Week 21

Our baby should now weigh about three-quarters of a pound and should be approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. (However we are expected our baby to be bigger than this. We will find out at our sonogram net Monday.) Our book says "You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better." And, yes her little fluttering kicks have turned into strong kicks that actually startle me, especially if I'm sitting in class and it comes out of the middle of nowhere. I also don't understand: does she just sit in the womb and kick her feet over and over again for minutes at a time? I guess she could be boxing or maybe a kick-boxing, a little combination of both. I haven't really noticed any patterns to her movements. Other than, she is very active almost all-day. In other developments, our baby's eyebrows and eyelids are now developed. I love to feel her move and make herself known. 

People (that know me and see me everyday) have been commenting on the baby bump. They say I really look pregnant and little Charlie is making herself known. Also, a few random people have begun to ask if I am pregnant. I love that people can tell. I will see if I can get Mark to take another picture of me soon so I can post my ever growing belly on the web.

This past week I was on my home from school and just hit Alvarado, which means I had been driving for about an hour. One of my favorite songs by Taylor Swift came on the radio, so I turned the volume way up to sing along. When the song was over, the well-known "Baby Got Back" song came blaring on the radio. And, immediately, Charlotte started dancing in the womb. I turned the volume down a little but left it up while she danced along. It was fun to feel her moving all around. Charlie's Aunt Laura has predicted a dancer from the beginning because one of the first sonograms looked like she had "jazz hands." So we have been referred to our very active baby as a dancer, which is good since we are having a girl. Either way, I'm not sure if I want me daughter dancing to "Baby Got Back." But, we might have a little dancer (a whole new world for Mark and I). 

Week 20

Our baby should weigh about 10 1/2 ounces now, although we know that's what she weighed two weeks ago. She should be around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)  She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. 

Half-way

Yes, I am half-way! From now on I should gain at least 1 pound a week. This seems like a lot... 20 pounds more. I have been gaining the last few weeks and I am now only 2 pounds under what I started as.  Most women gain 25-30 pounds, so I might gain more than a pound a week. We will just have to see. 

Super Baby

Yes, our baby is already extraordinary. First, she is way bigger than she should be. Also, she is very active. We have told you of her habit of bouncing on her head during sonograms. Well, as of this week, she has decided to kick me every 10 minutes or so all day long. It is nice to know that she is healthy and enjoying her stay in the womb. Sometimes I just laugh because it is really funny and an amazing feeling. Also, Mark has been able to feel her kick when he puts his hand on my stomach. It is such an amazing experience to share with him!

Dr.'s Appointment

We had another appointment this morning with the OBGYN, Dr. Gunby. It went well. They measured my uterus, weighed me, took my blood pressure... all those fun things. They told me that I am healthy and the baby is very healthy. Also, Charlie scored the highest range again on her second Nuchal Translucency test, which means she is at the lowest risk for chromosomal disorders. We will be going in two weeks back to Dr. McGee for a sonogram to check the placenta. We are still praying that the placenta will move and correct itself. Until then I am still under strict orders to "take it easy."

Nursery

This weekend was so exciting. Beth's mom and dad brought the crib and mattress that they had ordered for Charlotte. We finished cleaning out the old guest room to transform it into the nursery. Then, we put together the crib. It is so exciting to walk into the room and see all baby stuff. And, I can just envision the nursery. Here is a picture of the crib...

Here is Mark getting ready to put the crib together.

The Bump

And, here is a picture from this weekend. I am getting bigger. Some random strangers can tell that I am pregnant, while most still have no clue. My back has been aching more, and I can still only sleep on my left side for whatever reason. But, I am ready to be visibly pregnant to all. 

Week 19

Our baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now. Our baby should weigh about 8 1/2 ounces and measure about 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato (However, we know our baby was bigger than this last week). Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid (that's kind of gross).

This week I have wanted cherries! I crave everything cherry. At least once a day I make it to Sonic for a cherry limeade, cherry coke, or cherry slush. I have always liked cherries, but nothing to this extreme. I think I am getting bigger, not my baby bump, but me in general. Which might mean I am finally catching up on my weight gain. I have been trying to eat healthy and do a really good job most days, but this weekend we ate out 4 times (and I ate a hamburger, which I never do!). Maybe that's what I needed though. I have been having round ligament pain for the past 2 weeks. Which just means my body is preparing for the "rapid growth" in the next few weeks.

Charlotte has received some gifts this week. She has had the cutest clothes given to her. Some are so small, I can't believe she is going to be that small. Also, my parents bought the crib and mattress for baby Charlie. It is an antique white convertible crib (which means it converts to a toddler bed and a headboard and foot board for a full-size bed) which we hope she will have for several years. We have had so much fun picking out things for Charlotte's nursery. The theme is shabby chic: antique white, light pink, and celery/sage green. I am actually making the bedding and valence. It is modeled kind of after a set that I saw online (Glenna Jean Isabella) but instead of tassels it will have pink satin ruffles and the fabric choices are a different. We are using a chandelier and picture/shelf from the Glenna Jean collection. There will be a lot of pink, but the room is painted green so hopefully it won't be pink-overload.

