19 Weeks

This week the baby is the size of a mango (6 inches and 8 ounces).  This week the nerve cells for the baby's five senses are developing in Chocolate Chip's brain.  The white coating called vernix caseosa is beginning to cover his or her skin.  And a thin dusting of hair, called lanugo is covering his or her body.  Baby is also hard at work developing the main airways in the lungs (bronchioles).  

Over the past week I have been feeling more kicks and they are slowly becoming stronger.  Eric hasn't been able to feel them yet, but I think that time is coming soon.  At first I only noticed them when I was lying down or sitting very still, but now I notice them during the day, regardless of the position I'm in.  It's hard to believe we'll be counting kicks in another 2 months and seeing the kicks from the outside.  

This weekend Haley and I visited Allison, Brian, and baby Peyton in Kenosha.  Peyton was 3 weeks old and the sweetest little nugget.  Allison developed mastitis on Friday and was miserable, but was feeling better Saturday and Sunday.  Haley and I cooked, went to the store, and helped out around the house.  It was a short trip, but worth it to meet Peyton and see their little family.  They are doing really well!  I was able to give a few pointers on some breastfeeding details (using the Haaka, washing the pump), but Allison is rocking it and they definitely have a good routine in place.  

I will be 20 weeks pregnant (halfway!) next Friday and we have our anatomy scan the following Tuesday (at 20 weeks + 4 days).  The next appointment will be an OB visit with glucose test and then a follow-up ultrasound at 24 weeks + 4 days (to measure growth and look at the heart in detail).  So there are several upcoming things to look forward to!