today's the day...

Today Larry and I head to the dr. for my 4 month visit. Like I posted previously, we are hoping, wishing, praying (feel free to do the same) that Dr. B will do an ultrasound so we can get a look at this little avocado. Its probably safe to assume that I will leave the office with one of two orders from the doctor: 1. continue bedrest or 2. return to work, but take it easy.

-There's a small chance that Larry and I will find out the gender today if she does the ultrasound. Go ahead and make your bets if it will be team blue or team pink. We are definitely a "house divided". Charmaine and I are betting on a girl while the 2 Larrys are practically demanding a boy. :) Let's hope the tie breaker will be today. I dont think I can wait 4 more weeks for the next ultrasound.

In the 4 month belly pix you can see that the baby bump looks a little more like an actual pregnancy bump and a little less like a beer belly (mmmmmmmmm, did someone say beer?? A cold beer sounds so good right now).

Larry keeps telling me that soon the belly is just going to pop out overnight. I guess I'll take his word for it...

Four months is an exciting milestone for me b/c it definitely seems like I am safely out of the "danger zone". There is also so much growth/development from this point on that it leaves a lot to look forward to. Some info about baby at 16 weeks is below. I definitely feel my heart beating harder/louder. I can physically see it beating in my chest sometimes. I havent felt the baby move yet, but am super excited to feel that for the first time...

Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean he/she can now pick up your voice. A few more changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

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 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. 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.

Because your baby is moving well now, you may begin to feel his movements! Some women say that the early movements feel like gas bubbles or a slight flutter. If you have not yet felt the baby move, don't worry. Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. You may feel your heart beating 'louder'. This is because there is a lot more blood in your body than normal. (about 50% more)