12 Weeks

I'm just over 12 Weeks Pregnant. According to the books, the baby is about 6.3 cm long, or about the size of a large lime, and weighs about 14g. It's face is taking on further definition, and the baby is starting to grow fingernails and toenails. It's intestines have formed and the kidneys have begun functioning. It is beginning to develop reflexes and will move in response to bumps or pokes to my belly.

It always amazes me to read all this stuff. The development that is going on inside my body is just incredible. It's also really amazing to see the sonogram confirm everything. Based on the ultrasound yesterday, the baby is measuring just about 6 cm and the heart is beating like crazy. And at one point, the baby seemed to fall asleep, so the ultrasound tech just pushed down a little bit on the belly to wake it up, and it almost immediately started kicking and waving its arms around!! Seeing this, and hearing the heartbeat brought tears to my eyes.

I'm feeling much better these days. Most of the nausea is gone, though I do still feel a little queasy sometimes after taking my prenatal vitamin. My appetite is definitely back, and I'm doing my best to find healthy snack alternatives so I'm not always raiding the vending machine!! I've also learned that I need a certain amount of protein and fat in my snacks, or I'm hungry again 30 minutes later! So, I keep a small jar of peanut butter on my desk at work that I will use for dipping some carrot sticks or apple slices. I also have some whole wheat pita and hummus in the fridge if I want a break. It seems to be working out well for me.

While I"m not quite back to "normal" (some might claim I was never there to begin with), I am noticing that my energy level is slowly increasing again, and I'm just starting to find the energy to do more than work, come home, and go to bed.

So that's how things look from "mom's" perspective. Most people consider the second trimester to officially begin at 13 weeks, so I'm almost there. I have to admit, I'm not sad to say goodbye to it. I won't miss the nausea, the fatigue, and the general just not feeling well. And from what I hear, second trimester is the good one...where you feel good, you eat well, you have energy. And it's also when you get fun first like first time you feel the baby move, finding out if it's a boy or a girl, and all that other cool stuff. I'm ready!!