Sixteen Weeks

How your baby's growing
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

How your life's changing
Have people been telling you how good you look? The "glow of pregnancy" is real, thanks to increased blood flow to the skin. You may be enjoying yourself more, too, now that your hormones have stabilized and nausea has eased up. You're also probably less anxious about something happening to your baby (the risk of miscarriage drops dramatically after the 14th week) which likely adds to your overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, most don't until about 18 weeks or more. If this is your first baby, don't be too anxious — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so. The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll start to feel unmistakably like kicks.

Dawn’s Notes

When did I get so FAT?????

Hot Mama

I look like crap.

My hair is now brown. I have sacrificed the identity that the entire world has known since my adolescence. I am plain Jane. No longer the red-head that could easily be picked out of a line-up.

I suppose it was my choice, but how much choice did I have? The effects of hair color on an unborn fetus are unknown, but scientific studies have proven that the chemicals are absorbed through the mother’s scalp. UGH! What kind of mother would I be if I exposed my baby to unnecessary chemicals every 2-3 weeks just for the sake of vanity?

I suppose I didn’t have to go brown. I could have gone for the red hair with dark brown roots a mile long look. But I do have some pride.

As if the hair is not bad enough, I am destined to spend the next several weeks living in elastic pants.

And the flat shoes I ordered have arrived.

So I am plain, fat, and short.

Every girl’s nightmare….

But ironically, my dream come true.

Fifteen Weeks

How your baby's growing:

At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

How your life's changing:

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now. If it's a little more or less, don't worry too much. Every woman gains weight at a different rate.

While you're well into the swing of being pregnant, you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for example, you can probably chalk it up to your pregnancy. That's because increased estrogen can cause swelling in the mucous membranes and possibly the production of more mucus. Your blood volume is increasing, too, which causes your blood vessels to expand, including those in your nose. (You may get occasional nosebleeds as a result.) And because pregnancy alters your immune system and makes you more susceptible to certain infections, it might just be that you have a cold or allergies. In any case, make sure you stay away from irritants, like cigarette smoke, aerosols, and alcohol. To soothe your nostrils, use a humidifier or vaporizer at night, and drink plenty of fluids. You can also try over-the-counter saline drops or a buffered saline nasal spray. (If you're truly miserable, ask your doctor or midwife if it's okay to take decongestant medication.)

Dawn’s Notes:

It doesn’t seem like much is going on lately, so it’s easy to forget at times that life has changed.

I’m still waiting to look pregnant, because right now I only feel fat. I can feel my abdomen getting firmer near my pelvic bone, which is very exciting!

Waiting

It’s been a long time since I’ve recorded my thoughts, so it’s about time for an update.

Obesity as a way of life
I’m feeling a little awkward as I’ve only gained five pounds so far, but it’s all in my waist. My jeans are too tight and my work pants finally fit just right. I have maternity clothes, but they’re still a little huge right now. I’ve finally reached the stage where only people that know me understand that I’m pregnant, and the rest of the world (which is a lot of people) assume that I’m just fat. The baby’s godmother, Laura, has nicknamed me “Chubby” and Chris is calling me “Fluffy Butt.”

I finally understand why women complain about the weight gain. Yes, it’s natural and healthy, but we are taught all our lives to watch our weight and admire thin women. Abandoning those societal values is more difficult than I thought it would be.

Dreaming
I spend a lot of time daydreaming about what our baby will be like. I imagine a little curly-haired boy running along after Chris at the annual Labor Day Air Show. Or, I imagine a fair-haired girl with long braids insisting that Daddy carry her everywhere they go. I imagine Chris and baby spending hours in the garage building the best playhouse ever. I imagine Kayla snuggling with the baby or Erica playing peek-a-boo.

Secrets
I have finally acknowledged that I must tell my mother that I’m pregnant. I’m really dreading the conversation, but as a new mother, I simply can’t imagine how painful it must be to be so detached from your child’s life. I don’t know if we can repair our relationship, but I at least need a clear conscience. I need to do this.

I’m looking forward to telling my co-workers this week. It’s amazing that I’ve been able to keep the secret this long! As I continue to get fatter and fatter, this pregnancy will be harder and harder to conceal. I might as well tell them since most of them will only be excited for me. Except for my nemesis, and nobody really cares how she feels anyway.

Obsessions
I’ve been researching children’s books online. I’m obsessed with having a brilliant baby and I’m convinced that a childhood filled with reading and deprived of television exposure will lead us to the nirvana I seek.

I want to buy something. Anything. I’ve updated our baby registry in an effort to curb the urge to spend. I’m trying…

Fourteen Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth.

