Week 12: 4 Legs, 4 Arms

12 weeks:
Right now our babies are 6cm long, about the size of a lime. Their reflexes are functioning and their digestive tracts are active. While their brains are still growing, the components now have the same structure they'll have at birth. Their eyes have moved closer together and the ears are right where they should be. Their fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl and their mouths will make sucking movements. If I press on my belly (like our scan this morning) they will squirm, but it's too early for me to feel it.

We had our NT scan this morning. It was so incredible to see those lil' guys (or girls) moving around. They were so active until we needed them to move, then they just laid there! Everything looks great. They are on schedule for 12 weeks (which is today). Their heartbeats are strong. They measured the fluid in their necks for Downs and the numbers look great! We got a few pictures, no video this time. We'll be sure to get video at our 18w scan.

From some angles you could see the tiny bones in their hands, their ears and their spinal cords. It's just completely surreal to think those little lives are in my belly! We're so happy and relieved that everything looks great so far. Here are some pictures from today:

Yay! Babymoon

After much time trying to decide just where to go, we've booked 3 nights in Montreal! We'll be driving to Niagara Falls, staying the night and then taking a train to Montreal. I found a great B&B in Montreal. We'll be starting our little moon Sunday, July 6th. I really wanted to get away before the babies come and well before I'm too big to enjoy myself :)

11 weeks!

Our lil' ones are now each about 1-1/2 inches from head to bottom and weigh about 1/4 ounce each. They are each about the size of a fig, with their heads still about 1/2 of the total body size. They finally look like little babies with fully formed fingers and toes. They are kicking and stretching and the movements will become more frequent in the coming weeks. They also may have hiccups from their diaphragm that is now forming.

I'm still feeling sick, and I'm anxiously awaiting the day I wake up and feel great! On the days I feel a little better, I'm trying to walk on the elliptical machine. I'm also doing prenatal yoga once a week, which I love! Hopefully soon, I can start eating more veggies. That is one thing the kiddos really don't like right now.

Heard the heartbeats again today!

I had a tiny, tiny bit of blood this morning, so the doctor had me come in for a check-up. Everything looks great! I could hear their heartbeats with the doppler. It took a little longer to find the second one, but she found it. 160bpm and 150bpm. Perfect! There is a slight possibility that the blood is from a low lying placenta. We'll know that after our ultrasound next Tuesday. If that's the case, they basically just watch you and hope that it raises as your body makes more room for it.

She also told me today that is completely our decision if we want a vaginal vs. c-section. She said of course, even if we start off with a plan to do vaginal, that can change at any moment. I think I want to plan for vaginal. From what I hear, c-section recovery is hard!

It'll be a suprise

For now, our decision is to NOT find out the sexes of our lil' walnuts. We'd like something in this long journey to be a surprise. Sure, we may change our minds, but for now that's the decision! In the end, we'll get more practical gifts and I will be less tempted to buy cute little outfits way before it's time!

No solid ideas for a nursery theme yet although I've seen some cute baby safari bedding we like. I'd love something ultra contemporary without the $$$ :)

I'll feel better about planning the nursery in a few weeks after we see our babies again for our first trimester ultrasound and screening.

10 weeks!

Our babies are barely the size of a kumquat or a large walnut– a little over an inch or so long and each weigh less than a quarter of an ounce. They are now beginning the fetal period when the tissues and organs grow rapidly. They are now starting to kick and swallow, though I won't feel the kicks for quite some time. The kidneys, intestines, brain and liver are now starting to function.

Their tiny nails are forming and hair is beginning to grow on their skin. In the coming weeks they will double in size.

I'm now wearing maternity jeans! I'm still on a quest for long ones, so I'm off to the gap tonight in hopes that they have some.