Updated Photos

Baby Boy Kicks!

I woke up yesterday morning with my hand resting lightly on my stomach, as usual.  What wasn't usual is the three solid bumps from our son - a tiny reminder that he's also waking up for the day!  Later in the morning my sister Debra also felt him squirming around, and then my son Jerry confirmed a 'weird wriggle' and my daughter-in-heart J-Lee also felt a little bump when she pressed on my tummy.

It's pretty amazing to feel these movements on the outside, and as early as the middle of the 20th week... that's kind of early, I thought?

We're officially done our 20th week and are on the back half of the pregnancy now.  Starting week 21 tomorrow.  Time is flying by.  Looking forward to David coming home on Thursday night - switched my doctor appointment around to Friday so he can be there with me, and our big 20 week ultrasound on the 21st (Monday).  Tons happening this week on the baby front.

Tried on my bathing suits last night in preparation for Mexico.  Ugh.  Well I look as good in them pregnant as I do otherwise - my big round tummy makes for a cute distraction from my fat thighs!  Yay!

19 weeks and counting!!!

So here's my first official belly shot.  It seems like I got 'thicker and thicker' for weeks, then suddenly just popped!

We are nearly at the halfway point now... it's pretty anti-climatic and exciting at the same time.  If the baby comes early at all then we are past the halfway mark.

Everything is going perfect.  There's no reason for any kind of concern.  Baby boy's heartbeat is loud and clear on the doppler and I am feeling pretty darn good for being 39 years old, working full time with a hubby away for the winter!

I've noticed a bit of discomfort and slight pain at night with my back and tummy muscles.  I think it's about time for some well placed pillows to take some of the pressure off the weight of the baby.  Not that the baby weighs much.  Just under a pound and about 9" long at this point.  But with the fluid, the stretching muscles and general displacement of my internal organs, I'm feeling it!

We are having a Son!!!

Yes... we found out on Monday that we are having a baby boy!!

We are thrilled!!!

Week Eighteen: Baby begins to hear
You are 18 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 16 weeks) The fetus is now 6 inches long and weighs 7 ounces. The fetus measures about 15cm and weighs almost 200 grams. They can hear sounds and may be startled by loud noises. Recognizable active and rest periods. The skin is building a protective wax layer (vernix). Vernix (a white cheese like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo, a soft lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs, both help to protect your baby's skin during the months in water. Your baby may hear your heart beating, your stomach rumbling or blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she may even be startled by loud noises. Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs and the vocal chords are formed. Baby goes through the motions of crying but without air doesn't make a sound; yet. Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. Baby will have a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods. Your baby measures about 6 inches (15cm) crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces (200gm).

January 19 Doctor Appointment

And it was boring.  Uh huh.  Nothing to note.  Found the heartbeat as soon as he put the doppler on my tummy.  Is it dorkish to feel a sense of pride that my baby was strong and healthy, showing off for the doctor?

Heart rate was 146.. I had guessed 145.  My doctor is amused at how much I know about my body and the pregnancy.  I told him I thought my uterus was bigger than it should be, when he checked he raised his eyebrows and agreed.. I'm measuring 20 weeks pregnant and am only 16 weeks.

He said either a twin was hiding in there, it was a big baby, or I just have a big uterus.  Next week David and I get the 3D ultrasound at 17 weeks and I'm really excited!

Anonymous Readers Comment Update

I had a couple of requests from friends who wanted to comment anonymously... but couldn't... just letting you know that it's possible now! :)  BIG HUGS!

Week 17 - What's Going On

Week Seventeen: Fat accumulates

You are 17 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 15 weeks) The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger. Fetus weight is just over 5 ounces (150g). Baby is about 5 inches (14cm) long crown to rump. and would be about 9 inches (23cm) head to toe, if it could stretch out. The retina has become sensitive to light. The first stools (meconium) are now beginning to accumulate. They recycle the amniotic fluid by swallowing up to a litre a day. Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel. Fat stores begin to develop under your baby's skin this week. The fat will provide energy and help keep your baby warm after birth. Baby's eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed. The skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier. You can feel your uterus just below your bellybutton. If you put your fingers sideways and measure, it is about two finger-widths (1 inch) below your bellybutton. Your uterus is the size of a cantaloupe. The crown to rump length of your growing baby is 5 to 5.6 inches (12.5 to 14cm) by this week. Weight of the fetus is about 5.25 ounces (150g).