18 Weeks!

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

18 weeks?! I'm actually really surprised. I still don't feel very pregnant so seeing that I'm almost halfway done is really exciting!

I've been noticing that I'm getting more and more uncomfortable already. Nick and I had a date night last night and went to the movies and I couldn't get comfortable in the seat. No matter which way I shifted, I felt "off" and kept moving. Luckily it was only a two hour movie so I was able to deal with it but I was struggling.

I have been noticing I'm MUCH more hungry lately. I've been "living it up" with the sweets since I'm not technically diabetic yet....probably not a good thing, but I'm working on it! This week will be better. I know it!

I'm noticing some movement (well, I have been for a few weeks now) but nothing so definitive that I KNOW that's the baby kicking or something. I'm really looking forward to a big kick. Hopefully that will come in the next few weeks.

That's all I can think of for now!

Upcoming Appointments:
Next Thursday - November 4 - Glucose Tolerance Test and Dr. Appointment
Wednesday, November 10 - BIG Ultrasound

Friday, November 12 is our big reveal party! :)