Another week has flown by! Only 2 more to go until viability!! I can now feel Emma daily :) She tends to make herself known when I first wake up and when I'm trying to fall asleep. Her kicks are getting stronger too! I'm hoping to begin painting Emma's room next week once we transition Reese to the bigger room. I have found one idea for painting but not sure if I can pull it off. I have an OB appointment this Thursday to check on Emma :)
22 Weeks (Emma is the size of a papaya):
Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 7.6 inches and your growing baby weighs about 12.25 ounces now!
Your baby's body continues to grow and develop every day. The organ systems in your baby's body are becoming specialized for their particular functions. The fetal liver produces different enzymes than it will produce after delivery. The liver is responsible for breaking down billirubin, which is produced by the breaking down of blood cells. Because the life span of a fetal red blood cell is shorter than that of an adult, a fetus produces more billirubin than adults do. Billirubin passes from fetal blood to the placenta and then into your blood. Your liver helps get rid of fetal billirubin. A newborn baby that has high levels of billirubin may show signs of jaundice. Jaundiced babies have a yellowish tint to their eyes and skin and are often treated with phototherapy.
Your baby's senses are developing daily. The fetus now has a full complement of neurons in the brain and is learning about her body and surroundings through touch. Touch is one of the first senses to mature and your baby may stroke its face or feel her arms and legs.
Your blood volume has increased more to meet the demands of your pregnancy. Most of the increase is in the form of plasma, the liquid part of your blood. This has the ability to dilute your blood and give you physiological anemia, which occurs during pregnancy. The measure of blood dilution is called Hematocrit and the levels reach their lowest points this week. You should check with your doctor to make sure you are not developing more serious forms of anemia.
Your baby now shows an extremely rapid brain growth (which lasts until five years after birth).
The ovaries of female fetuses contain primitive egg cells, all of the eggs a woman will have for her entire life. The uterus of female fetuses is also fully formed.
Reese:
It is absolutely amazing what you can teach Reese in just 1 day. Her little brain is like a sponge! I let her pick out what books she wants to read before bed (its usually approx 4 books). She tends to get the animal ones (knowing I'll make all the sounds) and the Christmas ones (she is intrigued with Santa Claus lately, but that's my girl!! Christmas is my favorite holiday!) Since my last posting, Reese can now say "apple", "bubble", and when I say: what does Santa say? she answers with "ho ho ho" and when I say: what does a horse say? she says "nay"! I don't think she even knows what a horse is!
Her newest "trick" is sounding like an Indian. She has learned to take her hand/fingers up to her mouth/lips and make Indian noises :) This week we are working on learning "duck" and believe me...she will learn it!
Her favorite animals right now are dogs (of course), monkeys, turtles and elephants and fish. She ABSOLUTELY LOVES being outside!
This last week I was sent home from Reese's school with her 1st artwork, which went straight on the fridge! They are learning about transportation. So we try and talk about cars when we see them :)
After 4 long days of painting, here is Reese's new room! I can't wait for her new furniture to come this week!!
Love the play kitchen!!!
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