You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.

How your life's changing:

As early discomforts (nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness) begin to fade, you may start to regain some energy and feel more comfortable with how your body's changing. (Although the top of your uterus is only a bit above your pelvic bone, that growth may be enough to push your tummy out a bit.) Starting to show is an exciting pregnancy milestone and it will likely give you and your partner the visible evidence of a baby that you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but you can also breathe a little sigh of relief knowing that with the start of this trimester your risk of miscarriage has dropped significantly. Now try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Dawn's Notes:

I can't wait for my tummy to pop out!

Did I Really Say That??

I feel like I am out of control.

I cry.

I rage.

I cry.

I bite Chris’ head off for no apparent reason.

I am irritated.

I cry.

I just don’t like all these feelings that seem to be out of my control.

Yes, I can be sad or angry on a normal day. But pregnancy seems to amplify those emotions to the point that I can’t make myself not cry or I can’t keep myself from sounding irritated. When I get angry, it seems like it takes me forever to get over it.

I’m driving Chris crazy, but I don’t know how to stop it.

Thirteen Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your belly may soon be big enough to announce to the world that you're expecting, but your baby is still tiny. In fact, he's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside your womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, his head is now only about a third the size of his body. His tiny, unique fingerprints are already in place. His kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and he's starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he's been swallowing. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed, and your odds of miscarriage will drop considerably.

How your life's changing:

Time to celebrate! This is the last week of your first trimester. Next week you'll be in your second trimester. That's great news for two reasons: One, your risk of miscarriage drops dramatically, and two, many women see early pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, subside.

Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow. Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift in the second trimester as nausea abates and energy returns.

Dawn’s Notes:

I think the second trimester is going to be great! I can eat again, and other than being tired too often, I almost feel normal.

I can’t wait to see my belly grow! I’m really looking forward to wearing maternity clothes and feeling the baby move for the first time.

All A Dream?

13 weeks!

This is heaven!

All the annoying symptoms of the first trimester have vanished.

Not quite without a trace, but there are times that I actually forget that I’m pregnant.

This almost seems a little unfair that now, when I am finally able to explain to folks why I am sick and they could potentially pity me, I am no longer sick.

Not that I’m complaining…

So far, my weight gain is still fluctuating from week to week, but I should start packing on the pounds any day now.

I’m actually looking forward to watching my belly grow, because I need some kind of constant reminder that I am not alone.

First Ultrasound

We had our first ultrasound on Friday, August 18.

I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of emotion upon seeing our baby for the very first time. I knew it would be a special day, and it certainly was.

The first pictures were breathtaking. We could see the profile of our baby, and he was waving his arm and sucking his thumb!

Chris grabbed my hand and tears starting spilling down my cheeks.

I’ve seen so many ultrasound pictures that have rarely resembled a human being, that I was amazed and awestruck by this experience.

After the initial ultrasound, a doctor came in to perform a more thorough ultrasound to confirm that the baby’s heart is developing properly. Our OB recommended us for an early ultrasound (12 weeks rather than the standard 16 weeks) because Chris’ brother was born with a congenital heart defect.

The doctor performed another ultrasound and the pictures were even more astounding. Since the doctor performed the ultrasound internally, we were able to see the baby in amazing detail.

We saw his spine, nasal cavity, and tooth buds. The most amazing moment was when we were actually able to SEE our baby’s heart beating.

It was also amusing to see the baby swing his fist and arch his back in response to the doctor’s prodding.

The baby is developing normally and I am left with a memory of our child that I will never forget.

On a humorous note, the doctor told us that he could determine the gender of the baby if we would like to know. I groaned in agony and explained that I would love to know, but Chris would like to be surprised. Since I could never keep a secret from him, we will both be surprised at the birth.

The doctor chuckled and told us that he wouldn't disclose the gender of the baby, but he would tell us that "the baby will strongly resemble one of the parents." He also told us that "this baby will most certainly be born naked, so we will know the gender immediately following the birth."

Chris eventually said that he would like to know the gender, but at that point I insisted that we wait because I didn't want him to forego his surprise just for my benefit. I also explained later that I had read a story of a woman that had six ultrasounds and she had been told the wrong gender five times! I'd rather be surprised...

I can’t wait to touch him!

Twelve Weeks

Baby Ticker

Week Twelve

How your baby's growing: Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions on the sides of her head. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her movement for several weeks.

How your life's changing: Your uterus is rising above your pelvic bones, and your practitioner can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen. Though you probably won't need maternity clothes for several more weeks yet, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in looser, less restrictive clothing.

