LbC: Week 17

Little Baby C {LbC} Pregnancy: Inch by Inch from 4 to 40 {weeks}

Trimester: 2

How far along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: A sweet potato

What is going on with baby: Skeleton is changing to bone, sweat glands are forming, and lots of growth!  LbC is 5.5 inches and 5 ounces!

Total weight gain: +2.5

Maternity clothes: Not yet...

Gender Guess: Still going back and forth....  Now that we're getting closer to finding out, I'm just excited to know instead of trying to guess!

Movement: On Thursday night, Devin was talking to LbC and as soon as he stopped, I felt two strong kicks.  Even though I've been feeling movement for awhile these were the first major kicks I have felt.  I immediately put Devin's hand on my stomach and LbC kicked two more times and Devin was able to feel it!  We were so excited!

Food cravings: Popcorn, bread, cheese, pretty much all carbs!

Symptoms: Heartburn, frequent bathroom trips, Losing weight in my arms and legs, but gaining it in my tummy...  My hands always look so veiny when I'm pregnant! =)

Sleep: Good!  A few less crazy dreams this week.

Best Moment This Week: 

Well, other than feeling LbC kick, my nurse called yesterday to tell me that my Quad Screening came back normal.  Hooray!

Looking Forward To: Feeling little one kick more, our next doctor's appointment, etc.

My Prayer for This Week:

Dear Lord, as my baby continues to grow, I pray that he/she will gain the right amount of weight, including the healthy amount of body fat. Help me to eat in a healthy way and exercise on a regular basis so I don't put my baby in jeopardy of having diabetes or other obesity-related health issues. Give me the strength to avoid junk foods and excessive sugar and fat.

Lord, help me to concentrate on good health and not become obsessed with body weight and body image. I know my self-worth comes from You, and not from the way I look. Please help me with that, and help me pass on to my child only good attitudes about his/her appearance and his/her weight. Protect my child from eating disorders and a poor self-image.

Empower us, as a family, to live a healthy lifestyle. Empower us to be good testimonies of Your love, forgiveness and life-changing power. I pray that we would shine from an inner glow of Your Holy Spirit, and that it would attract people to You.

Dear God, please continue to bless and guide my baby's development. I thank You for Your love and protection.

In Jesus' name. Amen.