Baby Update: Week 17

Yesterday was week 17 for me. I'm glad the weeks are flying because I cant wait for next week when we find out the baby's gender. This means Murat and I can finally narrow down our 200 page list of baby names to half :) My belly is definitely getting bigger, I don't know if it's because I overindulged this weekend. Slow and steady means a healthy baby.

Here is what my baby will be busy doing this week:

Going forward, growth and refinement of your baby's existing systems and organs occurs. Your baby's ears stand out from his or her head. (More or less depending on heredity.)

At 5 inches crown to rump, your baby is large enough to give you a good kick in the belly. Within the next month, you should be able to feel this five-ounce wonder throwing his or her weight around.

Unique fingerprints and toe prints are developing.

Meconium, your baby's first bowel movement is beginning to collect in the colon. Your baby is actually digesting swallowed amniotic fluid. At this time, fat deposits will appear under your baby's skin. This fat will help your baby to regulate his or her temperature after birth.

Circulation of blood is now established and the umbilical cord lengthens and thickens in response to the rapidly growing needs of your baby. The placenta and fetus are now almost equal in size.