Pregnancy Diary: 16 Weeks

How Far Along? - 16 weeks and 2 days

Total Weight Gain? - 2lbs. (from the 10lbs. lost) ... so not any yet

Showing? - Still somewhat "bloated" not sure if it's official "baby" but my stomach definitely pops out a little without me trying to pooch it out.

Maternity Clothes? - Not yet, but definitely happening soon

Stretch Marks? - Not really

Sleep? - Varies from night to night.

Best Moment This Week? - Starting a New Year with a clean slate! Goals!

Miss Anything? - Being able to do daily chores/errands without lower back pain.

Movement? - Not yet, but hopefully here soon!

Food Cravings? - Braums Jr. Chocolate Shake and Large French Fries

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick? - Not so much anymore

Gender Prediction? - Boy

Labor Signs? - No

Symptoms? - Lower Back Pain, Dry Skin

Belly Button in or out? - In

Wedding Ring, On or Off? - On 

Happy or Moody most of the time? - Happy! :) 

Looking forward to: Hearing the heart beat again on January 17th

Baby is the size of a: Turnip! 

Fun Facts about Baby: 

Average Size:  4.6in. and 3.5oz.

Listen up: Tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower) at 16 weeks pregnant. In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born. (I even read that babies can hear a dog barking inside the whom and will become accustom to the sound when born.. how neat!)

And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now — strong enough, in fact, to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. 

This little one's a looker — with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes — but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. And here's the skinny on baby skin: It's practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin. What to Expect.

Lately, I have been feeling really good. My lower back is my only real complaint right now. It's crazy how every day tasks get the best of me.... No heavy lifting, twists etc. just organizing, regular cleaning, and cooking and my back doesn't want anything to do with it! The other night my back was throbbing and that has definitely not happened before! Looks like I need to take it even "easier". 

2012 is finally here so it makes June THAT much closer! I can't believe we will be welcoming a little one in to our family in just 5 months! There is so much to do, so much to think about, so much to prepare for. It's such an exciting time and I am grateful to be married to a super supportive husband and lots of loving friends and family who are cheering us on as we take these new steps!