Week 23 of Pregnancy: Fetal Weight Gain
At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll when you are 23 weeks pregnant. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too). You have probably heard your developing baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb! Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops during fetal growth. But don't worry. By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out — from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Touch it and Die
IF ONE more person tells me that its only 10am and looks at me like I’m crazy for eating my frozen meal, I’m going to FLIP OUT.
FIRST of all, it’s a LEAN CUISINE and it’s only 300 calories, which is less than 10% of what my total calorie intake is suppose to be for the day!
SECOND of all, it’s recommended I have SIX friggin meals a day. SIX! Not three, Not five, BUT SIX!
THIRDLY I am more healthy, in shape and attractive at 5 ½ months pregnant than they are without being pregnant.
AND LASTLY how am I suppose to build myself up to eating everything I want to at dinner tonight if I don’t keep my stomach stretched out? L.O.L.
HELLO PEOPLE ….MOST OF MY BELLY IS BABY, if you look at it you can actually tell where it’s head and butt is because it’s all lopsided cause it’s stretched out most of the time!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
And THEN they want to touch it!! Really? REALLY? I gave one of the PM’s the “you’ll pull back a bloody stump” look today when he was reaching for it. I’ve obviously mastered the art of that look cause he pulled his hand back before he touched it.
HUMPF.
FIRST of all, it’s a LEAN CUISINE and it’s only 300 calories, which is less than 10% of what my total calorie intake is suppose to be for the day!
SECOND of all, it’s recommended I have SIX friggin meals a day. SIX! Not three, Not five, BUT SIX!
THIRDLY I am more healthy, in shape and attractive at 5 ½ months pregnant than they are without being pregnant.
AND LASTLY how am I suppose to build myself up to eating everything I want to at dinner tonight if I don’t keep my stomach stretched out? L.O.L.
HELLO PEOPLE ….MOST OF MY BELLY IS BABY, if you look at it you can actually tell where it’s head and butt is because it’s all lopsided cause it’s stretched out most of the time!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
And THEN they want to touch it!! Really? REALLY? I gave one of the PM’s the “you’ll pull back a bloody stump” look today when he was reaching for it. I’ve obviously mastered the art of that look cause he pulled his hand back before he touched it.
HUMPF.
Bitsy Progress- Week 22
Week 22 of Pregnancy: Baby's Hair Growth
Your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. The eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. But hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white.
Guess what? At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. How heavy is that? Hold a one-pound box of sugar in your hand the next time you're in the grocery story (and expect people to ask you why you're grinning from ear to ear). Is the box eight inches long? That's about the length your baby is too! This week, your sweetie is making more sense of the world as he or she develops the sense of touch. In fact, your little one's grip is quite developed by now — and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, he or she may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry — it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Your fetus can now perceive light and dark much better than before (even with those fused eyelids). But remember — unless you're shining a flashlight over your belly (which you can do, by the way), it'll be mostly dark for your baby inside that cozy womb of yours.
Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. You'd be quite surprised, though, if you could see your little one up close and in color. Hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white.
Your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. The eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. But hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white.
Guess what? At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark. How heavy is that? Hold a one-pound box of sugar in your hand the next time you're in the grocery story (and expect people to ask you why you're grinning from ear to ear). Is the box eight inches long? That's about the length your baby is too! This week, your sweetie is making more sense of the world as he or she develops the sense of touch. In fact, your little one's grip is quite developed by now — and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, he or she may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry — it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Your fetus can now perceive light and dark much better than before (even with those fused eyelids). But remember — unless you're shining a flashlight over your belly (which you can do, by the way), it'll be mostly dark for your baby inside that cozy womb of yours.
Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. You'd be quite surprised, though, if you could see your little one up close and in color. Hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bitsy Progress- Week 21
Week 21 of Pregnancy: Baby's Taste Buds Develop
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana. By 21 weeks pregnant, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day — not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting — skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now! Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb — though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)
Your baby has been eavesdropping on you for several weeks -- but at this point her hearing is fine-tuned enough to actually recognize your and your partner's voices. So, read to her! The newspaper, your favorite magazine, the chick-lit novel you can't put down -- whatever. Just do it out loud!
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana. By 21 weeks pregnant, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day — not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting — skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now! Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb — though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)
Your baby has been eavesdropping on you for several weeks -- but at this point her hearing is fine-tuned enough to actually recognize your and your partner's voices. So, read to her! The newspaper, your favorite magazine, the chick-lit novel you can't put down -- whatever. Just do it out loud!
This cartoon really sums it up. Usually I don't mind people I KNOW touching my belly. But there have been moments where I seriously thought I was going to push someone down on the ground like a pissed off kid at a playground for reaching out at me without asking. Plus all the questions, and then the whining when I tell them we aren't going to find out the sex of the baby..
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
My frog baby at Week 19
The doctor appointment last week went really well! The baby is 10-11 inches long (guestimated head to toe) and is about 9 oz.
This is the picture of my 'Frog baby'. The baby is faced down. The left hand side of the picture is it's little butt with it's legs tucked underneath. Then you can see it's arms under the belly area about center of the picture and it's face is faced down. The top of the picture is the back of the head and the spine.
Here are some pictures of our little one! 
This is of Bitsy face, looking up. The arrow at the end of "profile" is right above the baby upper lip.
This is a picture of the Bitsy foot! Almost right in the center of the picture is the little baby foot, heal towards the bottom of the picture, little toes to the upper right.
