weeks 12, 13, and 14

Here's whats changed with Baby Birke the past few weeks---

• Baby Birke has more than doubled in size, weighing in now at 2 ounces and measuring (crown to rump) about 4 inches.
• The digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements, so baby will be able to eat.
• The bone marrow is making white blood cells, so baby will be able to fight off germs.
• The pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones, so baby will one day be able to make babies of his or her own.
• Our baby's vocal cords have begun developing.
• Baby Birke is probably sprouting some hair on the top of it's head now.
• Eyebrow hair is also filling in.

I've been sick for the past month or so with a runny nose, sore throat, earache, and headache. They told me they believed I had a sinus infection due to allergies and they put me on antibiotics. I went back to the doctor when I finished my antibiotics and was still feeling awful. They told me that my sinus infection wasn't bacterial (and that would be why the antibiotics didn't work). They told me to continue taking my allergy medicine and hopefully it would pass soon! I'm feeling a lot better now, although I'm still pretty congested and I have a cough.

Since I've been visiting the doctor a lot here lately, we've gotten to hear Baby Birke's heart beat a few times too! It is so sweet! Our baby's heart beat was 160 the first time, which is in the normal range! Just a little side note--according to old wive's tales, a heart beat above 140 is supposed to be a sign of a GIRL :)

We had our doctor's appointment with Dr. Riely and we both really like her! We got to hear the baby's heart beat again--and again, it was above 140. Chris couldn't come to my last doctor's appointment, so I had my mom come with me. We got to hear the heart beat again, and it was at 160.

My next appointment is in a week and a half. My belly is growing but you still can't really tell by looking at me. I'll put a belly shot up here soon :)