Week 13 - Beginning of Second Trimester

So I did find out that Week 13 is the final week of the first trimester. Therefore, as of next week, I will officially be moving on to the glorified second trimester (it's supposed to be the easiest and most comfy of the three)!!

Nothing to complain about this week although food is still funny with me. I made yummy apple glazed pork chops Sunday night and could only get through about 1/3 of it. But I was able to finish the homemade applesauce, mashed potatoes, and ice cream for dessert! Other than that, I have been really good at eating a bowl of cereal in the morning (never made time for breakfast before) along with drinking milk at lunch - never did that either, but since I need lots of calcium to make both of our bones big and strong, figured I should start. I've finally caught on to the 'carry food with me' advice. On our errands this weekend, the bag of organic trail mix did wonders for me!!

I did finally let the pregnant cat out of the bag at school to the teachers and staff, with the disclaimer to hold of on saying anything to my students or parents - I definitely do not want 19 sets of worried parents just yet!! Upon making the announcement at school, I have already been invited to join a play group and had a virgin Bloody Mary bought for me at Happy Hour.

For now, I'm just looking forward to having more energy and being able to eat more at one sitting...onward to the second trimester we go!!!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight as 4 quarters.
  
• If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
  
• Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
  
• Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest
  
• Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with her fist.
  
• At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta
  
• On your next doctor visit you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is much rapider than your own and may remind you of the race towards birth that he is running!

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 12

So I haven't quite figured out if I'm officially in my second trimester this week or next. If a pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and you divide that by 3 trimesters, it comes out to 13.33 weeks per trimester. So I'm thinking that I still have at least one more week? Anyway, I guess I've been feeling a little better . I feel like I am not as exhausted (still tired but just not dog tired) and the nasuea seems a little better - unless I am cooking the meal. Then I still find it hard to eat what I have cooked. If it is cooked somewhere else by someone else, I seem to be able to get it down then. As far as the belly, I think I have a little but of one, but then I think I'm the only one who notices.

Just about everyone in both families (grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins) officially know. We are waiting until Brian & Barb's Halloween party on October 20th to tell the step-siblings. Todd is going to dress up as a doctor and I'm going to 'dress up' as a pregnant woman...one that has a much bigger belly...and we're going to let them know that way! It should be a fun way to reveal the news!!

Finally, Todd and I were briefed on the labor and delivery by a friend the other night. Todd learned that it's not like it is shown on TV as well as new words like doula. I learned that I either need to hire a birthing coach or get Todd (and me) into some birthing classes before April!!

Enjoy your week!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!
  
• Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!
  
• Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head
  
• Intestines move farther in to your child's body
  
• His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!
  
• The pancreas begins to produce insulin
  
• Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 11

This week went well - dealt mostly with the fatigue as the naseau seems to not be as bothersome (it's still here though). I think it was Tuesday that I came home, fell asleep from 5-6 and when Todd woke me up, I felt that I could have easily slept through the night. And last night I slept from about 10:30pm-9:30am and was still tired.

We have officially let most of the extended family know. I am going to hold off on telling the faculty and parents at my school for a bit longer.

Eleven weeks down, 29 to go...yikes!!!


Baby's Development (From Pregnancy.org)

• Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.
  
• Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.
  
• Hair and nails begin to grow
  
• The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?
  
  Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.
  
• The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.
  
• Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 10

Initial Weight: 113 lbs. (+ 0 lbs.)

Today was our first official exam!! Lots of questions were answered and then Todd and I got to actually hear the heart beat!! It took a couple minutes to find, but it made it seem even more real. The nurse practitioner said that since the heartbeat was detected, the chance of miscarriage drops significantly!! It's still crazy to think there's actually a bambino inside!! Out next appointment is Oct. 25th.

Todd and I went camping this past weekend and it's probably the best I've felt in the the last few weekends. I don't know if it's the fact that we were constantly eating and therefore my tummy was full or all the fresh air or that we were taking hikes yet being able to relax. We may need to live in a tent for the next 7 months!!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Baby is now called a fetus in "medical terms". You, however, may have chosen the name "peanut," "angel," "jumping bean" or simply "miracle."
  
• The most critical part of your infant's development is complete. Now you are headed into a period of rapid growth.
  
• While a bit strange to envision, your baby's head is now about half its length - Soon the rest of the body's growth will catch up but this area is prepared to keep up with the rapid brain development!
  
• Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to develop - Eye color is also determined by this point.
  
• Placenta begins to function this week or next - The placenta is the organ responsible for both the provision of nutrients along with the removal of waste to keep your baby growing strong!
  
• Your baby will be about 1.22 inch long (3.1cm) and weigh 0.14 ounce (4gm) at the end of this week
  
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 9

Having good and some not so good days. As long as I keep something in my stomach, I tend to feel ok. Feeling like I'm constantly hungry, so I'm doing my best to eat healthy snacks like applesauce at midnight!! Of course, Todd's been great - taking up a lot of the household chores and not giving me too much slack yet so I can rest!! Biggest craving so far is soup. Biggest turnoff all of a sudden is meat (I'm making Alysia proud). The most frustrating thing is when Todd or I am cooking and all of a sudden I can't stand the smell and loose my appetite - then it's back to apple slices and Life cereal. Feel like I'm getting a little tummy, but apparently it must not look it because a parent asked me the other day if I was loosing weight!! Well, need to get my rest...

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Baby has begun movement - While still too small for you to feel, your little one is wriggling, shifting, and dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to peek in whenever you want!
  
• Most joints are formed now - and trust that your little one is practicing bending and flexing.
  
• Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand - This is amazing to see! At only nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose!
  
• Fingerprints are already evident in the skin
  
• Average size this week -- length 0.9 inch (2.3cm), weight 0.07 ounce (2gm)
  
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)
  
  
  
  

Week 8

Yeeks...two months already and seven to go...


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week your baby will have already completed 1/5th of the journey 'til his birthday!
  
• The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already!
  
• The tongue begins to develop
  
• Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.
  
• Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds!
  
• The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short
  
• Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm)

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 7

Moving right along into Week 7. Mostly feeling tired with a bit of nausea here and there, we'll see once school begins just how tired I will really get. Still haven't yelled from the mountain tops yet about our news, so thanks for keeping this exciting news inside the immediate family for now. We'll let you know when we go 'public'!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Elbows form - Again, taking a peek inside you could see your baby's fascination with bending and flexing. Later you will swear you can enlist your child as the star of the next "Karate Kid" movie!
  
• Fingers start to develop - These digits often become your baby's first toy!
  
• Feet start to appear with tiny notches for the toes - It is fascinating that at less than a half inch, your little guy (or gal) already is leaving "footprints" on your heart!
  
• Ears eyes and nose start to appear - Although they may resemble an alien life form, these all "shift" soon enough into a more normal appearance.
  
• Intestines start to form in the umbilical cord - Did you know that initially the intestines are not formed inside your baby's body?
  
• Teeth begin to develop under the gums - Thankfully, right now you won't be dealing with teething pain!
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)