11/28/05 week 17

How baby shack's growing: baby shack weighs about 5 ounces now, and is around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion (the ONLY onion I like!). The baby can move the joints, and the skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone (ooh, I really need to consume more calcium!). baby shack's sense of hearing is also developing. Since hearing is more "fine tuned", baby shack may respond to loud noises. The umbilical cord, the lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

How I'm changing: With more weight up high and out in front of my body, I am still keeping my balance & am not as clumsy as books and such predict...but we'll see how long that lasts. I've noticed that I feel a little protective of my tummy. I have almost outgrown every non-maternity shirt I own and certainly outgrown every non-maternity pants I own. I am still feeling great & so thankful for it! And the coolest part? At 10:30 last night I felt baby shack move for the first time! I had just finished eating a bowl of chicken & noodle soup. About 20 minutes later Derek and I were watching Star Wars stuff and then baby shack started moving even more! It was soooooooo cool!

This is day number 119 and I'm 17 weeks pregnant! I have 161 days or 23 weeks left, and am 42.5% of the way there. Yippee!

11/22/05 week 16

How baby shack's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, baby shack is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she/he'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling weight and adding inches in length. The lower limbs are much more developed now. The head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved toward the front of the head. baby shack's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of the more advanced body systems are working, including the circulatory system and urinary tract. The heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating baby shack's total blood volume through its body many times. (By the end of my pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of the scalp has begun, though the hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, baby shack's eyes are moving (slowly), and the toenails have started to grow.

How my life's changing: I'm going through a bit of a growth spurt myself. The top of my uterus is now about halfway between the top of my pubic bone and my navel. And the round ligaments that support my uterus are thickening and stretching as I grow. I think I was experiencing "round ligament pain" yesterday because of that...and I feel bigger today. ;) I think I'm looking and feeling a whole lot better as I adapt to pregnancy. I think I'm having fewer mood swings, and some say I have "glowing" skin. I'm beginning to embrace maternity clothes...but not on a daily basis : )

Soon I'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling baby shack move! While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, most don't until about 18 weeks or more.

Yesterday was day number 113 and I'm 16 weeks pregnant! I have 167 days or 24 weeks left, and am 40% of the way there.

11/15/05

I LOVE TO HEAR BABYSHACK'S HEARTBEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dr. Bradford found it so quickly today...it was so much higher on my belly than last time and I had expected the baby to be lower...and didn't realize my uterus had expanded so much! baby shack sounds great! That's about all we did at my appointment today, besides wait around...it was worth it.

Ultrasound is scheduled for Dec. 19 8:30 a.m.....right after our vacation! boy or girl, what do you think?

11/14/05 15 weeks

How baby shack is growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, baby shack now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He/she's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in the lungs. The legs are growing longer than the arms now, and can move all the joints and limbs. That means the hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although the eyelids are fused shut, baby shack can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at my tummy, baby shack's likely to move away from the beam, but I'll be nice & not scare him/her. There's not much for baby shack to taste at this point, but the taste buds are beginning to form. And when I have an ultrasound, I may be able to find out whether the baby's a boy or girl (not til next month). My mom thinks it's a boy. I hope he/she's not curled or turned in such a way as to keep me in suspense, I HATE SUSPENSE!

baby shack is growing strong and, even though he/she is little, it is pumping between 20-25 quarts of blood every 24 hours. By the time I'm ready to deliver, baby shack's heart will be circulating up to 300 quarts of blood every 24 hours. baby shack might start developing a pattern for his/her future hairline this week, although it can take quite a bit longer for some babies' hairline or hair to fully develop.

How my life's changing: I haven't gained much weight yet, maybe a few pounds. The crazy thing is that I feel a little better now that I've gained some pounds. Every woman gains weight at a different rate. I just need to make sure I'm eating enough.

At this point my heart is enlarged and working overtime. Its output has increased 20 percent from normal and, by the time I am ready to deliver, my heart will be working up to 50 percent more than normal to supply me and baby shack with the oxygen I need.

This is day 105, I have 175 days, or 25 weeks left. I am 35% of the way there. I HOPE IGET TO HEAR BABY SHACK'S HEARTBEAT TOMORROW! Our appointment is at 9 a.m. I'm so excited!
-Holly

11/07/05 Week 14

Head to bottom, baby shack is about 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. The body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, the arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of the body. (the legs still have some growing to do, though.) baby shack's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over the body (called lanugo). The liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and the spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. The baby is also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that will continue until birth. I still can't feel baby shack's movements, but the hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, baby shack's little facial muscles are getting a workout as she/he squints, frowns, and grimaces. baby shack can grasp now, too, and may be able to suck the thumb.

How my life's changing: I am regaining my energy and am feeling more comfortable with how my body's changing. Although the top of my uterus is only a bit above my pelvic bone, that growth seems to be enough to push my tummy out a bit, making me look fatter than I want to be - song anyone? Starting to show is an exciting pregnancy milestone and it will likely give us the visible evidence of a baby that I'm getting excited for. I know that it's normal to worry a bit now and then, but I can also breathe a little sigh of relief knowing that with the start of this trimester my risk of miscarriage has dropped significantly. Now I need to try to focus on taking care of myself and baby shack, and having faith that I'm well equipped for what's ahead.

