Week 19

I've felt a lot more movements the past week, especially when the peanut rolls around when I'm sitting down. I've been working more and it definitely drains my energy. We are getting closer to our ultrasound date in 2 weeks and in 1 week I will hit the half way mark of a full term pregnancy.

According to one of my baby books, this week the baby is covered in a substance called vermix, that resembles cheese. It covers the baby's sensitive skin protecting it from the amniotic fluid. If this wasn't there then the baby would be very wrinkly at birth like when you've sat in a bath tub for too long.


According to babycenter.com, here is what will be going on with the peanut in this upcoming week:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. 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. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How Big is the Uterus based on Week

Someone posted this on the baby board I'm on and it was a really nice way to see how high up my uterus is based on what week I'm in:


Now seeing what happens to the organs in another story! No wonder my stomach feels icky some days... it's getting squished in there! Follow the link below:

Make Room for Baby

Week 18

I'm a bit late in posting this week but have continued to have cramps so I know the baby is growing. I'm also finally getting a little bigger belly bump by the end of the week; it looks a bit more like it does at the end of the day right after I eat in the morning, maybe a little bit smaller. I was expecting more of a drastic change one morning but I guess since I've been used to seeing a bigger belly at night it didn't seem as much of a change. Some days I feel like a balloon expanding throughout the day like in the picture to the left.


This past week I've been feeling a lot more baby movements and the peanut has enjoyed dancing on my bladder! Greg even felt the peanut for the first time yesterday. He was rubbing my belly and the peanut kicked him! His face was priceless, he was just like a little kid. He moved his hand away quickly and giggled. I can't wait for him to feel the baby more. We read the baby can hear at 19 weeks so we've already started putting the musical bunny on my tummy at night. I swear he moves towards it; I can usually feel around and feel harder spots after we play it. I think the other day I felt him stretched out too! It really put into perspective how big the peanut is and how little room he actually has in my uterus.

According to babycenter.com, here is what has been happening this week:

How your baby's growing:

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.

Week 17

Can you believe in a week I will be beginning my 5th month already?! This past week I've had a lot of stretching and pulling, the baby is expected to double in size over the next few weeks. I haven't grown since week 15 but by the end of the day, after I've retained water and eaten, people are recognizing I'm pregnant. Last week I had two people ask/comment that we were expecting.

I have had some crazy dreams and am finding it harder to sleep, not because of my belly yet. One of my books was saying pregnant women spend more time in rapid eye movement, REM, stage of sleep and thus remember more of their dreams. Since pregnant women spend more time during the night getting up to use the restroom or getting more comfortable, they spend less time in a deeper sleep. I have definitely found this true! I usually go to bed before Greg and can get good deep sleep until I'm woken up by either him coming to bed or by the kitties, after that I'm in and out of sleep for the rest of the night. Luckily not working everyday lets me nap during the day to make up for the sleep I'm not getting at night.

I have a doctors appointment on Wed however, they will only be doing a blood test and checking for the heartbeat. This blood test is the multiple marker screening that relates to the NT scan we had back in week 12. This test will check for possibilities for Down Syndrome, spina bifida, neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities. Again I don't think there will be any problems since we are still young and chances of problems increase with age.

According to babycenter.com, here is what will be going on with the peanut this coming week:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Week 16

This week I feel less pregnant than previous weeks. The lower part of my stomach is getting harder and I haven't felt baby movements this week as often as I had previously. It is weird to see your body change, I've only gained a pound since my last appointment but my body looks like I've gained a lot more. I've been craving spicy foods which has been a bit odd as well. Before I met Greg I wanted nothing spicy but with his love of Mexican food my spicy tolerance has increased. However, now that I'm pregnant it is even worse! I've resorted to eating pepperoncinis alone, something I didn't like previously. I've made Mexican food at home and Greg has commented it's been a bit too spicy for him! In week 16, here is what will be happening based on babycenter.com:

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.

Baby Development Videos

This site has some amazing computer generated videos of baby development. Follow the link below:

Babycenter videos- Baby Growth in 5 week increments

15 Weeks

I felt the first baby movement last week! I was laying on my side propped up with some pillows on the couch and had been that way for a while. Then all of a sudden there was a fairly big kick! It felt more like a "pop" of popcorn popping and then a little ripple. I have begun to be able to tell the difference between kicks and have felt a few more if I'm laying down early in the morning, pressing lightly on my stomach to see if I can feel where the baby is. This morning I did it and the peanut kicked back! Greg even heard it :) I can't wait for him to start feeling the kicks and for them to begin feeling more like kicks instead of popcorn popping.

I have been feeling a lot more lightheaded and out of breath when we go walking around most of the day. During this trimester I have an increased blood flow that is causing both of these. The feelings should subside later this trimester. For now, I just take it slow and take more breaks making sure to sit for a few minutes when I can.

According to babycenter.com, here is what will be happening this upcoming week:

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.")