Merry Belated Christmas!!

I certainly hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did. Josh was overjoyed by Santa and didn't even balk at the fact he didn't receive a black Gameboy and a Pokemon game. Friday on my way to work he decided that he wanted to go see Santa. I hesitated but told him we would give it a whirl. The picture isn't the greatest, but he didn't realize they were taking the picture and he was still giving poor Santa his list of requests. Anyway, here it is....


Every year at this time I get all down and want to cry every time I see a bagged Christmas tree on the side of the road. I love relishing in the excitement of Christmas and hold onto the message of the season as long as possible. Hence, I am not one of those people who take their decorations down the second the clock strikes midnight on December 25th. I think the Jewish religion has it right by spreading it out over more than one day. Dustin would say that my reasoning is really a facade and that the real reason my decorations stay up is because I'm lazy. Well, there may be a bit of truth to that.

With all the Christmas celebration I've almost completely missed the 17 week update. That's right, I am officially in the 5th month of pregnancy. For some reason as soon as January 2007 gets here I think it will all seem more real to me. January to May doesn't seem like that long of time and God knows how fast tax season makes things go. Yeah, I'm starting to psych myself out. I'm really hoping that Dad will come down here and help me whip this nursery into shape. I want to help paint and decorate and organize. I know I won't get to do any of that if I wait for tax season to be over, because by then I won't exactly be moving at warp speed. Not that I am now.

At 17 weeks...

Your baby weighs about 5.25 ounces (150g) and now measures 5 to 5.6 inches (12.5 to 14cm) from crown to rump. He is practicing breathing by gulping amniotic fluid into its lungs. This helps the lung's development so they will function at birth. Your baby may also be sucking his thumb.

Meconium is present in your baby's bowels. There is hair present on your baby's scalp and sweat glands are developing.

Your baby is becoming more sensitive to the outside world and is moving around, kicking and punching. As there is still plenty of space in your uterus, your baby can move around a lot, sitting cross-legged, reclining or even turning somersaults!

He can probably hear by now as the ossicles (the bones that pass sound to the inner ear) have hardened and the portion of the brain that receives signals from the brain is under development. Your baby is getting used to the sound of your heartbeat and blood passing through the umbilical cord, but may be startled by loud noises. Your baby is aware of some things in the outside world, including sounds and light. If you let the sun shine on your belly, your baby may be able to perceive a warm red glow.

Last night Josh told me he was excited to hold baby and wanted to make sure we would let him hold the baby. I told him, "Of course. You're the big brother." He was so proud and said, "Yeah, I'm the big brother." I just had to squeeze his cute, chubby cheeks and give him a hug. He's going to be the best big brother!