I thought for sure I'd do a great milestone post for 20, and here we are at 21!
Swarley is a mover and shaker, that's for sure. Not long after I posted by 18.5 week update, Jacob felt Swarley kick. Now, a bunch of people have felt the kicks and punches that seem to happen every time I sit still! I am currently sitting here SEEING Swarley move.
This is truly one of my favorite parts of pregnancy. I get SO excited when it first happens, and my excitement never seems to diminish for the rest of the pregnancy. Then, I miss those movements after the baby is born, even though I'm getting to hold my baby in real life!
We have a regular appointment with Nora tomorrow, which is always fun. Swarley's heartbeat had increased a little bit more into the "girl" heartbeat range, so I'm curious to see what it is tomorrow! I believe it's been 150 and 160. (I know it's just an old wives' tale, but it's still fun!)
Gus' second birthday is coming quickly. It's so hard to believe how big he's getting! He can now (mostly) count to 10, though he regularly skips five and seven. He's also getting into trains, and loves Yo Gabba Gabba...Unfortunately for me and my ears. He is so sweet, funny, and smart...I've said it from the beginning, but I feel so privileged that I get to watch him grow up. When he was very small, I said to Jacob, "I feel so lucky that we get to keep him!" I still feel that way!
Here's the haps with Swarls: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.
Now to decide whether or not to indulge this crazy craving for pancakes!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
18.5 weeks
Did you know that 18.5 weeks is almost 20 weeks, and 20 weeks is almost 30 weeks, and 30 weeks might as well be 40 weeks? Yup, Swarley's arrival is just around the corner. That's what it feels like, anyway.
Today, for the first time, I felt Swarley's kicks from the outside! I've been anxiously awaiting this milestone, as it is that much more fun for Jacob, and I think it will be fun for Gus, too! I felt three or four little taps before Swarley moved away. Very exciting, if you ask me!
I am beginning to feel a faint nesting itch, which I think has more to do with the fact that we have done next to nothing to prepare for Swarley, and I feel like time is flying. My plan is to spend tomorrow morning going through stuff in the room which will be transformed into Swarley's nursery! Up until now, it's been our office-guest-extra books-stuff we don't know what to do with-papers to save room. So, it'll be quite the challenge to find a place for everything.
When people ask how I'm feeling, I also feel like I give such a lame answer. It's always "Good!" with a smile and a little head nod. The thing is, I DO feel good most of the time. Yes, I have my hormonal days, or the days where halfway through a meal I am disgusted by my food, but 99% of the time I just feel good. It's nice.
Oh, btw, I don't know how I survived my last pregnancy without a body pillow.
Here's what Swarley's up to:
18 weeks: 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.
And 19 weeks, because we all know I'll miss that post: 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.
Today, for the first time, I felt Swarley's kicks from the outside! I've been anxiously awaiting this milestone, as it is that much more fun for Jacob, and I think it will be fun for Gus, too! I felt three or four little taps before Swarley moved away. Very exciting, if you ask me!
I am beginning to feel a faint nesting itch, which I think has more to do with the fact that we have done next to nothing to prepare for Swarley, and I feel like time is flying. My plan is to spend tomorrow morning going through stuff in the room which will be transformed into Swarley's nursery! Up until now, it's been our office-guest-extra books-stuff we don't know what to do with-papers to save room. So, it'll be quite the challenge to find a place for everything.
When people ask how I'm feeling, I also feel like I give such a lame answer. It's always "Good!" with a smile and a little head nod. The thing is, I DO feel good most of the time. Yes, I have my hormonal days, or the days where halfway through a meal I am disgusted by my food, but 99% of the time I just feel good. It's nice.
Oh, btw, I don't know how I survived my last pregnancy without a body pillow.
Here's what Swarley's up to:
18 weeks: 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.
And 19 weeks, because we all know I'll miss that post: 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.
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