12 week belly shot

12 weeks

I had my 12 week checkup this afternoon. The little munchkin's heart was beating loud and strong at 156 beats per minute. The doctor said that's a great sign and things are progressing normally. In three weeks, I will have to have some blood work done to test for some birth defects. Please keep him/her in your prayers. He also told me we would be able to find out if the little munchkin is a boy or a girl in about 6 weeks! Bryan and I can't wait!
Here's how the baby is developing at the 12 week stage:
The baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. His/Her face is beginning to look more human. His/Her eyes, which started out on the sides of his/her head, have moved closer together on his/her face, and his/her ears are near their final positions on the sides of his/her head. The baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his/her abdominal cavity about now. His/Her kidneys are secreting urine into his/her bladder. His/Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. The baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and he/she will even squirm if I prod my abdomen (although I still can't feel anything yet).

Today I am 11 weeks pregnant! I am doing well. I'm not as tired as I was, but still need to rest some. I haven't been sick at all, but sometimes feel yucky, for lack of a better term, in the evenings. Here is some information discussing what's going on with the little munchkin.
The fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His/Her skin is still transparent, allowing many of his/her blood vessels to show through. Some of his/her bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his/her gums. His/her fingers and toes have separated, and he/she may soon be able to open and close his/her fists. He's/she's already busy kicking and stretching, and his/her tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. As his/her diaphragm develops, the tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups.
I haven't felt any movement from the baby, and probably won't until between 16 and 20 weeks. I'll let you know when I do!!

Baby!

Bryan and I are going to have our first baby. The baby is due March 1, 2008. We'll keep you posted as things progress!