40 Weeks In Mommy

Ultrasound Photo of Baby at 23 Weeks

Mark — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:11:28 GMT

Here is the 23 week ultrasound, PLUS an ultrasound in 4d at 22.5 weeks:

And the 4d ultrasound just a few days ago:

Justin now weighs 1lb, 4oz. His heartrate was a peppy 155bpm.

Week 22: What's Developing

Mark — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:23:40 GMT

The three smallest bones in the human body, the bones of the middle ear, are beginning to harden in Justin's ears. That means that he can now hear us tell him that we love him and we can't wait to meet him. If we were to make a loud noise, we could trigger a "startled" reflex.

Over the next four weeks, he will almost double his weight.

Justin has been kicking and elbowing Mommy and he is moving around a lot. He seems to be much more active at night. He also seems to love when Lisa has something sweet to drink like milkshakes or the occasional Dr. Pepper.

Ultrasound of Baby at 22 Weeks

Mark — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:19:15 GMT

Here is little Baby Justin at 22 weeks. He measures exactly 22 weeks and is 1lb, 1oz. This is a significant weight because Justin's best friend Jack was born weighing 1lb 1oz and is doing well and about to come home after over 3 months in the NICU.

You can very clearly see Justin's heart in this image. It was beating away at around 150-160bpm.

Justin was moving around and stretching out his legs during the scan. It was very cool to watch. No wonder Mommy can feel him move. He's getting so big and strong!

Week 21: What's Developing

Mark — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:14:32 GMT

Baby Justin's body is very lean right now -- only 3.5 percent of his body weight is fat. This will change over the next few weeks as his body begins to store and use fat.

Justin's eyelids are still fused but he is now making blinking movements. His spine is now hardened bone, and so are his ribs, humerus bones, and femur bones.

His hands are strong now and can grip with force.

Baby at 21 Weeks (in 4D!)

Mark — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:37:29 GMT

This week Baby Justin got his first 4D ultrasound picture! Typically, this kind of ultrasound is not done this early, but Mommy and Daddy really wanted to see him in 4D. We can't wait to see him in PERSON!

Here he is!

Lisa also took another profile picture for this week. Cute little guy. Justin is very active lately and Daddy got to feel him kick about 10-15 times one night.

Justin, we love you and we can't wait to hold you. Have fun in there!

Week 20: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:38:52 GMT

This week, little Justin's brain begins to grow rapidly, and will continue to grow at this rate until he is five years old.

His lungs are beginning to secrete a substance called surfactant, which will permit them to inflate.

Justin's hair is showing, but right now it has no pigmentation and appears white.

20 Week Ultrasound Photo

Mark — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:03:49 GMT

Here is a photo of the 20 week ultrasound of Baby Justin. This week he was facing us. He was sleeping and didn't move a lot for the scan, so mommy couldn't get a good picture of his profile. She did get a good look at his feet again. He seems to be awake more in the late afternoon / early evening because Lisa feels him move around a lot during those hours.

20 Weeks! Mommy and Justin are halfway there!

Daddy is very excited about his little boy's arrival. Lisa and I have been working on his nursery and I'll probably post some pictures of it soon.

Here is Baby Justin at 20 weeks:

Week 19: What's Developing

Mark — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:58:54 GMT

Justin's legs are now in proper proportion to his body. He is swimming around and practicing acrobatics in the amniotic fluid. Mommy can feel him exercise!

His heart is growing stronger and can now be detected with a stethoscope.

Justin looks much like a tiny newborn. He can even do some things like put his thumb in his mouth and practice sucking it.

Mommy's Baby Belly

Mark — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:53:49 GMT

The baby's growing in Mommy's belly!

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/06/03/mommys-baby-belly.aspx

Baby at 19 Weeks

Mark — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:11:44 GMT

Here is baby Justin at 19 weeks! He doesn't look that comfortable but that might explain why mommy is feeling him move around a lot lately.

