Weekly cartoon!!

Thought this was soo cute!!

Just a few ideas I haven't talked about...

I don't know why I'm doing this becuase I am already starting to change my mind but I keep doing it. I have picked out crib sets, one for a boy and one for a girl. Well the boy crib set is pretty much set in stone. Here is a picture of it:

And there is a great plush lion skin rug that would go great with it. And with this set we wouldn't have to paint the walls because they are already the color in the picture.

But the trouble comes with choosing a crib set for a girl. Obviously I don't want to go too girly girl or too pink but I have surprised myself and actually picked one that is still pretty girly. This one is the one I am having second thoughts about. I'm not too sure if this is the one I am hooked on. Here it is and also a few other options I am looking at:

This next one I like alot and its still along the jungle/animal theme as the boys crib set and you know I am a real animal lover.This next one I have to say is my favorite but is also the most expensive and I could never imagine spending this much on something that is going to get puked and peed on. But it's pretty!!

So tell me what you think...help! I am obviously still shopping so I may change my mind again!!

Week 12

Week Twelve

Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!

Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!

Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head

Intestines move farther in to your child's body

His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!

The pancreas begins to produce insulin

Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

Can you believe it I'm already showing??!!!

Well, at least Brian and I can tell! Maybe the rest of the world thinks I am just getting fat again but I don't care!!

After my appointment on Thursday, Brian took me maternity clothes shopping. Frankly, I don't understand what is some women's hangup on wearing maternity clothes. These days there are some really cute clothes out there. Besides, I want the world to know I'm pregnant. This is the next step in a very happy and fulfilling life. I am loving the idea of being a mother. Yeah, well, I'm also freaked out at times, but this is part of my destiny. And I hope to make this world a better place with raising an intelligent, responsible, loving, and honest individual.

Well, I have to run for now but I'll probably be back later to give more information...personal developements, like possible names and crib sets. That type of thing. And feel free to put in your votes on the crib sets. As for the names, sorry, those are set in stone! So, Nanny, if you can't pronounce them you better start practicing now!!

Love you!!

Week 11

Week Eleven

Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.

Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.

Hair and nails begin to grow

The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?

Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.

The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.

Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).

Week 10

Week Ten

Baby is now called a fetus in "medical terms". You, however, may have chosen the name "peanut," "angel," "jumping bean" or simply "miracle."

The most critical part of your infant's development is complete. Now you are headed into a period of rapid growth.

While a bit strange to envision, your baby's head is now about half its length - Soon the rest of the body's growth will catch up but this area is prepared to keep up with the rapid brain development!

Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to develop - Eye color is also determined by this point.

Placenta begins to function this week or next - The placenta is the organ responsible for both the provision of nutrients along with the removal of waste to keep your baby growing strong!

Your baby will be about 1.22 inch long (3.1cm) and weigh 0.14 ounce (4gm) at the end of this week

177 beats per minute

The doctors visit was great. Both of us were happy that the doctor had a hard time finding the heartbeat because we got out first ultrasound. We got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat. We could not have smiled more. If you want to hear the heartbeat click here.

I know, I know! I've been slacking!!

Okay, so I finally got around to updating the blog. Thank you for the encouraging reminders, Carol! She denied the baby potato salad this Easter unless Mommy updated her site! Well, you see how quickly that worked!!!

Also I wanted to make sure that I kept the site updated because a very big part of this babies life will unfortuantely be unable to see first hand all the wonders of the pregnancy. Papa Castro has had to relocate to Saudi Arabia for a year. Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do and go where the work takes you. But Papa will be home for Christmas to play Santa Claus and spoil the newest of his grandchildren. From the baby, the daddy, and the mommy, "We love you Papa, very very much! We have you in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers! And can't wait until we are all together again!"

Just so that you guys know, my next appointment is next Thursday. I will update to let you know what the doctor says and whether or not we get to listen to the heart beat. Until then...love you guys!

Week 9

Week Nine

Baby has begun movement - While still too small for you to feel, your little one is wriggling, shifting, and dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to peek in whenever you want!

Most joints are formed now - and trust that your little one is practicing bending and flexing.

Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand - This is amazing to see! At only nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose!

Fingerprints are already evident in the skin

Average size this week -- length 0.9 inch (2.3cm), weight 0.07 ounce (2gm)

Week 8

Week Eight

Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week your baby will have already completed 1/5th of the journey 'til his birthday!

The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already!

The tongue begins to develop

Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.

Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds!

The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short

Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm)