22 Weeks and Counting!

How your baby's growing: At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily. See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing: At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track.You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

How far along? 22w0d

Total weight gain/loss: ::shudders at the thought:: +14

How big is the baby? Baby H is 11 inches and weighs almost one pound

Maternity clothes? oh yes!

Stretch marks? Not that I can see

Sleep: It varies from day to day

Best moment this week: non-related to baby, yesterday we did a dog transport. we picked up in Greenwood and drove to very handsome male labs to an adopt a lab shelter in Muncie. The dogs came from a kill shelter in North Carolina and I believe we were the last of 15 legs on the trip. The dogs were great and hard to imagine that anyone would want to give them up!

Food cravings: nothing

Gender: no idea

Labor Signs: no signs of labor, but more pregnancy signs have arisen: swollen feet/ankles and lower back pain! NO FUN

What I miss: playing volleyball (Jarrett's playing right now and it's no fun sitting at home)