Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Twelve Weeks and Thumb Sucking....

So...even though baby turned 12 weeks on Monday, I waited until today to do the weekly update since today was her/his visit with her/his favorite perinatologist. We made Red Velvet Cupcakes (I WISH I could remember who suggested that!!!) and they were a big hit--not real cream cheese frosting because baby and I don't necessarily love the smell of that, but they were a hit nonetheless. I'm making fudge (another recipe sent to me and I can't remember from whom) for Dr. Shonekan next week and then the following week, Dr. Sweeney's office will get Oreo Truffles (I got two recipes for those from Tessa and Jennifer and I may have to make double batches because those sound delicious to ME!) I love the recipes! I told Dr. Sweeney there's a que of recipes waiting to be made for all the appointments and I really love it!

Anyway...in addition to the cupcakes, the appointment went fabulously! Today was the neuchal translucency/1st trimester screening and all looked good. The neuchal fold measured lovely and there were no soft markers seen for anything chromosomal so far. It was very hard to get a look at the nasal bone because baby is a THUMB SUCKER!!!! Big time. Like, kept her/his thumb in mouth for a good long while and made it hard to see the bones in the nose because her/his hand was blocking! I had a dream last night that Dr. Sweeney told me my cervix was shortening and when I told him that, he laughed and told me everything looked great and I didn't have to worry about that.

Baby was even measuring 2 days ahead! We laughed at that, since Matthew was always such a little (but LONG!) peanut! Heartbeat was good and strong (when baby was still enough to catch it) a nice 162! Two kidneys, in the right places, as well as stomach and bladder in appropriate placement as well. All in all...great check-up.

He also took an educated guess on gender and guessed GIRL. I've been feeling girl, but haven't been sure...the sono tech also said she thought it was a girl too but was waiting to see what Dr. Sweeney said. In honesty, to me, it looked like a little pee-pee but he said that even though at this stage there are a lot of similarities, there are also some anatomical differences and he thought he was seeing them. Baby was in a great position for checking, so that was helpful!

So....our trip-to-Annapolis baby items were two little girl outfits. We'll keep the receipt until our next appointment (July 19) when he's pretty sure we'll know for sure.

Baby was jumping all over the place!!! I loved that Matthew was such a mover and a shaker and I pray every day this little one is too. So far, she/he is! It could have been the chocolate shake I had before, but...I think it's a wiggler too. She/he gets it honest....

I haven't gained any more weight, and waver between losing another pound, but still not worried. I'm showing a good bit more and baby is doing super, so I'm sure the weight will be coming soon.

Still a lot of trepidation about whether or not we'll be bringing this little one home, but I really feel more and more that all will be well. Every day seems to bring me a little more confidence than the day before and I am really thankful for that. "This one she will keep" just resonates with me so strongly and reminds me that God does not lie.

Here are some shots from little one today. On some of the 3D ones, it looks like we are having a little elf...pointy ears and a pointy nose. In reality, it's just the ultrasound blur/imaging, but it sure is funny!


IT'S A GIRL?



ARROW POINTING TO GIRLY BITS


OUR LITTLE ELF....



(Rotated a bit) LESS ELFISH



Baby's little thumb going for mouth!
I love this profile shot because it reminds me SO much of my mom!!!! I wish there were more pictures of my mom's family when they were babies/children (they were dirt poor; there aren't many!) and I know it's hard for John to see it because he doesn't have that familiarity either, but Matthew was SUCH a little Gosnell (my mother's family) baby...same chin, sort of little pout--definitely so much like my mom and I often said it with the 3D pictures we'd get. Looking at his NILMDTS pictures, I am just always so amazed at how much I see my mom and her brothers in him. With this little one, I see it again...the chin and the little mouth. Can't wait until next time--maybe we'll get a little closer up in the face 3D and will be able to make even more out!!!


Here's what's going on in week 12:

Week Twelve: Fingernails and toenails appear


You are 12 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 10 weeks)
  • The fetus is now about 2.5 inches (6cm) length and weighs about 0.7 ounce (20 g).
  • The feet are almost half an inch (1cm) long.
  • The fetus starts moving spontaneously.
  • The face is beginning to look like a baby's face.
  • The pancreas is functioning and producing insulin.
  • Fingernails and toenails appear.
  • The baby can suck his thumb, and get hiccups.
12 weeksFrom this week you may well be able to hear the baby's heart beat through a doppler monitor on your tummy. You will notice that the rate is up to 160 a minute, double that of a normal adult.

Your baby now has a chin and a nose and a facial profile. Vocal chords are complete, and the baby can and does sometimes cry silently. The brain is fully formed, and the baby can also feel pain. The fetus may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers. The hair is on the head and the fingers and toes have developed soft nails. The kidneys are developed and begin to secrete urine.

Your baby weighs between 0.5 and 0.7 ounce (14 to 20g), and crown-to-rump length is almost 2.5 inches (63mm). Your baby's size has almost doubled in the past 3 weeks.

33 comments:

  1. Ha! Love those pictures! Every day I pray for you and my confidence all goes your way too. I'm SO happy the appointment went so well. I remember thinking at Jonah's ultrasound (around this same time) "wow! That's one long baby!" And she came out almost 22 inches. Then, with Jillian, at the same week ultrasound, I said "wow! That cord is sooo long!" And she came out with the cord wrapped twice around her and still a ton left afterwards. They are so cool to see and give you so much peace. Thanks for sharing all of this with us!

