18 Weeks

We're almost to the halfway mark of the pregnancy, I'm 18 weeks along today!

This week baby is measuring in around 5 and a half inches and about 7 ounces! (About the size of a bell pepper or sweet potato). Baby is now beginning to develop a myelin sheath around the nerves within the body which help insulate and transmit the impulses the brain and body send to each other. The process of myelination will continue for a year after baby is born. If we're having a girl her uterus and fallopian tubes are completely formed and in place. Baby is also now covered in vernix (the greasy white slime that covers baby right after birth). It's there to protect baby's skin from the amniotic fluid and keep it from being all wrinkly. And finally, baby is just practicing some normal reflexes like blinking, hiccups, and of course all the kicks and punches mommy can handle!

So last night I was laying in bed texting Jake since he was out with some friends and I was telling him how the baby was kicking away and wanting to see Daddy. I kind of sat up to get a better look at my belly and I saw it move when baby kicked me!!! I immediately put my hand on my belly and what do ya know, little baby was kicking away at momma's hand for a good 15 minutes last night! It was the most unbelievable thing! I thought this wouldn't happen for another couple weeks! So of course I told Jake all about it and he's so excited to come home in a week so he can feel our son or daughter kick at him too. What's really strange is that every time I talk to someone about my wishes for baby, it comes true that same day!!! I was talking to my sister in law, Missy one day about not feeling any flutters yet and later that night I finally felt them! And yesterday I talked to Jake's mom about how I wish I could feel the kicks from the outside and later that night I could feel them! It's just been really incredible!

Yesterday morning I woke up with a big ol' belly that came out of NO WHERE! I wasn't sure if it was just bloating, water weight or an actual bump so I took a picture yesterday and also one this morning to compare. My belly went down a little from yesterday, but it is still much bigger than what it was a week ago!! Our little one is really growing big and strong in my belly! Maybe that's why I could feel the kicks last night. I'll post the two pictures (from this morning and yesterday morning) down at the bottom of the post.

There is also more exciting news to share with everyone!!! Kyle and Missy are going to be having another baby!!! Missy is due just a couple weeks after me and they're having a baby GIRL!! We're all so excited to buy lots of bows and dresses for her. I'm sure Grayson is going to be the best big brother ever! So a congratulations to Kyle, Missy and Grayson!!!!  :))

This time next week I'll be on my way to pick Jajoby (yes I have about 1037489374 nicknames for him) up from the airport!! Wahoooooooo!!!!!!

This is my belly pic from Thursday morning!

This is my belly pic from this morning

Grow baby! Grow!

The countdown is on! 3 more weeks and we can see you all again!!

Love,

Mommy, Daddy and Baby