Comforting reminders

Last Tuesday, Jeremiah and I heard the most reassuring sound at the doctor's office: The sound of a herd of tiny horses galloping in my belly. That's what it sounded like anyway! It was actually the baby's heartbeat at a racing (and perfectly normal) 156 beats per minute! I want to get one of those little fetal Dopplers so we can hear the baby's heartbeat all of the time, but they're like a meeeelion dollars! That's at least a year's worth of disposable diapers, right?

In lieu of being able to hear the baby's pulse for now (I think there are affordable heart monitors for later in the pregnancy), this kid has decided to start kicking and squirming forcefully enough that I can now feel it! How's that for a constant and comforting reminder?! Usually while I'm eating -- or shortly thereafter -- the baby seems to be most rambunctious. Last week we had salsa meatloaf, and the baby seemed to especially like (or maybe hate!) the extra zing of the mild peppers and spices. It's so exciting and cute! I fear it won't be so adorable when I get that first swift kick in the bladder or ribs, but I'm holding out for the big payoff so I'll deal! :-)

Week 18 developments*:

Baby's age: 16 weeks
Baby's size (head to rump): About 5 to 5.5 inches
Baby's weight: Approximately 5.5 ounces
Other fun facts: Pads are forming on the baby's fingers and toes that will develop into characteristics of fingerprints and footprints. Fine hair is growing and covering the baby's head and body. The baby's legs are now longer than the arms.
Right now the baby is about the size of a can of soda.

*Thanks to babyfit.com for the stats.