Punkin's body continues to straighten; his/her torso lengthens and his/her posture becomes more upright. Punkin's bones and muscles are growing rapidly, and his/her developing body begins to attain proportions more like a newborn's.
In 1 short week, Punkin has more than doubled his/her weight, to between 1/4 and 1/3 oz.
Ossification centers are established in the skull; those in the long bones continue to develop as Punkin becomes more solid.
The colored portion of the eye (the iris) has begun to develop. The eyelids have met and are temporarily fused shut.
Sometime during the next 3 weeks, the urine that is formed by Punkin's kidneys will be excreted into the amniotic fluid. The urine is sterile and is carried away in the regular replacement of the fluid.
The vagina is beginning to develop in females. The penis is now distinguishable in males.
Even though Punkin's legs are short and the thighs relatively small, the lower limbs are now completely webbed with blood vessels.
Punkin's skin is thickening and becoming less transparent.
It will take another couple days or so for the intestines to complete their migration.
Amy's uterus is now about the size of a small grapefruit. The 3 T of amniotic fluid that bathes Punkin, is renewed every 3 hours.
We got some great news from the doctor right before Christmas! Amy's progesterone levels were up in the "high range"! For now, they've reduced the amount of progesterone given from 200mg to 100mg, but still 2 times a week. Keep those prayers coming that it's in the high range again at our next draw and we'll be done with these shots in no time! We also still need prayers regarding Amy's CRP levels. While they have gone down from 20 to 13, they still need to be below 2. So, keep praying that this number resolves itself. They'll test it again with our next blood draw.
Amy's going to try to see her sister next week to see if we can determine the sex of the baby!!! January 12th is our next Dr appointment for a heart rate and growth check. And February 2nd they'll be testing Amy for Gestational Diabetes. Because they had it with Izzy, they test earlier. Keep praying! We can feel your prayers!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Jumping Bean
Yesterday we had our Dr's appointment. Baby's heart rate looks good and growth seems normal. Baby even did a little jump for us on the ultrasound screen! The Dr assured us, that every time you see a heartbeat and growth, your chances of miscarriage decrease greatly! Thank you all so much for your prayers - it's what gotten us this far and it's what will see us through to the birth of Punkin. We can't thank you enough for your love, support and prayers! xoxo
No longer an embryo, Punkin is now a well-proportioned, small-scale baby who measures about 27 mm long, weighs .04 to .11 oz, and can easily be held in the bowl of a tablespoon!
Punkin's head now makes up more than 1/2 of his/her length. For the time being, Punkin's face is broad, the eyes are widely separated, the lids are closing, and the ears are low-set.
The shoulders are present and have rotated out to place the arms at the sides of the body, with the elbows pointing down toward the hips.
The fingers are separated. The joints of the limbs and hips now resemble adult joints.
The intestines have begun their migration into the body cavity but are still primarily located in the umbilical cord.
Punkin's external genitals are developing but don't yet look distinctly female or male.
The tail has disappeared.
Punkin's legs are now at their proper location and proportional in size for this stage of development. They have now rotated in and are squarely in line with the trunk; the knees point up to the face.
The toes are separated, and the soles of the feet are visible. Toe joints and toenails will be added before birth.
The thin layer of ectoderm that has covered Punkin's body has been replaced by a layer of rather flattened cells, which will become the surface layer of Punkin's skin. Over the next 3 days, fingernails, toenails and hair follicles will appear (these are all specialized parts of the top layer of skin).
Punkin has assumed a more upright posture.
Amy's uterus is about the size of a medium orange or tennis ball. She keeps thinking it's a boy because she's been so emotional this pregnancy. She can literally start crying at nothing at all. Other than that, her mood is good, she's starting to get through the day without needing a nap, her appetite is back and no more nausea/morning sickness! Yay!
No longer an embryo, Punkin is now a well-proportioned, small-scale baby who measures about 27 mm long, weighs .04 to .11 oz, and can easily be held in the bowl of a tablespoon!
Punkin's head now makes up more than 1/2 of his/her length. For the time being, Punkin's face is broad, the eyes are widely separated, the lids are closing, and the ears are low-set.
The shoulders are present and have rotated out to place the arms at the sides of the body, with the elbows pointing down toward the hips.
The fingers are separated. The joints of the limbs and hips now resemble adult joints.
The intestines have begun their migration into the body cavity but are still primarily located in the umbilical cord.
Punkin's external genitals are developing but don't yet look distinctly female or male.
The tail has disappeared.
Punkin's legs are now at their proper location and proportional in size for this stage of development. They have now rotated in and are squarely in line with the trunk; the knees point up to the face.
