Amaaaazing.

Today my sister emailed me a link to this website, showing photographs at each week of pregnancy.  When I saw this picture, it brought tears to my eyes.  Sometimes I forget that I'm even pregnant, till I look down and see this belly growing out in front of me.  So in the business of the morning, I sat staring at my belly, amazed at the miracle God is performing within me.  Amazed that I was chosen to be apart of such an incredible thing as bringing new life into the world.  

The website: www.i-am-pregnant.com also gives some development updates.  Here's what it has to say for where our little babe is now (I'll be 19 weeks this Saturday):

By week 18 of your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long.  Your baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces.  Your baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while.  There is still space available in your uterus and your baby will be active for periods at a time.  Your baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults. 

Around this time, your baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows her presence through powerful kicks and prods.  The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the parts of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing.  This means your baby can hear now.  Your baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as your heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds.  Your baby will become startled if he hears a loud sound. 

This was taken 2 weeks ago at the coast.