This is a picture of bitsys little legs and feet. You can barely make out the thigh and the knee of one leg is at a 90 angle at the left hand middle of the picture, then you can see the little leg and it's foot is resting almost right in the middle of the picture. and NO, you cant tell what sex it is from this picture!
This is the picture of my 'Frog baby'. The baby is faced down. The left hand side of the picture is it's little butt with it's legs tucked underneath. Then you can see it's arms under the belly area about center of the picture and it's face is faced down. The top of the picture is the back of the head and the spine.
It was SO nice to see our baby and know that everything is progressing right along! Keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy baby!
Bitsy Progress- Week 20
Week 20 of Pregnancy: Boy or Girl?
You've got a heavyweight in your belly now (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think of your developing baby as the size of a small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too). Boy or Girl? You'll also be able to see your baby's gender in the ultrasound by now!
You've got a heavyweight in your belly at 20 weeks pregnant (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too).
Is it a boy cantaloupe or a girl cantaloupe? You'll be able to find out your baby's gender via the ultrasound by this point. If you're carrying a girl fetus, her uterus is fully formed this week and her vaginal canal is starting its development (which means that in about twenty-five or thirty-some-odd years, she could be just where you're at, Grandma!). She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries now, seven million of them — though by the time she's born, that number will be down to two million (still more than she could ever hope to use). And interestingly, your baby girl will be born with all the eggs she'll ever have. Have you got male? If your fetus is a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks.
Though the external genitals in both male and female fetuses still have a way to grow, you should be able to find out the sex of your baby (if you want to) during an ultrasound exam.
Your baby can hear sounds by now -- your voice, heart and your stomach growling, as well as sounds outside your body. It will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near you, and it may even become startled and "jump." The baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking.
You've got a heavyweight in your belly now (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think of your developing baby as the size of a small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too). Boy or Girl? You'll also be able to see your baby's gender in the ultrasound by now!
You've got a heavyweight in your belly at 20 weeks pregnant (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too).
Is it a boy cantaloupe or a girl cantaloupe? You'll be able to find out your baby's gender via the ultrasound by this point. If you're carrying a girl fetus, her uterus is fully formed this week and her vaginal canal is starting its development (which means that in about twenty-five or thirty-some-odd years, she could be just where you're at, Grandma!). She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries now, seven million of them — though by the time she's born, that number will be down to two million (still more than she could ever hope to use). And interestingly, your baby girl will be born with all the eggs she'll ever have. Have you got male? If your fetus is a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks.
Though the external genitals in both male and female fetuses still have a way to grow, you should be able to find out the sex of your baby (if you want to) during an ultrasound exam.
Your baby can hear sounds by now -- your voice, heart and your stomach growling, as well as sounds outside your body. It will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near you, and it may even become startled and "jump." The baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Bitsy Progress- Week 19
Week 19 of Pregnancy: Vernix Develops
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango. Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves at 19 weeks pregnant. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you've possibly started feeling by now. Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango. Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves at 19 weeks pregnant. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you've possibly started feeling by now. Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
BABY BUBBLES
The other night was the first time I was able to REALLY feel the baby move AND I got to share it with Greg.
I think part of the problem is that a lot of the time I’m going 90 miles an hour and don’t slow down for the little things to notice.
Last night we were working on planting the garden, and I ended up having to sit on the ground because bending over was making me light headed. I had to continuously move around while sitting because my tummy was getting in the way. I ended up getting pretty light headed and Greg and I went in for dinner. I laid on the couch for a while to try to right myself and relax. After dinner we were just laying around watching TV and that’s when Bitsy thought it would be a good idea to pay me back for all the squishing I must have done while planting the flowers.
The baby went wild. I could feel it every couple of minutes and it got so strong that even Greg could feel the bubbly movement inside!
HOW AMAZING it is to feel your baby move for the first time! Greg ended up falling asleep feeling Bitsy go to town on my tummy, and I ended up staying up for a while anticipating it’s every move and crying to commercials (gotta love hormones!).
Now that I know what it is I’m suppose to be feeling right now (for everyone it’s different I guess), I’m starting to feel Bitsy more and more.
Ofcourse seeing my growing belly makes it more real, but actually FEELING our baby move inside makes it VERY real. SO MUCH FUN!
I think part of the problem is that a lot of the time I’m going 90 miles an hour and don’t slow down for the little things to notice.
Last night we were working on planting the garden, and I ended up having to sit on the ground because bending over was making me light headed. I had to continuously move around while sitting because my tummy was getting in the way. I ended up getting pretty light headed and Greg and I went in for dinner. I laid on the couch for a while to try to right myself and relax. After dinner we were just laying around watching TV and that’s when Bitsy thought it would be a good idea to pay me back for all the squishing I must have done while planting the flowers.
The baby went wild. I could feel it every couple of minutes and it got so strong that even Greg could feel the bubbly movement inside!
HOW AMAZING it is to feel your baby move for the first time! Greg ended up falling asleep feeling Bitsy go to town on my tummy, and I ended up staying up for a while anticipating it’s every move and crying to commercials (gotta love hormones!).
Now that I know what it is I’m suppose to be feeling right now (for everyone it’s different I guess), I’m starting to feel Bitsy more and more.
Ofcourse seeing my growing belly makes it more real, but actually FEELING our baby move inside makes it VERY real. SO MUCH FUN!
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