18 Weeks on 3-6-13

How Far Along: 18 weeks, 0 days

How Big is Baby: What to Expect When Expecting: "Your pregnancy back pain may have you tied up in knots (see below), but your baby's getting ready to bust a move. At five and a half inches long and five ounces in weight, he now may be large enough for you to feel him twisting, rolling, kicking, and punching his way around the womb. Plus, he's developing yawning and hiccupping skills (you may feel those soon, too!) and his own unique set of toe and fingerprints. Learn more about your baby in week 18 and the fetal nervous system. At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner). And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please…): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!).  In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the fetal movement your baby's doing — twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!

Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time.  Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup  — a skill that your baby has by now)."

Weight Gain/Loss: +11lbs

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity jeans and my new work pants should be in any day now. My belly is starting to push out now! I need the ones that go over the entire belly. I didn't want those at first but the elastic band on my jeans doesn't feel good when I sit down. 

Stretch Marks: I THINK some of my old ones are turning red again. 

Sleep: I have been having weird dreams lately and I still toss and turn a bit. I'm staying on my left side or ending up on my back. 

Best Moment of the Week: 

Movement: I'm still having very few and far in between moments of feeling baby very quickly. It's usually a quick poke or a quiver that I feel.

Symptoms: I have sore back, some mild pressure, round ligament pain, sore breasts, and an appetite of a trucker, growing belly.

Food Cravings: Cottage cheese, fruits, A&W Diet root beer, DQ blizzards

Gender: I still think it's a boy and Daddy still thinks girl. I'm starting to wonder if Daddy is right! We'll know on March 25th!

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: I basically only feel sick when I'm hungry. If I don't eat right away, I throw up or feel sick to my belly.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button In or Out? In

Wedding Rings On or Off? On

Mood: Happy, Excited, Anxious, Impatient

Looking Forward To: I'm eager for my OB appointment on the 11th. I want to hear Baby Shehorn's heart beat again with the OB. I REALLY can't wait until our anatomy scan! We'll get to see our little boy or girl again! We're getting closer and closer baby!
Picture of Mommy-to-Be: