Today We Are 14 Weeks Pregnant

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

The Overwhelming Task of Creating a Baby Registry

This might seem silly, but within minutes of sitting down to create Peanut's baby registry I became overwhelmed by the task. Armed with The Bump's Baby Registry 101 articles and Checklists as well as Nina's list of "Must-Haves," I sat down feeling comfortable and prepared. Little did I know that I would suddenly have a list of questions, such as "Are there particular brands I should gravitate toward / stay away from?" Of course, I e-mailed my baby-question-go-to, Nina, and thank goodness she replied with the most helpful "Here, register for this" list (the first thing on her list was this adorable "Peanut" onesie, which is obviously a must-have!). While I'm nowhere near finished creating the registry, I can at least breathe a sigh of relief knowing I've gotten a great start thanks to Nina.

The Origin of the Nickname "Peanut"

Two years ago, Nina was six months pregnant with Caroline. Caroline hid the goods every time Nina had an ultrasound, so Nina did not yet know whether Caroline was a girl or a boy. Not wanting to call Caroline "it," Nina gave Caroline the gender-neutral nickname "Squishy," which could be either "Squish-he" or "Squish-she."

Fast forward nearly two years to the early stages of our pregnancy. I immediately began referring to our tiny baby as "Little Littlefield," but as if "Littlefield" isn't enough already.... As Nina & Lital were in on "the secret" practically since the day we discovered we were pregnant, they began brainstorming for a shorter, easier-to-say, gender-neutral nickname for Little Littlefield.

Nina, knowing that I am a huge Winnie the Pooh fan (in true Miller family fashion), generously gifted a Classic Pooh Newborn Cap, Pacifier and Pacifier Attacher with an adorable Winnie the Pooh card that read: "A little something for your little pooh-bear." I loved it! (You can bet the Newborn Cap is going to be packed in the hospital bag!)

At about the same time and completely independent of Nina, Lital also gave Little Littlefield her own nickname. Tired of saying and writing "s/he," "him/her" and "it," Lital simply began referring to Little Littlefield as "Peanut."

I subtly tested the two nicknames on Prescott and my mom by using them in conversation. I have no idea why, but Lital's nickname "Peanut" stuck. (And I am afraid that no matter what name we choose, in some circles, Peanut will forever be known as Peanut).

Today We Are 13 Weeks Pregnant

How your baby's growing:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

Peanut's Cousins!

Peanut will have two cousins born within the seven months before s/he is due on November 26, 2010.

Peanut's cousin Ava Haleigh Miller was born on May 8, 2010. You can see pictures of her at katieava.shutterfly.com.

Peanut's cousin Baby Boy Griffin is due on September 22, 2010. You can count down to his arrival at griffinfamilysf.blogspot.com.

It is so exciting how close in age the cousins will be!

Trying Not to Obsess About Weight Gain

Where Do Babies Come From?

We've been trolling the world of popular culture in an effort to discover the various myths that exist about giving birth. We haven't had time to run this one by our doctor, but we're pretty sure this is the way it happens....

Celebrity Sighting at the Doctor's Office!

Peanut was not the only celebrity at the doctor's office! While we sat waiting for the ultrasound tech to call us in, a young woman walked in. While she checked in, Prescott saw her and jokingly turned to me and said, "Is that Anna from 'V'?" I looked up at her, but she had her back to us so all I could see was her short, black hair. Then she turned and walked toward us, and Prescott was right! It was Anna from "V"! (Of course, Prescott thinks this is an invasion of her privacy to post this.)

Celebrity Sighting at the Doctor's Office!

Today we went for our 12-week appointment, which included an ultrasound and blood draw. Peanut has grown so much in the last four weeks! S/he's running out of space!

Today We Are 12 Weeks Pregnant

How your baby's growing:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.