Dawn’s Notes:

I’m a little worried that I’ve lost the few pounds that I’ve gained recently. Although I’ve read that it is normal to gain 2-6 pounds during the first trimester, I’ve also read that it is not uncommon for some women to experience no weight gain.

Since the morning sickness is starting to subside and I am now hungry all day long, I don’t think an inability to gain weight will be an issue for much longer.

SURPRISE!! Parents React

SURPRISE!! Parents React

We just got home from our family vacation in Florida.

We planned to tell my parents by letting the girls wear their shirts on the first day of vacation. Since Dad was working on the day we arrived, Erica didn’t wear her shirt and changed her clothes just before dinner. We didn’t want anyone to have an unfair advantage. That was probably a great idea because one of Erica’s markers exploded on the plane all over the other shirt that she had been wearing. Luckily, it gave her a good excuse to change her clothes.

My parents immediately noticed that her shirt said “Big Sister”, but when she asked them what it meant, they were both stumped.

This wasn’t exactly fair because Dad asked me a couple of days earlier on the phone if Chris and I still planned to have a child or if we had changed our minds. He made me lie to him! I really, really wanted to tell them in person, so I just couldn’t tell him on the phone. So, even though Dad’s first thought was that I was pregnant, he wouldn’t say it out loud.

After five minutes of dropping hints, Erica just couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. She finally blurted out, “Dawn is pregnant!”

The look of shock on their faces was priceless!

We forgot to have the camera ready.

The announcement was greeted by hugs all around and they are very excited.

My own personal thoughts:

I was very reluctant to share the news, simply because I was enjoying sharing this secret with Chris and telling other people just highlights the reality of our situation.

I’m glad we’re finally able to tell our family and friends, because it is helping me to become less anxious about these changes and more excited.

SURPRISE!! Siblings React

Kayla and Erica finally know the happy news.

We took the girls out to dinner at our favorite Chinese Restaurant, Hunan Garden.
We let them choose between Chinese or Mexican.
I wanted Mexican, but Kayla wanted Chinese, and she whines louder than I do.

After we ordered dinner, we told the girls that we had gifts for them for our upcoming vacation to Florida.

Kayla opened her gift first.
It was a black and red shirt that said “Big Sister”.
She wasn’t very thrilled, but that was understandable.
She doesn’t exactly run around bragging about being related to Erica.

Erica opened her gift next.
It was a blue shirt that said “Big Sister’.
She said she liked the color and she thought it was nice that we thought she was growing up.
She asked if we got it on sale or something.

Erica and Kayla argued with us for over five minutes that Erica is not actually a big sister and it’s just not possible.
The expression on Erica’s face when she finally figured out that I’m pregnant was just priceless.

Erica was immediately excited. She wants to read to the baby, learn how to change diapers, take babysitting classes, tour the hospital nursery, and go shopping.

Kayla was immediately devastated. Her first response was “I’m terrified.” She hopes the baby won’t cry at night or go into her bedroom. She then concluded that it doesn’t matter because she can’t wait to move out of the house when she grows up.

Note: Kayla has been much more positive about it now that she has had time to think about it.

Erica is now fondly referring to me as the VICTIM. The baby is the LIFE SUCKER.

Welcome to the family, kid!

Eleven Weeks

Baby Ticker

11 Weeks

How your baby's growing: Your fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his gums. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As his diaphragm develops, your tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups. Because he's still so small, though, you won't feel any of his workouts or intrauterine gulps until sometime between weeks 16 and 20.

How your life's changing: Don't worry if nausea has made it impossible for you to eat a wide variety of healthy foods or if you haven't put on much weight yet (most women gain between 2 and 5 pounds during the first trimester). Your appetite will likely return soon and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.

Dawn’s Notes:

The nausea is not worse or better, but I’m comforted by the thought that it will end soon.

For anyone that may wonder, flying makes it MUCH worse.

Heartbeat

We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time on Friday, July 28, 2006.

Chris and I shared the miracle together.

The baby is real!!

STRESS!!!

What a day!

I’ve been looking forward to this day for over a month, but it is not turning out to be as wonderful as I had hoped it would be.

Today is our first OB appointment.
We might get an ultrasound today.
I can’t wait to meet our baby!

I imagined that we would go to work, normal day, anguishing over how slowly time would pass as we wait for our 3:30pm appointment.
We would go get the ultrasound, meet our baby, share a tearful moment, and then spend the rest of the day immersed in love.
I was hoping for dinner at Hunan Garden to celebrate, maybe a movie, then lots of cuddling and groping.

What a wonderful imagination I have.

