Tomatoes & flips

Today marks the beginning of 19 weeks gestation for baby Avery. She has grown to the size of a large heirloom tomato and is approximately 6 inches from head to bottom (not including limbs). I've read countless articles online and talked with other mothers to figure out what the first movements feel like. Well now I can say that I know for sure.

Baby girl is more active in the morning (when I first get to work and sit down to check email), and in the afternoon (after lunch, and in the car on the way home). I definitely know now that what I'm feeling is the baby moving around - not just stomach rumbles.

It's not so much of a "kick" as a "roll and press" or a "flip". I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks, as 18-22 weeks is a time of significant growth for babies. At 22 weeks she should be the size of a spaghetti squash- or 11 inches. That's almost double the length in 4 weeks!

Here is a link to the website that shows a baby's growth by week in relation to foods. It's helpful for those of us that are a bit more visual, and kind of fun. :)

A 90% percent chance...

Today was the day that we went in for the "big" ultrasound. I wasn't able to be at the ultrasound that Christine had a few weeks ago, so this was my first time seeing the baby moving it's arms and legs and opening and closing it's hand and mouth. Obviously it is really, really cool to see those things and is definitely a testament of God's awesome power.

The baby was in quite an active mood and the ultrasound tech wasn't able to get a straight on view, but she said with 90% confidence that it's a....

Girl!!!

151 beats/minute

We started taking profile or "belly" pictures a few weeks ago. This picture is from 15 weeks and 3 days along.

I am now 16 weeks 4 days, and had a great appointment yesterday. The baby's heart beat is strong and we are scheduled for the "big" ultrasound on Friday, March 14th. In less then two weeks we should know if we're shopping for pink or blue. :)