Now that I've reached the 2nd trimester, I feel I'm accepting my "current condition"...I can begin to truely love baby shack & not worry that baby shack is just going to disappear! Derek on the other hand is still so overwhelmed at the thought of this baby staying for good...he cracks me up. I'm certainly ready to hear that heartbeat again & can't believe it'll be about 8 more days til I do. I find myself at the verge of tears a bit more often...happy emotion tears thankfully...not frustration or anger tears.

I feel very fortunate to have quite a few very caring friends who have already offered baby stuff to borrow, loaned me maternity clothes, & are already planning a baby shower. baby shack and us already feel so well-loved!

This is day number 98 and I'm 14 weeks pregnant. I have 182 days or 26 weeks left, and am 35% of the way there. Wow!

10/31/05 week 13

I may soon be big enough to announce to the world that I'm expecting, but baby shack is still tiny & many of my friends say they still can't tell. The baby is so small, it's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside my womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, the head is now only about a third the size of his body. If I could hold baby shack's hand right now, I'd see the tiny, squiggly lines that make up his/her one-of-a-kind fingerprints that are already in place. The kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and baby shack is starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he/she's been swallowing. As I start my second trimester, most of baby shack's critical development will be completed, and my odds of miscarriage will drop considerably. I think reality will set in just a little more for me at that point. I just have this week left before I leave this trimester. I can't believe it!

baby shack weighs about 1 ounce and the digestive tract continues to develop; inside the intestines tiny villi (hairs) are forming. These villi will assist in moving the food through the digestive tract. The pancreas has begun producing insulin and all 20 teeth have evolved but of course are not visible.

Most days I feel like I have enough energy to make it through the day but I'll have an occasional day where I'm just exhausted. I still feel the need to go to bed early though and I try to. My next doctor's appointment is Nov. 15 and I'm looking forward to it!

This is day number 91 and I'm 13 weeks pregnant! I have 189 days or 27 weeks left, and am 32.5% of the way there.

Thanks for thinkin about us this week!

-Holly & Derek & baby shack!

10/25/05 week 12

baby shack weighs about 14 grams and is about 2 inches in length (about the size of a lime). His or her reflexes are functioning, and the digestive tract is active and secreting bile - all to prepare for life outside of my body. The baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into its abdominal cavity about now. The kidneys are secreting urine into its bladder. Stem cells, the "mother cells" that will become heart, brain, liver, bone, blood, nerve, and immune cells, continue to differentiate to form the major organs.

Although baby shack's brain continues to grow, the components now have the same structure they will have at birth.

baby shack's face is beginning to look more human. The eyes, which started out on the sides of the head, have moved closer together on the face, and the ears are near their final positions on the sides of the head. baby shack's nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. He/she may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and will even squirm if I prod my abdomen, though I still won't feel baby shack's movement for several weeks, WON'T THAT BE EXCITING?!

As my body begins to adjust to higher levels of hormones, I am still free of nausea and am gaining back some energy. I'm sad I can't fit into my jeans but derek provided me with a pair of old jeans of his so that I could still wear some. Of course I am more irritable but no one else notices (sarcasm anyone?). It's been a week now since my last doctor's visit and I'm ready to hear that fast heartbeat again!

Yesterday marked day number 85 and I'm 12 weeks pregnant. I have 194 days or 28 weeks left, and am 30.0% of the way there! Wow!

10/18/05 week 11

Hey everyone, this list of recipients keeps getting bigger! Don't forget to inform me if you want off the list, no biggie!

I am now in week 11, day 78. baby shack now measures about 1 1/2 inches from head to bottom and weighs in at a quarter-ounce. He/she may be the size of a fig. baby shack finally looks like a baby, with tiny but fully formed fingers and toes. Soon, the baby will start twisting and turning like an acrobat, cushioned and protected by my amniotic fluid.

I'm still feeling pretty great just mostly very very tired. I am completely grateful for not feeling the nausea like so many other women (don't hate me!). I'm still struggling to eat a better, healthy, well-balanced diet like I was prior to pregnancy. Last week I did a good job of exercising but I haven't done anything in the past four days. I'm hopeing to get outside this afternoon or early evening to plant some bulbs....should have pretty flowers preceding baby shack's arrival!

I'm running out of clothes to wear & I still have not gained any weight. It's so weird! I spent a day last week checking out consignment stores, seeing who had maternity stuff & who didn't. I found a great place that had a lot to choose from. I'm sure I'll return once trying on maternity pants/jeans makes sense! It'll be a huge struggle finding pants and esp. jeans that are short enough for someone like me. It's hard enough now, will be worse once I'm big.

Derek and I finally got to see my Doctor today. We like him so much! I had a regular pap smear which Derek stayed for. I figured this was just the beginning of weird female stuff so he might as well ease into it! We also heard baby shack's heart beat...like a little choo choo train! It was so great. I can't tell you how great I feel now that we've seen Dr. Bradford & heard the heartbeat. I needed to hear it & needed the Doctor to tell me all's well, and he did. He estimates my uterus is the size of a grapefruit.

