17 weeks/15 weeks fetal age

I had my monthly check-up with Dr. Craig yesterday and everything is going well. The baby's heart rate was in the 130s and I am right where I should be with growth, my uterus is about in the middle of my pelvic bone and my belly button.

This week baby's skeleton is beginning to turn into hard bone from soft cartilage. The umbilical cord is also growing longer and thicker. Baby's weight is about 5 ounces and is also about 5 inches long from crown to rump. The sweat glands are starting to develop this week as well.

I still feel great, I still don't really feel pregnant for the most part. Work is definitely tiring and I take advantage when Aila naps and goes to sleep. At my appointment yesterday I found out that I've actually lost a pound in the last month, which doesn't surprise me too much. I'm on my feet and super active all day and I've been conscious of what I eat. I really don't need to gain any weight besides the actual weight of the baby, fluid, placenta and that stuff. I don't really need any fat stores this time around, that's for sure! I just feel so much smaller and more comfortable this time around, I really can't complain. I've got my little pregnant belly going, and other than that I don't really look any different. :)

16 weeks/14 weeks fetal age

I have been so busy with work it has been hard to fit in time for blogging! Today I am 16 weeks along...but let's start with last week's development at 15 weeks...

At 15 weeks baby measured about 4 inches and weighed 2.5 ounces. Amniotic fluid has been moving in and out of the upper respiratory system, aiding in the development of the primitive air sacs in the lungs. The legs have grown longer than the arms and baby has been moving all of its joints and limbs. The eyelids remain fused shut, however baby is able to sense light. If I were to shine a flashlight onto my stomach, baby would most likely move away from the light.

16 weeks, I can't believe it--it feels like it is going by so fast! On this exact day of my pregnancy with Aila we had her ultrasound and found out we were having a little girl! We have to wait until 20 week for Baby Meyer 2, and we can hardly wait to find out if it's Elle or Harvey growing in there! I just felt Baby move for the first time Tuesday night while I was lying quietly in bed. This was the exact same time I felt Aila for the first time as well, it was very exciting! I can't wait to feel it more and get to see the movements. It was always so entertaining to just lay there and watch my stomach moving up and down.

Baby is now 4.5 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces (I am still amazed at how quickly they grow!) Baby's legs are much more developed, the head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved closer to the front of baby's head. The little ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of the scalp has begun, though no hair can yet be seen. The toes are even starting to gain little toenails! There's also a lot happening inside; the heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as baby continues to develop.

Ok, this picture is a little creepy...but it's also quite fascinating. You can really see how thin the skin is, being able to view even the bones inside of the wrists and hands.

I'm feeling so great this time around, I can't get over it! I have so much more energy and am able to be a lot more active. Whenever I can, I take Aila out for a walk that is at least a mile. I usually don't have a lot of time, but if possible we try to go at least 2 miles. I am getting so excited for the warmer weather, it feels so good to get outside and get some fresh air with Aila. I relish every day, because I know that tougher times are ahead as I continue to get a bigger belly. I am really showing now, there's no hiding that I'm pregnant, that's for sure! People are starting to notice at work-like customers and other employees I hadn't told. I am still wearing my regular pants though, but they're almost to the point where they are riding too low since my waist has disappeared. I couldn't be happier that they still fit in the legs though, because I had such a hard time with the weight gain the first time around. I have been determined to gain only the amount I need to. It has definitely been easier since I haven't had many cravings (except for healthy things like oranges, apples, pickles and cottage cheese!) and work gives me a lot more structure with eating, forcing me to really think about my food choices. I'm not perfect, I still like my sweets, but I'm proud the changes I've made.

When you start feeling the baby move it makes the pregnancy so much more real, and I am getting more and more excited by the day! Ross is getting more excited as well, really looking forward to finding out the gender, watching my belly grow and eventually being able to see and feel the movements. When that happens it really helps him connect more and makes it a lot more real for him as well.