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. :)