Week 23

It's the last week of my 5th month and things are moving along nicely. Not much to report this week except my belly is definitely growing....this week I grew 1/2" around!! Can you tell?

How baby girl is developing: She is now more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). She may be able to feel my movements now. Her skin is wrinkled and looks red due to blood vessels showing through her transparent skin. Her true skin tone will develop over the course of her first year. Blood vessels in baby's lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing, but complete lung development will take many more months. The lungs are the last organ to fully develop. She can swallow, but normally won't pass her first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Exciting stuff...keep growing baby girl!!

Favorite Sites

Check out the site titled, "Anna in Italia," to the left. That's my sister's experience as she studies abroad in Sicily. She is coming home on May 10th, just in time to welcome baby girl :-)

We miss you Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 22

How baby girl is growing: She now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

She has grown considerably in the last 3-4 weeks! And just for Uncle Nick, I measured the largest part of my abdomen today and it was 32" around :-) We got another ultrasound on Saturday morning and it was amazing yet again. We saw baby girl swallow (yum, amniotic fluid!), kick and punch me, stretch her legs, wiggle all around, suck her thumb, wave and so many other wonderful things. The Lord has blessed us so!!

Click on the pictures to enlarge the image.

The picture on the left is her right hand print. On the right is her profile with her thumb in her mouth...almost the entire ultrasound, she had her hands up by her face!

The picture on the left is of her back and left shoulder. You can also see the outline of her left ear. On the right is a photo showing her arm bones (while her arm is extended) and her left leg.

Week 21

How baby is developing this week: Baby girl now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. Her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. She is really on the move now! Fetal researchers say babies move about 50 times an hour even while sleeping. All that movement helps stimulate baby's physical and mental development. Keep moving baby girl!!

This week has been especially fun for both Chris and I. I have started to feel those distinct kicks now...and can even see them on my belly. Chris saw them this morning too! We just sit there and stare at my belly for minutes on end waiting...and waiting...and waiting, then bump! It's so exciting. I can really only feel her when I'm resting, so every day I look forward to getting home and laying down for a few minutes so I can focus on feeling her. I guess the phrase "I feel bigger than I look" is a good way to describe my body right now. I swear my belly is just 'so big', but then on Sunday, we take the weekly pictures and I can't believe how not-big it seems. Oh, well. I'm sure that will be over soon.

Another thing that happened this week....I had to call the midwife for the first time. On Wednesday I was feeling these terrible pains in my lower abdomen all day long. I chalked them up to the normal stretching and tried to get over it -- but by the end of the work day, I couldn't even walk normally. So, I called the midwife and after answering all of her questions, she said in a very descriptive tone, "I think you are experiencing what is called round ligament pain." She explained that I have 8 ligaments that come from way down low and stretch up around my uterus as it grows and sometimes women experience pain with the stretching. But it's perfectly normal, not hurting the baby in any way. I lived with them for 3 days, but today was finally my first day without any pain at all. So I hope that's over!

We also had our first Bradley Methods Childbirth Class this week. We learned a lot and got some helpful exercises to do each day to help ease labor. Also, to my dismay, I have to keep a food journal for 2 weeks!! The Bradley method stresses great nutrition. So, however much I hate to do it, I am.

Daddy Felt Baby Girl !!

After I got home from work today, I layed down on the couch for a few minutes to relax. I've read that when I am up and moving around, my motions put baby girl to sleep, and when I lay down and rest, she wakes up and starts moving around. Well, I was laying there with my hand on my stomach and definitely felt a distinct kick! I called Chris over to feel it too -- he put his hand there and felt....nothing! I thought maybe she had stopped, but after he took his hand off, baby girl started up again. I called him over once again and just had him rest his hand there (and told him to be patient) and finally she kicked it twice! He described it exactly how I would...a little poke or thump. It's so exciting!!

First Steeler's Gear

Today baby girl received her first Steeler's apparal from our friends, Nicole & Jon. I have to say it's also her very first PINK outfit! She is going to be one stylish gal come next fall!

Thank you so much!! :-) Click on the pictures to get a closer look.

20 Weeks -- Officially Half Way!

How Baby Girl is Developing: She 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, measurements are taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, measurements from head to toe are used. This is because baby girl's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of the pregnancy and are very hard to measure.) A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.) Baby girl is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and we'll see it in her first messy diaper! Hmmm...looking forward to that!

