15 weeks

Here's what is going on with our baby this week according to babycenter.com;

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl!  You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.  If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.  Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

As for me, I have gained about 9 pounds so far and am wearing almost exclusively maternity clothes now, my pre-pregnancy jeans just aren't comfortable anymore.  People are starting to notice that I'm showing, and I've received several comments within the last week from co-workers, Jeremy's co-workers, and people at the gym that I am starting to show.  I still don't think that someone would be able to tell that I'm pregnant if they didn't know though, it still looks more like a bloated belly to me, especially from the front view.  I'm feeling great, no more sickness, and I really seem to be able to eat anything that I want.  I've even reintroduced bananas to my daily routine, which I had given up after they made me gag early in the first trimester.  I have had a few nose bleeds recently (which I NEVER get), and am comforted to know (thanks to babycenter.com) that this is something that is common with this stage in pregnancy.  My stomach is still itching all over, but the lotion in helping a ton.  I have a doctor's appointment next week, but we are opting not to have amniocentesis tests done, as it doesn't change anything that we would do at this point.  Our doctor won't do the next ultrasound to find out the gender until 20 weeks, so we still have a little while to go, and the suspense is killing us.  Although that doesn't change much that we would do either, because we're trying to stick to gender neutral colors and toys, but I think knowing the gender will help it seem even more real, and help us know what names to focus in on.  I am CONSTANTLY hungry, and trying to eat small snacks of fruits and veggies so that I don't just indulge my every whim (and because it's just good nutrition), at this point I only need an extra 300 calories a day, which isn't much in the scheme of things.  I finally made the taco salad that I've been craving and it was delicious!  I still want sushi all day every day (if only we were rich, I would give in to that craving), and got to enjoy it twice this week (one as a treat from a co-worker, and once on my weekly date with my hubby).  I'm still LOVING the strawberry fruit bars, salads, and Wendy's Frosty's.  Other than sushi, there's not one specific food that I crave constantly, but additional craving are easily developed when I hear someone talking about something good, or see something good on a blog or TV.  Last night I saw a Shoney's commercial on TV and I instantly NEEDED fried eggs.  So at 9:00 at night I made myself two that hit the spot.  Then I made two again this morning.  I think I'd be okay if I stayed away from all food related media, but  I love browsing food blogs, and by the time I'm done I end up wanting every food under the sun.

Shannon