Week 12

Well, this is the begining of week 12 of the pregnacy. Laura and "baby Smith" are both doing good. Laura is still getting some sickness but it seems to be getting somewhat

Our baby's crown-to-rump length is almost 2.5 inches and they now weighs between 8 and 14 grams! In just three weeks, our baby's size has more than doubled and begins to look a lot more human. Even though Laura won't be able to feel our baby moving at this time, he will squint, open his mouth and move his fingers or toes.

Because most of the structures are already formed at this point, few will be formed after this time. The structures will continue to grow and develop throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. Our baby's skeletal system now has centers if bone formation in most of the bones. The digestive system is capable of making contractions that push food through the bowels and it is also able to absorb sugar. The pituitary gland beginning to make hormones.

Our baby develops reflexes and the skin is very sensitive. The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. the baby may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

We only have 28 weeks until our beautiful bundle of joy arrives into this world!! :)

Ultrasound Picture

Well, I was so glad that today finally came. We had our first ultrasound of our baby. I was feeling a little nervous leading up to it just because I wanted to make sure that everything was going okay so far, baby healthy, Laura healthy, etc. The doctor said the baby's heartbeat was 162 beats per minute, and it is a little over an inch long. The official due date is now October 12th. I knew that we were going to be parents before today, but seeing the little person in Laura's belly moving during the ultrasound, seeing the heartbeat made it oh so real. It's so amazing that God allows us to be part of the process of bringing new life into this world. My life has changed so much in past two years. I met and married my best friend. She is so amazing, wonderful, caring, loving, beautiful. Everything I could ever have dreamed of in a woman. And I know she will be a great mother. I am now part of two great families. And now, I am going to be a dad and help raise a child. I am feeling so many feelings right now...excitement, happiness, nervous, anxious to meet our little bundle of joy. Until next time...

Week 10

Although it's barely the size of a kumquat -- a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom -- and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, our baby now has completed the most critical portion of its development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. If we could take a peek inside the womb, we'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

We have our first ultrasound on Monday March 22nd at 1:30 in the afternoon. I am so excited to get the first glimpse of our beautiful baby...well, we won't find out for a while if its a boy or girl, but either way, it is going to be a bundle of joy that will change my life completely!

First Doctors Visit

Today we had our first doctors visit. It felt good to finally get that ball rolling, even though they didn't really do much today. Just paperwork type stuff and some blood work on Laura. They are going to do an ultrasound on our next visit, March 22nd. They didn't really tell us anything new today. They said she is about 9 weeks along and the projected due date is October 12th. They will know more next time. Well, until next time...

Baby @ week 9

Our new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. It's starting to look more and more human. Their essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Our baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do their tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Their organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Their eyes are fully formed, but their eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. They have tiny earlobes, and their mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, it's poised for rapid weight gain.

Laura @ Week 9

I can't believe its been about a week since I last posted. Trust me we are both still very excited. Laura's not as exhausted as she had been, but she is still feeling it. She went shopping for maternity clothes this past weekend. And she looks cute(see the picture above). We know we have alot of changes in our future, but we are trusting God to take care of everything and lead us in the right direction. I love my wife so much. She is going to be a great mother.

Picture of baby @ 8 weeks

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from our baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs.In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.

Baby - Week 8

This is week number 8 and this week our baby is the size raspberry (picture to be posted later). Laura is feeling okay, but still somewhat exhausted and nauseous. She is still at Parkside, but hopefully we will have her out of there soon. It is not a safe place for her and the baby to be everyday. So keep her in your prayers as she searches for another job. Not much more new news other than that. I'll keep ya posted!