Halfway there! All is going well. According to the books and such, Caleb’s skin is thickening and getting more layers. He’s also swallowing fluid to help develop his digestive system. He’s 10 inches long (like a banana) from head to toe and weights about 9 ounces.

Speaking of bananas, I found this crazy good banana smoothie recipe that Andy and I just love. We eat them almost every night.

Here’s a picture of my 20 week belly. It’s definitely getting in the way more than ever. I’ve bumped it so many times on tables, door handles and various other uncomfortable hard things.

I think the weirdest transformation taking place is that I can now see more of my belly button than I’m comfortable with. Instead of being the cute little “inny” I like, it’s now almost as flat as the rest of my belly. “Outies” always grossed me out a little and now it’s looking like I’ll have one of my own before too long…. Ew.

“Project Nursery” is coming along. I finished the dust ruffle for the crib. However, I won’t know how well of a job I did until we can get a crib to try it out on. Next up is baby blanket #2 and then some curtains. I decided if I’m going all out, I might as well go ALL out. I found this really cute bird pattern online so I’m thinking I’ll make a mobile out of them. I just have to figure out how to make the mobile part.

Almost halfway there!

Let’s see… our baby boy is getting his vernix this week (that waxy stuff that covers their skin so they don’t turn into raisins). He’s also getting hair unless we end up with a baldy. He’s 6 inches from head to bottom and is the size of a large tomato.

Caleb must be going through a major growth spurt because this week alone I have gained a whole three pounds! To put into perspective how much that is, I only gained seven until now. That bumps it up to a grand total of 10 pounds! All this weight is putting some major strain on my body. My ligaments and back are killing me.

This nursery project is starting to become a monster. All the fabric I was planning on using from the quilt is no longer available at the store I got it from. So I will have to either compromise with fabrics that look similar or go back to the drawing board. I may take a break for a few days so my brain doesn’t short circuit.

So the usual weekly development post is a little delayed due to all the excitement that’s been happeining.

I finally got the chance to read the 18 week section of my pregnancy book and low and behold, I discover that he can HEAR! For some reason, that was something I was really looking forward to; like it’s the next milestone. But I thought it happened way later. Apparently all the equipment is there and hooked up giving our little guy the ability to hear stuff. From what I know, his hearing still isn’t that great (think senior citizen). He can only hear my heartbeat and stomach rumbling right now, but soon enough, I’ll have to start watching what I say.

He’s also the size of a bell pepper this week and his bones are ossifying.

Yikes! The weeks are flying by.

The baby’s skeleton is hardening into bone, and it’s sweat glands are forming. it’s about 5 inches from head to bottom; about the size of a… turnip…?

I hope it’s cuter than this….

Thankfully, next week, we won’t have to call our baby an “it” anymore. They will even record the ultrasound for us onto DVD so hopefully, we’ll be able to post a VIDEO of the actual event! And of course, we’ll post all the pictures we get.

As far as myself, nothing much has changed. A little acid reflux here and there, but its not bad. Last night I was reading in bed when the baby started bouncing around. It was moving so much that I actually felt it on the outside with my hand. I got to feel little “bump bump”s on and off for about 10 minutes. By the time Andy came into the room, the little thing tuckered itself out. I’m thinking soon enough he’ll get the experience of feeling it move around.

Today is our 2 year anniversary! We’re going out to eat at the Melting Pot (a fondu resturant) for dinner. I’m so excited! I can’t believe it’s been two years since we said our “I do”s. It has definitely been a wonderful two years and I can’t wait to spend many more together.

We’ve made it to the 16 week mark!

The baby is now avocado-sized and can make facial expressions. It’s legs are finally proportionate to it’s body and boy is this kid exercising them. I feel like I have a Mexican jumping bean inside of me.

Upon following the advice of many people and websites, I have been attempting to sleep on my left side. This is no easy feat when I have been a stomach sleeper for 20 some odd years of my life. The bed is starting to look like a pillow fortress. Last night, I had one pillow between my knees, one behind my back and two under my head. Poor Andy had about 3 inches of space for himself and kept waking up to many unintentional elbow jabs. Somehow, in my sleep, I was able to escape the pillow barrier and ended waking up on my back or stomach regardless (even though that position now feels like I’m laying on a volleyball). I don’t think this method of sleeping will last much longer.

I still haven’t fully recovered from jet lag completely but I’m in no hurry. I like having an excuse to take 2-hour naps during the day.

Today’s the 15 week mark, horay!

Random facts:

- The baby’s now roughly the size of an apple.

- Eyebrows are starting to grow.

- (S)he is about 4-4.5 inches long from head to bottom.

I’m finally feeling great. All that first trimester garbage has finally gone away and I finally look pregnant instead of festively plump:

I’ve been feeling the baby move for a little while now (yeah I know, it’s a little early, but I’m as skeptical as the rest of you and those little “tap-taps” don’t feel like anything else I’ve felt before.) I discovered this kid loves chinese food because right after I ate a big ole plate of General Tso, I felt two of the biggest “taps” yet. It took me completely by surprise and left no doubt in my mind that those were the kicks of a happy baby loving the taste of sweet fried chicken.

I leave tomorrow for Maine so please be praying for my safety and that all goes well. I am very excited for this trip and yet a little sad to be leaving home. After I get back, I’ll be starting my second summer course. Can’t say I’m excited for that.

We’ve reached 14 weeks now and our baby is the size of a Lemon.  A vast improvement over the “medium shrimp” it was last week.  We have a doc appt in the morning tomorrow and we’ll get to see if everything is going well.  Around 20 weeks we’ll be able to see what gender it is…and whether it’s a Caleb or a Chloe….(names yet to be fully agreed upon…)

Be praying for us both, but mostly Bri as she endures all the random hormones, nausea, and fashion fun that comes with being pregnant.  Please also be praying for the baby’s development and for us both as future Dad & Mom!

In other news, we bought a nice digital camera this weekend, and I’d like to say it’s our first official “baby-prep” purchase.  “Baby-prep” purchases are also sweet excuses to buy nice things that can be moderately used for a baby.  Needless to say we’ll use it for lots of baby pictures and we’ll post em all up here for everyone to see

Keep your eyes on this blog for updates regarding the baby all the way through December and beyond…adios!

Bri is now past 13 weeks pregnant, which means she’s officially in the second trimester! This is exciting because the chance of miscarriage greatly decreases. The baby is now the size of…a medium sized shrimp! We have an appointment next Tuesday to get everything checked out. Our big appt is at 20 weeks when we can find out the baby’s gender etc. Should be neat!