And here he is looking right at us:

Here are his feet:

18 Weeks - What's Developing

Mark — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:51:25 GMT

This week, brown fat begins to form near the base of Justin's neck, near his breastbone, and near the urethra. Brown fat keeps the baby's body warm in cold environments, and is present in newborns but only very tiny amounts remain into adulthood. Justin's eyebrows will begin to form this week and should be visible by 20 weeks. His "permanent" hair (not down/lanugo) is going to form on his head this week. Following birth, this hair will get gradually coarser and thicker as it falls out and is replaced.

His sleep/wake schedule is very similar now to what a newborn's is.

Ultrasound at 18 Weeks

Mark — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:26:10 GMT

Here is a photo of Baby Justin at 18 weeks. He is now approximately 8oz!

Week 17: What's Developing

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:17:34 GMT

Baby Justin is now approximately 13cm long!

In his bowel, a substance called meconium is accumulating. It is black and gooey and it is composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This will become Justin's first POOP.

This week, Justin's prostate will begin to develop.

His skeleton is hardening from rubbery cartilage into bone.

Justin's sense of hearing is developing.

Video of Baby at 17 Weeks

Mark — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:15:09 GMT

Here's a video of Justin at 17 weeks. In the first part of the video you can clearly see his heart beating. This week it was 155bpm. The last part shows his spine.

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/05/19/video-of-baby-at-17-weeks.aspx

Photos of Baby at 17 Weeks

Mark — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:40:24 GMT

Baby Justin is 17 weeks, 0 days today. Mommy took lots of pictures.

Here's a good profile shot of Justin. During the ultrasound, he opened his mouth a few times.

Justin loves to show off his hand. He's getting pretty big now and it was difficult to get his profile and hand in the same shot.

Here's a picture of Justin looking at us. "Hi everybody!"

Week 16: What's Developing

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:21:48 GMT

Wow, this week has brought a lot of changes. Baby Justin has increased his weight six times over the course of the last 30 days. He is now around 6 oz.

The umbilical cord has plenty of blood flowing through it. So much, that it creates pressure like a filled water hose. This pressure was designed to resist knotting and as Justin moves, it tends to straighten out where it can.

Justin does have his own circulation of blood, and it is being pumped through his body by his heart. His tiny heart can pump the equivalent of 25 quarts of blood each day.

Waste removal, respiration, hormone production, digestion and protection are all still the job of the placenta at this stage.

Justin's body is gaining reflex abilities... blinking, sucking, and swallowing, to name a few.

Baby Justin's kidneys have been "traveling" toward their final position for the last 10 weeks, and this week, they should rest in his abdomen.

Justin's body is growing so much that this month, he should reach almost half of the length he will be at birth!

Thumbs Up! I'm 16 Weeks Old!

Mark — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:04:48 GMT

Here's Justin giving us a "thumbs up" to let us know that he's doing ok in there and growing.

... and here he is "begging" to get out!

Justin is doing well and he now measures 10.8cm -- he is almost too big to measure accurately now!

Happy Mother's Day

Baby Justin — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:27:19 GMT

Happy Mother's Day, mommy!

Love,
Justin

Week 15: What's Developing

Mark — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:48:32 GMT

Boy parts can be clearly identified this week, as we found out!

Justin's legs are growing and are now longer than his arms. He can move all of his joints and limbs.

His eyelids are still fused shut, but if we were to shine a flashlight through mommy's belly, he'd be able to detect the light and would try to move away from it.

His facial muscles allow him to frown and grimace, and he can begin to suck his thumb.

Justin's skin is very thin right now and blood vessels are visible through it. But his skin is covered by a soft layer of hair called lanugo (Latin for "down"), which helps to insulate his body. He's also getting eyebrows and even a little hair on his head.

Mommy said that Justin loves to move around and is very active (she scanned 2x this week). She can't feel him move just yet, but it is likely that she'll feel his activity very soon.

Week 15 .... It's a Boy!

Mark — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:43:11 GMT

IT'S A BOY!

A quick scan yesterday revealed what Lisa thought she saw at Week 12! We can now refer to Baby Coffman as a boy, and we've decided on the name Justin Tyler.

We can't wait to meet little Justin! Daddy is already dreaming about the fun ahead and Mommy is thrilled!

Here's the proof!

And... here is the Week 12 shot that we were holding onto in the slightest chance "Justin" was really "Amanda." (Hey, it has happened before!)

