22 Weeks: Spaghetti Squash

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Baby must be growing rapidly this week. Yesterday I had a monster appetite-- the kind that gives pregnant women their reputation, the kind that is embarrassing to let anyone see! But, the silver lining yesterday showed up in the form of an outrageous motivation to clean! I cleaned Gary's place upstairs (he hires us to do so), and then felt in such a cleaning mood that I scoured our place as well. I really need to take advantage of these moods, as they don't show up too often. It is finally on a level of cleanliness that I actually wouldn't be embarrassed to have people over!

Old Poppsters has been hosting a boxing match, right there in my womb. I'm serious, the kid won't stop kicking and punching! I am a little nervous for life after it exits the womb. I think this one's gonna be a handful!

I am happy to report that my skin has not been nearly as sensitive to the sun this time. On the few sunny days we've actually had this year, Sophia and I spend as much time as possible outside. Last year, I would break out in heat rash if I stayed in the sun for more than an hour. No sign of heat rash this time! Woohoo!