The toes are separated, and the soles of the feet are visible. Toe joints and toenails will be added before birth.
The thin layer of ectoderm that has covered Punkin's body has been replaced by a layer of rather flattened cells, which will become the surface layer of Punkin's skin. Over the next 3 days, fingernails, toenails and hair follicles will appear (these are all specialized parts of the top layer of skin).
Punkin has assumed a more upright posture.
Amy's uterus is about the size of a medium orange or tennis ball. She keeps thinking it's a boy because she's been so emotional this pregnancy. She can literally start crying at nothing at all. Other than that, her mood is good, she's starting to get through the day without needing a nap, her appetite is back and no more nausea/morning sickness! Yay!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
10 Weeks!
Yesterday was the 10 week mark! Hurray!
Punkin is now .87 to .94 inch long-as wide as the face of an American quarter- and weighs about .033 oz - about as heavy as 1/5 tsp of water! That means Punkin is 4 times as long today as it was just 1 month ago! If we experienced a comparable growth rate, within a month from now we'd have to duck to stand in a room with a 20' ceiling!
The surface of Punkin's brain is now beginning to develop the rounds and fissures characteristic of humans. The head now looks rounded and is disproportionately large, making up almost half of Punkin's length. The tissue that will become the scalp has appeared as a band near the crown of Punkin's head.
Punkin's eyelids have begun to develop and the structure of his/her eyes is now well developed (it's not mature enough to actually see yet, though) and are located on the sides of Punkin's head, much like a rabbit. The retina of the eye is now fully and heavily pigmented.
Punkin's nose is now stubby.
The external ears are now completely developed and assume their final shape, and the ears are set low on Punkin's head. His/Her ears will not stay low-set. They will migrate forward as the head grows in size and shape.
The tongue and upper lip are both fully formed. The bones of the palate are beginning to form on the surface of Punkin's tongue.
The neck region is established.
The elbow region is clearly visible and the arms have a complete network of arteries and veins. Punkin's arms are now elongated and bend at the elbow. The fingers and thumb have lengthened and separated. Primary ossification centers are appearing in the long bones. The ossification process always starts with the upper arms, where the first true bone cells will replace cartilage. The muscles of Punkin's arms and body can already be "moved" by his/her brain.
Punkin's backbone has begun to develop the individual discs that act as cushions between each vertebra. In addition, the sacral vertebrae in back of the pelvis fuse.
Punkin's basic body proportions have begun to change: the trunk is elongated and straightened.
For the time being, most of the intestine is found in the umbilical cord since the abdominal cavity is still too small to accommodate this rapidly growing organ along with the large liver.
Punkin's heartbeat has been beating strongly. The stomach can produce some digestive juices, the liver can manufacture blood cells, and the kidneys can extract some waste products (uric acid) from Punkin's bloodstream.
If Punkin is a girl, the clitoris is beginning to form from the same tissue from which the male penis develops. If Punkin is a boy, over the next 2 days, the male scrotum will begin to form.
Punkin's tail is still visible, but stubby, and disappears by the end of this week.
The toes are no longer webbed and appear longer. For the first time, Punkin's limbs are capable of purposeful movement.
Between 1 and 2.5 tsp of amniotic fluid is now present in Amy's uterus and the amniotic sac is about the size of a chicken egg. Even though Punkin is surrounded by fluid, it doesn't drown because it doesn't depend on its lungs for air. Oxygen comes to Punkin through the umbilical cord blood.
Amy's been feeling pretty good. Still needing naps and heartburn/reflux has started to act up again. She's gained 2 lbs so far (but that's probably due to the cruise we just got home from!) She's starting to have a small baby bump and her jeans are all officially no longer fitting. Hello, maternity jeans (anyone have any cute ones that they want to borrow to me???) Nausea has started to subside, so let's hope that's the end of it! Appetite is good, but Amy gets full very fast... probably why she hasn't gained much weight yet.
Tomorrow is our first OB appointment as well as our next blood draw to check progesterone levels and crp levels. Please say some prayers that the appointment proves that everything is going perfectly, that the progesterone level is in the "high" range and that the crp level is below 2. Thanks!
Punkin is now .87 to .94 inch long-as wide as the face of an American quarter- and weighs about .033 oz - about as heavy as 1/5 tsp of water! That means Punkin is 4 times as long today as it was just 1 month ago! If we experienced a comparable growth rate, within a month from now we'd have to duck to stand in a room with a 20' ceiling!
