The Bump

17 and 18 Weeks

We got back from our cruise last night. We had a wonderful time full of sunny weather, new friends, and we even won $500 playing Bingo! I also started feeling baby move this week. I wasn't sure at first but it became more and more regular throughout each day and especially during the loud shows (apparently baby likes to dance) and during the bumpy island rides. Kyle and I were both able to feel the baby from the outside for the first time last night right as we were about to take off for Raleigh. Lots of people describe it as feeling like a butterfly - I'm not sure how I would describe it but a butterfly this baby is not. One week from today until we find out if we are having a son or daughter! And if you are lucky I may just post a picture of "the bump". It definitely grew this week and not from the cruise food - I am very proud to say I managed not to gain a single pound. Must have been all the walking and stairs.

Here is what baby is 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.

17 Weeks

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

Where We'll Be...

We have a busy weekend ahead full of wedding festivities for Kyle's cousin and then Sunday morning we take off bright and early (6AM) for our cruise. We should be on board by noon or so and I'm sure the first stop will be to curl up on a lounge chair by the pool. I don't think I've have been filled with such excitement and anticipation over a vacation since Disney World as a child.

Next time I post will be 18 weeks - almost halfway! Wow, this is going by fast.

16 Weeks

Another non-eventful week but on a more exciting front we leave this coming Sunday for our cruise! We'll be gone for 7 days and our ports are Aruba, Curacao, Dominica, and St. Thomas. This is the same ship we were on for our honeymoon on the exact same week but 2 years later. And 3 weeks from today is the big ultrasound! I should also be able to start feeling baby in the next few weeks. Here is what baby is up to this week:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your 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 your baby continues to develop.

15 Weeks

Nothing new to report this week but we are moving right along! Here is what baby is up to this week...

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

In just a few weeks we should start to feel baby move and 4 weeks from today until we find out boy or girl!