18th Week

Hello Sweet Potato!  Another week..another comparison to some gnarly piece of produce.

Had my first "when are you due" asked by a stranger.  So I must look pregnant now and not just chubby.  Or perhaps it was because I was rubbing my belly like a Buddha!  Speaking of chubby, I've already gained 10lbs! Now I'm no math whiz but if Baby only weighs 7 ounces...where did the rest go?!  :s

Had my second OB/GYN appointment.  Things are moving along as they should be. The highlight was again hearing the little heartbeat.  This time I was prepared and actually recorded it. (See link) With such infrequent movements at this early stage, it's very reassuring to hear that baby is still in there!!!  I actually thought I might have felt "real" kicks (and not just little flutters) on Saturday July 16th.  There were 3 distinct taps in the same spot just to the right of my belly button.  It hasn't happened since, so perhaps it was just a little muscle spasm. I'm sure I will be feeling little kicks soon enough.

Here are some fun facts I found for Baby Bean;

*             Your baby will start kindergarten in 2017.

*             Be old enough to drive a car in 2027. (Lock up the keys Daddy!)

*             Finish high school in 2030.

*             Graduate from college with the class of 2034.  (I'll be 61!!!!)

I still haven`t found myself with any strange food cravings…but I`m pretty hungry all the time.  In fact most nights I wake up starving.  I've managed to fend off the midnight refrigerator raids for now.  There is another  old wives tale that correlates a profound increase in appetite with carrying a boy!?  Guess we'll know soon enough, as long as Baby isn't camera shy on July 28th.  (Stay tuned for the announcement!)

What's happening with baby this week? "In the 18th week, the baby's crown to rump length will be around 6 inches long and the weight will be about 7 ounces. There is still a lot of space in the uterus and the baby will be active with periods of rest from time to time. Your baby might somersault or sit cross legged at this stage. The baby will become more sensitive to sound as the bones which pass the sound to the inner ear harden. The part of the brain that sends and receives nerve signals from the ears are also developing now so the baby reacts to loud sounds by kicking or prodding. The baby will get used to familiar sounds such as the beating of your heart, familiar voices in your surroundings, and other daily routine sounds like doorbells and dog’s barking. (Shssssh Maddie!)  If you have a stethoscope at home you can check the baby's heartbeat by yourself.  (Still can’t hear it) The baby is busy flexing its arms and legs and you might notice the movements more clearly now. A protective layer called myelin begins to form around the nerves which will continue for a year after the birth."

Almost half way there...time is flying by!!