Baby Peanut Update: 18 Weeks, 3 Days

Well it officially happened this week -- I 'popped' so to speak. Or rather, the baby did. I truly hate that term but it quickly builds a visual for you of what my budding belly resembles so it was the only way I could think to describe.

As of today, Baby Peanut is officially 18 weeks and 3 days along, or, according to BabyCenter, the size of a bell pepper or large mango. (Pet peeve: Why do baby development Web sites use various forms of food to describe a growing baby's size? I find it especially humorous in my case as I am still having trouble keeping some food down.)

Here's a quick rundown of this week's developmental highlights:

• Size: Approx. 5 1/2 inches long and 7 ounces in weight
• Ears are now in final position
• Cartilage in the body is forming into bone
• Baby is now more in control over movements - i.e. more noticeable small kicks that I started feeling a couple of weeks ago and am loving :)

Mark next Monday, 2/22 on your calendar which will be a monumentous day in our house: It's the day I officially explain to Hunter that he's getting either a brother or sister... and NOT a fire truck as he keeps requesting.