16 Weeks

Dear Baby G,

We are now less than two weeks away from finding out your gender! This week has been pretty uneventful. However, Wednesday night I am almost certain that I felt you kick for the first time. I have felt you moving occassionally, but this was definitely something different! Also, last night you were moving around like crazy! It's exciting to feel!

We are in the middle of a major winter storm right now. We are hoping and praying that we don't lose power. It's very cold right now and sleet was falling just a few minutes ago. It looks like we'll be stuck inside for a couple of days, but that's okay with me! I'm still amazed at the changes you go through each week. Before we know it, September will be here!



How your baby's growing:
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.

15 Weeks

Dear Baby G,

This week has gone so fast! I'm sad that my spring break is almost over, but then again, I am excited because we are that much closer to learning if you are a boy or a girl. I still have only had dreams that you are a boy. I am planning on working on your room tomorrow. I bought the first piece of furniture for your room today. I was in Oklahoma City with my mom and we found a chest that will be perfect for you. I'm going to do a few things to it to make it fit the room more. Those things will come after we know if you are a boy or a girl, though. I would have bought your crib today, too, but we just didn't have room because the chest is so big! Your daddy and I will be going back very soon to buy your crib! I'm excited for that, too!

I took the one-hour gestational diabetes test last week when I was at the doctor. They have a "no news is good news" policy.... and we haven't heard a thing. So, we're assuming that it is good news and that everything was fine!! We have cleared so many hurdles already that a lot of people don't understand. I am thankful each and everyday for how smoothly things are going. I am getting my energy back and I haven't been quite as nauseous lately. I will deal with it for another 5 months if I have to, though. Whatever I have to go through to get you will be more than worth it. I have given myself 78 shots since I found out I was pregnant. When I see a needle it's like second nature to me now. That is good, since I have about 200 more shots to give myself! Overall, we have had a stress-free, problem-free, blessed pregnancy. I have faith that it will continue that way! You are growing so fast, and it is very exciting!

Love,
Mommy




How your baby's growing:

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. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

14 Weeks

Dear Baby G,

This is a little late, but only three days! We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Your heartbeat was strong and in the 150's which is perfectly normal! A little slower than before, but that is exactly what it's supposed to be! We still don't know what color to buy, but that will change on April 8! We will find out that day.

We've been shopping for things for you, but haven't bought much yet. As soon as we hear boy or girl, though, we will buy the things we have already picked out! Still no first names, still trying to hash that out, but we have plenty of time. I am finally on Spring Break, so my goal is to get your room as close to emptied out as possible. We are anxiously waiting for April 8!

Love,
Mommy



How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

13 Weeks

Dear Baby G,

I am so happy, still, to be finished with the first trimester. Hopefully I will get my energy back soon. The nausea has definitely diminished and it has been nice! I am noticeably showing now, and several people have commented on it this week. It's exciting! Also this last week, I have been feeling lots of fluttering in my stomach. I am certain it was you! It's such a good feeling to know you are in there and moving around!

We have been discussing names more lately, but still no front runners. However, your daddy has had your middle names (boy or girl) picked out for a loooong time now. Probably for almost two years. I think they are both good names, and either way I will like them! Now when it comes to your first name, well, that's not going as smoothly. There are a couple of names we had discussed years ago, and they are still in the running, but who knows! I had a dream again last night that you were a boy. I'm not sure what that means!

On Wednesday we go to Oklahoma City to the doctor again. I am doing the 1 hour gestational diabetes test early because women with lupus are more prone to developing it, and developing it earlier than normal. I am hoping everything goes well with that. We also are having another ultrasound. I have been secretly wishing that you will be cooperative that day and that they could MAYBE give us an idea on what little parts you have. I will be one day shy of fourteen weeks when we are there, so it's still a little early, but I know it could possibly be done. Only time will tell.

I am so glad this week is almost over. It is the end of the nine weeks for me, so I have had a lot to get finished. Next week I have 3 school days and 2 nights of parent/teacher conferences until Spring Break! I can't wait!

Love,
Mommy





How your baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.