Half way! - 20 weeks

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana.

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

**We're still anxiously awaiting the baby kicks. The books say it'll happen between week 18-22. My doctor said first time moms usually feel them late - between 21-22 weeks.**

Pantalones!

Last week I spent the most I’ve ever spent on jeans - and they’re jeans I’ll wear for less than half a year. I spent $52 on the pants. I cringe at spending more than $20 on jeans - but they’re maternity and I didn’t have much of a choice - check out that tummy!

After hauling them to the dressing room and dreading putting them on, I was surprised at how comfy they were.

Now, after wearing them for a few days, they’re easily becoming my favorite pants. Ever.

Sure, the tummy cover takes a little getting used to when you’re used to low-rise jeans, but seriously... These things are amazing and I can only assume they’ll get better as I get bigger.

19 weeks!

Daddy's little hockey fan (cough*player*cough).

Baby's the size of a mango or heirloom tomato.

I can’t believe it’s been almost 5 months.

Today, I visited one of New Richmond’s three elementary schools for a story I’m working on. Here’s what happened when I visited a first grade classroom:

Little girl: You have kind of a really big belly.
Teacher: EVA!! That’s not nice.
Me: That’s because I’m growing a baby in there.
Teacher: Oh, thank God.
Eva: Really?
Me: Yep. Have you ever seen a mango or a big tomato?
Eva: Yes, my mom has tomatoes in her garden... but not right now because it’s too cold.
Me: That’s how big my baby is right now. He has to keep growing until he’s as big as a pumpkin before he can be born.
Eva: Cooooooooool!!

Then she ran away to tell her friends. I guess I’m starting to look pregnant, huh?

It's a boy!!

I guess the Chinese gender chart was right. It's a boy! Below are some pictures from today's ultrasound. He is healthy and measuring right on the money. Based on the measurements, the technician said his due date is June 14, instead of June 16. Pretty close if you ask me. In reality, the baby will come when he wants to!

Baby's face


Baby's profile with the hand by the face.


Skull - looking down on baby.

Posting comments

For those of you who have been whining about having to post your comments as "Anonymous" (cough*Kathy*cough). You don't. When you leave a comment, under the "Comment as" section, pick "Name/URL." You'll then be able to put in your name.

Hope that helps! Happy Friday!

5.5 inches, 7 oz. - a bell pepper

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper)and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

www.thebump.com claims baby is the size of a sweet potato. Either way... it's getting crowded in there. S/he started as a poppy seed!

17 weeks

Today was my first day wearing a maternity shirt. I mean the first REAL day. I'm not going to lie, I have maternity clothes in my regular wardrobe. I'm sorry but that pumpkin orange shirt I saw at Target a couple years ago was just too cute to pass up. Besides, loose fitting shirts are in style. That's why I'm in luck. I have a feeling most of my shirts will last me through my pregnancy. It's the pants that are already becoming a problem.

This cute green shirt, which is hard to see since I'm lifting it up and sideways was bought yesterday. It fits alright now and should last me through the pregnancy. I even got to put a sweet pregnancy pillow on to try it out. Haha.

It's amazing to see these pictures. I think I do a pretty good job of hiding the bump during the day. We'll see how well I do in a couple weeks.

T-minus 9 days till we find out the sex of the baby! Woot woot!

All signs point to a boy

In two weeks I'll be finding out whether Baby Grumish is a he or a she, but after exchanging e-mails with a friend from South Dakota I decided to try out the "string test." I had never heard of such a thing, but it goes a little something like this:

String and Ring Test: This "test" can predict whether you will have a boy or a girl. Tie your wedding band or other ring on to a piece of string. Hold this string so that the ring hangs down in front of your belly. Gently swing the string: if the ring moves in a circular pattern, you are having a boy; if it moves in a straight line, you are having a girl.

Needless to say, my ring moved in a circular pattern. Emily says her family swears by the string test - so much so that they won't believe the doctors. I think I'll wait to see what my ultrasound shows. It's hard to argue with 3D pictures. Only two more weeks!

5 inches, 5 oz. - a turnip

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now, and she's around 5 inches long (about the size of a turnip) from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

This week might also mark the first time you feel baby move inside you, but don't worry if it's another two months before you notice anything. (Or realize that this time, it's actually not gas.)