7 Weeks

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I am seven weeks pregnant. Morning sickness has gradually been increasing in frequency and severity. Yesterday was a bad day, mainly because I let it bother me mentally. I started thinking of how many days I was going to feel like this (17 weeks with Alia and 23 weeks with Neviyah), and that started to overwhelm me. I didn't want to feel like that for one day, much less for days upon days, and weeks upon weeks. I am feeling much more optomistic today, probably because I just feel better when I get to learn and do imagery work with Rabbi Neal and Carol Rose. Doing that work last night with the amazing group of women who were there just really helped me to see that it is in my best interest to focus on the light.

The big news this week: My baby's hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs. Technically, the baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of the tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

In addition, eyelid folds are partially covering the eyes which already have some color. Both hemispheres of baby's brain are growing, and the liver is churning out red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. The baby has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in baby's growing intestines is bulging into the umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

Meanwhile, I am still experiencing extreme exhaustion. When I get home from work, I have to immediately lay down on the couch and close my eyes. When I wake, if I have fallen asleep, I am starved and queasy. Then comes dinner, homework, personalities vying for attention...all equally re-exhausting. I am usually asleep by 8 or 8:30 p.m. and sometimes as early at 7:30 p.m.

Although Erin gave me LOTS of maternity clothes and so did Rachael, most are high waters, too big in the chest area, or for when the weather warms up a bit. I do think I am going to have to buy a few winter items. One thing I love though is the flannel pajamas from Erin. I put them on when I get home from work every night. If it were appropriate to go about town in them, I would.

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