Weeks 11 and 12

Hello again :)

I have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks and haven't had time to do my weekly update, so I'll have to catch up on this one.

At just over a week ago, at the 11 week mark and a day before my 25th birthday, our baby (which was just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig) is now almost fully formed. Its hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of its bones are beginning to harden. Apparently he/she's already busy kicking and stretching, and its tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. I wish I had a way to watch! These movements will become more frequent as it continues to grow and becomes more developed and functional. I likely won't feel our baby's acrobatics for another month or two - although a friend of mine said she felt hers move at just 15 weeks for the first time - nor will I notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that the little diaphragm is forming. Can't you just picture the tiniest hiccups? So cute to think about!

This past Friday was 12 weeks and lots more has already happened. The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, its toes will curl, its eye muscles will clench, and its mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, they say if I prod my abdomen, little Tiddle will squirm in response, although I won't be able to feel it. Intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and kidneys will begin excreting urine into its bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in the brain, synapses are forming furiously. Our little one's face looks unquestionably human: Its eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and two teenie ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, Tiddle is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Over the past couple of weeks I've started feeling slightly better. I haven't been constantly sick or queasy, so I think the days of 'morning sickness' are about over. Thank goodness! But, I think this baby is bound and determined to keep me on my toes. My OB and nurses have told me to make sure that I get my flu shot, but that I had to wait until after the 12-week mark. Baby is already teaching mommy to be ready for the unexpected, when Russell and I both came down with the flu a whole three days before I was eligible for my shot. Needless to say, this past weekend was full of fluids, rest and lots of snotty kleenex :)

Russell has been a complete blessing to me through all of this. He continues to show me that I can depend on him for anything. He takes such good care of me and I couldn't have asked for a better person to share all of this with.

Until next time...