weeks 14 & 15

So sorry that I missed you all last week...things got crazy, I got lazy and you know how that goes! So let's catch up....
Week 14 (last week)- The babies facial muscles begin to get their workout as the baby is now able to grimace, squint, and suck the thumb! The baby is practicing grasping things by making grasping movements. Finger nails and hair growth all over the body (lanugo) also began this week. The kidneys are fully functional and "relieve" themselves into the amniotic fluid-this will continue for the remainder of the pregnancy (yay?) The liver began making bile and the spleen started helping in the production of red blood cells. By the end of the 14th week the baby measures 3 1/2 inches, and about 1 1/2 ounces...or about the size of a lemon (mmm...lemonade). And even though I Still can't feel it...the baby spends more hours awake and moving, kicking, tai bo-ing than sleeping.
Week 15(this week)-This week is marked by some serious growth---we've gained an inch in length and an ounce in weight...about the size of an apple! To help the air sacs develop in the lungs, the baby spends time "breathing" in amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract. The legs are growing longer than the arms (keep on growing!! you're gonna need the height). All limbs and joints are fully movable and are getting much use. And while the eyelids are still fused shut, the baby can sense light. More excitedly...after this week, the baby's gender can now be determined, although not easily. It will depend on the quality of the machine, the clarity of the picture (it can differ between patients--something to do with thickness??) and the cooperation of the baby (it needs to be willing to show the goods!!)
And on that front--Justin and I are planning on getting a 4D ultrasound as soon as the place can fit us in. We will (very obviously) let you know as SOON as we are able to start shopping with a purpose!!
much love,
Justin and Robin

1/3 down...2/3 to go!

Here we are at week 13, which marks the end of the first trimester. As of this weekend, I am officially in my 2nd trimester! As well as being a good time marker, the second trimester also has a much lower risk of miscarriage--so I can breathe a little easier--but for long the baby (and uterus, which is the size of a grapefruit) are starting the migration up my torso and will eventually press against my inner organs & lungs, in turn.
For the baby-its own distinct fingerprints are now present on the fingers. The veins and organs are visible through its still transparent skin. Vocal cord development starts this week, too. If it is a girl, she already has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries! On the boy side...he's been producing testosterone for about 3 weeks now! No wonder I've been soo tired this week...thats a lot of work! We will be able to find out the gender at my 18 week appt (if Justin can wait that long) which will be scheduled for the end of October. This week the size (measured from nugget to booty) is about the size of a peach or medium sized shrimp (about 3 inches) and weighs in at about a full ounce!
I finally broke down last night and bought my first pair of maternity pants...I resisted at first, but the belly band isn't working too well and I'm tired of sucking it in unsuccessfully. Anyhow, I caved and I LOVE them...mostly cause they are comfy and I can breathe again!
We'll keep you posted...next week is our 14 week check up!
much love,
Justin and Robin

LIMES anyone?

This week is a big week for the little _______ (insert your gender of choice) inside! Officially, it is about 2 inches long and about the size of a Lime. Reflexes begin to develop during week 12. Fingers begin to open and close, toes curl, eye muscles clench and the mouth starts making sucking movements! (already a big eater like its parents ;) ) The coolest thing is that if I prod my stomach--the baby will squirm in response-even though I still can't feel it! I love to do this...Justin gets mad and tells me to quit squishing his kid, which probably makes it more fun to do! lol
The intestines have grown extremely fast and protrude into the umbilical cord, but are beginning their decent into the abdominal cavity. The kidneys have started to produce and excrete urine into the bladder. Yes...its peeing in me! Way more gross than being peed ON. Nerves continue to grow and the eyes have moved into their proper place.
On the momma front...I've been battling allergies and a cold this past week. Not an easy feat to accomplish with OUT drugs and while living in the valley. To battle back, I've been sleeping-alot, drinking-alot and eating--even more than a lot! Thanks to a new humidifier...easy breathing is in my future!
much love,
Justin and Robin

