Thursday, June 25, 2009

18 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

Head to rump, my 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 I'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.

How my life's changing: An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Trying to make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Maternity clothes are a must now as my appetite and waistline grow. My cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester my blood pressure will probably be
lower than usual. Have to be careful not to spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or I might feel a little dizzy. I'm learning that from now on, when I do lie down, it's best to lie on my side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Positioning a pillow behind or under the hip or upper leg helps for comfort.

On another note I wanted to post a couple pictures of the room decor I will be using. I registered at Baby's R Us yesterday but they do not carry the bedding I "had" to have so I had already purchased it online.


























17 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing: My baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. My baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

How my life's changing: Many women report that their dream life shifts into high gear during pregnancy. Interestingly, during the second and third trimesters, you spend less sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the cycle in which most dreams occur. Why, then, all those frequent and vivid dream memories?It's probably at least in part because you may be interrupting a dream-filled cycle when you wake up to pee, cope with heartburn, leg cramps, restless legs, or a backache, or to shift to a more comfortable position. Waking up during REM sleep makes you more likely to remember your dreams.It may also be in part that dreams seem so vivid during pregnancy because for most women pregnancy is a time of such heightened emotions — from joy to apprehension and everything in between — but no one really knows for sure.



Thursday, June 18, 2009

16 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Get ready for a growth spurt.  In the next few weeks, my 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 my baby continues to develop.

How my life's changing:  The top of my uterus is about halfway between my pubic bone and my navel and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows.  I have a short torso as it is, so things are definitely feeling as though they are being pushed into my lower ribs.  Haven't felt major moves yet but a few scratches or at least that's what it feels like, quite uncomfortable I might say.  Heartburn is also starting to take it's toll - not fun.

Took my first belly picture now that I'm 4 months.


















And the most exciting news from this week is we had another ultrasound and found out we're having a BOY!  Mack Hays Crump will be his name.  Mack was Micah's Grandfather's name and Dad's middle name.  Hays is also a family name - Micah's middle name. 




Sunday, June 7, 2009

15 Weeks Pregnant

Well, again I find myself getting this posted a bit late... I'm actually already 16 weeks... We're hoping to find out this week if we're having a boy or girl so I figured I'd wait for this weeks post.  So here's 15 Weeks:

How my baby's growing:  My 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).  The baby is busy' moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory track, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop.  The baby's legs are growing longer than the arms now, and it can move all of the joints and limbs.  Although the eyelids are still fused shut, they can sense light.  If you were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, the baby is likely to move away from the beam.  There's not much for my baby to taste at this point, but taste buds are forming.  At 15 weeks it is possibly to find out whether we're having a boy or girl, however nailing down the baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and the baby's position.  However, we're not schedule for another appointment until I'll be 16 1/2 weeks - hoping to find out then!

How my life's changing:  On average it's healthy and normal to have gained about 5 pounds by now (I've only gained 3 but with the extra baggage I started with that's good for me).  Mornings usually start with a bit of a stuffy nose which can be chalked up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to my mucous membranes.  This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy."  Usually by mid-morning things have cleared up and I'm good to go.

I have been very blessed this week by both my father-in-law and a member of our church with a gift to buy maternity clothes.  I don't think I've ever had so much fun shopping for clothes. Maternity clothes actually make you look better and feel good about yourself.  One of the stores we went to was called "Motherhood" and in the dressing room there was a strap on belly equivalent to 3 months pregnancy so you can see what you'll look like and if clothes will continue to fit in 3 more months.  It was rather funny to show Micah and see his response. And that would only have been about 7 months along, just add two more months to that.

14 Weeks Pregnant

Got a little behind schedule as summer months tend to be a bit busier.  Gearing up for 13 Summer Interns to join us for the month of June.  We are very anxious to partner with them in their spiritual journey.  I'm just praying I can keep up with them while maintaining my health and sanity being pregnant.  I'm looking forward to the challenge but also know I have a great husband who will bring me back to reality if I get ahead of myself.

How my baby's growing:  This week's big developments:  Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee and possibly suck it's thumb!  Thanks to the brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another.  The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid around them - a process they'll keep up until birth.  The baby can grasp too, and may even be seen sucking it's thumb during an ultrasound.

In other news:  My baby's stretching out.  From head to bottom, the baby measures 3 1/2 inches - about the size of a lemon - and weighs 1 1/2 ounces.  The body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck.  By the end of this week, the arms will have grown to a length that's in portion to the rest of the body.  (The legs still have some lengthening to do.)  The baby is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over the body.  Our baby's liver starts making bile this week - a sign that's it doing it's job right - and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells.  Though I can't distinguish the tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How my life's changing:  Well I'm officially in my second trimester.  They say your energy is likely to return but with the added load of summer to my plate and trying to acclimate myself to longer days I don't feel like I have more energy.

There's definitely a baby bump pooching out there but with my short, stocky self if you didn't know I was pregnant you probably wouldn't ask.  My belly is becoming more firm and defined but I'd give it another few weeks before you could noticeably tell it's the cause of a little one in there.  Getting more excited to buy some maternity clothes (clothes that will fit properly and quit with this make-shift business)!