Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Kicking and Stretching at 11 Weeks

At 1 and 1/2 inches long (I am now being referred to as a fig), mom can't feel any of the kicking and stretching I am doing this week. Soon enough she will regret saying that she wished she could!

Everything is almost completely formed (albeit small) and I cannot wait until my hands can open and close into fists (I'm almost there - I don't think it will be much longer). Some of my bones are even beginning to harden and I think these are teeth buds starting to come in under my gums. Thank goodness for vitamins and calcium supplements! It will remain to be seen whether or not I get the good teeth genes from my mom and dad because neither one of them ever had braces.

Mom is doing okay. She is still frequently sleepy and her back has been a bit achy. She has noticed some of her clothes aren't fitting quite as comfortably, too. Dad denies it, but I think you might see from the picture this week that she is beginning to pop. It's either that or she is getting fat from eating everything and anything put in front of her (okay, still no red meat and nothing fried. But for the most part, anything else goes!) . She saw the doctor this week but unfortunately there are no new pictures of me. You'll have to wait another 8 or 9 weeks for that! I did let my mom hear my heartbeat. though. I think she almost cried. Imagine what she will be like when I am born!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

10 weeks: But What's a Kumquat?

I’m not sure why all the books and websites refer to my size as comparable to fruit. They say this week I am the size of a kumquat. It’s probably hard to conceptualize since most people don’t know what that is. Basically, I am a little over an inch long (head to bottom). It’s hard to imagine that in a little over 6 months, I will be substantially bigger! I am also not sure how I am going to have the space to do all that growing. It’s still not very spacious in here.

I am now able to swallow fluid and my vital organs (kidneys, liver, intestines, and brain) are beginning to function. I’m fairly certain my brain function is stronger than most :). My nails are also beginning to form and if I am anything like my mom and dad, I will be biting them in no time. The fact that now my limbs can bend will make this feat much easier. The peach fuzz hair growing on my little body this week might be an indication of my mom’s prediction that I will be coming into this world as a big ball of hair, anyway. I am well on my way!

Now that the weather is nicer, mom has been trying to get a little more exercise. She walks occasionally and has been trying to do spring cleaning in and out of the house. This does not counter the fact that she is still gaining weight (and not in her belly!) but it will be better for her in the long run. It must be difficult for her, though, because all I really want her to do is sleep! She’s still not sick which she is more and more thankful for every day (she hears horror stories from other moms all the time about their experience).

You will see from mom’s picture this week that she is still not really showing but that is no big surprise, considering I am only the size of a kumquat.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

One Inch - 9 weeks!

I told you I would grow fast - I am now about one inch long and the size of a grape (though mom and dad still insist on "peanut" - I'm pretty sure that's just my name for the next 7 months)! Most of my body parts are here - arms, legs, hands, feet, earlobes, eyes, nose, mouth, and ... (eh hem)... my sex organs. I can admit, though, that all of these parts could use a little work. I'll probably just hang out in here and work on perfecting all of them for the next few months. And even though I have the beginnings of toes, it's still hard to say if I will end up with the same crooked one my mom has. I sure hope not...

Mom is feeling just fine still. I think she is a little bummed that nothing appears to be different (though she seems to want to eat all the time and takes the idea of "eating for two" a little too literally. C'mon, already - I'm not the size of an adult human being yet!). Dad has been great, too. He says goodnight to me every night and pats me "hello" sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. He's been very sweet to mom, even when she wants to go to bed more than an hour before him. He's also very tolerant of her slight moodiness and claims he doesn't notice it at all. I already know he is going to be the greatest dad.

I'm going to get back to work now on growing. I'll be sure to let you know how it's going next week!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

8 Weeks!

I am doing a lot of growing this week! I am getting eyelids, breathing tubes, and - most exciting - fingers and toes! What's better is that I am finally beginning to lose that pesky "tail". My mom wishes she could have an untrasound done everyday to watch all the growth but instead she has to rely on books and websites to keep updated. She and dad both say they are excited about the time when they will be able to feel me moving around, though I am already doing a lot of that now! They wouldnt know yet because I am still only about as big as a kidney bean (though they insist on calling me a "peanut").

Mom and dad are having trouble keeping me a secret - I can tell they are excited. They have told a lot of close friends and family about me, though there are a few left with whom they are waiting to share the news. They want to be able to do it themselves. For those that know, it is clear they are excited, which makes me eager to keep growing quickly. October will be here in no time!!

I am still being very nice to my mom, though I do make her very sleepy. She yawns a lot at work and always seems ready for bed by 9pm. I am pretty certain she prefers that to morning sickness and nausea, though. She still looks the same, but intends to post a weekly picture of herself regardless to allow you to watch for changes.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

7 Weeks and a Heartbeat




This week mom and dad went to the doctor to have my picture taken and find out when my birthday will be. This must have been an unbelievable experience because they couldn't stop grinning when they saw my tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound. Though the pictures printed would indicate I am only 1/2 inch big, mom and dad know there is a lot of change happening to me and it wont be long until I am much bigger. Mom tracks my growth here: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-7-weeks_1096.bc?intcmp=timeline

Looks like my birthday will be October 12, 2009!
At 7 weeks, (so far) I have been very good to my mom because she has been very good to me. She immediately gave up all caffeine and alcohol (which is how most of her friends figured out about me) and is careful to avoid all the foods the doctor advised against. She takes a vitamin, calcium supplement, and Fish Oil every single day to ensure my positive development. For this, I have not given her any morning sickness or nausea. I give her a daily backache at about 8:30pm but I think it's pretty manageable. She is convinced she is getting a belly already - I think partly because she wants one and partly because she is just gaining weight. :)