Week 14

Dear Sweet Pea,

Today I'm 13 weeks along, and you've been developing for 11 weeks already! This week you will grow to be 8-9cm long and will weigh about 25g. You're being completely nourished by the placenta, and your intestines are making their way from the umbilical cord into your abdomen. Your facial features continue to develop, and your head is more in proportion to the rest of your body. You are covered in a protective layer of hair called lanugo, which will be shed before birth and replaced by your fine, light coloured baby hair. Your genitals are now distinct enough that they could be recognized on an ultrasound; unfortunately we have to wait over a month more for that appointment!

So far I'm feeling good in the "honeymoon trimester"; nausea is rare now and slowly but surely, I seem to be getting some energy back. This is good because I need to start exercising again! Because my job is so physical though, I often come home with a very sore back, and as I get bigger, this will probably get worse!
The other day I was poking around in my belly and I could very easily feel the top of my uterus. It feels very firm, sort of like a speed bump. This discovery means I will really start showing anytime now!

On a somewhat unrelated note, my sister (your Auntie Erin) got engaged last week! Marc is her wonderful fiance and they live in Australia, where Marc is from. They will likely get married there, so that means you will get to take a big trip very early on in your life. It will also be mine and Daddy's first time visiting her there, so we'll all get to experience it together. I am putting in my request now: please be good on the very long trip over there!