18 Weeks - A new way to look at canteloupe

18 Weeks

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell 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.

So according to my Pregnancy Week-by-Week book, my uterus is the size of a canteloupe. Wow, I will never look at fruit the same way again. No wonder my belly is sticking out! I'm still feeling great, just a little sleepy in the afternoons. Maybe that's because I'm full from lunch!

Running is getting tougher by the week, I feel like my body is so heavy. Well, I am carrying 8 extra pounds now so that makes sense. :)

I'm determined to keep exercising though. It's good for me and my pregnancy and the doctor said it will help during labor. (We'll see about that!) I tried Spin class yesterday instead of running. It's where you all ride stationary bikes and you increase and decrease the resistance on your bike to simulate going up and down hills. I couldn't work as hard as I used to, but I definitely got a good workout. I won't be able to do that class when I get bigger though...my belly will be in the way!

Ricky and I went to dinner on Saturday with friends to celebrate his 30th birthday. It was excellent! We had a view of the Intracoastal Waterway and we had a great time relaxing with our friends. I had grouper with sugar snap peas and Ricky enjoyed filet and lobster with garlic mashed potatoes. I also discovered my new love...peach cobbler! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Forget the chocolate, bring on the cobbler.

We go back to the doctor in 2 weeks! I can't wait! We will have another ultrasound and I am so excited about seeing the baby. It will be 6 inches long by then. Hopefully he/she will turn the right way so we can find out what we are having. Ricky and I really don't have a preference. I just need to know because it will take me the next 4 months to figure out a name. :)

Family Visit to NC

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.

This past weekend we went to Winston-Salem, NC and visited with family and friends. It was a whirlwind time, filled with lots of eating and a little bit of shopping. :)

We had a get together Friday evening with my parents, grandparents, Ricky's mom, aunt and uncle, family friends from church, and my brother. We had yummy NC barbecue and all the fixins'. Saturday I shopped for more maternity clothes but only ended up with one dress. We also went to Babies R Us and to say the least, we were overwhelmed. Who knew a tiny infant required so many things!

Saturday night we had pizza at Mellow Mushroom and later I treated myself to ice cream. It was delicious! I think I'm over my sweets aversion. I can definitely handle chocolate now. But I'm still limiting myself to treats only on the weekend.

Sunday we attended church and everyone had to check out my belly. I'm sure it will be twice that size when we visit again in a few months!

I'm still waiting to feel the baby's movements. I know it will be subtle when I feel it, but the doctor said I should notice something in a few weeks. I'm sure that will be the coolest sensation I will ever feel. A little baby inside me moving around...how remarkable!

16 Weeks - I have a belly!

16 Weeks
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.


Well, there's no hiding the belly anymore. My baggy shirts might conceal it a little bit (picture 1), but not for long. And if you catch me after I've eaten lunch or dinner, you will definitley be able to tell. It seems to grow after I eat. (See picture 2) But like Ricky told me, "Stefanie, you're pregnant. Your belly is going to get bigger". I look at pictures of women at 32 and 36 weeks and just can't imagine my belly stretching that much. But it will be here before we know it!

We had our 16 week checkup this morning. Everything went well. My blood pressure was low, I haven't gained much weight, and the baby's heartbeat was strong at 152. We heard it immediately! We go back in 4 weeks for our detailed ultrasound where they will check the organs, spine, placenta, etc. And if the baby cooperates we will be able to tell if we are having a boy or girl! A friend of mine told me to eat a Snickers bar before the appointment so the baby will be very active during the ultrasound. A Snickers for breakfast? No problem!

I'm still jogging 3 times a week and lifting light weights. I walk the dog on the other 4 days. Ricky has started jogging with me. But he's losing weight and I'm gaining. :)

I'm still eating pretty healthy. I'm loving peaches, strawberries, and grapes right now. I have my occasional treat, but I'm still trying to limit my sweets. But now that it's really hot, it's hard to say no to ice cream.

Please feel free to email me anytime. Look forward to seeing you all soon!
sblyons@sc.rr.com

15 Weeks

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

- From http://www.babycenter.com/