17 Week Ultrasound

On Monday, July 9 we had another ultrasound. Aunt Kilah was in town doing corn with my Grandma and I, so she got to take a break and come to the ultrasound with us. It was so fun having her there!

And, just like I did last time, I forgot and ate a little sugar right as I was walking out the door so Babe would not hold still. Oops! :) Seriously, I will learn one of these days - albeit slowly. After awhile we were able to get some good pictures, and we were able to confirm what Baby Matthes is! We are waiting until we tell our close family and then we will start telling friends.

Babe weighs 6 ounces and the heart rate was 147. Everything looked good on ultrasound, so that was reassuring, since I have still not been gaining much weight (according to my scale). After seeing how much Baby was moving during our ultrasound, it makes me so excited to finally be able to feel it. It is such a bummer that my placenta is anterior because there is no doubt in my mind that if it wasn't that way, I would be able to feel every move Baby makes. I'll continue to be patient.

By 17 weeks, body fat is beginning to form. Baby is also able to hear noises from the outside world, and it's eyes have settled in the front of his/her head and can even perceive light. Within the next week, the pads on Babe's fingers and toes will begin to develop "fingerprints." Pretty cool!

So here are the ultrasound pictures from almost right at 17 weeks!

I love this first one because you can see 2 chambers of the heart.

Again, likes to keep that hand right up by it's face.

One of the feet that I can't wait to kiss.

The precious hands that I can't wait to squeeze. Here are several,
because I just can't get enough.

Our next ultrasound will be on August 10th at our doctor's office. I am so happy to not have to wait another 4 weeks to find out if Babe is a he or a she. We are so excited and cannot wait to start telling family and friends! This has been such an amazingly fun process, and I'm so blessed to have felt so well that I can enjoy all of it. My baby belly seems like it is growing by the day, so that is exciting. Still haven't worn any maternity pants, but the buttons on all of my regular clothes definitely do not close at this point. I have started wearing some maternity tops - they are so much more comfortable!

That's it for now. Love and prayers in Week 18, Little One!