Week 17

So, it's now week 17. Things are still relatively uneventful in the pregnancy life. My belly is ever-so-slowly expanding, which I know for sure since my last 2 pairs of hold-out work pants are now getting really, really tight when I button them. I feel maternity clothing is not a far off distant thing (btw, any smalls or x-smalls floating around, send them my way!). Other than that, my belly is not too big yet. I haven't felt baby really give me that kick I'm waiting for. I've felt a few tap-taps now and again though -- most recently last night in the middle of the night after I got back into bed from one of my evening pitstops to the bathroom. It made me smile at (probably) 3:30am, and there aren't many things that can make me do that. Here are the pics this week:

And how baby is developing: Baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long. Baby can move his or her joints, and the skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. Baby's sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, the lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

I can't believe next week I will be 5 months -- half way! It's still surreal to me -- but so very, very wonderful and exciting! Stay tuned...