Everything has been going smoothly thus far! We began to look at names for Baby Girl this weekend, but, don't ask -- because we are not sharing before she's born! The next 20 weeks are sure to fly by with Chris's school now in full swing and plenty of projects with the house to keep us busy. We also start our Bradley Methods Childbirth class this week, and we are looking forward to that!

Third Midwife Appointment

Today was our third appointment at the Midwife Birth Center. We got some great news confirmed from our ultrasound. The baby is developing completely normally, in fact, baby is two days ahead of her estimated due date. However, as long as it's within 10 days, they don't adjust the due date, so that's still May 26th. Baby girl's head and abdomen measured in the 25-50th percentile and the humerous and femur measured in the 50-95th percentile. The notes said that baby was moving normally and the amniotic fluid level was as it should be. One thing I learned is that the placenta is anterior, or on the front of my uterus. So, the midwife said that is why I haven't felt too many distinct kicks yet...the placenta is acting as a 'pad' that muffles any hits. Learn something new every day!

Also, my blood pressure was perfect and the baby's heartbeat was 14o. We hope to keep going at a steady pace :-)

Ultrasound Pictures

The best thing ever from the ultrasound is definitely the video, but we also got a few pictures of baby girl and I wanted to share them. The first is her left foot print, showing 5 toes! The second is of her profile. Now my mom says that from this picture she can tell that baby girl has my bone structure. I'll trust her word for it. You can also see her little nose, mouth and heart -- so cute! I'm just curious...what color will her hair be? It is a mystery!

19 Weeks

How baby girl is developing: She is approximately 9 oz. based on our ultrasound, which is right on schedule with the typical 8 1/2 oz. weight of a baby at 19 weeks -- she measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. 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. She already has 6 million eggs in her ovaries--our future grandchildren! (okay I'm a little ahead of myself!) This is a crucial time for sensory development: baby girl's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. She may be able to hear us as we talk. Research shows that she's learning to distinguish my voice from others, and she'll soon show a preference for it.

At any moment, I feel like I'll be able to feel baby kick, but I haven't had the kick yet. I can feel things moving around and slightly uneasy at times, but not much that's distinct. I'm definitely getting bigger!

The Best (Late) Christmas Gift Ever

We had our ultrasound on December 26th at 8am and found out that we are having a little girl!!



The ultrasound was truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen. You could see baby girl so clearly! She is about 6 inches long and weighs 9 ounces now. The tech did a ton of measurements to make sure everything was growing properly (which it is) and we told her we wanted to know if it was a boy or girl. When the tech was scanning baby's nether region, I could have sworn she was going to say, "it's a boy," because of what I could see, but instead, she said, "You have yourselves a girl." I said, "WHAT?" and she repeated that it was a girl. We were in total shock. After the ultrasound was over, I asked the tech, "So how sure are you that it is a girl?" She responded that no one could ever be 100% correct, but she wouldn't have told us if she wasn't sure and she's never been told she was wrong. So we accepted the girl verdict.

When we got home, we viewed the VHS tape that the tech made us of a 3-minute segment of the ultrasound. One of the first shots is of baby girl spread eagle and there are all the tell-tale girl signs, the black V and 3 dots. She is definitely a girl! The video also shows her waving hello and sucking her thumb. It's so adorable! I've watched it at least 15 times already and could watch it 100 more. I cannot wait to meet her :-)

We are just so happy that baby girl is healthy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We have had a wonderful holiday so far and it's not over! After a Christmas dinner cooked by my brother tonight, we're going home to exchange gifts with each other. Tomorrow is a family party so we'll get to see everyone in my family...many of whom haven't seen us at all since we broke the news, so it will be lots of congrats tomorrow I'm sure.
We got a great gift for baby, especially since now baby can hear....it's a children's book called "Hello, Nittany Lion!" I'll be reading book for baby many, many times! We wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and joyous new year. 2008 will be great!

18 Weeks

We've reached 18 weeks! (that was Sunday) and these pictures were taken that day. 18 weeks is the start of my 5th month...which means I am now halfway. I can't even imagine how much more my belly will grow if this is halfway! I'm sure you notice that I'm wearing maternity clothes in the pictures. That was my first day of wearing them, and I have to say it's quite comfortable. I've recently purchased a few things, and I'm sure you'll see all of them many times throughout the remainder of the pregnancy!

