12 Weeks

12 Weeks

I think it's absolutely insane how our baby has gone from the size of a poppy seed (have you ever looked at a poppy seed, just one of them?) to the size of a lime in a short 8 week period. It's pretty crazy that this miracle is pretty much a tiny human. I mean, all the parts are there, all the organs and functions are there. I just think it's such a miracle.

I've been pretty lucky with this child. I haven't had much sickness. I actually have not had an sickness, however I have been slightly nauseous a few times. But nothing more than the "that really doesn't sound good" or "that really smells, get it away from me". Haha! I have had a ubber sensitive nose though. I could probably replace one of the K9s that searches people's luggage.

I have had a tendency to be slightly more emotional than I was before. Like last night, my niece rode a strider bike in a race where Artie works. I was cheering her on and basically crying watching her because of was so proud of her. It's more when I'm happy.

I don't feel like I'm showing, but I've definitely gained weight. And if you know I'm pregnant you might be able to pick out a bump. Although a lot of times it's my belt that sticks out.

Telling everyone has been a lot of fun! Artie and I have come up with some pretty inventive ways to tell people. My parents got to see Anita and Kaleb wearing shirts that said, "Big Cousin", Artie's parents got a card that said, "Do you know what Grandparents are good for?". Most other family members we played a fun game of Mad Gab (our own version of it) and it said "Chase Ease Praque Net". That was Artie's idea. Then the other day I got to tell my students. They might have been the most fun to tell. They all screamed and cheered...even the boys! Now I have one girl who says, "Hi Mrs. Manfredi, Hi, Baby" to me every time she comes into my room. Other kids have been congratulating me. The word traveled pretty quickly once my class knew. Even to my kids from last year. My 6th graders came back to say hi to me and find out if it was true that I was pregnant. It was sweet! Well, here's my weekly quiz and then some information about how the baby is growing from a website.

12 Week Quiz
(thanks for letting me steal this from you Kiley!)

How far along: 12 weeks 3 days

Weight gain: I'm up 4 pounds according to my home scale.

Maternity clothes: My clothes all still fit pretty much. Some of the stuff that was tight before is a little more tight now though. I did buy a belly band - pretty neat idea.

Stretch marks: Only marks from an earlier time in my life. I'm using cocoa butter!

Sleep: I sleep pretty well. Only the bathroom trip once a night.

Best moment of the week: Getting to hear Babyfredi's heartbeat was pretty awesome. He/She wouldn't stop moving though. The doctor kept on having to refind it.

Movement: Nope!

Food cravings: Well, nothing really craving, but things have definitely sounded really good. I bought myself a whole vegetable tray (the small one) and ate it. Fruits are awesome. And last night I really wanted Red Robin, so that's where we went. I am still really turned off by any kind of Brats right now though.

Gender: I think it's a boy, but that's only a feeling. I've felt that way once I got pregnant.

Labor signs: No!

Belly button in or out: Belly button is in.

What I miss: There's not really much that I miss. I've pretty much been able to do most everything I could before. I don't really care about the alcohol. Sushi is the only thing, but I can still have the cooked stuff.

What I'm looking forward to: This three day weekend. I know it's probably what everyone else is too, but I am just glad to have a break off my feet.

Weekly wisdom: Savor every moment!

Milestones: The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.