22 Weeks
This week the baby is the size of a red bell pepper or a coconut. Those don't seem to be equivalent sizes to me, but that's what the apps say! Chocolate Chip measures around 11 inches in length and is approaching one pound in weight.
The baby can now perceive light and dark and is processing sounds from inside my belly. Chocolate Chip is also practicing his or her grabbing skills (grabbing onto his or her face and the umbilical cord). Finally, the baby's nerve endings are developed enough to feel pressure when I rub my belly. It's so strange - and also cool - to think that I can loving rub my baby's back (or butt, or head).
This week we ordered a new crib mattress since Elsie will still be using hers when Chocolate Chip arrives. I also ordered a couple of extra fitted sheets for the mattress, and a little lamp to put in the nursery. We ordered furniture from Suite Dreams already, so the biggest item left to purchase is a glider. We also researched double strollers and car setas and have decided which ones we would like to purchase. And I decided to use my insurance coverage to order a hands-free breast pump, which will arrive this coming week. Once we get the Christmas gifts out of Chocolate Chip's closet, I'll be ready to start organizing some baby things!
At my OB appointment this week, the nurse reminded me that I can pre-register at the hospital anytime. And it's a good thing to do early and then cross off the to-do list. So I got that done this week as well. All in all, we're doing well with baby preperations! Which is good because we will likely not do a lot during the upcoming holiday season and some items are out of stock or arriving on delayed schedules due to supply chain issues.
I am writing this post a few days late. Gavin started to feel ill after school on Friday and ended up vomiting four times before bed. I felt a little queasy by the time we went to bed on Friday and fought an upset stomach and diarrhea all weekend. And Eric has avoided "expelling bodily fluids" (his words), but hasn't felt well all day Sunday. Elsie ran a fever Wednesday and Thursday, so we're wondering if we all had a touch of the same bug. Whatever it was, we won't be sad to see it go.
