Week 16 update

Interesting Fact!

By week 16, your baby-to-be's body is doing more to support itself. Her kidneys function and produce urine that then passes through the umbilical cord. Within her stomach, bile is secreted, although she relies on you for all of her nutrients. Her appearance changes as her scalp hair grows and may even have color. Her developing facial muscles make it possible for her to open and close her mouth, maybe even give you a smile or two.

How Big Is Baby?

This week, your little one is around four inches long (crown to rump) and weighs in at nearly three ounces.

How We Feel:

Another week gone, sweet pea is going to be here before we know it. I can't believe our next ultrasound is in 4 weeks, and that Stacy will be half way through the pregnancy by then. So much has changed in the last 11 weeks or so. I never would have imagined we'd be getting prepared for a baby to arrive, nor did I ever expect that Stacy would end up living with us.

It's been really great getting to know Stacy; before coming to live with us I always knew her as my brothers girlfriend but now I see her as a friend. We've had some great times over the last month, and I think we've baked and laughed our way to a life long friendship. I think Dustin is still trying to get used to all the giggling and craft-making that's been going on but it's good practice for things to come because we're all positive sweet pea is a girl.

I think that's it for this week.

♥

Week 15 Update

Interesting Fact!

At week 15, your baby-to-be stretches her limbs and bends at her elbows. She's getting big enough that you can feel many of these movements. Her bones are continuing to grow and lengthen. While she looks more like a baby, her skin is still thin and translucent with her veins visible. Your baby is also beginning to grow lanugo, a very fine hair. It will keep growing until around the 26th gestational week of pregnancy (that's week 28 of the pregnancy).

How Big Is Baby?

This week baby is roughly the size of a naval orange.

How We Feel:

I can't believe how fast time is going by, it seems like I post a weekly update and before I know it, it's time for another one. As we've started telling more people about the adoption I find there are people who are genuinely happy for us, people who are worried, and people who don't like the idea at all.

Most people are a combination of very happy but also quite nervous about how everything will turn out. It is a difficult situation, Stacy could change her mind at any time, and believe me, we are aware of that. Dustin and I have come to the conclusion that we will regret it if we don't jump in feet first and enjoy the whole process. Sure, we could be reserved, stand-offish, not hope and dream for the baby; but if we're the ones holding sweet pea in our arms after she is born we will have missed out on all of this amazing pregnancy time, all the time you spend looking into the future and imagining all the possibilities for your baby. We know it will hurt more in the end if Stacy keeps the baby, but sometimes those are the life risks we all need to take.

As Christmas approaches, I'm finding myself getting nostalgic for my childhood Christmas memories steeped in family tradition. Out shopping last weekend I picked up this beautiful plate and mug set for putting cookies and milk out for Santa, and standing in the store I was holding back the tears as I imagined telling sweet pea all about Santa, and getting out the plate and mug to start our own family traditions. (getting a little teary eyed again just writing it down). These are the moments worth living for, being a Mum is all I've ever wanted, and even though I'm not pregnant, I am expecting a child, and I am not going to deny myself these moments of joy even though it might make it harder in the end.

♥

People read my blog?

I've been coasting along for the last few months, blogging at least once a week to keep track of all the ups and downs of this unexpected journey, I've shared the link to our blog with a few close friends and family members so that they too can be updated on our progress but I never imagined that anyone else was reading my blog until today.

I received my first ever blogging award from Kristen at Snips Snails and Pigtails. So first off, thanks Kristen, and welcome! Secondly I need to nominate 7 other bloggers for this award. I will do that at some point today, I have a list of adoption blogs I read and I'll have to compile a little linky list, and send them a comment when I get a free moment.

♥

Operation "Get Prepared" Commencing

The list of things we need to get prepared for Sweet Pea grows every time I begin to think of anything baby related. We of course have picked out the crib set, and I believe we're going to order it sometime in the new year, giving us plenty of time for delivery and set up.