How baby is developing this week: Head to bottom, baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he or she weighs almost 7 ounces. Baby's busy flexing his or her arms and legs — movements that I'll likely start noticing more and more. The blood vessels are visible through the thin skin and the ears are now in position and stand out from baby's head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around baby's nerves, a process that will continue for a year after baby's born. If I'm having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from us during an ultrasound -- an ultrasound that will happen soon! Stay tuned :-)

Christmas Gifts for Baby!

Baby is coming into such a wonderful and loving group of family and friends! This week, he or she received two gifts, and we are so appreciative. My cousins from Ohio sent us our first Penn State gear (much more of that to come). I do know it must have been hard for them to purchase something from Penn State being that they are Ohio State fans, so baby does really appreciate it. We also got a gift from my really good friend, Vanessa. It's such a cute onesie with a teddy bear on the front. Definitely Chris's favorite...he loves teddy bears. Thank you for such thoughtful gifts :-)

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...

Gift for Baby!

Today in the mail, we received a wonderful gift from our dear friends and their little baby girl, Esther. Unfortunately, we don't get to see them too often anymore since we left Maryland, but we love to chat with them (when we can....Esther is turning 1 on December 14th!) and hope to visit soon. Thank you so much!

Week 16

Yes, week 16 is here already! I can't believe it! Here are the most recent pictures of my ever-expanding belly. Notice in the background our first Christmas tree! It's a douglas fir and smells terrific!

I think I seem to be expanding sideways more than forward, but I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks.

How baby is growing this week: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, baby will go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling weight and adding inches in length (whoa!). Baby's lower limbs are much more developed now. His or her head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved toward the front of the head. Baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of the more advanced body systems are working, including the circulatory system and urinary tract. Baby's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating his or her total blood volume through the body many times. (By the end of this pregnancy, the blood volume will increase to about 190 quarts!) The patterning of baby's scalp has begun, though the hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, baby's eyes are moving (slowly) and toenails have even started growing.

A big benefit of being pregnant during the holidays....lots of great food to be had!!!

2nd Appointment & Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was our second prenatal appointment with the Midwives. We saw Ann...she is one of five midwives that we will be getting to know throughout the pregnancy. Any one of the five could be on call or working the day/night I go into labor, so they want us to know all of them beforehand. Mom and Nana came to the appointment with Chris and I so they could see the Midwife Center.

At the appointment, Ann answered a few questions I had and then we got to listen to the heartbeat! It was a little miracle! Ann said it was in the 160s and my mom shouted, "It's a girl," because (to her knowledge) typically girls have a higher heartbeat in the womb. ("Boys are lazy," she says) All these girl predictions....we'll get to see who is right soon. I have to call Allegheny General Hospital tomorrow to schedule our ultrasound.

That's about it. I'm healthy, baby is healthy -- heartbeat sounds good and I'm growing at the right rate! Yippee!

Last, but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to my Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 Weeks -- Movement!

Yet another week has passed...and this one is very exciting. I think I felt baby move today! Although I am not completely sure because I don't know exactly what it's supposed to feel like...but I'm pretty sure! And I felt it on the left side first, so Nana said that predicts a girl.

How baby is developing: 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). He or she is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Baby's legs are growing longer than his or her arms now, and baby can move all their joints and limbs. Although baby's eyelids are still fused shut, he or she can sense light. If I shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, baby's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for baby to taste at this point, but taste buds are forming as well. Keep going baby!!!!

Yet Another Forecast...

Many of the women whom I converse with on the What to Expect message boards have a little note like this on their page and I never knew where it came from until recently. I went to the website and answered all the questions. Here is what Madame Zaritska's reading says:

"Madame Zaritska, our resident clairvoyant, wants to help you prepare for the arrival of your child. Here she does her best to predict certain aspects of your labor and birth experience.
What she senses for you: The day you deliver, outside will be overcast. Your baby will arrive in the evening. After a labor lasting approximately 21 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and will be 17 inches long. This child will have green eyes and some very fine hair."

What's interesting is none of the questions pertained to my height or weight, and her prediction has the baby being shorter than normal. hmmmm....Let's hope she's wrong about the 21 hour labor though!!!!