Hitting the Down Slope - Wheeeeeee!

Well as of today I am beginning the down slope of this pregnancy. So far I have been climbing and climbing to the half way mark of the hill. Counting up to 20 weeks. Now I will be counting down. Not much time left as these last 20 weeks have seemed to fly by very quickly. Yikes!

It has been an exciting week. We got to see just how big this little one is getting, found out she is a she. No more saying "It," "She or He," or "S/He." Nope, we now know for sure she is a she. We also found out she takes after her daddy and likes to kick it karate-style.

She is also very laid back. When the ultrasound tech first put the wand on my belly, there she was . . . just kickin' back, relaxing . . . you almost expect to find her with one hand behind her head and one heel resting on her opposite knee . . . just shootin' the breeze. Although the tech said once she tried to get a good measurement of the heart she was throwing herself a little party in there (finally got it--152 bpm).

Her kicks are definitely getting stronger. Yesterday evening I was able to feel her kick from the outside for the first time. Later on I felt another strong one . . . put my hand to see if I could feel it and sure enough I did! Chris put his hand on my belly and with a little more coaxing from him was able to feel it too for the first time!!!

Oh yes! I almost forgot to mention that during the ultrasound I experienced my first Braxton Hicks contraction and felt a few more as we were walking to the car as we were leaving the hospital. And one or a two since then. It is an odd feeling, kind of neat actually . . . luckily not yet uncomfortable as I have read they can be.

Update on Baby G -

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Baby G weighs about 10.5 ounces (300g) and measures about 7.2 inches (18cm) from crown to rump. The size of a cantaloupe. She still moves about freely in amniotic fluid. Your baby may also start to respond to external sounds, such as the music you are listening to or mommy or daddy's voice. She could hear it before, but now she may respond with a kick or a jab.

Your baby has developed some red blood cells already. The white blood cells that your baby needs to fight infections are being manufactured as we speak. Her digestive system is sufficiently advanced to absorb water and sugar from the amniotic fluid that she swallows as well. Her skin is getting thicker and there are now 4 layers and more hair continues to grow on upper lip and eyebrows. Baby G's heart is stronger now too. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats! Limbs have now reached their relative proportion. No more alien-like baby!! Her tiny pink lips are more defined now too.

Baby G is now officially 50% baked!