MacNut Week 8

By this week, everyone in our immediate families knows about MacNut!

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the size of a kidney bean - ~0.63 inches and 0.04 ounces.
• Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, her eyelids practically cover her eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of her developing lungs, and her "tail" is just about gone. In her brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby - about the size of a kidney bean - is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Physical:

• Weight: 122 lb (-4)
• Belly circumference: 30.25 in (-.25)
• The vomit comet continues its course (v9, v10, v11, v12, v13).  So tired of this gross feeling!

Spiritual & emotional:

• It has been really good having Chin's mom & grandma here.  They've been cooking nearly every meal and it has been good to come home to people. :)
• When we told Chin's parents this week, they both expressed that they are more worried than excited.  I wish they would be happy for us because we are thrilled.  Chin's grandma, on the other hand, is very excited!

MacNut Week 7

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the size of a blueberry.
• During pregnancy week 7, your baby will grow tremendously, up to 13 mm in length! Your baby is much closer to the size of a large blueberry or small grape than a pea.
• At 7 weeks pregnant, facial features become more prominent in your baby. Upon close investigation, you may be able to discern a mouth and even a tongue (you actually can't see the tongue, but it is forming inside your baby!). During pregnancy week 7, your baby's eyes will also start to become more fully formed, and the eyes now have a retina and lens attached. The major muscle systems in your baby's body also continue to develop during pregnancy week 7, and your baby begins to produce his own blood. Your baby's movements will be uncoordinated at best at this point during pregnancy, but rest assured your little one is squirming about his new home.
• If you were to look directly at your baby, you would still be able to see slight webbing in the fingers and toes. Teeth are also starting to form on the inside of your baby's mouth, and thin veins start to peer out from beneath your baby's skin. Your baby's intestines and appendix should be formed by now. By 7 weeks pregnant, your baby's liver is working diligently to start producing red blood cells. Your baby should be bouncing right along in his comfy and warm home!

Physical:

• Weight: 124 lb (-2)
• Belly circumference: 30.50 in (+0)
• Feeling really, really crappy.  Vomit 5 times this week (v4, v5, v6, v7, and v8).

Spiritual & emotional:

• I feel bad that I'm so non-functional.

MacNut Week 6

The spotting hasn't stopped.  There was significant bleeding one day and we made an ultrasound appointment.  Result below. :)

This week is brought to you by the letter V.  V is for vomit.  It has hit me big time and I am not a fan.  How can something the size of a lentil cause so much ruckus?!!

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the size of a lentil.
• The arms and legs continue to develop - These limbs are stretching out more and more. Later on you will be feeling those feet and elbows up close and personal right in your bladder!
• Brain is growing well - Did you know that over the course of the remaining months that your baby's brain will develop over 100 billion neurons? This is just the beginning!
• Lenses of the eyes appear - If you could catch a glimpse inside, you would notice your baby's appearance becoming increasing like a newborn's.
• Nostrils are formed - The position of the nose seems to shift into its proper place as well. Soon, the nerves running from the nose to the brain appear.
• Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.
• Pancreas - Your baby is now equipped to deal with digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and glucagons the body needs to function.

Physical:

• Weight: 126 lb (+0)
• Belly circumference: 30.50 in (+0)
• On top of having no appetite, nausea is hitting me like crazy.  Started vomiting this week, too (v1, v2, and v3).

Spiritual & emotional:

• My physical state really affects my mood.  I just feel like crap!
  

MacNut Week 5

The theme word for this week: nausea.

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the size of a sesame seed.
• First heartbeats begin - If you have an early ultrasound you may not be able to recognize this tiny being as a baby, but there is no mistaking what it feels like seeing your child's heartbeat on that screen. That rhythmic beat is echoed in your own heart.
• Umbilical cord develops - This is your baby's lifeline in utero. It bears the responsibility of pumping in oxygen, removing waste, and supplying the necessary nutrients for the remainder of your pregnancy.
• Blood is now pumping - All four heart chambers are now functioning, insuring your baby's body will receive all it needs over not only the remainder of your pregnancy but throughout life.
• Most other organs begin to develop - Your infant's lungs start to appear, along with her brain. Already your little one is preparing for a quest for lifelong learning!
• Arm and leg buds appear

Physical:

• Weight: 127 lb (+1)
• Belly circumference: 30.50 in (+0)
• Definitely feeling a difference in my appetite.  Slower gut motility.  Nausea.  This is not good. :(
• Also started some spotting. :(

Spiritual & emotional:

• I'm pretty emotional this week.  Just cranky.
• Spiritually, I had passing moments of doubts that God is in control.  But then I am reminded of how God has worked throughout my history and I feel fine.  Really.
  

MacNut Week 4

We are pregnant!  Chin & I found out on the evening of 12/28 when I said, "I really have to pee.  I think I want to pee on a stick."  Chin said, "Okay."  So I peed on a stick and the two lines turned up real fast :)

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the size of a poppy seed.
• Implantation has occurred > hCG hormone is produced > positive pregnancy test!
• Neural tube forms - It will develop into the nervous system (Brain, spinal cord, hair, and skin). Already your baby has the foundation for thought, senses, feeling, and more!
• Heart and primitive circulatory system rapidly form - While still in its beginning stages, this is the very life support system that will carry your child throughout his or her life.

Physical:

• Weight: 127 lb (+1)
• Belly circumference: 30.50 in (+0)
• I'm starting to feel that my appetite isn't quite the same.

Spiritual & emotional:

• Very excited :)