12 Weeks Prego! Belly Pic!

Our newest addition now weighs about 1/3 to 1/2 ounce and is almost 2 1/2 to 3 inches long! Baby K's size has almost doubled in the past three weeks! All major structures have already formed and now its time to just grow, grow, grow! The skeletal system will now have bone formation. Fingers and toes will have separated and nails are growing. Hair is appearing on the body and external genitalia are beginning to show distinct signs of boy or girl (we are still hoping its a boy!). Our baby has its very own unique fingerprints too! The digestive system is capable of producing contractions that push food through the bowels. Hormones are being made, the nervous system has developed further,  and our little gummy bear is moving about even though I can't feel it yet.  I read that this week, stimulating the fetus in certain spots may cause it to squirt, open its mouth and move its fingers or toes. In fact, if I press on areas of my belly, Baby K may move away! Our "gummy bear" is looking less like its cute nickname and more like a human baby, fully formed just extremely tiny! His or her face looks unquestionably human: the eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are right where they should be.

So far this week, I have been feeling about the same. The queasiness appears more when I haven't eaten and finally diminishes after a snack. It helps too that I have been snacking alot! I am slightly worried about how much I will weigh in at my OB/GYN appointment tomorrow! And of course all the things that sound good now a days are things that I probably shouldn't be eating in excess. My cravings seem to vary week by week, I have noticed. This week I can not get enough white grape fruit juice! And nachos! My office has a catering company that is there daily with an ever changing menu but always has tacos and nachos on Tuesdays. Tuesdays are the only days I buy my lunch....I didn't realize it was a true craving until I thought back on how many times I have bought my lunch in the last couple weeks!

Some less then desirable pregnancy occurrences have got to be the wicked rash I have formed on my cleavage! Ugg! I am going to ask my doctor about it tomorrow but from what I can gather from the baby books is that is it could be a number of different things, all of which are common in pregnancy. Its been bad- very itchy to the point where I'd break the skin- but is finally getting better. Now its just a dry patch of red skin.

I am also getting the nagging pain in the upper right side, just under my right breast. I remember having this same exact pain in the same exact location when I was pregnant with Shaylee! I still haven't been able to figure that one out. Another thing to bring up with the doc I suppose.

And lastly, my only real complaint is the pain I get in my tailbone and the occasional shooting pain that runs from my butt and down my leg which I also had quite bad with Shaylee. My doctor then diagnosed it as sciatica....and apparently its back! And much sooner than I expected! My Boppy Total Body Pillow that Nils bought me has done wonders already as far as the unique design follows the body line to offer support and realignment for neck, belly, back and hips.I know this pregnancy is going to be a lot easier at night than it was with Shaylee just because of this pillow!

Speaking of sleep, its now one of my favorite things to do! I can't seem to get enough! Nils has been completely wonderful and understanding with this pregnancy. He encourages getting rest and has been waiting on me, hand and foot! He is good about helping out with Shaylee when I lay down on the couch after dinner and has done more cooking of dinner than I have in weeks. He's been so great! I think he understands that I have had more pregnancy symptoms and sooner than I did with Shaylee. I am so blessed to have him!

Finally word is getting around at work that I am indeed pregnant. Those that questioned whether I was are now able to safely say they can tell I am! Everyone who hears I am pregnant now are like "I thought you were but didn't want to ask!" so I suppose that means my belly is round enough and shaped less like I had one too many mint chocolate ice cream sundaes and more like a mommy to be! Now all anyone can ask is "do you know what you are having?" and " when do you find out?". And my answer is always the same, "not yet" and " not soon enough!" I am so excited!