Week 15 Baby Pictures

Mark — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:02:35 GMT

We have three pictures to share of little Baby Coffman this week. He/she was not turned in the right direction to tell if we have a little baby boy or a little baby girl. But the baby was showing off the spine, hands, and face!

Here's our week 15 photo album

Resting his/her hand on the chest.

Check out my fingers!

Our baby is 15 weeks today! A view through the Belly!

Mark — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:26:45 GMT

Today, Baby Coffman is 15 weeks... 25 to go! We'll post the ultrasounds tomorrow so that I can scan them, but Baby Coffman is already measuring 9.11cm. How long is that? Here's a picture to put it in perspective.

Week 14: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:14:05 GMT

The baby's legs have lengthened and toenails are growing from the nail beds. The body will grow faster than the head this week.

This week, our little baby's eyes will begin to move back and forth under closed eyelids, as the eye muscles exercise a little.

This time next year, Baby Coffman will be 26 weeks old!

Picture of Baby at 14 Weeks

Mark — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:03:51 GMT

Daddy wasn't there to see Baby Coffman during this week's scan, but mommy said he/she was moving around a lot! Lisa got this photo of the baby in the middle of a prayer

Week 13: What's Developing

Mark — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:58:49 GMT

Our baby is entering the 2nd trimester and is fully formed, and boy, is this baby active! As you can see from the video, the baby is constantly moving and exercising those muscles! The baby's neck is getting longer so the head is not constantly touching his/her chest.

Baby Coffman now has working reflex movements. You could see this a few weeks ago on the video when Lisa pat her belly and the baby squirmed. Hands and feet are responsive and the hands open and close.

The baby's little fingerprints are now fully formed and unique.

All nourishment is being supplied by the placenta now.

At week 13, the baby gains the ability to smile. That's great, because this baby has made us smile from the day we found out about him/her.

This time next year, our baby will be 25 weeks old.

Baby Video at 13 Weeks

Mark — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:35:12 GMT

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/04/26/baby-video-at-13-weeks.aspx

Dance!

Baby Coffman Waves to Us at 13 Weeks

Mark — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:57:51 GMT

Baby Coffman is now 6.7cm (up just a bit from last week) and is happy to move on from his/her exhausting first trimester and into the second.

"Hello, World!"

First Trimester Baby Developmental Growth Animation

Mark — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:25:25 GMT

Here is an animation of our baby's development through the first trimester!

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/04/23/first-trimester-baby-developmental-growth-animation.aspx

Week 12: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:03:29 GMT

Our baby gets a new skill this week: he/she can now move his/her thumb in opposition to the fingers. Our baby's also practicing the motion of breathing as the air sacs of the lungs develop more this week.

The large intestine actually rotates 180 degrees counterclockwise and creates a square around the small intestine, framing it like a picture. The corners of the colon attach to the body wall and end in an anal canal. The small intestine is suspended in the abdomen at this point.

And this week, the baby's spleen will remove old red blood cells and produce antibodies.

Interestingly, at week 12, a baby's arms are proportional to its body, but the legs still have some growing to do.

Our baby is approximately 3x as big as it was at the end of month 2, but about 50x as heavy!

Baby at 12 Weeks is Huge!

Mark — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:11:41 GMT

Week 12 brings us one big baby! This photo shows the baby's profile. Cute!

Baby Coffman was also showing off his/her muscles. In the picture below, you can see the baby's arm, with his/her elbow at the highest point and the hand at the left.

This week Baby Coffman measures 6.4cm. There was such a dramatic difference in growth this week that Lisa took several pictures. I can't believe how much bigger our baby is!

Week 11: What's Developing

Mark — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:33:50 GMT

In week 11, our baby's fingers and toes have separated and are distinct.

Amnoitic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys start functioning. This fluid also helps to protect the baby inside mommy. Our baby can suck and swallow and move freely around in it.

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

The tiny little skelatal bones throughout the baby's body are beginning to harden and even little tooth buds are forming.

Now that all major organs have formed, the most critical period in development has passed.

Our baby has some new skills: flex fingers, form a fist, punch, kick, arch the body, and wrinkle his/her little forehead.

