16 Weeks Already!...And Still Counting!!

Happy 4 Months Bump! Well, I was hoping to surprise you all with the news that we are having either a precious little girl or boy but Dr. Spoon is teaching Matt and I some patience and making us wait two more weeks!! Our prenatal appointment this last week was somewhat uneventful, but as they say, no news is good news. We did hear the heartbeat again and it was SO much stronger than our last appointment. He set the Doppler on my slightly protruding belly (see the 1st of many belly pictures to come) and we heard the heartbeat immediately. Loud and fast. The first time we heard the heartbeat Dr. Spoon had to position the Doppler just right to hear the faint beat of the Bump's heart. And of course, it made us grin from ear to ear just to hear the signs that our little one is still progressing wonderfully.
My stomach has just started to round a bit...it does take some getting used to! Suddenly my favorite outfits are being pushed to the back of my closet...and also my favorite shoes!! Aaaahh!!! Y'all know how much I love my shoes. Yes, your feet do grow a bit during pregnancy so, not only does your wardrobe give you a 360 degree muffin top but your feet look like they have been stuffed into those great heels that you really don't want to give up! The greatest thing about that belly though, no matter how much you love those jeans, is that the bigger I get the more of a daily reminder I can see in myself that I have a miracle on the way. Each time you look at yourself in the mirror, there is a daily reminder..."Hi Mom, I'm in here" I just LOVE it!! Matt likes to pat the Bump and tells me daily how wonderful and beautiful I'm looking with my little belly...I love him for that every day :)
The Bump has had a big week this week...the rate of growth just seems to double every week. It is amazing! Our little one is now about 4 and a half inches long..about the size of an avocado...and although the Bump's eyes are closed they are slowly moving around. The heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood per day, circulating the total blood volume through its body a couple times a day. The patterning of the scalp is forming although the hair is not visible yet, we'll see if the Bump gets Matt's double cowlick! I can definitely feel the increase in growth because the ligaments and muscles on the sides and bottom of my tummy ache constantly. It feels like everything is stretching! In the next three weeks the Bump will double in weight and gain many more inches!
Hello Belly...Goodbye Feet!!