Thump thump...

So, I THINK I felt the baby move last week while I was in Arkansas. It stopped before I could really put my hand on it. It felt like it was thumping me or like bubbles popping. It definitely was not gas...I know what that feels like. :) I haven't felt it again since last Wednesday. I've been pretty relaxed since I got back. The night I felt it I was laying in my cot, trying to go to sleep, after the busiest day I had on mission trip, up to that point.
I'm going to think positively and chalk it up to being baby. After describing to almost everyone, they all think that's what it was, too. Cool feeling!!! Waiting for another one!!!

My baby avocado...16 weeks

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

The baby - 15 weeks...

Hi all! I won't be home all of next week...so I'm posting a little early. I went to the doctor today. Heard the heartbeat again - 148 bpm. Last time is was 168 bpm, and the first time was 182 bpm (which was not heard but charted...). So, the baby's growing fine. You'll see below that I should only have gained about 5 lbs...HA! I've gained 10...expected since I had just recently lost 20 and started eating whatever I wanted. Good news is, she didn't SAY I have gained too much. My blood pressure was really good (122/68). My next appointment is July 16th - which will be THE SONOGRAM - the one where we can see what the sex of the baby is. Hopefully Baby cooperates. I'll be 19 weeks and 2 days. So, we should be able to tell something!! Everyone keeps asking what we want...Craig's main response is "A healthy baby...". That's the way I am, too... I just love the idea of HAVING a baby to call my very own... And I'm so blessed that God has trusted ME, of all people, to aid in and care for this miracle.


So here is the update, as seen on babycenter.com, I've included some of my own comments throughout IN RED:


Your pregnancy: 15 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). (AHHH....FINALLY, THE BABY'S THE SIZE OF AN APPLE).She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now (HOPEFULLY LONGER THAN 'HER' MOTHER'S, BUT SHORTER THAN 'HER' FATHER'S), and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")See what your baby looks like this week.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too - OH THANK GOODNES!!! I DON'T WANT TO BE A 5'2" WHALE) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up (HOLY COW, THIS IS NO JOKE- I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES SINCE THE LAST WEEK OF MAY - YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN ME ON VACATION!!!), for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

Dr. appointment tomorrow

So, I go into the Dr. tomorrow... I think we're doing heartbeat again, and maybe a tee tee test. Dr's appointments kind of stress me out, I'm always worried they're going to tell me I'm doing something wrong, or that something doesn't seem right. Prayers are always helpful. There's nothing in my pregnancy that would indicate anything is wrong...just my paranoia.

I will let you know how things go tomorrow afternoon.

Much love from the Danklefs family (Craig, Jill, and Baby??)

The Baby - 14 weeks...

Your pregnancy: 14 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.See what your baby looks like this week.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

The baby's developement at 13 weeks :)

Your pregnancy: 13 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

Baby Danklefs - so far...

First of all, thanks for checking out our new blog. I will try my best to update often. :)

So far, I'm 13 weeks along. Yea! First trimester - DONE! We're so excited for this new adventure!

So, this is me...12 weeks along. Baby bump is just beginning to come out! The baby is just about the size of a medium sized shrimp (according to babycenter.com).