Progress

How the Cubby's growing:
"The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (about the size of an English hothouse cucumber!)" Babycenter.com

"Your baby is growing more dapper every day, as his eyebrows and eyelashes become more lush and the hair on his head grows longer and thicker. By this time, all the parts of your baby's eyes are in place -- and he'll be ready to open them and bat those eyelashes in just a few weeks. Your baby's spine is becoming stronger and more flexible, too. It's about the same length as the palm of your hand, but it contains a whopping 150 joints and some 1,000 ligaments." Parents .com

"The fetus makes breathing movements, but there is no air in the lungs yet. Hands are active and muscle coordination is such that they can get a thumb into the mouth. Thumb sucking calms the baby and strengthens the cheek and jaw muscles. The fetal brain scan will show response to touch. Touching and playing with the baby is possible now, as they may respond to your touch through your belly wall. Brain growth continues with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems starting to develop. Baby is probably very active in the womb, as the most active weeks are typically between weeks 24 and 28." Babytosee.com

Mom-to-be:
"The baby's constant movements should be reassuring. You'll be putting on weight at the rate of about 1 pound per week now. You may be feeling some rib pain as your baby grows and pushes upward on your rib cage. The pressure may also be causing indigestion and heartburn. You may even be feeling stitch-like pains down the sides of your abdomen as your uterine muscle stretches." Webmd.com

My little boy is growing....can't wait to see the new ultrasound photos next week!