19 Weeks

Pregnancy Update July 2, 2012

 



How far along: 19 weeks.

Size of baby: 6 inches, 8.5 oz. - an "Heirloom Tomato".

What developed this past week: Many of the baby's senses are developing as specialized areas in the brain are being designated for smell, taste, hearing, vision & touch.

Also, millions of motor neurons are continuing to develop in the brain allowing more controlled and conscious movement.

Weight Gain: 10 pounds.

Maternity clothes: All maternity pants now - I've cleaned out my closet and replaced all my normal pants & jeans with maternity. I still fit into most of my normal shirts, as long as they are long enough to cover my belly and the attractive maternity panel in my pants, but I tend to wear maternity shirts because they are looser and longer.

Gender: IT'S A BOY!

Movement: Baby's movements are getting stronger and more frequent. Caleb was the first one to feel the baby from the outside on June 26th, @ 18w2d. We were laying in bed talking before going to sleep and I felt a few movements in a row. Usually I feel one or two kicks or rolls and by the time I put my hand on my belly, the baby has stopped moving. This time, he kept going. So I told Caleb and he shot his hand over to my belly and said, "WHOA! Is he kickboxing in there!? What is he doing?" :)  It lasted for at least 30 seconds, which felt like an eternity compared to how often I usually feel him! So cool! I was glad that Caleb go to be the first and only for a while, considering I, by default, get most of the firsts.

Sleep: Sleeping well. We put a memory foam mattress topper on our bed, and it seems to help my shoulders not hurt as much from sleeping on my sides. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't feel like it's supporting my back because it's not hard. BUT since I won't be sleeping on my back much longer anyway, it's more important that I'm comfortable on my sides. Oh, and Caleb loves it, so I guess I'm stuck with it ;).

What I miss: Nothing. I'm loving everything about being pregnant now. It's even more fun now because we know the gender and can shop and plan!

Cravings: Nothing.

Best moment this week: Too many to choose from! First and foremost, Caleb announcing the baby's name was the most special moment to me. We hadn't fully agreed to a middle name by the time the party started, and Caleb and I were torn between using a family name vs. using a name that we like just because it sounds good. When our family asked us the middle name, Caleb said, "His name is Bryson Nicholas, after Nichole's grandfather." I started crying. I was surprised at myself, I never thought that I'd cry when we announced, but it was so special to me to use my grandfather's name, and that Caleb would decide to use the name that I love over the name he'd always thought he wanted made it even sweeter. Secondly, having the gender reveal party with both of our families - everyone was very excited to hear it's a boy!! Both of my sisters couldn't make it to the party, but I got to tell them in person and they were thrilled! Thirdly, as I already mentioned, Caleb getting to feel Bryson kicking around!

What I am looking forward to: Telling the rest of our friends the gender and the name, and growing and feeling baby more often...