Baby is Moving Around at 11 Weeks

Mark — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:57:46 GMT

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/04/11/baby-is-moving-around-at-11-weeks.aspx

Baby at 11 Weeks!

Mark — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:20:17 GMT

Here is Baby Coffman at 11 weeks. He/she is now 4.1cm, up from 3.8cm last week.

The head is on the right of this picture. I'll post video of the baby moving around soon.

Week 10: What's Developing

Mark — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:55:29 GMT

At 10 weeks, our baby really begins to show off some distinct features.

The feet are approximately 2mm long (1/10 of an inch)
The ears are clearly seen
The neck is taking shape
Nipples and hair follicles begin to form
The testicles or ovaries are forming

Our baby has a functioning liver and it is beginning to make all of the baby's blood cells.

Baby Coffman is preparing for a growth spurt. Over the next 3 weeks, he/she will double in size.

The eyes are developing an iris. Peach fuzz -like hair and fingernails are growing.

Here are some pictures I found on the web at week 10. This is not Baby Coffman but this will show you a clearer picture of what God is doing at week 10.

Peek-a-boo!

Mark — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:34:43 GMT

Look... our little baby is facing us in Week 10! Lisa said that we have an active little one... squirming around and developing those muscles.

Daddy is going to be there for the Week 11 ultrasound! I want to see this baby exercise.

Our baby measures 3.6cm this week.

Week 9: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:46:52 GMT

Our baby has most of their little joints formed, and is able to begin using them. Lisa can't feel the wiggling yet, but in a few months, she'll be able to feel kicks and stretching.

The little one weighs about .07 ounces (about the weight of a grape).

Goodbye, tail! The embryonic tail is no longer there. That will make dating down the road much easier.

The baby's nutrition source has changed. Prior to this week, the baby was nourished by the yolk sac. No more! Our baby now gets all the nutrition it needs from the placenta, which provides both nutrients and a filter for our baby's waste.

The baby has a hand with a grip! If we could give the baby a tiny object, he/she could wrap those little fingers around it. And those fingers now have fingerprints, unique from mommy's and everyone elses.

Our baby's eyes, ears, nose, and tongue are all formed. All major organs are present, but need further development.

Week 9 is also exciting because brain waves are now significant enough to be measured!

Arms and Legs!

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:46:28 GMT

Our baby showed us little arms and legs in this photo! Last week, the baby measured 1.6cm. This week... 2.8cm!

You can see one of the little arms near the head and I can either see - or imagine the other. The little legs are visible too!

This week the heartrate is once again 177bpm.

You are one cute little baby.

Week 8: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:46:03 GMT

Our baby's bones and cartilage are now beginning to form. The eyes are developing along with eyelids. Once formed, they will be fused shut for the next few months. The tongue is taking on a distinct shape. Little hand and feet buds will be visible soon and fingers and toes are growing in length.

Out baby has an embryonic tail that will soon disappear. I guess I'm happy about that.

The respiratory system is developing, and breathing tubes that extend from the throat to the lungs are beginning to form.

More and more neural connections will be made as each week passes. I read that this will cause the baby to jerk like a jumping bean as the neural pathways connect.

This week, the intestines begin to move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.

I am so excited to see this process unfold. We love you, little baby.

Baby at 8 Weeks

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:45:27 GMT

This week our baby measures 1.6cm. His/her little heart is beating at a rapid 177bpm. She/he loves to be near the side wall of the gestational sac.

Here's this week's pic:

Week 7: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:45:00 GMT

Our baby is getting bigger, but weighs about as much as a breath mint! Week 7 not only brings size, but little elbows and fingers are developing, and the baby is beginning to flex and move around. Toes develop a little later.

The face is forming... eyes, ears, and a nose. The tongue and esophagus are also forming. Teeth begin to form under the gums.

The baby's head is developing the two hemispheres of the brain.

Our baby now has an appendix and the liver is producing red blood cells. I did not realize this until today, but our baby will go through three sets of kidneys, with this week being the second set.

This time next year, our baby will be 19 weeks old!

