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.