19 Weeks

This week Muffin is the size of a mango (measuring about 6 inches and 8.5 ounces).  The baby's brain is developing nerve cells for sense of taste, smell, sight, and hearing.  And the body is creating a greasy, white coating over the skin called vernix caseosa.  This coating protects the baby's skin from the amniotic fluid so the baby won't be wrinkly at birth.  Finally, the main airways in the lungs (bronchiols) are forming.  

Eric and I are really noticing my bump now.  It's obviously most noticeable when not covered by clothing, but I have gotten a couple of comments from people at school.  So it feels like I'm starting to "show" a little bit now.  I definitely have some pants that are no longer comfortable and I'll break out my belly band soon.  I'm anticipating the need to do a little bit of maternity clothes shopping in the next couple of weeks.  When I was pregnant with Gavin, I was 8 months pregnant by the end of January, so the seasons don't align quite closely enough for me to re-wear everything from my last pregnancy.  

I have definitely been feeling more consistent kicks over the past week!  Eric and I think he felt one tiny kick, but the timing has to be just right for him to have a chance to feel anything.  We can't wait to be able to have Gavin feel Muffin kicking around in my belly.  

My next appointment is this Friday (I'll be 19 weeks + 6 days).  As of now, I've gained about 8 pounds (125 this morning!) and the recommended gain at this point is 8-14.  So hopefully that means Muffin and I are both growing right on track.  We have an ultrasound scheduled for January 24 (20 weeks + 6 days) at the perinatal center downtown to have our anatomy scan.  We'll get lots of time to look at Muffin and see how he or she is doing!