Week 16

How our baby is growing:
I'm getting ready for a growth spurt... In the next few weeks, our baby will double its weight and add inches to its length. Right now, our baby is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. The patterning of its scalp has begun, though the locks aren't recognizable yet. The baby has even started growing toenails! And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, its heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as our baby continues to develop.
Our next doctor appt is Friday the 2nd, which we are so excited about! Even though we won't be able to see the baby for a couple more weeks, we are always anxious to see the Dr. to confirm that everything is on track and the baby is doing great.

Week 15

Our 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 orange). His/Her legs are growing longer than its arms now, and the baby can move all of its joints and limbs. Although its eyelids are still fused shut, the baby can sense light. For instance, if I shine a flashlight at my tummy, the baby is likely to move away from the beam. Also, at this stage of the pregnancy, our baby’s ears have now developed to the point where it can hear our voices!

My mom gave us our 1st baby book, Dr. Suess's Hop on Pop, and since the baby can now hear our voices, Deven can't wait to start reading it to our little one. Now, we are anxiously awaiting our next doctor appt, which is on April 2nd. :)

Week 14

Week 14!! This week's big developments: Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck its thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, its facial muscles are getting a workout as it’s tiny features form one expression after another.

In other news: Our baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, it measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and it weighs 1 1/2 ounces. Its body's growing faster than its head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, its arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his/her body. (Its legs still have some lengthening to do.) Though I can't feel its tiny punches and kicks yet, my little baby’s hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

The Heartbeat!!

Today was our 2nd dr. appt and we finally got to hear our baby's heartbeat! It's was beating sooo fast and it was so loud and clear (which is hard to believe since the baby is smaller than 2 in. long). The Dr. said that everything sounded normal and our next appt would be in 4 weeks.

It's hard to describe how Deven and I are feeling, words can't really express how blessed we feel to have this baby and begin this journey. We have been anticipating this moment since we found out I was pregnant and it was such a relief to hear our baby's very little heart beating and know that everything was going great!