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  2. Glad it was a good appt. Baby is so cute in those pics!

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  3. Wonderful pictures!!!! I need to see your peri, because those are WAY better than the ones I had at 12 weeks. I'm very excited for you!!! :)

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  4. that's the cutest elf i've ever seen!!!!

    "this one.... she will keep" (((hugs)))

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  5. Those are GREAT pics of your sweet baby:) I am voting girl!!

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  6. Sounds like a good day! I love seeing the pictures!

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  7. LORI!!!! I heart the 3d pics of the baby at 12 weeks!!! I am not good at the "girlie" parts...but when I was pregnant I taught myself (good old google) to look for 3 slashes with a girl 2 with a boy..but this picture has NO slashes...so Im assuming the parts I see are ehem..lady parts!! what a blessing....really!!! so so so cute!!

    thank you for your continued support!! it was a scary result i was NOT hoping to get, so now i deal with it!!

    these pics are awesome!!

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  8. I am so glad you had a great day! Your pictures are adorable! Praying for you and little Miss Miney!

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  9. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and gave me warm fuzzies. A nice image before heading off to bed!!
    So glad your appt went well!!

    Your treats sound AMAZING!! OK...so, can you post your recipe for your Red Velvet cupcakes?!!
    I would like to take some treats to our amazing NICU team that cared so amazingly of our sweet Zac his 3 days there, and Evan's 66 days!! And I want to take something extra yummy! The Red Velvet sounds perfect!!

    Praying for you all! :)

    Hugs!

    Heather (heathershope - HP)

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  11. Those pictures make me want to break out Isaiah's pictures and oohh and awwwe over them but they are still packed away; so I will continue to oohh and awwe over sweet Miney's :-)

    "This one she will keep"

    "This one she will bring home"

    And you are so right,
    God can not lie.

    I am still holding you and John daily in my heart and prayers...

    Matthew is going to have a little sister that is so cool!

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  12. Oh gosh Lori, I'm getting so excited for you!!! I loved see her :) pictures. I'm guessing girl too!! Can't wait till you know for sure:)

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  13. Oh Lori I am so so excited and happy for you!!!!! Your treats for the doctors sound AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I am thinking of moving.... hehe.
    The ultrasound pictures are just wonderful. It is always such a blessing when you get to see your little miracle up on screen isn't it. Thank you for posting this today, It has made me smile on a very difficult day. Xxxx

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  14. Sounds like such a great appointment!! I love the pictures. Your office must love you for all the tasty treats you are bringing them :)

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  15. She looks beautiful!! It is wonderful to hear you sound so happy.

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  16. Beautiful pics! You saw kidneys? All we saw at my 12 week 4 day u/s was a stomach. I hope that we see them next time. Please, please, please!!!!

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  17. What a beautiful baby GIRL ;) Lots of prayers your way.

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  18. Yay! So happy for a great appointment. That ultrasound looks like my daughter did, with the girl bits...I'm just sayin'.
    xoxo
    Lauren

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  19. I'm also going with girl, comparing Miney's picture to my daughter's from a few weeks' further along. Poor kids; they've lost any chance at modesty before they're even born thanks to overly eager parents! Miney is sure to be beautiful if (s)he's already resembling his/her big brother. I'm happy you already see that connection between them. So glad your confidence level is inching up a little every day.

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  20. Great appt!! Don't you love those!

    I totally understand seeing others in the ultrasound pic. My son looked just like the boy twin we lost. I mean exactly!

    p.s. Oreo Truffles are AWESOME!

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  21. I am so happy that your appointment went well ! That is such great news. I love the pictures and if it were me I would say a girl too. You can see the cream filled cookie perfectly!! You know if you keep taking them goodies they will make sure to give you great appointments!!!

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  22. I want to be your nurse!!! Then again, maybe not--I'd end up gaining 50lbs by the time you deliver!
    Baby is beautiful!
    All this baby talk almost makes me want another, almost!
    So happy for you and as always, you all are in my prayers.

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  23. I'm grateful for a positive visit! The pictures are wonderful! I'm jealous I didn't have that years ago:).
    Rich would love the recipe for Red Velvet....he loves it!
    I still have some Oreo Truffles on the freezer from Christmas...I dipped in an assortment...dark choc, milk and white. Guess which ones are my favorite?

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  24. I LOVE these wonderful update stories! I am so happy for you and I'm constantly keeping you and little thumb sucker in prayer :)

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  25. Lori, the pictures are beautiful!! We pray for you, baby, and John every night. : )

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  26. Also...I had to smile. My sweet babies were thumbsuckers too!

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  27. This is beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. (((hugs)))
    You stopped by my blog and said you weren't sure how you got there. Haha. But thank you for stopping by and adding your prayers.
    I think you may have found me via Grieve Out Loud (we're both on The Team), or maybe Hannah's Prayer. But I don't usually link to my blog, so you might have just coincidentally found me. :)
    Anyway, your good news is beautiful. God bless you and that little one.

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  28. hi, guys! so glad all looked good at your last visit and praying things still are doing ok -- worried no post since this one and my thoughts and heart are reaching out and hugging you - Amy

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  29. Awww Beautiful baby!!!! I love his/her chin!!!

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  30. Playing a little catch up with you since I've been away for like over a week! Crazy how busy you can get or at least seem to get. lol But naps trump computer time right now!

    Glad everything is looking good!

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