Week 18

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and she should weigh almost 7 ounces (although Charlie is much bigger). She's busy flexing his arms and legs. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born.

I am still having morning sickness, but trying really hard to eat. I am constantly hungry! I can feel her growing bigger because my back is starting to hurt when I sit for a while or when I lay on my right (but not my left) side. Here is an updated picture of the baby bump. (thanks to Mark for taking it!) I can't believe I am this big! Although, I am still quite small according to my doctors. Plus, I have a baby the size of a 20 week in there!

5th Sonogram

We had our 5th sonogram today with the perinatologist at the Fetal Care Center at Baylor Dallas. They were doing the second half of the nuchal translucency test, which makes sure the baby is developing without any chromosomal disorders. Also, it checks the baby to make sure everything else is developing well and we were hoping to finally get a confirmed gender. This is going to be a long post, but here we go...

The Gender
The doctors were able to confirmed the gender, and it is a GIRL! The doctor showed us several shots of her girl parts to confirm it. We are so excited to finally have a confirmation. I was afraid to purchase anything before, thinking I would jinx it or something. Now, I have saved up all my gift cards from Christmas and my birthday and I am ready to go shopping for girl things!

The Name
We have decided on Charlotte Leigh Moore. Her nickname will be Charlie. Mark first mentioned this name a while ago and it really grew on me. Plus, it just has so much significance to it being two family names, that it just means a lot to both of us. Charlotte is the feminine form of Charles which is a family name in Mark's family and the middle name of his father and grandfather and his brother's name. Leigh is the feminine form of Lee which is a family name in Beth's family and her mother's maiden name and her brother's name. Charlie as a nickname is the combination of the two names.

A BIG Baby
The baby is developing great without any issues, and we even the face and there wasn't a cleft lip. Actually, she is quite a big baby, weighing in at 10 oz. A baby should weigh about 7 oz at week 18. Also, all her measurements (except her head) came in at 19 weeks 5 days. Her head showed exactly 18 weeks. So, it isn't a bad thing, but our baby is big! We have been calling her "tubby" because I just can't seem to eat enough. Well, now the nickname truly fits.

Placenta Previa
Today we found out what has been causing some of the complications I have had. The doctor noticed that the placenta was sitting very low. It should be at least 2 centimeters from the cervix and mine is nearly 1 cm. This isn't a huge problem, but it is something that will keep me in that "high-risk" category. I will be monitored closely, and will return to a specialist in a month to check. Sometimes the placenta will move upward on its own, and this is what we are praying for.
If it doesn't then I will have to have a c-section. If I start having complications again, I will be hospitalized. As long as no more complications occur, they usually deliver babies around 37 weeks if the baby is developed enough to keep the mother from going into labor. I am not sure if Charlie's large weight is a good thing or a bad thing in this situation because Placenta Previa can cause intrauterine growth restriction. I am being told not to lift anything or do any housework that takes longer than a minute; so once again, I have been told to "take it easy." Click Here for a link to an article on Placenta Previa.

Perscription I Can Handle
Alhough our baby is large, I am not. I am still having some trouble gaining weight (mainly because I am still suffering from morning sickness). Two weeks ago the doctor told me to have a chocolate milkshake everyday. Today, the perinatologist told me I need to eat Wild About Harry's Frozen Custard. He says frozen custard produces beautiful baby girls. Truthfully, it has a lot of calcium which is what the baby needs. I like being told to eat Ice Cream and Custard! Now, if only I could get past this nausea.

I'm leaking?
We ran a quick errand on our way home from the doctor this morning. While in the store I felt this cold, wet feeling on my stomach. I looked down and touched my stomach, and yes, there was a cold wet dot. I immediately thought "I'm leaking." I guess I thought I was leaking amniotic fluid? I am not sure what I thought was coming out of my belly button. Before I could say anything Mark looked over at me and said "the gel is in your belly button." It then made sense to me: the ultrasound gel was in my belly button. I told him what had been going through my head and we laughed. I know that it is not possible for women to leak out their belly buttons, but I find it comical that this thought still went through my head.

Pictures of Our Beautiful Baby Girl...
Remember you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

This is my favorite, because I think it is easy to see everything. She is all curled up.

Both of these show baby Charlotte sucking her thumb. How precious!

When we saw this picture. I said that she must be a soccer player. And, the doctor said maybe she will be a minister... "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15)

Here is a great profile of the baby's head.


I think these last two are kind of scary looking. Mark thinks it is really neat how you can see the baby's face. These type of pictures show that the face is developed correctly, and no cleft lip.