Avocado Baby! 3.5 ounces! 16 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks

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.

How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Funny

I think it's funny when people I haven't seen in awhile, who know I'm pregnant, discreetly try to look at my belly! It cracks me up! I don't really mind - in fact, I kindof like it! Just thought I'd share!

Heartbeat!!!

We had our third doctor's (midwife) appt. yesterday, and got to hear the heartbeat again! It's such a relief every time! She found it very quickly, and my belly is definitely a LITTLE bigger! It was in the high 150's, low 160's, which she said was great! We videod it too! I'll try to put that on here. We find out the sex in exactly a month - 4 weeks from yesterday. I just have this feeling that the baby is going to be turned, but we'll see! Can't wait!!!!

Yard Sale Scores

So excited about my scores at yardsaling this morning! I got a sling that's in really good shape - brown and green (unisex), a FEW girl clothes and 2 hats (even though I don't know if I'm having a girl - they were really cute and a really good deal!), a rest and ____ (can't remember what it's called) that sits on the ground and the baby sits in it and it vibrates (good for putting them to sleep) - it's navy blue and fairly unisex I think, a baby monitor that works really well (the seller said), and a brand new potty that converts to a stool (so it's really practical). I'm SO EXCITED!!!! It feels real, and I'm just ready to have this baby RIGHT NOW! I can't wait until I find out what I'm having, so I can start looking at things that are more gender-specific, and start planning the nursery!

It's An Apple!!!!! So Big!

Your pregnancy: 15 weeks

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.")

How your life's changing:

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

In Hawaii!

Well, I'm having a blast here in Maui! I've hardly had time to do anything as we've been going nonstop! But we finally have a 'free' day, and we're going to the beach and pool crashing! I definitely feel like I'm showing more, but I know some of it is my travelers irregularity! Sorry if this is too much information for some of you - I'm not really modest! Everyone goes (or doesn't go) to the bathroom! When I travel, I just hardly ever go to the bathroom. And then put pregnancy on top of that! But, I do have to say that it hasn't been THAT severe. But I'm definitely more bloated. But, I'm still just going with the fact that I'm pregnant! In fact, this is the first trip where I'm bloated, and look pregnant, but it's okay because I am! It has almost taken some pressure off of me! Anyway, yesterday we drove the Road to Hana, saw a black sand beach, awesome waterfalls (one we hiked to and was 400 feet high - truly magnificent), and hiked through a bamboo forest - one of the coolest things I've ever seen! I feel like the pics and videos I took can't do it justice! It's baby's first vacation - and a great one! What a lucky baby! I've been trying not to get my heart rate too high,but it's hard because I want to keep up with everyone (and there's 12 of us!). Luckily, it hasn't been difficult, and I feel great! I've been sleeping great here too! It's four hours behind Colorado time, so I am just ready to absolutely crash at 9:00 every night, and then I'm up by 6:00 or 7:00, but I've slept so good because our room is so dark! Anyway, the family has been getting along great - it's really been an unforgettable trip, and I feel like we've seen and done so much already. We've seen a lot of the island already, and tomorrow we'll see even more (going to Haleakala, the volcano here). It's a great time to travel, as my belly isn't inhibiting me in any way, and I just started my second trimester, so I feel great! I've kindof sat back and just enjoyed being pregnant while I can. Sometimes I even find myself NOT wanting to show and get bigger, and then I'm think, "Well Tara, you're pretty stuck now! It's gonna happen sooner or later!!!" Anyway, I'm trying to think of other new developments....well, I feel like I've been more congested (not sick, just congested!), and I've been definitely not craving dessert as much, and when I do, I crave fruity candy like skittles and starbursts! Anyway, I know I'm having run-on sentences. It's just that I'm trying to hurry and get out as much info as I can! I figure the info is all them same either way! Well, I'll check back later. I'll try to get the belly pics from yesterday up soon. They're on my camera and I need to download them to Kevin's laptop then email them to myself. They were taken in a rainforest on the Road to Hana!!!

14 - Yes 14 Weeks! It's a Lemon!

Your pregnancy: 14 weeks

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.


How your life's changing:

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.