Weekly Update - 20 Weeks

from babycenter.com

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.) She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How am I feeling?: Halfway there now! Feeling her move a lot now. Pretty soon I'll be able to see my belly moving. Still not one craving really. I mean I'll have momentary cravings but nothing that is lasting. Food is still really 'eh' to me. But so far I've only gained about 8 pounds so I'm not complaining really. I still get really tired at night and my low back pelvic area (butt bone) still hurts. I also sneeze all the time! I must be allergic to Moya. :) But otherwise I'm doing good.

Belly Picture - 19 Weeks

Me and my GIRLS! :) 19 Weeks.

Weekly Update - 19 Weeks

from babycenter.com

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, taking 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.

How am I feeling? What a week! I'm so happy to know WHO it is in there. I'm feeling pretty good for the most part. I can feel her moving a lot more now and Brad even felt a little faint movement the other night. My only complaint would be aches and pains. My butt hurts all the time (actually it is the pelvic bone). And once in awhile I get these very sharp pains in my sides and low groin area. I talked to the doctor about it and she assured me it is the ligaments around my uterus stretching. Which is what it said when I looked it up online too.

And the baby is....

It's a GIRL!!!!


We went in today for an ultrasound. It took awhile to get a good look. The little gal was moving around like crazy and wouldn't hold still. Plus she kept getting her umbilical cord between her legs! Finally the technician got a good shot at the goods. I asked how sure she was. She said over 90%.

So looks like Belle will have a little sister! She came with us and was excited. I think she was thinking the baby would be a boy but still seems thrilled with a sister. She was so cute in the room with us. She was afraid the ultrasound was hurting me but I assured her it wasn't it. She was curious about the jelly they put on my stomach and of course had to touch... which got a strong "EEEWW!!" response from Belle.

After the ultrasound we had an hour to kill before my doctor appointment so we went down to Starbucks and got a drink and let Belle call the grandparents. She called Grandma and Papi and Gaga. So cute hearing her excitedly tell them.

We then went up to my doctor. Belle got to meet Doctor Johannsen... well meet again really since she was the one to deliver Belle.

We heard the heart beat, which took some effort since the baby was still moving around like crazy. And went over the ultrasound results which were just perfect! All is well. I asked her about the sharp pains I've been having in my sides and low groin and low back/butt area. She said it all sounds like normal ligament stretching, that my cervix is closed so and as long as the pains are not long in duration it's fine.

So... another girl... very cool. Plus, think of all the baby cloths I can reuse!

Here are some ultrasound pictures and short videos of her.

Belly Picture - 18 Weeks

This week's belly pictures. Belle wanted to join in the fun this time and danced around me while Gaga tried to take a shot that didn't make me look too gross.

So this is me with my babieS at 18 weeks... well 18 weeks for the new one... 5 years, 4 months, and a little over 2 weeks with the first. :)

Weekly Update - 18 Weeks

from babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a belle pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Belly Picture - 17 Weeks

Updated belly picture for week 17.

Weekly Update - 17 Weeks

How your baby's growing:Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How am I feeling? Okay. Not much difference from last week.

Belly Picture - 16 Weeks

First of many to come. Here is me with the start of the belly... or at this point little more then a pooch.

Weekly Update - 16 Weeks

from babycenter.com

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.

How am I feeling? Fine I guess. My only complaints are my skin and appetite. Now that I'm not nauseous I was expecting the cravings or at least interest in food to come on but I could not be more apathetic about food! And my skin, despite what the sites say, is NOT 'glowing'. Instead I'm having a break out and feel very unglowing. But otherwise I'm doing fine.