Week 14 -- Start of the 2nd Trimester!

I've made it; we've made it. It's the second trimester and I am relieved to finally be over the feelings of the 'what if' scenarios that plague possible miscarriages that occur in the first trimester. I am feeling good, but I have been since about week 9 1/2 so I have no reason to complain. Here are some pictures from yesterday, which was 14 weeks:

How baby is growing this week: Baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his or her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid. Baby's stretching out -- from head to bottom, he or she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. Baby's body is growing faster than his or her head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body. (Although the legs still have some lengthening to do.) Baby's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his or her body. Baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though I can't feel the tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. Hopefully I will be able to feel baby moving soon!

To humor all you out there who 'can't tell' yet, I found this cartoon. Although I think you can really tell this week...can't you?

Voting ends in a few days, so be sure to get your last ones in there on if Baby Boyle will be a boy or girl. Our next appointment is in a week and hopefully there, we'll get to schedule our ultrasound! -- and we'll definitely get to hear baby's heartbeat!

We also visited an Amish friend in Smicksburg on Black Friday who we've hired to make our nursery furniture. Chris and I are very excited about that! We ordered a crib, bookcase and double dresser. We'll have to wait until March to get it, but I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!