14 Weeks!

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How your life's changing:

Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Well I'm glad to be in the second trimester finally! It seems this first trimester has taken forever! (I guess that's one of the downsides at finding out you're pregnant SO early!!). I'm feeling much less sick, but still VERY tired. I'm hoping my energy starts to pick up soon. Poor Nick has been dealing with me starting to fold laundry and then falling asleep on the couch mid-basket. It's been rough. But I think we're getting there!

My doc told me to focus on what I'm eating and make sure the baby is getting a good variety of healthy foods. I've stocked up on orange juice, strawberries, raspberries, salad, chicken, and all kinds of other good stuff. I'm still hungry a lot, so I've been snacking on pretzels and cheese. Hopefully I'm getting the right stuff.

This past weekend I found my diabetes meter. I think at my next appointment I might ask if I can get new prescriptions for the needles and test strips so I can start checking my blood sugar again. I figure it can't hurt to try and keep it in check now and then maybe I'll be more prepared and eating better and not have to worry about this in 12 weeks (I have to do my first glucose test around 26 weeks I think...). We'll see. I'll let you know how that goes once I start testing.

That's it I think. Unfortunately I'm getting too big for any of my pre-pregnancy clothes but the maternity clothes are all still too big for me. I found a pair of pants that I don't think I ever wore so they aren't stretched out yet and I've been LIVING in them. Hopefully I can get a few more weeks out of them without anyone thinking I'm crazy or my belly starts to stick out a little more and the rest of my maternity clothes start to fit! :) I'm actually ok with either of these options.

I have an ultrasound on Wednesday and I'm excited to see my bean again! :) Two more days!!