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.