Week 12

So, yesterday marked the beginning of week 12 (I'm 11 weeks 1 day). The baby is the size of a plum this week. (Like all the food references? That's the only references most websites and books use to relate the size of the baby. Guess we're all familiar with food, huh?)

The fetal digestive system is beginning to flex its digestive muscle - literally - as it starts practicing contraction movements, a skill the baby will need after birth to push food through the digestive tract. The pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones. And the bone marrow is making white blood cells, which will one day help the baby fight infections.

The baby is also starting to explore his/her body, focusing most on touching his/her head, especially the face and mouth. The mouth will provide he/she with hours of entertainment. This happens not only because the baby is gaining coordination, but also because the baby's palms have gained sensation and can actually "feel" what it touches! The baby's smelling sensations will also begin developing this week along with maturing taste buds.

First Ultrasound

So, due to frequent requests, I'm blogging again. I had slacked off a little due to life - it can be so hectic! So, here is the most recent.

I went for the ultrasound Monday, October 4. I was very nervous going in. I have no idea why. Irrational fears, I suppose. But the minute I saw that image of a tiny person, all fears were gone. I had this huge, poop-eatin' grin on my face and I couldn't tear my eyes from it for one second. Then we saw the heart beat. Yes, you read that right. We saw the heart beat. With each beat, the little chest would rise and fall. How amazing!! I couldn't even look at Brad because I was so enthralled with what was happening on the screen. (Later he admitted that he started crying when he saw the baby for the first time. And he admitted it on facebook, so I'm not giving away any secrets here!) We heard the heart beat also and there is nothing more comforting to a mother-to-be's heart than the sound of her baby's heart beating.

The technician measured the size of the baby and the size of the uterus and determined that I was 9 weeks 1 day (instead of 10 weeks 3 days as originally thought).

So the estimated due date based on the ultrasound is May 8, 2011. So for those of you who may not have looked ahead at next year's calendar:

• That would be a Sunday.
• Mother's Day
• And the day after Brad's birthday.

And for those of you who attend Calvary, it's also the day after Taste of Calvary. (My mother-in-law is in quite a tizzy about that one, considering she has to run the whole show!)

What can I say? Babies have their own unique way of keeping life interesting, don't they?

My First Pregnancy Dream

So last night I had my first "pregnancy" dream. I've had lots of dreams since being pregnant, but 1)none that I could remember and 2)none that were actually about the pregnancy or the baby. It's kinda crazy, but here it is:

It begins with me giving birth (which wasn't actually in the dream, but it was just implied) to a baby girl. The hospital staff present the baby to me in a JCPenny gift box. (I know - crazy, right?! I know it was a JCPenny box because it didn't have 2 separate pieces - a lid and a bottom - it was all one piece.) Along with the baby, who is dressed in a very funky dress, is a Precious Moments Bible with the birth date of the baby imprinted on it. I take the baby from the box, wrap her in a blanket and lay her on my shoulder. My mom comments on the dress and the Bible and then leaves. Brad and I leave the hospital shortly after.

From the hospital we go directly to the mall (really?!). There we meet Brad's parents. In the dream I am very upset because it is time to feed the baby, but I have no bottles or formula because I had planned to breastfeed and for some reason I can't breastfeed. Deb (my mother-in-law) takes the baby and leaves with Rob (my father-in-law) to go "get something for the baby to eat". (Really? Where were they planning to go? The food court?)

Brad and I continue on our way where we shortly come across a couple of salons advertising pedicure specials to teenagers. And it isn't long after that we come upon a crudely constructed stage onto which Brad promptly jumps and begins to preach. While he is preaching, I begin to pray with three young women. After praying a short while, one of them puts her hand on my belly. I quickly correct her - "I've had the baby already; just this morning." And then my mother-in-law and father-in-law arrive with the baby (miraculously fed) and a diaper bag (not previously present in the dream).

And then I woke up. I have no idea the meaning behind this. I know that dreams are usually things - fears, worries, etc - that you've supressed to your subconcious coming out, but what could any of it mean? If you have any ideas, leave it as a comment. It'll be interesting to see what people interpret this dream to mean.