Week 18: "Bell Pepper"

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. (http://www.babycenter.com/)

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Well, I've begun the countdown -- 16 days until the BIG ultrasound! Within the last few days, I've really noticed that my belly has grown...or it could just be in my imagination. But it has even started to itch a little -- not too badly yet, but just little tickles here and there. I bought a couple maternity shirts this weekend, one of which is pictured below.

I've noticed that I usually feel Bebito moving around when I'm eating or after I'm done eating. It's almost like he/she sleeps until it's time to eat and then that's when I feel the little cutie. I'm hoping I'll start feeling Bebito a little more consistently in the next couple weeks. It's always so reassuring to feel something. I'm actually having some slight cramping right now. Bebito is probably just trying to stretch out in there, but it is always nerve-racking. I am trying to drink some water right now since I know I haven't drank enough today, which is also another reason I could be cramping.

I'm sometimes concerned I'm not eating enough. I don't really have this tremendous desire to eat everything in sight, so I try to snack on things that sound good, but it usually ends up being an apple or watermelon (not your typical junk food snacks that you think of when you think "pregnant"). Which I guess can be good, but at the same time I worry that I'm not getting enough calories with just snacking on fruit. I will ask at my next appointment.

Dear Bebito -- you are loved by your mommy and daddy so much! Please be strong and hang on tight. You are our little blessing and we're so excited to meet you face to face. Mommy and daddy pray for you daily that you grow strong and that you will be a blessing to everyone you meet throughout your life. God be with you, little one. xoxo