9 weeks

I was 9 weeks along on Friday! Every Friday that comes and goes, I can breathe a little bit easier knowing that you're still in there and growing strong. A lot has happened this week. We were supposed to be leaving for North Dakota on Thursday, but they've been having some serious flooding issues, so a 'no movement order' has been issued for anyone moving to Minot. This means we're stuck here, in Texas, until further notice. Papa is doing his best to talk to the right people and possibly get us out of here sooner so that I don't have to travel with a big belly. We're hoping they reassign us to a different (warmer, please) base, but you never know with the military, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. We've been living apart from each other for 6 months now, so we're both really ready to get settled somewhere together that we can call home. I'm so excited that you get to be a part of this home that we've been dreaming about. Some good friends of ours that we met here, Dan and Victoria, had their baby, Landin, this week. We got to meet him yesterday and were amazed at how tiny he is, how tiny you'll be. I loved seeing your Papa's face light up when he would squirm or make a funny face. We fall in love with other people's kids so easily, so I can't even imagine how much we're going to love you.

Photo via BabyCenter

Baby's Developments:
- Size: ~ 1 inch long (about the size of a grape or black olive) - this means you've practically doubled in size in the last week. No wonder Mama's been so hungry!
- Weight: just 2 grams - less than a penny!
- Arms and legs are growing and developing bones, and you now have elbows that can bend!
- Heart has finishing dividing into four chambers, and the valves have started to form.
- Teeth buds are starting to form under your gums.
- Tail is completely gone now.
- Your frou-frou or jewels are formed, but we won't be able to tell which set of parts you have on an ultrasound for a few more weeks.
- Eyes are fully formed, but your lids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks.
- You already have earlobes!

Mama's Developments:
- The acne is out. of. control. Honestly, this has probably been the most bothersome thing for me about pregnancy so far. After I hit puberty and struggled with acne for a few years, I worked so hard to get it under control and have clear skin again. Now my complexion looks worse than it ever has! I haven't had to use anything but a simple face wash the last few years, so I went out and bought some hardcore products to try and get this under control. I'm hoping this won't stick around the entire pregnancy, but even if it does, you're worth it. ;)
- I've had a little cramping and a tugging feeling under my belly button that I'm pretty sure is my muscles and uterus stretching and growing to accommodate you. It also hurts in that same area when I sneeze, and I've been sneezing a lot for some reason.
- I've felt pretty good this week. I've had a good appetite and no heartburn or indigestion. I also started exercising again, since I have a bit more energy.