The surface of Punkin's brain is now beginning to develop the rounds and fissures characteristic of humans. The head now looks rounded and is disproportionately large, making up almost half of Punkin's length. The tissue that will become the scalp has appeared as a band near the crown of Punkin's head.
Punkin's eyelids have begun to develop and the structure of his/her eyes is now well developed (it's not mature enough to actually see yet, though) and are located on the sides of Punkin's head, much like a rabbit. The retina of the eye is now fully and heavily pigmented.
Punkin's nose is now stubby.
The external ears are now completely developed and assume their final shape, and the ears are set low on Punkin's head. His/Her ears will not stay low-set. They will migrate forward as the head grows in size and shape.
The tongue and upper lip are both fully formed. The bones of the palate are beginning to form on the surface of Punkin's tongue.
The neck region is established.
The elbow region is clearly visible and the arms have a complete network of arteries and veins. Punkin's arms are now elongated and bend at the elbow. The fingers and thumb have lengthened and separated. Primary ossification centers are appearing in the long bones. The ossification process always starts with the upper arms, where the first true bone cells will replace cartilage. The muscles of Punkin's arms and body can already be "moved" by his/her brain.
Punkin's backbone has begun to develop the individual discs that act as cushions between each vertebra. In addition, the sacral vertebrae in back of the pelvis fuse.
Punkin's basic body proportions have begun to change: the trunk is elongated and straightened.
For the time being, most of the intestine is found in the umbilical cord since the abdominal cavity is still too small to accommodate this rapidly growing organ along with the large liver.
Punkin's heartbeat has been beating strongly. The stomach can produce some digestive juices, the liver can manufacture blood cells, and the kidneys can extract some waste products (uric acid) from Punkin's bloodstream.
If Punkin is a girl, the clitoris is beginning to form from the same tissue from which the male penis develops. If Punkin is a boy, over the next 2 days, the male scrotum will begin to form.
Punkin's tail is still visible, but stubby, and disappears by the end of this week.
The toes are no longer webbed and appear longer. For the first time, Punkin's limbs are capable of purposeful movement.
Between 1 and 2.5 tsp of amniotic fluid is now present in Amy's uterus and the amniotic sac is about the size of a chicken egg. Even though Punkin is surrounded by fluid, it doesn't drown because it doesn't depend on its lungs for air. Oxygen comes to Punkin through the umbilical cord blood.
Amy's been feeling pretty good. Still needing naps and heartburn/reflux has started to act up again. She's gained 2 lbs so far (but that's probably due to the cruise we just got home from!) She's starting to have a small baby bump and her jeans are all officially no longer fitting. Hello, maternity jeans (anyone have any cute ones that they want to borrow to me???) Nausea has started to subside, so let's hope that's the end of it! Appetite is good, but Amy gets full very fast... probably why she hasn't gained much weight yet.
Tomorrow is our first OB appointment as well as our next blood draw to check progesterone levels and crp levels. Please say some prayers that the appointment proves that everything is going perfectly, that the progesterone level is in the "high" range and that the crp level is below 2. Thanks!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Praise & Prayer
Punkin's lower limb paddles have developed foot plates. The hand plates are developing ridges indicating where Punkin's fingers and thumbs will be. As the process of forming the digital ridges continues, our baby's hands will look like the shell of a scallop. Baby's critical period for arm development has ended. The arms are now at their proper location and proportional size for this stage of development. The elbows will become visible in the next 2 days. By now Punkin's trunk & limbs will begin to make spontaneous movements, as the connection improves between his/her brain and his/her tiny muscles and nerves.
Indentations are present where Punkin's knees and ankles will eventually develop. Over the next 2 days, the toe rays will appear.
Pigment is present in the retina of Punkin's eyes (eye color won't be established until after birth). His/Her eyelids are also forming.
On each side of his/her head, there are small swellings, which will become the auditory canal and the grooves of the outer ear. Semicircular canals that sense balance and body position are beginning to form in Punkin's inner ear.
Punkin's palate continues to develop.
The jaw and facial muscles are beginning to form, but the eye muscles have completed their development.
The baby teeth (or first teeth) are developing beneath Punkin's gums.
Punkin's heart is beginning to mature its 4 chambers. Within the heart, the trunk of the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that sends blood to the lungs to gather oxygen) separates from the trunk of the aorta.
The neck and trunk have have begun to straighten. Remember prior to this, Punkin has been shaped like a "C".
Punkin now measures nearly 2/3" long. It might be tight, but 2 babies the size of Punkin could play in the cap of a liter-size plastic bottle.
Punkin's kidneys are beginning to produce urine as they start their ascent to their final position near the small of the back.