I've started purchasing baby bottles. I've decided to go with Avent bottles because they are BPA free and apparently prevent colic; a few of my friends have recommended them so they must be alright. I'm going to get 4 in each size, a bottle heater (to avoid microwave use) and a bottle sterilizer for convenience.

I think I've decided on a diaper bag, from Ju Ju Be and though it's slightly pricey it looks durable and even slightly fashionable. I also took Dustin into consideration when deciding which one to go with, and I'm pretty sure he won't be embarrassed to walk around with this bag. At least it's not pink and flowery Daddy!

Today I finally decided on and purchased a wrap for carrying sweet pea around in. Funnily enough it's actually National Babywearing Week and I finally found a wrap I like from Sleepy Wrap. It's like the baby wearing planets were aligned just for me. A few of my friends have wraps and they love the freedom they give you, not to mention the benefits to baby.

I'm sure the list will go on and on as we get closer to babies due date. I'll keep you all posted on some of my fun finds!

♥

Week 14 Update

Interesting Facts!

At 14 weeks your baby is a regular wiggler, but because of her small size you probably won't feel it yet. Your baby-to-be's face is becoming more distinguishable as her eyes move closer together and her ears move closer to their final positions. She's also growing soft baby hair all over her body, which is thought to help anchor developing skin, as well as forming hair on her eyebrows and scalp. She may hiccup too, even though her lungs are filled with fluid, not air.

How Big Is Baby?

Your little one is currently between 3.2 to 4.5 inches (from crown to rump) and weighs in at around .9 ounces. She is about the size of a closed fist.

How We Feel:

Our next ultrasound appointment is on December 20th, and I can't wait. What a wonderful Christmas present it will be if the baby decides to let us find out what sex she is. Stacy will be just about 20 weeks along at that point so here's to hoping! Hopefully we've given enough notice so Mathew can make it to this appointment, and maybe if we're lucky Dustin will be home for Christmas break and he'll be able to attend also.

The Obstetrician appointment was a long wait but we got to hear sweet pea's heartbeat again which is always fun to hear; it was still high, 168 bpm. The doctor seemed nice and Stacy felt comfortable with her, which is most important. We have to remember to inquire about pre-natal classes as they apparently book up quickly. Stacy and I are going to go to them together so we can both learn everything we can about labour, delivery, and taking care of baby once home....I'm sure there is a lot to learn!

♥

Week 13 Update

Interesting Facts!
Week 13 marks a milestone for your baby-to-be. Developmentally speaking she's no longer an embryo, but a fetus. She's looking—and acting—more and more like a baby every day. She appears to be resting because her eyelids have formed and are fused together, but her arms and legs move and twitch (although you probably can't feel it … yet). She can suck her thumb, too.

How Big Is Baby?
Your baby is about the size of a lime! She's growing heavier at around .5 to .7 ounces and is getting longer at about three inches long (crown to rump).

How We Feel:
We're officially in to the second trimester - I'm amazed at how fast time is going by. My food bill is going to go up because Stacy is going to start feeling hungry all the time, but I don't mind one bit...in fact I was bugging her yesterday because I opened the fridge and was shocked to see we were almost out of milk, even though I had just bought 4 L a couple of days ago.

The other day Stacy was all excited and said "oh ya feel this" and so I did, and sure enough she's starting to get a little hard bump where the baby is growing. It was really amazing. I'm thinking sooner than later, we're going to have to get to a maternity store to stock up on some clothes that are more comfortable for her during the remainder of the pregnancy.

We have our first appointment with the obstetrician this week so that's kind of exciting, hopefully at that point we'll get the paperwork to book the 18 week ultrasound which will be coming up in the second week of December. It's so amazing that Stacy has invited me along to be part of the pregnancy from the very beginning; It's definitely a gift to get to experience everything from the start and not miss out on all the wonderful milestones along the way. For that I am truly grateful.

Oh and I think I've found the perfect crib set, I'm just waiting for Dustin to come home to make sure he likes it to and then I'm going to go ahead and get it. I think it's nice and neutral, it will go with any theme we pick for the nursery and the crib even turns in to a head and foot board for a double bed once we don't need a crib anymore.

♥