This is how the day is going so far. Please keep in mind, it is not yet noon.

Chris is on-call this week.
He got a service call last night and left the house at 5:30pm.
He got home at 9:30pm.
We got Chinese food for dinner at 10:00pm.
Chris got another service call at 1:00am.
He didn’t have to go.
Chris got another service call at 3:30am.
He did have to leave.

The service call was in Painesville.
We had torrential rain last night.
Euclid was flooded.
Eastlake was flooded.
Mentor was flooded.
Painesville was flooded.
Perry was flooded.
Madison was flooded.
The freeways were closed and many of the roads through Mentor were closed, too.
I have no idea how he got to Painesville.

The service call in Painesville was at a nursing home.
One of the nurses mentioned that her husband had just been evacuated from their house on Circle Drive because it was flooded.
Chris’ mother lives on Circle Drive.

Chris stopped at his mother’s house at 5:30am to make sure everyone was alright.
The entire circle was flooded, except for 10 houses on one end of the street.
Chris’ mom and family was fine.

Chris called me at 5:30am to tell me about the flooding.
Thanks, now I’m awake.
Again.

So the morning started a little earlier than I prefer.

Then, my boss invites me to a 9:00am staff meeting, and she has donuts.
As a rule of thumb, any Friday morning meeting that includes donuts means your boss is about to share some bad news.
And since I heard her on the phone yesterday tell a friend “I’m not sure that I still have a job”, you can only imagine how much I was looking forward to this meeting.

The news is this:

Our department is being reorganized.
We are currently part of a non-profit hospital.
Our department will be a for-profit subsidiary.
We have a new director, and he is bringing 6 employees with him from Florida.
Our current executive director and his secretary are being moved out of the executive administration offices.
Our current executive director will no longer report directly to the CEO.
The new director wants to see our resumes, so we need to have them ready by Tuesday of next week.
He wants to know where we all fit into the new organization.
If we do.

So, my boss reassures us at this point that we all have jobs.
Wonderful news.
BUT…
There is not enough space in our current building to add the new employees.
We will be moving to Independence at the end of the year.

That’s all fine and dandy, but there are several problems with that.
I currently have a 15 minute commute, and Chris and I carpool in his company van.
That means our current gas expenses for commuting are $0.
The new commute would have me driving our van 45 minutes each way every day, at $3 for a gallon of gas.
Not to mention, that I would need to leave the house at 7:00am and I wouldn’t get home until 6:00pm.
That’s assuming no traffic jams.
And I have to pass through Downtown Cleveland.
So, bet on traffic jams.

This is a problem.
Our babysitter only works 7:00am to 5:30pm.
We can’t let Chris pick up the baby from daycare because he only has two seats in his van, both of which have airbags.
If my baby’s head were severed by an airbag, I would not be able to forgive myself.
So, I need to pick up the baby in my van, but I won’t get there in time.

The commute schedule doesn’t work.
The commute expense doesn’t work.

My boss has offered to waive the 12 month waiting period to allow me to apply for other jobs internally. She is fantastic!

The dilemma is this:

Do I tell my manager about my pregnancy now?
Or do I wait until I find a new job?
If they know I need maternity leave in February, will it make it harder to find a job?
I only have about a month before I start showing, and I don’t know if I could find a job that quickly.

What should I do????

Nine Weeks

Baby Ticker

Week Nine

How your baby's growing: Your new resident is nearly an inch long — barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. He's also starting to look more and more human. His embryonic "tail" is now completely gone and his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — are kicking into gear.

His eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. He has earlobes, and by week's end, the inner workings of his ears will be complete. His upper lip is fully formed, too, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The tips of his fingers are slightly enlarged where his touch pads are developing. All major joints — his shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles — are working, enabling your baby to move his limbs. As for his heart, it has divided into four chambers now, and the valves have started to develop. External sex organs are there, but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

How your life's changing: You still may not look pregnant , but emotionally you may feel like you're on a roller coaster ride. Mood swings are common now; it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. This feeling can persist throughout your pregnancy and well after your baby's born. Try to cut yourself some slack. Almost all expectant parents worry about how a new baby will change their lives, but the vast majority later say that becoming a parent was one of the best things they've ever done.

You may be feeling extra gassy or bloated now, too. That's primarily because the major doses of progesterone your body produces early in pregnancy relax smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, and that includes your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation slows your digestive processes, which can cause more gas, bloating, burping, flatulence, and generally miserable sensations in your gut, especially after a big meal.

Dawn’s Notes:

Gas. Bloating.

Am I showing, or am I just constipated today?

How I've Changed... And How I Haven't

As I journey towards motherhood, I’ve noticed some subtle changes in my own character.

I’m more likely to put my foot down and defend my opinion.
Especially with the ex-wife and my nemesis at work.
In-laws are next in line for this treatment.

I’m terrified of reckless drivers and I’m more likely to honk and scream obscenities at them.
Just for the record, the world is filled with reckless drivers.

I feel guilty for eating fast food.

I feel guilty for whining about my queasy stomach all the time.

I plan to exploit my condition at every opportunity.
I will skip to the front of the restroom line.
I will drink my soda in the department store that displays the sign that says
“No food or beverage”
I will eat the last peanut, fried dumpling, or cookie.

I’m sure there are many more changes to come.

Look out world, Motherhood is a monster!!

Dad, the Baby Expert

We got our first copy of Baby Talk magazine in the mail last night.
Chris read it while I was cooking dinner.

I’m impressed.

First of all, I thought Chris probably knows everything he wants to know because he has done all of this before. Twice.

He is already an expert on all things related to baby care.
Although, when I say expert, I really mean that he knows a lot more about feeding, diapering, and soothing than I do.
At least, I hope he knows what he is doing.
Someone should.

So, as Chris is browsing through the baby magazine, eyes filled with wonder, I hear questions like:

“Why would you keep a baby’s cord blood?”

And

“Did you know that there are lots of different models of breast pumps out there?”

And

“Why is there an ad for birth control in a baby magazine? Isn’t it too late?”

As much as this man makes me smile, he makes my heart melt even more.

He’s such a fabulous Daddy!

Eight Weeks

Baby Ticker

Week Eight

How your baby's growing: Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. She's constantly moving and shifting, although you won't be able to feel these womb wiggles for several weeks yet. Her embryonic tail is disappearing, and her eyelids practically cover her eyes. Still slightly webbed, her fingers and toes are growing longer. Her arms have lengthened, too, and her hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart. Her knee joints have formed, and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. With her trunk straightening out, her head is more erect. Breathing tubes extend from her throat to the branches of her developing lungs. The nerve cells in her brain are also branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. Though you may be daydreaming about your baby as one gender or another, the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl.


How Mom’s life is changing: You haven't gained much weight yet, but parts of you are certainly growing — like your breasts. You'll soon need bigger bras with better support than your old ones. You may notice your waistline expanding as well, forcing you to pack away your favorite jeans. Less obvious is the increase in your blood volume; by the end of your pregnancy, you'll have 40 to 50 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your baby. Your need for iron increases with your blood volume. Take your prenatal vitamins to make sure you're getting the extra iron you need so that you don't become anemic.

Dawn’s notes:

Don’t forget the nausea gets worse this week.
I finally learned that I could avoid the queasiness by eating small meals frequently.
Now, I am queasy whether I eat or not.

I am frequently exhausted, but exercise seems to help combat feelings of fatigue.
Chris has been taking me swimming, and it feels marvelous!

Still waking up to pee at all hours of the night and every 1-2 hours during the day.
It makes shopping difficult.

I Had A Dream….

I had another dream last night.
I hope these are not prophecies of things to come.
I feel so sorry for this kid already.

I dreamt that we were at home with our baby.
The baby was a boy!
(Another boy! Does this mean anything?)

The baby was hungry, so he decided to latch on.

Great job!
I knew we could breastfeed!

My immediate reaction is “Oh, no! We need our Boppy!”
I put the baby down on the couch and go to his room to start unpacking boxes.
In real life, would I really let this baby be born before his boxes were unpacked?
I don’t think so.

Meanwhile, we are not in our house, but we are in our old apartment.
The baby is in the living room on our old blue Lazy Boy couches while I search through boxes looking for our Boppy.
(I left the baby alone on the couch?!!?)

The baby is screaming.

I finally find the Boppy and we resume feeding.

Until I notice that the baby has milk dribbling down his chin.
My immediate reaction is “Oh, no! We need a bib.”

I put the baby back down on the couch and go look for a bib.
I’m unpacking boxes looking for the blue bib with the turtle on it.

The baby is screaming.

I suddenly hear someone say,
“Hey, lady! Would you just give the kid a boob already?!!?”

Who said that?

Was it Chris?

Was it Baby?

I find the bib, put it on the baby, and give him the boob that he is waiting for.

I’m proud of myself because it’s actually working.

Then I wake up to pee and the dream is over.

**Just for the record, the baby has milky white skin, very light blonde hair, and blue eyes. His hair is just barely there, so it’s impossible to tell if it will be curly like his Dad.

And he likes boobs, just like his Dad.