Our baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. His/Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his/her head and body is now visible. His/Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. His/Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.
Grandma and Grandpa Pierce went to Peanut's Ultrasound this week and we were able to see Peanut's little tummy, chin, nose...what a great little profile s/he is developing in there. I think this was the first time that Peanut really looked like a little baby. So cute!
How my life is changing:
The biggest news this week is I got a crib for peanut. I was so excited as I purchased it from a very nice family on Craig's list for $75. This was huge as I have been looking at a ton of cribs both new and used and just wasn't finding the perfect fit. My mom and I also went shopping this weekend to look at bedding, dressers, mattresses and other items for the nursery. We were successful in find some very cute bedding, so now at least I have a theme to work with. Honey Bees for my little bubble bee. It is very cute and will work for either a boy or a girl. See photo of bedding...ah this is not our nursery at least not yet!!!
2008-04-18
Our Peanut at Week 21
How our baby is growing:
Our baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot (don't you love the fruit and veggie references). His/her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And I am still feeling tons of movement daily. I have to say though peanut is pretty good I usually feel the most movement when I first lay down for bed or first thing in the morning. Also, when I eat something. The other really cool thing is sometimes when I am on business travel and I getting ready for bed, I pat my tummy and say good night to my little angel. Most times peanut responds with a little nudge...it is the sweetest thing ever!!!!
How my life is changing:
I am still feeling great and I have to say I have had a ton of energy lately. Mostly since work has gotten really busy as we prepare for a big event, so lots of long days. I feel good though and moving around just fine. Still exercising with short runs with Kona and some yoga.
Some woman complain about excess oil and breakouts at this point, but I am still really lucky. My skin is clear and I actually have less oil than normal. The great thing is I can now go two days without washing my hair which seems silly to bring up, but I have never been able to do this without feeling like a grease ball. Saves a lot of time those mornings I decide to skip shampoo. Hope this doesn't change after the pregnancy I could get use to this. Oh and the other really great thing I just noticed is after shaving my legs the hair takes almost a full week to start growing back. I know this is an odd thing to note, but this is actually really cool. You would understand if you were like me pre-pregnancy when I had to shave almost every day to have smooth legs.
So this past weekend I surprised Jay with a couples massage at La Costa. It was our pre-parenthood relaxation session. Since after peanut arrives this will go away and so will any extra funds to splurge on a day at the spa. It was a great day and we even sat by the pool with me in my bikini. The prenatal massage was great and just the day it self was a wonderful escape!
2008-04-18
Our Peanut at Week 20
How our baby is growing:
Our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. S/he's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel —the length of a banana this week!
A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats peanut's entire body to protect him/her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)
Our baby is also swallowing more, which is good practice for his/her digestive system. S/he's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in his/her bowels, and we'll get the pleasure of seeing it in his/her first messy diaper (although I guess a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).
How my life is changing:
I've made it to the half way mark — Congratulations to us! The top of my uterus is about at the level of my belly button now, and I have gained about 10 pounds. I am told that I should expect to gain an average of about another pound each week from now on. Oh great this should be fun...I guess I better start greasing up twice a day. Still feeling great and no new cravings or major changes to note.
2008-04-10
Our Peanut at Week 19
How our baby is growing:
Peanut weighs about 8 1/2 ounces (that is about an ounce a week), and he/she measures 6 inches, head to bottom — which is about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His/Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his/her body now. His/her kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on little peanut's scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Our baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If we are having a baby girl, she has an astonishing 6 million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born. Wow, isn't that crazy all that inside a heirloom tomato!
How my life is changing:
I felt Peanut move all this week! It all begun on the plane ride to Canada. Peanut was dancing away in my belly the entire time. It was an amazing feeling to know that there really is a little person in there waiting to come out and meet us. I was so excited I text messaged all the grandparents to let them know the exciting news. This had to be by far the coolest thing about the whole pregnancy.
The other change this week was cutting my skiing short while in Canada with Jay. We took the week off to spend a little quality time together before peanut was born and to get a few more ski days in before the season ended. I guess some people call this a "babymoon". Well with all the movement I was feeling this week I was extra careful on the slopes almost to a point that it just wasn't worth the price of the lift ticket. So I skiied for a day and half and Papa Severson cut it up for the three whole days. But I have to say I didn't slow down on the hike up Sulphur Mountain in Banff. Peanut and I left dad in the dust, so I was feeling pretty proud of myself being almost 5 months pregnant hoofing it up a 5.3 km switchback trail.
