Baby D week 15 and 16 :)

We have had a busy few weeks. Baby is growing, we have seen the 16 week ultrasound, heard the heartbeat three times now, and things are starting to feel a bit more real. :)

Week 15
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).  He or she is busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. His or her legs are growing longer than his or her arms now, and the baby can move all of its joints and limbs. Although the baby's eyelids are still fused shut,  He or she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, He or she is likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! We did have an ultrasound, but the little baby was not cooperating. He or she would not move its legs. Stubborn little thing already!

Week 16
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his or her weight and add inches to its length. Right now, its about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His or her legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his or her eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His or her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his or her scalp has begun, though his or her locks aren't recognizable yet. He or she is even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his or her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

I really should start paying attention to the time of day I take these photos! If I wait longer at night I look much more pregnant than in the middle of the day. So crazy. I can't believe the baby is actually starting to look like a baby, and mommy is actually starting to look like a little mommy instead of just bloated. :) Fun times!

Baby D week 13 and 14

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, the veins and organs are clearly visible through that still-thin skin, and his or her body is starting to catch up with its head — which makes up just a third of his or her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his or her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his or her facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His or her kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him or her — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch the baby sucking its thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, the baby measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he or she weighs 1 1/2 ounces. The little one's body's growing faster than its 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 or her legs still have some lengthening to do.) The baby is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over its 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 its 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.

Easter, Spring Break, and Baby D week 11 and 12

The Dickson's had a fabulous Easter. It is so easy to get caught up in finding eggs, getting lots of candy, and even celebrating with family. While all of these are good, fun, things. The real focus should be Jesus. We tried to put Jesus not only first in our lives, but in the center of our lives.... trying to remember that while we are hosting Easter egg hunts,we are presenting the gospel. While we are filling Easter baskets, we are remembering to be filled with the spirit. While we are spending time with family, we are turning people to Jesus by letting him shine through our lives. This year, Jeff had the opportunity to minister to the children of Roanoke. What a special time this was for him, and for our church.

We also spent time at a friends Easter egg extravaganza. She is so heavenly minded and is constantly sharing the gospel at her parties. This is only one of the million things I admire about this sweet, sweet friend. She happens to throw the most awesome parties in town!! 

After Easter, my best friend and I took my sister and her best friend to Chincoteague island. We had a great time for sure.

My papa also celebrated his 80th birthday. We made a fantastic gift. 80 things he taught us about the Lord... complete with the 80 things that he could use on pretty much a weekly basis. He is one of the most amazing men on the earth. God truly blessed our family with a strong leader and a great role model to follow. I feel so blessed to call this man MY papa! 

Last but not least baby D week 11 and 12 :)

WEEK 11:  Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed.Baby's hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under his or her gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden. Starting to see a little baby bump :)

 

WEEK 12: 

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his or her toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His or her intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his or her abdominal cavity about now. Your baby is about the size of a lime. Wow. I seriously can't believe I am at the three month mark already. Time sure is flying by!

March extravaganzas (Baby Dickson week 10)

I recently had the opportunity to attend a concert with some of my most favorite people. We had so much fun! These girls not only love the Lord, they make me laugh, they take care of this sick mama, and they genuinely love people. It is always encouraging to spend time with friends like that :)

The next day (Palm Sunday) we got snow! My husband and I had a great time playing and being snowed in together. It was much unexpected, and was very much appreciated by the Dickson house. 

After playing in the snow we decided to walk to Kroger. This country girl is not in Brookneal anymore! I can not even imagine walking to the grocery store back home! Crazy... but I must say it was quite convenient and actually fun! 

Hope you had a great Palm Sunday. Ours was white, and a great reminder of how Jesus takes our sins and washes them white as snow!