Lisa is a little under-the-weather lately, but not because of the pregnancy. She caught a cold and her head is congested. The doctor gave us a list of things that she can take, but she's toughed it out and not had very much, if any, Tylenol. The doctor recommends -if you can handle it- to take nothing. She's been drinking orange juice and eating lots of popsicles. She said that the baby needs them. Hmmm.

Our Baby Doubles in Size

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:44:35 GMT

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Our baby appears almost twice as big as last week!

The baby was right up against the side of the gestational sac. Here's another photo:

Hello, little baby.

Week 6: What's Developing

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:44:12 GMT

In week 6, the heart divides into 2 chambers, and blood begins to circulate. Our baby will triple in size this week to a 1/4 of an inch long.

Little arms and legs will begin their development, but the head will make up most of the baby's size.

The pancreas begins functioning this week. I was amazed that there is a heartbeat that can be detected, but to think about other organs functioning in such a tiny space... it is truly amazing! The baby's intestines are beginning to grow within the umbilical cord and will eventually move within the baby's body.

The lower and upper jaw form and inside the baby's tiny mouth, vocal chords also begin to grow. I hope this baby gets mommy's singing voice and not daddy's!

Our baby's brain is growing neurons. Each day brings new connections!

Photo of our Baby at 6 weeks, 3 days

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:43:50 GMT

Here is a photo of our little baby at approximately 6 weeks, and 3 days old. I love our little one. Today I got to hear the baby's heartbeat. What a great feeling!

I told a friend at the gym that Lisa is pregnant and let him know that even though this baby is tiny and only 6 weeks old and as we've described before "the size of a grain of rice" -- it had a heartbeat we could hear distinctly, just as any other heartbeat. His response to me was "how can anyone say that this isn't life?"

He is right. This is not a mass of cells. This is not an extension of Lisa's body. This is a life, separate and unique to his/her mother's. It has a little heartbeat of its own, DNA of its own, and a purpose of its own. This life isn't about to begin. It isn't 40 weeks away... or 24, or when it reaches a particular weight. This life, as of just over six weeks ago, has BEGUN.

Lisa Measures the Baby

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:43:24 GMT

Our baby measures 6 weeks, 3 days. The little one is approximately the size of a grain of rice, yet already has a detectable heartbeat!

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/03/13/lisa-measures-the-baby.aspx

Our Baby's Heartbeat

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:42:59 GMT

This is the first video of the baby's heartbeat! Amazing!

http://40weeksinmommy.com/2008/03/13/our-babys-heartbeat.aspx

A Little Yolk Sac Appears!

Lisa — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:42:36 GMT

This week, our scan showed a yolk sac! The yolk sac is the little circle inside the gestational sac. It is where the baby gets its nutrition.

Baby's First Picture

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:42:14 GMT

Here is our little baby's first picture. The black dot is the gestational sac.

We're Pregnant!

Mark — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:41:49 GMT

.... that's the phrase we have wanted to say for several months now. Waiting wasn't easy. We have been researching all the topics, following advice, and most importantly, praying for our little miracle.

Lisa had been using a Basal thermometer and charting her temperature each morning so that we would have a better idea of when she would be ovulating. We thought we had perfect timing and then her chart went wacky, confusing us more.

Yesterday, at 5pm, she tested herself on a whim, and it immediately turned positive! When I got home 10 minutes later, she was wearing her honeymoon shirt that said "Bride" with "and Mommy" written below. I was completely surprised and overjoyed!

Basal Body Temperature Chart Looks Like the Rockies!

Lisa — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:40:45 GMT

One of the ways that you can follow your ovulation pattern is by checking your basal body temperature each morning. It's easy to do and gives you a better idea of when to try. The important thing is to check your temperature first thing (before getting out of bed, talking, drinking, moving, etc) each morning. It is also necessary to check your temperature at the same time each day for the most acurrate results.

According to the test, what you are supposed to look for is a shift of .4 degrees Fahrenheit after ovulation.

Here is my chart:

My chart did not show what I expected. The basal thermometer instructions said if your chart looks like the Rocky Mountains, you're probably not ovulating at that time. But these are our best guesses as to when ovulation occurred.

Charts are available online here