Week 14

Today marked our first appointment in the second trimester. It was the most painless appointment thus far. They didn't take my blood or do an ultra sound. Unfortunately, this also means it was a rather uneventful appointment! The doctor just took our medical history from both sides of the family. We were able to hear the baby's heart beat. This little noise has become the most amazing sound. The nuchal test (which tests for down syndrome) came back normal. The baby is healthy with a steady heart beat of 148 bpm.
We also found out that I will be visiting the doctor more frequently than we had anticipated. With me being a high risk pregnancy the doctor wants to see me every 1 to 2 weeks. The good news is that we will get an ultra sound in many of these visits. Our next visit is next Thursday. We will most likely find out the sex of the baby during the ultra sound. I'll almost be 16 weeks at that point.
I've officially gained 6lbs as of today. I am still able to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy pants but I'm not exactly comfortable when everything is buttoned. I've gone on a bit of a shopping spree trying to accumulate work attire. Stay at home moms have it made. They can wear comfortable clothes for the entire pregnancy! Who wants to wear suits, dress shirts, tailored pants and heels for 9 months? I've learned that I don't! I've also learned that these essential items are virtually impossible to find. Needless to say online shopping has become my favorite hobby these days. My sister-in-law gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and I think it's about time I learn how to use it. I'm not a fan of spending massive amounts of money on clothes I'll only wear for another 5 months. Can it be that hard to sew elastic bands into pants... ?
Here's a look at what's going on with the baby in week 14:
How your baby's growing:This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
Trey and I will be sure to keep everyone updated as we progress through the second trimester!