Bell Pepper

Monday, July 27, 2009
18 Weeks
Bell Pepper

So I have already updated as to the findings at our doctor's appointment today, but I wanted to continue the tradition of comparing our baby to a food item. According to those who measure babies in utero, our baby is now a bell pepper. This is a bit strange to me, as I am kind of partial to bell peppers (and all other yummy fresh vegetables and fruits) right now. I now think about the baby when I eat some of these things that I love. I comfort myself with the knowledge that, given the opportunity, I would not eat my baby.

Baby Feet

Monday, July 27, 2009
18 Weeks

This is ridiculous! I mean, look at those little feet. Tell me you don't want to nibble on those little piggies.

Baby Legs

Monday, July 27, 2009
18 Weeks

I thought this was very cool. You can actually see the bones of the legs, and you can see little toes! The baby was definitely moving those legs today, but I still don't feel anything.

All The Parts

Monday, July 27, 2009
18 weeks

We are very happy to say that all went well at Dr. Roussis' office today. We had "the biggie ultrasound," and everything looked great. The baby weighs about 10 ounces now and is growing bigger every day. They were able to visualize everything on the ultrasound. The brain is developing on target. We were able to see the nose and lips (no cleft lip for those who were nervous). We got to see the belly. They said that the baby is swallowing well, because they were able to visualize the stomach within the abdomen. The umbilical cord, which is currently connected to the placenta, has 3 vessels (2 arteries and 1 vein) just as it should. The baby has 2 kidneys, which is excellent. Although you can live with 1 kidney, it is always better to have two. We saw the legs, feet, arms, hands and spine. All looked totally normal. They were able to visualize the heart but could not see everything they wanted to see. So we have a more detailed ultrasound and a fetal echocardiogram (ultrasound of the baby's heart) in 5 weeks. We could have determined the sex of the baby today if we had been interested. Of course, you all know that Paul and I want to be surprised. I am uncertain whether or not the ultrasonographer now knows if the Miller Bean is a girl or a boy. We did not see anything telling while viewing the ultrasound, and if she knows, she respectfully kept it a secret. Dr. Roussis was pleased, which, in turn, is pleasing to us. This picture gives the best profile image. I am also going to post some of the baby's legs and feet!

Cravings and Aversions

So I will admit that this has not been a major problem for me, but people keep asking me what I have craved and what I have detested during pregnancy. In the first trimester I had very little appetite. When I was hungry, I wanted salt and cheese (e.g. cottage cheese, salt & vinegar potato chips, pizza). However, I have also been dying for fresh fruits and vegetables since the beginning and continue to want them every day. The fruit and vegetable cravings are not a deviation from my norm. Plus, it is summer, so everything is fresh and delicious. I was totally unable to eat or smell onions, fish or Asian food during the first trimester. Thankfully I am able to eat Asian food now. I love Thai and Vietnamese food. I am now iffy on the onions and fish. I have never been a huge egg fan, but since becoming pregnant, I have been totally unable to stomach them. So far, the second trimester has been kinder. My appetite is definitely back. I have had 2 weird cravings this month: peanuts and hearts of palm. Sadly, I have become averse to corn, but I am hoping it will go away soon. Ordinarily I eat corn 2 to 3 times per week in the summer. The smell 0f raw meat has and continues to disgust me. If we eat meat, Paul has to take it out of the packaging and grill it. Needless-to-say, we have been eating less meat!

Avocado

Monday, July 13, 2009

16 Weeks

Avocado

Phew! The baby is no longer a lemon. Today, at our doctor visit, we found out that the baby will double his/her weight over the next couple of weeks. That's a lot of growth! Also the baby's heart is already pumping over 20 quarts of blood each day! Everything looked great at our visit. They were able to detect the baby's heartbeat immediately with the doppler (ultrasonic sound but not picture). The baby's heart is so strong, they have never had any difficulty finding it. They also measured my belly for the first time today. It was 17 cm, which they said was right on target. I have no idea what that means but was glad to hear it was right. I might be able to feel the baby between now and the next visit, so I am trying to lie still at night to see if I detect anything. Some women don't feel anything until 25 weeks, though, so we'll see. I had lost 2 pounds since my last visit, which puts my weight below the weight at my very first visit. They were minimally concerned about this. I told them there was no need to worry, because I have plenty of extra weight, and I am definitely eating. As long as I continue to gain steadily, they do not think there will be a problem. The biggie ultrasound is next (July 27th) to check anatomy and heart function, so stay tuned, but there will be no news regarding the bean's gender. Keep the votes coming. I assure you we are not having a puppy, and we have so far only seen one baby.

Picking a Name

Picking a name is hard work. Not only is there the stress of knowing that you have labeled this child for life, but everyone else has a criticism for any name you have considered. We are hopeful to narrow the list to 2 girl and 2 boy names within the next 2 to 3 months (by 25 to 30 weeks). When the baby comes, we hope to be compelled by some type of baby naming spirit to choose the right one of the 2 choices. Or maybe the baby will somehow tell us what his or her name should be. A friend recently told me that Picabo Street named herself when she was old enough to talk. Is that true? Anyway, if you have suggestions, let us know in your comments. We will certainly consider them.