Week 17, Week 18, and The Trip

Wow, I'm majorly behind! How is it that life just doesn't seem to be slowing down at all?

Week 17:
Baby J is about 5 ounces now and about 5 inches long from head to bottom. He or she is about the size of a turnip:


In other developments for week 17, Baby J's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his or her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Baby J can now move his or her joints and the sweat glands are starting to develop.

Belly Pics:
I'll place these in between the 17 and 18 week updates. I never managed to capture my 16 week belly and have skipped week 18 as well. Seriously, I think I need a few more hours in each day! These pics were taken in Missouri at 17 weeks, 4 days. Y didn't tell me I was slouching and looked like a dork! Ha!


Week 18:
Baby J is about 7 ounces now and about 5 1/2 inches long from head to bottom. He or she is about the size of a bell pepper:


In other developments, Baby J is busy flexing his/her arms and legs — movements that I'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His/her blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and Baby J's ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his or her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around Baby J's nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he or she is born. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them during an ultrasound.

The Trip:
What an exhausting week! Our flights were pretty smooth with only a few minor delays. I now apparently have motion sickness thanks to the kidlet in my belly. Baby J kicked a few times in protest when the plane would make it's descent. That really didn't help Mama who was already having issues with the smells surrounding her. Oh and the heartburn. Oh the heartburn!

It was great to see my family and friends in Missouri. Everyone was thrilled to see the ever-growing belly. I took the doppler with us so everyone could hear the heartbeat. My youngest niece, age 10, was completely enthralled with listening to the heartbeat and movements since Baby J was quite active. She's anxious for the baby to arrive so she can babysit. Too bad she doesn't live closer!

Baby J is also being quite spoiled very early! A friend was getting rid of all her baby items so we scored on some very clean baby things. Since we didn't know what we're having yet everything had to be gender neutral. My Mom, sister, her family and Y and I hit up the nearby Outlet Malls where Grandma and Aunt A spoiled the kid rotten with bargain sleepers, onesies, layettes and many other cute items. Hey, you really can't pass up those bargains - even if it meant we came back home with one more suitcase than we left with!!

We had a small, family celebration for my birthday on the 3rd. It was a nice, relaxing evening. On the 4th we invaded my brother's house for some bbqing, Wii playing and fireworks. Overall it was a great trip and I'm sad they won't be here for the birth and meet Baby J. We likely won't see everyone again until next spring.