Week # 10

Whew... it's been a LONG week! Our appointment(s) went very well. Because Rachel is so tall, they had difficulties locating the fetus, so today we went in for our first ultrasound. It was so exciting! We saw the heart beat 176 times per minute (it looked similar to a butterfly flapping it's wings), there's four limbs, a head, and the very beginning formation of a spine. Our baby is happy, healthy, and PERFECT!



"What to Expect" says this about Week # 10:

Your baby's growth is fast and furious now. He or she is nearly an inch and a half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time it spends in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming, and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms (complete with elbows) can flex already, but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is only about the size of this number 1. The tooth bud fairy is making her appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. (Those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old). Other systems are go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, he's already producing testosterone (yikes!).

Rachel continues to have no signs of morning sickness or any nightmare pregnancy symptoms. YIPPEEEE! We're hoping to post a blog entry in the next week or so about the donor (Stephen) and his spouse (Jeremy). They are wonderful men who we adore and greatly look forward to introducing you to them soon!