Peanut 2 @ Twelve Weeks

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Peanut 2's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and mouth will make sucking movements. Apparently, were I to poke Monica's abdomen (which I won't), the baby would squirm in response, although she wouldn't be able to feel the squirming. Baby's intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and kidneys will begin their work.

Nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and synapses are forming furiously. The face looks much more human: eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and ears are now on the sides of the head. From crown to rump, Peanut 2 is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. One source suggested the comparison to a Vienna sausage...

@ 11 Weeks

@ 11 weeks: Peanut 2's head still makes up about half of its length. But the body is about to catch up, growing rapidly in the next several weeks. Eyes are widely separate now; the eyelids fused and the ears low set (they begin migrating to the sides of the head now). Red blood cells are beginning to form in the liver. By the end of this week, external genitalia will start developing. Peanut 2 may measure about 2 inches (50 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh almost 1/3 ounce (8 grams). So maybe a big fig or a small lime. Coolest: fingernail beds begin to form this week, and you could see blood cells through paper-thin translucent skin with that home ultrasound machine...now where did that go?

Peanut 2 @10 Weeks

Monica's at 10 weeks. 1/4 of the way through. Peanut 2 is now the size of a small strawberry. Feet are 2mm long. Neck is beginning to take shape. Body muscles are almost developed. Movement beginning. Ears and nose can be seen, or could if we had our own ultrasound machine. Coolest, maybe: Fingerprints are already evident in the skin.

Yay Bubbles!

For Charlie

We'll get caught up on fall pics soon but this one's for sweet Charlie.

Sometimes school is just so much fun that you fall asleep at lunch

The Most Interesting Man in the World

Watch out, ladies.

Red Boots

Dahdee's Shoes