Week 16

Well last week I got worked nearly to death by my supervising teacher. We had a book fair and now my back is killing me. It didn't start hurting until after I had been on my feet all day and bending over to get books. Ugh. I am still waiting for my second trimester energy burst. I think I must be using it all just to get through the day.

But exciting news should be coming soon. We will get to schedule our second ultrasound, where we can find out the gender of the baby. Will it be a boy or a girl? About 67 percent of you thought we would have a boy, but I guess we will have to wait and see. By the way, here is what is going on with little peanut this week:

"Weighing in at all of three ounces, your little one is now 12 centimeters crown to rump. Baby's head is now held high, and limb movements occur in a coordinated fashion. The eyes have come closer together so that they face forward, and the baby begins to blink. Tiny toenails are beginning to form. On an ultrasound, you may catch sight of the sucking reflex as your baby sucks his or her thumb. And that's not all you may see: Gender is now recognizable, if you have an extroverted fetus!"

Week 15

Well student teaching is driving me crazy. I felt really good last Monday, but then I threw up after school on Tuesday. That is what I get for thinking I was getting better. The nausea isn't nearly as bad as it was, but I am still feeling really tired. I think it is combination of being overworked and not eating enough red meat.

Yesterday was my second day teaching for the Purdue Super Saturday gifted students program. They are a fun group of kids. After teaching fifth graders web design (and being genuinely amazed by their skills) I went home and took a nap. Rather than working on homework the rest of the day, I decided to spend some time with James for a change, which was nice.

Here is what is happening with the baby:
"At this stage, your fetus weighs approximately 3 1/2 ounces (99.2 grams) and measures just over 4 inches (10.2 centimeters). Hair is sprouting all over: The scalp hair pattern is developing and the body is covered with lanugo, a very fine hair, which will continue to grow until the 26th gestational week of pregnancy. The baby's bones are getting harder each day, while the skin is so thin, almost gossamer, that you can see blood vessels through it. And believe it or not, your baby may have learned to suck its little thumb. The heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood a day, which will increase to about 300 at full-term."

Week 14

Well I think the nausea may finally be leaving. This week I have been able to eat a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of orange juice without getting sick to my stomach. I have still been feeling pretty tired. I took a nap today and then took the dog to the park. I have been so tired lately that James has been walking Ginger. It was a very pretty fall day, and Ginger was very happy to get to chase some squirrels.

Here is what is happening with the baby this week:
"Your baby is now about three-and-a-half inches long and weighs about two ounces. His or her neck is complete, and your baby even has fingerprints. He or she is beginning to move around in the amniotic fluid, which, by the way, replenishes itself every three hours. Fetal movement, or 'quickening,' can occur as early as this week, so be alert for fluttering sensations in your belly."