Baby's Development at Week 10

I am now 10 weeks along, which means I just completed my 10th week (and will begin my 11th week tomorrow). Here is the description of how the baby developed this past week.

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

Drew and I have our next doctor's appointment this coming Tuesday. We think they'll listen for the heartbeat using a Doppler device, so we're looking forward to that. Praise the Lord I've been feeling well throughout this whole pregnancy with only very minor morning sickness. I'm hoping I can make it the rest of the pregnancy (especially what's left of the first trimester) without any.

In other news, SCHOOLS OUT!!! Friday was our last day of school, and although it was sad to say goodbye to my students, I am excited about the break. This summer I am planning on working around the house, scrapbooking, and spending time with Drew, especially since his schedule's a little lighter right now too. We have 2 trips planned - 1 to CA to visit with Drew's family and 1 to Yellowstone National Park with just Drew and me. We're looking forward to both trips, although I'm especially hoping morning sickness doesn't hit me during those long flights. :)

I made a VERY long slideshow for my students that just shows pictures from throughout the year. It's about 23 minutes long. Also, Drew and I had trouble saving the slideshow as a movie (I used Windows Movie Maker) so he had to downsize the quality of the pictures so they're a little fuzzy. I'm going to try to upload it so you can view it if you'd like. Enjoy!