Week 21 and 22

~~ Week 21 ~~

Elliot: He is growing like a weed and approximately the size of a carrot. Elliot is busy moving in my uterus, surrounded by amniotic fluid, learning how his arms and legs move, and using his hands to feel its facial features, which we might be able to see on our next ultrasound. During this week Elliot's digestive system is also maturing and growing. His intestines for example are slowly contracting and relaxing this week. He is continuing to practice swallowing small amounts of amniotic fluid to help further mature the digestive system. We were able to see evidence of this at last weeks scan. While viewing on the screen, it showed blackness in his stomach which was the fluid and little amount in his bladder which means that is working perfectly as well. The eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed and the fingernails cover the fingertips.

Mommy & Daddy: A HUGE thanks to my parents who came up this weekend to help us get ready for Elliot! We got so much accomplished!! My mom cleaned our house (yay THANK YOU), she showed me the mock-ups for my baby shower centerpieces and favors, and we went scrapbook shopping where we got loads of cute things!! Chris and my Dad were [VERY] busy with my "honey-do" / "daddy-do" list!! The previous guest bedroom furniture was moved to Sarasota and they picked up Chris' mom's futon that she is giving us for our new office/guest room. Both the nursery and guest room/office are a work in progress but we have definitely made progress!! I've been feeling great and Chris continues to be a great hubby. The Daddy to be continues to make sure I'm eating what I'm supposed to and avoiding things I shouldn't.

Room pictures:

Office: before

Soon-to-be Nursery

~~ Week 22 ~~

Elliot: Elliot is getting bigger and continues to practice for life outside the uterus. The hair on his head is continuing to grow as his brain begins a rapid growth process. Elliot now has fully formed fingerprints and loud noises can wake his up. He may begin kicking and turning around, too. I've felt this a lot this week - still some flutters and tapping and sometimes a weird sensation like when you're on a roller-coaster. For my Sarasota people, it feels like going over that tiny bridge on the way to Siesta Key where you just want to say "weee" every time you go over it! lol

His heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope (might have to try this out??). His nose is taking on a more defined shape as cartilage (the soft bone) appears. Elliot is approximately 12.2 inches and has broken one pound in weight. His pancreas, a key player in hormone production, is developing steadily. His skin is wrinkled at this point, but in the coming weeks, he will be gaining enough weight to fill it out. His eyes have developed, but his irises still lack color. Even though his irises will have color by the time he is born (usually blue), we won't know his permanent eye color until he is at least 9 months old.

Mommy & Daddy: Elliot's nursery furniture is here! They delivered and assembled today - it looks great and we can't wait to paint and decorate!!! Pictures coming soon!!

It's finally setting in that this is real, we're having a baby!! Of course seeing him during ultrasounds, looking at the ultrasound pictures, and feeling his little movements make it feel real but after going in the nursery tonight, I realized that this is Elliot's room and his stuff ... our little boy will be here in 18 weeks or so!!!

Also here is a picture of his nursery decor: