16 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

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 the size of an avocado: 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. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. 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.

15 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

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). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's 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! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Dear Pumpkin

Dear Pumpkin,

I just wanted to share a few things with you.  Your daddy wanted you to have your own blog that was about you.  I will do my best to keep it updated. 

Why Pumpkin?  Kailtyn is 100% sure she is having a baby sister.  She has told us, first mommy will have my baby sister, then my other baby sister, then my baby brother.  We will see how good she is at predicting the future. We didn't want Kaitlyn to get too stuck on the idea of you being a girl or a boy so we decided to call you pumpkin.  It works pretty well, Daddy and I can avoid saying "he" or "she" when we talk about you and how you are growing.  Kaitlyn attached to the idea right away and started to kiss mommy's belly and rub it, she likes to tell you how much she loves you and kiss you good night.  But she still tells everyone "my baby sister is in mommy's belly and her name is pumpkin".  Oh well, we tried.

Love you already,
Mommy