Week 17!

The Baby:

Responding to loud noises! Our baby is approximately 5 inches long (crown to rump) and weighs just less than 5 ounces. He or she should weigh more than the placenta from this point on. Since our baby's hearing has become more finely tuned, he or she may respond to loud noises and you may feel movement at the sound of large trucks passing or a slamming door. Epidermal (skin) and fatty tissue are developing all over our baby's body to protect it after it is born and a substance called vernix is beginning to form on the skin tissue to protect it from the long exposure to amniotic fluid. Our baby is roughly the size of a large pear. And she's ripening--the brain, muscles, nervous and circulatory systems, and urinary tract are all functioning. Amniotic fluid is pumping through her lungs. Her skeleton, composed of rubbery cartilage, will harden later.

Mommy and Daddy:

Going crazy wondering what it is going to be, boy or girl. Our appointment is tomorrow, Tuesday the 16th! I couldn't sleep last night for more than an hour at a time. I just can't wait to find out what it will be. Rudy is already spoiling the baby. He brought home clothes for the baby the other night that are so cute.