14 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Welcome to your second trimester!

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee (ewww!), 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.

Your energy is likely returning and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.


Note from Jen:

Whoo hoo! Second trimester. I don't feel like I am a third of the way through the pregnancy. Weird, but pretty cool :)

Nothing really to report. I am feeling so much better, but still have an achy back some nights. I pretty much go straight to the blue la-z-boy after work and sit with the heating pad all evening :)

I am getting hungrier by the day and I feel terrible if I don't eat. Yesterday I didn't get to take a lunch at work and it was horrible. Once I got home and got a little food in my belly I was fine... this kid just needs to eat I guess :)

Here is my 14 week picture. I think my belly is smaller than before. In fact, I actually fit into pants that I couldn't get into a few weeks ago. I know I better enjoy it while I can!