actions, he may actually hiccup. You'll know he's had one too many shots of amniotic fluid by the steady thump-thump you feel.

Over the next month, baby will grow faster than ever, so make sure you load up on enough nutritious food and fluids to support his growth. Your baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the Big one you get at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces.

 

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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Coming Feb. 10, 2009
(Well, that's an estimate, really!)