Week 17 was really busy. As a lady of leisure/house wife/significant other on this tropical island, I don't know how I manage to fill my schedule to point where I actually have to pull my organizer out and try to fit things in. I thought island life was supposed to be lazy and low key? Granted, half my committments are social things. On Monday I went to the Queen Elizabeth Orphanage to help my good friend start a tutoring program for the children there. They are beautiful children in need of so much love and attention. I worked with the three and four year olds and managed to get them to sings songs for me, it was pretty darn cute... if only I could take one of them home! On Wednesday I went hiking with the Significant Others group to Mount Carmel Waterfall (pictured). It was so lush and green, as well as incredibly muddy since it had just rained. It's not everyday you get to eat a PB&J sandwich next to a tropical waterfall! I also had research work this week and even managed to squeeze in a coffee date with my girlfriends at our want-a-be Starbucks. They sell mini donuts there called "midgets!" now you just wouldn't find that in the States! It was a good week and the bump is doing just fine.
I had my 16 week check up today and it went well. The doctor put her stethascope to my belly and could hear movements, how cool! I always look forward to the doctor appointments. I even enjoy getting my blood pressure taken and seeing how much weight I've gained. In just three weeks from Friday we will have our 20 week ultrasound and find out the sex. I think this is the first time in my life that I have not really thought about my birthday. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to cake and presents, but I am way more excited to get to see our baby on the little ultrasound monitor... it will be the best birthday present!
The 16th week was a busy one - I had research work every night and Adam is starting to review for exams. But, we weren't the only busy ones.... our baby was hard at work too! Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day.
We ended the week with a yummy BBQ at a good friend's house - fresh tuna from St. George's fish market, guacamole from the local (and cheap) avocados, and homemade chocolate cake... yum, yum, yum! I was in heaven.
We took these pictures at the beach down the road from us.
Our baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all of his joints and limbs. Although his eyelids are still fused shut, he can sense light. He is also forming taste buds.... I bet he really enjoyed our homemade pizza! Hopefully he/she is a good eater like us. (we don't know the sex yet, but it's just easier to say he or she)
My 15th week wasn't the most enjoyable week. I was sick with a cold. Although it did give me the excuse to lay in the bedroom with the AC on and watch movies! I did have some non pregnancy related highlights of the the 15th week: the grocery store FINALLY had eggs and cream cheese, Adam and I had homemade pizza and movie night, and on Sunday the weather was actually cool! A storm rolled in and brought a cool breeze with it, which is a rare occasion in Grenada (it was actually the 4 year anniversary of Hurricane Ivan...kinda spooky!).
