Weeks Sixteen and Seventeen

I had my sixteen week appointment last Thursday.   It is the basic appointment, where they take your weight, blood pressure, measure where the uterus is and listen for the baby’s heartbeat.  From what we can tell, Cookie Dough is doing really well as there is a strong heart beat and I am measuring right on.  Also the doctor said the baby was moving around a lot, which is a good sign, but I have yet to feel anything.  Feeling the baby for the first time should happen at some point between 16 and 22 weeks and I am anxiously waiting for that first time. 

I have been feeling great these last two weeks and I have been able to work out every day on my lunch break – it is a very welcome break in the work day.  The downside is that I am having a little difficulty sleeping deeply and uninterrupted, plus my dreams have gone into some sort of overdrive.  In one dream I was dancing in a Justin Timberlake video at about 8 months pregnant…not something I think anyone would want to see!

Last weekend I was finally forced to admit that my regular clothes no longer fitted the way they should (my jeans were being held up by hair ties and Bella Bands) and I kitted myself out with a set of maternity wear.  Now I get to enjoy the comfort of maternity cloths and they are wonderful!

During week 16 the baby was about the size of an avocado and was 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) head to rump and 3.5 ounces (99 grams).  A few major developments for the baby this week are:

•   The heart is now pumping about 25 quarts (23.6 litres) of blood each day
•   They can hear loud voices/noises
•   Their hair, eye lashes and eyebrows are growing
•   Their taste buds are forming

16 week photo

During week 17 the baby progressed to about the size of a large onion 5.1 inches long (12.95 centimeters) and weighs about 5.9 ounces (167 grams).  The weight gain from last week is considerable, largely due to the rubbery cartilage that is now turning in to bone, and the baby is starting to put some fat and muscle on those bones.

17 week photo

The next appointment is the 20 week appointment on 15^th of February.  At this appointment we get to have another ultrasound that, I think, is the last one till the baby is born.   We get to see the baby looking almost human and I will post the pictures of this for everyone to see.  It is also the time when you are able to find out the sex of the baby, but we are still holding strong and looking forward to the big surprise in July!

Fifteen weeks

Today is my first day of the 16^th week.  Finally I have been feeling great during this last week, so hopefully that is the last of the sickness I will see for a while!  During the 15^th week the baby has grown to the size of a softball or naval orange, or approximately 4ins (10.2cms) and 2.5oz (70gms).  All the books say the baby is moving around like crazy, but I haven’t been able to feel anything yet; however, I should be able to recognize the kicking and punching at some point in the next 6 weeks.  I am looking forward to feeling the “flutters”, but I am not sure the kicking will be as enjoyable, especially since a friend described it as “like a monkey trying to climb up your ribcage”.  I am starting to show a little bit, but I feel as if I am at an intermediary period whereby I look more pudgy than pregnant right now. 

In other baby news, we started to look for bedding at Babies R US.  As we are not finding out the sex of the baby, we have to go with a gender neutral color/theme.  Arthur was insistent on just going with boy bedding as he is convinced that even if we have a girl he will raise her as a boy. Fortunately, Arthur managed to find the most adorable bedding that is covered in Bees: I think it is a winner!

Image from Babies R Us

In light of finding the bedding, we are now trying to find a suitable color to paint the nursery – of course, as is increasingly the case these days, when I say “we” I mean “Arthur”.  I am thinking a soft gray to make the yellow pop.  Anyone have any other suggestions? 

This weekend we went up to the mountains and stayed with some friends in their mountain house.  While Arthur, Trent and Bethany were all out skiing, I got to enjoy some peace and quiet, enabling me to finally finish a book I had been reading, as I have been getting rather distracted with all these baby books.  It was very relaxing and I was trying to enjoy every minute as everyone keeps reminding me I won’t be getting too much quiet time once the baby is here. 

Fourteen weeks

During week 14 the baby is now around 3.5 inches, weighs around 1.5 ounces and is about the size of a lemon; which is a bit disappointing as I have defiantly gained more than 1.5 ounces in weight!  This week the baby will be busy moving around and could even be sucking its thumb. 

Mommy on the other hand did not have a great week.  I spent Monday, Tuesday and part or Wednesday very close to the bathroom.  It could have been, either pregnancy nausea, or I caught some type of sickness: the Doctor was fairly sure that it was just a bout of sickness, and as my appetite returned on Thursday, it appears I got off fairly lightly.   I have no idea how other mothers-to-be can go through weeks and weeks of nausea when I could barely handle three days!  I spent the time eating saltine crackers, peppermint candy, and drinking mint tea, which is not the diet I had envisaged feeding my little alien! 

The week 14 photo was taken at Adrienne’s baby-shower and has a few additional pregnant family members. From left to right Me (14 weeks), Adrienne (25 weeks), Rachel (16 weeks), and Shannon (35 weeks).  

It was a beautiful shower with fun games, great food, and even better company.  The one thing the shower did make me realize is just how much stuff you need for a baby!  Time to start planning what I need…