The gonads are forming in the pelvis and, over the next week or so, will become either testes or ovaries depending on the sex of our child. By today or tomorrow, Punkin's nipples will become visible.
Punkin now displays a reflex response to touch-if an object touches the baby's head, he/she will turn away.
The tissue that will form the brain hemisphere is prominent. Yesterday marks the day when the earliest recordable brain waves will occur.
Amy's skin has been breaking out ever since she found out she was pregnant. This is due to an increased secretion of oils and to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. She has also been very nauseous and most night's only eats tomato soup for dinner with oyster crackers. She's still been moody and her energy has decreased... not being able to make it thru the day without a nap.
PRAISE: Amy's progesterone levels have raised to mid-level, which is great! We need to see the levels 2 times in the "high-level" before we can stop the progesterone shots, though.
PRAYER: Amy underwent a test called a High Sensitivity CRP test. The nurse told Amy that levels should be under 2, while Amy's was 20. A high level suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation, which can cause complications in pregnancy such as preeclampsia. However, the nurse said the slightest thing, such as a cold, can throw the levels off, which Amy had when she had the test done. So, we are going to wait another 2 weeks before having the test done again. We are asking for prayer and for others to believe with us, that the cold threw the test off and that there will be NO COMPLICATIONS! Thank you! We are truly blessed by all of your prayers and dedication to our family. xoxo
Indentations are present where Punkin's knees and ankles will eventually develop. Over the next 2 days, the toe rays will appear.
Pigment is present in the retina of Punkin's eyes (eye color won't be established until after birth). His/Her eyelids are also forming.
On each side of his/her head, there are small swellings, which will become the auditory canal and the grooves of the outer ear. Semicircular canals that sense balance and body position are beginning to form in Punkin's inner ear.
Punkin's palate continues to develop.
The jaw and facial muscles are beginning to form, but the eye muscles have completed their development.
The baby teeth (or first teeth) are developing beneath Punkin's gums.
Punkin's heart is beginning to mature its 4 chambers. Within the heart, the trunk of the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that sends blood to the lungs to gather oxygen) separates from the trunk of the aorta.
The neck and trunk have have begun to straighten. Remember prior to this, Punkin has been shaped like a "C".
Punkin now measures nearly 2/3" long. It might be tight, but 2 babies the size of Punkin could play in the cap of a liter-size plastic bottle.
Punkin's kidneys are beginning to produce urine as they start their ascent to their final position near the small of the back.
The gonads are forming in the pelvis and, over the next week or so, will become either testes or ovaries depending on the sex of our child. By today or tomorrow, Punkin's nipples will become visible.
Punkin now displays a reflex response to touch-if an object touches the baby's head, he/she will turn away.
The tissue that will form the brain hemisphere is prominent. Yesterday marks the day when the earliest recordable brain waves will occur.
Amy's skin has been breaking out ever since she found out she was pregnant. This is due to an increased secretion of oils and to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. She has also been very nauseous and most night's only eats tomato soup for dinner with oyster crackers. She's still been moody and her energy has decreased... not being able to make it thru the day without a nap.
PRAISE: Amy's progesterone levels have raised to mid-level, which is great! We need to see the levels 2 times in the "high-level" before we can stop the progesterone shots, though.
PRAYER: Amy underwent a test called a High Sensitivity CRP test. The nurse told Amy that levels should be under 2, while Amy's was 20. A high level suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation, which can cause complications in pregnancy such as preeclampsia. However, the nurse said the slightest thing, such as a cold, can throw the levels off, which Amy had when she had the test done. So, we are going to wait another 2 weeks before having the test done again. We are asking for prayer and for others to believe with us, that the cold threw the test off and that there will be NO COMPLICATIONS! Thank you! We are truly blessed by all of your prayers and dedication to our family. xoxo
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Blueberry
 |
| Punkin's heartbeat... 139 beat per minute |
 |
| Izzy holding a blueberry to represent the size of her sister/brother |
The yolk sac that developed early in the first month is now nonfunctional and will diminish in size. It remains a tiny lump of useless tissue until birth, when it is expelled as part of the afterbirth.
 |
| CRL stands for "Crown to Rump Length" of Punkin |
Swellings are developing where the external ears will eventually be. Punkin's upper lip is beginning to form. His/Her intestines are beginning to form with the umbilical cord. There is a shortage of space within Punkin's gut and it's due to the massive liver and 2 sets of kidneys. The cells that will produce Punkin's eggs or sperm actually form in the yolk sace and then migrate to the pelvis in a day or two.
Amy has been having more headaches and her pants are starting to fit a bit tighter, though she's only gained 1 lb so far.
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