203 Days to GO!! or 11 weeks along

So in keeping with the fruit theme, the baby is now about the size of a fig (about an inch and a half long). The hands are fully formed and will start opening and closing to form a fist! Tooth buds are also beginning to appear (OUCH) and some of the bones are starting to harden. As I shared and saw last week, its (can't wait to use a gender specific pronoun) moving all over the place! Kicking, stretching and even hiccuping!
I've finally come to the realization that I am not a chicken fan, like many pregger women before me. For some reason, it sounds great-looks and tastes awful! Poor Justin made me a very healthy dinner--and all I could stomach was the salad and potato...no chicken for this lady. Luckily, that seems to be the only protein I'm not a fan of.
Hope you are all well!
much love,
Justin and Robin

The lesson learned

So...here is the lesson that I have learned about OB's and their practice--when it comes to determining how far along a person is...They have NO idea. I mean you really can't blame them, it is a literal shot in the dark...but its a source of frustration for me!

That being said...the new due date is March 30th. Which would put us at 10 1/2 weeks and counting. At the Dr, we were able to get another ultrasound! It was amazing to see the huge changes that have happened in only 4 weeks! I could see arms and legs both failing wildly. The little bugger was hopping up and down my uterus--and I still can't feel a thing, which seems to be lucky cause this is one active baby! The ultrasound picture shows the baby's profile on the right, chest center and arms and legs very faintly. Sorry its sooo blurry...you'll just have to see it in person!

Developmentally here's whats been happening~This week (or at some point in time) the baby is the size of a kumquat (random fruit, I know) is a little longer than 1 in-bottom to crown and weighs in at a whopping 1/4 ounce! It is now officially a Fetus-meaning that the most critical development is over and know the growth spurts really begin. The baby is kicking and swallowing up a storm. Tiny fingernails and fuzzy hair are developing (since I'm LOVING spicy food...its probably alotta hair!) The arms and legs can bend, the spinal cord is visible as are the nerve endings that are spidering out from the cord. It still has a sizable bulge at the forehead (which is slowly fading) to aid in brain growth. Again it could be genetic---have you seen the size of my husbands head?? ;) kidding.

Over the next few weeks, the baby will again double in size! We have another appointment on the 30th of September, which will be week 14. A gender peek ultrasound can be done anytime after that appt (off site) Or another will be done at the 18 week check which would be the last week in October--so you better be putting in your votes and getting the bets going!

much love,

Justin and Robin

9 weeks and counting

This week the baby finally makes it to a full Inch in length! Yay! It is about the size of a grape. All essential body parts are accounted for and the Oh-so-fashionable tail is gone. The heart is dividing into the four chambers and the teeth are forming as well. The ears, nose, eyes and mouth are all more distinct. The gender organs are developed but are still too small for a gender determination. (a few more weeks on that one) All of the basic physiology is in place and its time for the baby to start gaining weight. Next week marks the end of the embryonic stage and moves us into the fetal stage! Only a three more weeks left in the first trimester. (give or take)
I've been having some serious back pain and decided to see a Chiropractor yesterday. His plan sounds great and includes PT to get my back and joints supported for all that weight I'm bound to find. I also had some blood work done today to check all of my vitamin and hormone levels. Thankfully, the headaches are pretty much gone and the morning sickness hasn't shown up (knock on wood!)
We'll give you more information as it comes in!
much love,
Justin and Robin

First Dr Appt

Yesterday was our first official appointment with our Mid-wife. After a lot of paper work and a lot more waiting-we finally were lead to the back. Our mid-wife (CNM) was really nice. I was pleased to see that she wasn't a complete tie-dye wearing hippie. She was nice, well informed and was very relaxed about the whole process (not at all fussy). She reminded me to use common sense and that pregnancy isn't a disease but a condition to be mindful of. Renee also scheduled us for an ultrasound! So we got to see the baby (or at least the out line of it) and saw/heard it's heart beat for the first time! COMPLETELY AMAZING! Justin was couning the heartbeat--141 bpm--very strong.

After the physical exam, we were given a March 18th due date. But after the ultrasound they told us March 30. But in looking at the heartbeat and reading information that the ultrasounds generally measure small...we are still thinking my initial dates were right. So splitting the difference would mean that the baby is right about 7 1/2- 8 weeks along...which makes it a Jamaican Baby =)

***here are the ultrasound pics--I know they are hard to read...but you get the point!

much love,

Justin and Robin