19th Week

I'm a Mango this week!!!

I bought Baby his first book this week.  It's called "Oh Baby, the places you'll go!" by Dr. Seuss.  The inside cover reads "Exciting discoveries have been made about how much learning goes on while a baby is still in its mother's womb.  Here is an introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss - for doting parents-to-be to read aloud to their adorable babies-to be."  There was actually a study done in the early 80's involving Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" which was read aloud to babies in the womb, twice a day, during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. After birth, it was proven that babies responded positively to recordings of their mother's voice reading the same story  vs. hearing their mother reading a different story.  Which proves that not only is there auditory perception in utero but also memory of auditory experiences.

I've also been reading (not aloud) a book called "Brain Rules for Baby - How to raise a smart and happy child from Zero to Five".  It's very interesting and actually speaks of the aforementioned Dr. Seuss research study.  Currently I'm focusing on the pregnancy section of the book which talks about the positive and negative impacts you can have on your pregnancy (and Baby's intelligence) through weight, nutrition, exercise and stress.  It's definitely educational and  will be a valuable reference book after he arrives.

So you're all probably waiting for the announcement.  Well really, I've already spilled the beans in reference throughout this blog.  Did you catch it? Yup, we're having a BOY!! (Well they said 95% sure. He was in some crazy face down yoga pose during the scan but we could all see something that surely resembled a boy bit!) Otherwise the scan was great. Organs, limbs, spine all intact. Measurements good. And he was moving a lot, flexing his arms and wiggling about. At one point he reached out and grabbed onto his foot.   Adorable!!   We are so relieved that all is well and thrilled to welcome a little boy!!  Now Daddy better REALLY hide the car keys!!

What's happening with our Baby Boy this week? "At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby may be as long as 6.5 inches and could weigh up to 8.5 ounces. Your baby is comparable in size to a coconut that has had the outer-shell removed! Your little one's growth won't stop anytime soon. On the contrary, from pregnancy week 19 until you give birth, your baby is going to increase in size by more than 15 times. This week, your baby is starting to produce vernix - a white sticky substance that covers your baby's skin to protect it from its watery environment. (Remember your baby is living in a sea of amniotic fluid for 40 weeks.) The vernix will keep your baby's skin looking soft and supple. During pregnancy week 19, your little one's brain is in the process of forming pockets that specialize in smell, taste, hearing, vision, and even touch. Your baby can hear your voice at 19 weeks of gestation. Fetal ear development has matured to the point that your baby's outer ears can pick up noises from outside the womb, including your voice and even your partner's voice. Your baby's fingerprint are also developing. The pads on the fingers have ridged patterns that will eventually become your child's unique ID. "

I'll leave you this week with some words from Dr. Suess

"...so now as my voice burble-ups in your ear-

with a bump thumpy sound that is not very clear-

the words I am saying, you hear in your heart,

and know that I wish you the very best start.

It's a scrumptulous world and it's ready to greet you.

And as for myself...well...I can't wait to meet you!