Week 21

The Babe:
At this point the babe looks like a mini-version of what they will look like upon birth. All the facial features are formed and hair is growing...well we all know this babe will be bald and beautiful just like their older sister! The babe's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. The fetal bone marrow has started making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.

The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning our little bean now serves another purpose: Your babe uses it to "practice" chowing down. The babe has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that they can absorb small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.

The babe now weighs between 12 and 13 ounces and is approximately 10.5 inches long—about the size of a banana.

Me:
Coming back to work after spring break is always hard. I am having a rough go of getting back into the swing of things with all the nice weather outside and the week long break to remind me of how much I love summer break!

Ben:
He is still suffering from sprin break withdrawl as well!

Mary Alice:
Made the move this week to the big girl carseat and she is owning every bit of it. She sits there with both arms on the arm rests like it is her throne and she monitors everything that is going on in the front seat, out the windsheild, and outside of her window...she is all over this. I almost have a hard time watching her...she looks so grown up!!