This all seems to be happening so fast! I can't believe my first trimester will be over in a few weeks! I have 202 days or 29 weeks left. I'm 27.5% of the way there.

10/10/05 week 10

baby shack is no longer an embryo! Though it's barely the size of a kumquat or a walnut ‹ just an inch or so long, crown to bottom ‹ and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce (about 4 paper clips), it now has completed the most critical portion of it's development! This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in the body rapidly grow and mature. Her/His vital organs ‹ the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs ‹ are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout my pregnancy). Her/His liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear.

During the next three weeks, baby shack's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her/His head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of its entire body. baby shack's forehead temporarily bulges with the developing brain and sits high on its head ; it will later recede to give it a more human appearance (WHEW!). Each day, more minute details ‹ including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair ‹ start to appear on her/his body. baby shack's fingers are now completely separated (yay for piano/guitar!); her/his arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her/his hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her/his heart; baby shack's legs are lengthening (hopefully will reach as long as papa shack, and longer than mama shack); and her/his feet may be long enough to meet in front of its body. baby shack is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her/his legs. The little pollywog I have inside has lost its "tail."

If we could take a peek at baby shack this week, we'd be able to clearly see the outline of its spine through her/his parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from the spinal cord.

My uterus has doubled in size by now & I can certainly feel its change. It gets harder and bigger all the time! Before I got pregnant, it was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's grown to the size of a grapefruit. At our next prenatal visit, we may be able to hear baby shack's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler, a hand-held soundwave stethoscope that my practitioner will pass over my belly.

Exercise promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance ‹ three qualities that can help me carry the weight I gain during pregnancy, prepare me for the physical stress of labor, and make it easier to get back into shape after baby shack is born. (Unfortunately, there's no evidence that regular exercise shortens labor.) I tried the water aerobics classes last week. I really liked one but not the other. Because of my schedule I needed to really like both! So I think I've decided to stick with pre-natal videos but need to set up some accountability so that I do it.
I'm feeling really good but am just so tired and hungry all the time! At 10 weeks, many women begin to see their stomachs stick out. Generally, this is due to their bowels becoming distended rather than the growth of the baby. Little by little my waistline is becoming less defined. I can rub my hand over my entire abdomen area & I can feel a bump where my stomach is! It's the weirdest thing. I can "see" my stomach!

So, I have 209 days left!

For those of you who were sworn to secrecy...the secret's out. We told New Springs on Sunday. Still have a few on my list I'd like to be able to tell & we haven't told The Portico yet.

If you are getting this update and would rather not receive a weekly update, PLEASE TELL ME. You won't hurt my feelings & I'll take you off the list.

-Holly

9/26/05 week 8

I'm now two months pregnant. baby shack is more than half an inch long, crown to rump, and has distinct, slightly webbed fingers. Its arms and legs may be long enough to meet in front of its body.

I'm feeling pretty good these days. I have random hits of "oh my gosh, I think I'm gonna throw up". Like at Wal-Mart last Saturday or the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom. I'm not cramping as much. But I'm still pretty tired and need about an hour nap every day. I haven't been going to aerobics. I still have not told my work and many local friends. If I don't do some exercises and take it easy, questions will be raised in class and "so and so" knows "so and so from work", and "so and so knows so and so from church." I'm so stinking tired anyway. Derek has been good about getting out and walking with me when we can. I have inquired about a water aerobics class because everything I read says working out in water will be great all throughout the pregnancy & will especially feel good when I'm huge. Anyway, I know that exercise would help an old lady like me during delivery and just getting through carrying such a big weight this Spring. I just need to toughen up and go for it.

On the humorous and weird side I've had weird dreams like we were getting robbed & we didn't have a phone in our room so I couldn't figure out how to get help (duh, ever heard of a window?); it was the end times and as much as I prayed while Lord Voldemort's (Harry Potter books) hand was on Derek's head, Derek did not make it to heaven. I've laid in bed almost asleep thinking, "I don't feel pregnant. Oh no, what if I'm not anymore, what if it's just gone." Finally I snapped out of it and laughed at myself explaining (to myself) that I'd be bleeding if that were the case, it just can't disappear, duh!

Baby shack is three-quarters of an inch long about the size of a grape. The liver is churning out large amounts of red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. Week eight marks the beginning of a very busy developmental stage. The face continues to change as the ears, eyes and the tip of the nose appear. The intestines start to form in the umbilical cord. Its teeth develop under the gums.

I have 224 days or 32 weeks left, and am 20.0% of the way there.
Baby shack's age since conception is 42 days or 6 weeks.

According to the lunar calandar I will have a girl....HAH!

9/20/05

So, baby shack is FINALLY the size of a raspberry with eyelids forming, the tip of the nose developing, and distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes.

Here are baby shack's highlights from the
babycenter.com for its 6 weeks of life:

September 13
Tuesday  Your baby goes through a growth spurt this
week, starting out as small as a lentil bean and
ending up as big as a chickpea.

September 16
Friday  Your baby's limbs begin to develop, but at
this stage they look more like fins with bumps at the
ends than the adorable arms, legs, fingers, and toes
they'll later morph into.