All Present and Correct!

On the 22nd of April 2012 we had your 20 week scan at 20 weeks and 1 day.

At that stage you were the size of a Cantaloupe melon - which apparently is smaller than a banana, because that it the size you are today, at 21 weeks exactly.

Your 20 weeks scan is to check that all of your fingers and toes are in place and to check that you are growing as you are supposed to.

We were given about 50 pictures of you, but they are all of your limbs and organs, rather that of you as a whole baby, so we can't show you what you look like now. However, we can show you all of your fingers and toes, ribs and even your spine (if you can make them out on the scan pictures):

This, believe it or not, is the circumference of your head.

This is your thigh bone being measured. 

This is the monitor recording your heart rate. At 153 beats per minute you are supposed to be a girl, if you listen to all the old wives tales!

This is the inside of your head. You can see your brain developing in the right side. 

This is the inside of your abdomen. The two low black spots are your kidneys and the larger one above them is the bladder. 

This is the foot you were kicking me with during the scan. I've been feeling those a lot lately, especially when I'm trying to sleep! 

This is your chest, you can see the heart, it is the black square with the white line running through it. You can already see the four chambers of the heart. 

Both your feet, kicking away. 

This is the inside of your spine, you can see all the vertebrae down your back. 

Those bones which look like fingers, they are your rib cage. 

This is the side of your face (on the right side) and your hand. 

Here are your legs. The radiologist made sure to take this picture with your knees curled up, so we couldn't see whether you were a boy or girl.

Here you can see that you are lying with your head facing the scanner, the top of your head to the left of the screen. You can see your eyes, nose and mouth. 

So there you are, our gorgeous little baby, with all your organs present and correct and growing perfectly. Only 19 weeks to go until we can meet you!

xxx

On the move!

Yesterday I was 19 weeks and 5 days pregnant.

Yesterday was the first time your dad was able to feel you kick from the outside. It's been really difficult to catch you, as you kick only when you want, and even though I thought I could feel you from the outside, I think for a while it was just because I could feel you on the inside, as your dad couldn't feel you.

You gave a good few kicks in the same place, like you wanted us to know you were there, and then chilled out again!

I hope that you are kicking more in a few weeks time as we are going home to the UK to see everyone, and I'm sure they will all be keen to feel you kick, so you need to get those football boots on!

xx

Here are your cousins!

I'm a bit late in posting this but it's time for me to post pictures of your cousins!

Here is your cousin James. He's already 20 years old, so by the time you meet him, he will already be a grown up. Perhaps one day I'll be adding his children to this list as your new cousins! 

This is Sarah, one of James's sisters.

And here is Kerry, James's youngest sister. 

And finally, well at the moment anyway, here is your youngest cousin, George. He will be about 18 months old by the time you are born, so hopefully you'll have someone to play with! 

xxx

Spoilt already!

I am only 19 weeks pregnant with you, and already you are being spoilt rotten!

Absolutely everyone is so excited that you are coming, and they are becoming obsessed with cute baby clothes and toys.

Here is what you have received so far:

How gorgeous is this little baby grow from our friends Rachel and James - you are going to match me in my stripy tops when you are wearing it! 

Now this gift is extra special because it is the shawl that Nanny Angela handmade for me for my christening. I'm hoping that you will get to wear it at your christening too.

Here are the stunning cardigans and booties that Grandma Joyce has knitted for you! You are going to be the smartest baby ever wearing these! 

Grandma Joyce has also knitted this shawl for you, which is to wrap you in when we bring you home from hospital! 

Grandma Joyce and Grandad Ernie have also bought you these two gorgeous bedding sets! I love love love the dinosaurs, and the stars are just so cute! 

Another present from Rachel and James! I think I'll save this bib for special occasions so it doesn't get ruined! 

This is Mo the Mouse. He was a gift from our friends Heather and Dan, who have now travelled back to the USA from Manchester. Heather looked at each and every mouse in the shop to make sure that you got the one with the best face. 

Nanny Angela and Gramps bought you these cuddly bunnies. We haven't named them yet, but I'm sure you will do soon enough. They are so soft and cuddly I want to snuggle up in bed with them. 

I dread to think how many presents you will have received when you are finally born. I think we will have to get a bigger house just to fit them all in! 

xxx