16 weeks

Wow - time is flying! Today I reached the 16 week mark in this pregnancy. Abigail requested to listen to the baby's heartbeat this morning, so we did hear him/her loud and clear. Elijah's eyes get so wide when he hears that "chugga chugga" sound, and he points to my belly often and says, "babay!" I know he doesn't have a clue what all this means, but it's still sweet to see him be involved a little.

I am feeling good almost all the time, with just little spells of nausea when I get to moving too fast and haven't eaten often enough. I've gained about 6 pounds so far, but unfortunately look like I've gained about 20! I'm assuming just being pregnant 18 months apart has something to do with the pooch happening so quickly. The only weird thing I have noticed is the occasional feeling like my heart is pounding, but my blood pressure is its normal-to-low range, and it must just be the extra volume of blood moving through my body. I've had only a few headaches and leg cramps, which are normal afflictions at this point each pregnancy, so I'm grateful for that!

Here is my email update from today. I love reading about what is probably going on in there, and how big our little baby O. is. We can't wait to see this little one next week, and find out who he or she exactly is! YAY!!! Abigail has mellowed some on her outspoken desire for a sister, and though a little girl seems like it would round out our family so well, we are all very content with whoever God has planned for us. She even recently said that she while did want a sister, she loves having Elijah for a baby brother so much, that she is sure she'll be fine with another one. I told her I'm glad, since we can't control that. :-)

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.