Week 23

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). He may be able to feel your movements now, so put on some tunes and dance around the house. No matter what race your baby is, he looks red now due to blood vessels showing through his transparent skin. His true skin tone will develop over the course of his first year. Blood vessels in your baby's lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing, but complete lung development will take many more months. The lungs are the last organ to fully develop.

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Sugar & spice, and everything nice...

We want to officially announce the newest member of the Smith family will be a little girl!

Week 22

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out. Your baby's eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks some pigment. Your baby's lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. You won't actually see her first tooth until she's around 4 to 7 months old, unless she's one of the rare babies who are born with teeth.

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Update...

Hello! In response to recent requests for more information I wanted to post an update...

We are few days into week 21 and baby and I are great! I don't own a scale...but the last time I was on one, I had gained about six pounds. My belly is growing a little each day and the people who are closest to us are starting to notice. I am not sure if a stranger would think I am pregnant yet...email me if you'd like to see pictures and give us your opinion! So far I am not experiencing any cravings, drastic mood swings, or any other uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.

For those of you who were not aware, I recently left my corporate job to stay home and I couldn't be happier! I feel like a completely different person...like the "real" me...and I know it is benefiting the baby! This is a very special time for our family and we are enjoying every day.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and love!!

XOXO

Week 21

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long--the length of a carrot. Your baby is really on the move now. Fetal researchers say babies move about 50 times an hour even while sleeping. All that movement helps stimulate your baby's physical and mental development. You may not notice 50 kicks, punches, and twirls during the day, but as you're settling down at night, don't be surprised if your little guy seems ready to dance the night away.

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Week 20

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure). A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system.

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Special Delivery!

Thank you to all of my aunties for the special delivery we received today! The flowers are beautiful and really brightened up my day! You all are so thoughtful and sweet! Love you! XOXO

Week 19

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom--about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on his scalp is sprouting. If your baby is a girl, she already has 6 million eggs in her ovaries. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. He may be able to hear you as you talk. Research shows that he's learning to distinguish your voice from others, and he'll soon show a preference for it.

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Ultrasound pictures

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