18 weeks!

We complete 18 weeks today, which is about 4 months and a week, for those who are pregnancy challenged (13 weeks = 3 months) and so far, so good! We had an ultrasound on Friday the 4th and my cervix was 4.2 cm (sounds like under 3.5 means bedrest) and even better news, it looked like the placenta had already started to move! Our next appointment is on the 29th and after that it will be every other week.

Although I've been able to feel the little guy on and off for a few weeks, I've really noticed his movements the last two days. Last night it felt like he was doing a kick boxing class...when I was trying to go to sleep, of course. Henry was always relatively calm at night, but this little one might not follow that pattern. He's also been pretty active today!

During the past week, he was about 5.5 inches from head to rump and 5.5 ounces...about the size of a gerber daisy! According to AmericanBaby.com his brain is growing rapidly. By this stage, all of the major areas have been differentiated. The cortical layers, which govern specific brain functions, are beginning to form. The baby may exhibit signs of a primitive body language in utero, such as recoiling when the needle for the amniocentesis comes too close for comfort. Within the next few weeks, he'll be able to hear voices outside the womb and respond positively to music or loving words.