16 weeks

That's right folks, we're skipping weeks 14 and 15.  I had a prenatal appointment last Monday with my new OB, and O-M-G I measured 15 weeks and 1 day!  Since I didn't get around to posting sooner, I'm now in my sixteenth week!!!

The moment the ultrasound probe hit my belly, the screen lit up with our baby.  The doctor looked at us and said, "My God that baby is HUGE!  And active..."  While he tried to measure Gabe's crown to rump length,  Gabe would not stay still.  He was bouncing around in my belly, swinging his arms, as if he were in a bounce house.  He even did a little flip and grabbed the placenta.  It took all my strength and concentration to keep from crying, so I ended up shaking and giggling like an idiot.  Every time I laughed, Gabe bounced or flailed in response.   

 It is a great feeling to be a whole week and 3 days further along than I thought, but there is a possibility that Gabe is just bigger than average and I'm not actually further along.  Regardless, I like the idea of being further along, and I like my new due date, March 27, so we are sticking with this new calculation until told otherwise. 

Baby is now the size of an:  avocado (or a small gerbil, but that is just creepy to think about)!  He is 4.5 inches long, and weighs about 3.5 ounces.  His ears and eyes have moved closer to their final position, his neck and legs are more developed and stronger, and his little heart is now pumping 25 quarts of blood each day.   


How I'm feeling:  significantly less nauseous, but still tired (still not the baby's fault).  I have been having a lot of back pain and a lot of cramps the past few days.   I also feel fat (see below).

Physical differences from last week:  Before my prenatal visit on Monday, I hadn't weighed in since July...well friends, I'm now four pounds heavier from when this wondrous journey began.  Boo!  It is rather sucky to see your weight go up after three years of counting calories compulsively and working to maintain your weight.  Here is my 16 week bump, sans makeup at 7:00 this morning:

What's been on my mind:  my bouncing baby.  That ultrasound image is burned into my brain.  I wish I could have had a DVD made of that ultrasound.  Just thinking about my little avocado bouncing around like that all.day.long, in MY belly, makes me cry (happy tears). 

What I'm looking forward to:  The big ultrasound is coming up in two weeks!  I cannot wait!!!  Thankfully our lives are so busy that time usually flies by.  I cannot imagine the moment of truth.  I cannot imagine my response or the feelings I will have at that moment.  I can, however, imagine heading straight to the Buy Buy Baby immediately afterward, and then to Home Depot to get pink or green color samples.  

Random thoughts:  Wanna know what Heaven tastes like? Chocolate covered Acai (and/or possibly Blueberries) berries.  I don't like chocolate.  And I don't like Acai berries or Blueberries.  Well the evil candy lady at work put out a bowl of chocolate covered things and wow.  They are magical; heavenly, if you will.  I suggest all peeps go try these wonderful things immediately.