Baby #2 - Week 19

(ABOVE: Fetal Development at 19 weeks - looks crammed in there already doesn't it?)
(ABOVE: Baby @ 19 weeks gestation - how cool!)

Well the time has gone by and with us being on vacation for what seemed like forever we missed a few Baby#2 update Weeks ... well I am back today to update on Baby#2 ... later this week I will update about the rest of our vacation and the glorious wedding we went to. As for now - well let's update Baby#2 shall we?

How Your Baby's Growing? Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His/Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. Some research suggests that he/she may be able to hear your voice now so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him/her or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches from head to bottom - about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His/Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his/her body now. His/Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his/her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his/her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How Your Life's Changing? Think you're big now? You'll start growing even more rapidly in the weeks to come. As a result, youmay notice some schiness in your lower abdomen or even an aoccasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides - especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accomodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about but call your doctor if the pain continues when you're resting or becomes severe. You may also notice some skin changes too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about - it's from increased estrogen. You may also notice you have patches of darkened skin due to a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks and forehead they're called chloasma or the "Mask of Prregnancy". You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra or "dark line". These darkened spots will most likely fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun which intensifies the pigment changes.

Well I am happy to report that Baby#2 has finally made his/her existence known by fluttering and floating around in there ... I am also happy to report that the pregnancy pigment changes have not happend and didn't with Jaden so I am hopeful it won't this time around. I am starting to lose options in my closet and have decided that I need to shop for some long pants once fall comes ... for the time being I am covered for the rest of summer. Our 1st Ultrasound is Wednesday August 27th and all 3 of us are excited. Jason will be picking Jaden up and meeting me at the Dr's office so we can all find out together - so a few prayers that this baby is spread eagle in a week ... and then closed for the next 25 years!!! Oh and we finalize our construction contract tonight and with wishful thinking construcion should being in 4 weeks ... and 4 weeks later we will have 400 sf added to the house and 2 more bedrooms. Jaden is excited to go shopping for new bed clothes and of course to pick a paint color for her room. We are hoping to know the baby's sex and do the same thing in the other room! Well other than all that things are going well ... hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Jaden is home with Grandma today - well actually they're at Valley Fair riding more roller coasters ... tomorrow she has a sleepover with Savannah and Saturday she's sleeping at Hannah's since Jason and I have a committment ceremony of a coworker to attend ... so a busy week/weekend ahead! Hope all is well ...

Love ~ The Clark Family ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Baby#2 TOO!