Well, here we are starting week #17! Yay! I think I'm feeling some movement going on. It's absolutely amazing.

I've developed a cold, darn it all. It hasn't been too bad though, thank goodness. I'm hoping it will go away soon! I'm mostly just so stuffed up. Crazy. Other than that, all is good! Joe is still way busy with school and studying and all. Come on first week of December (the end of the semester)!

Mom and Ralph are coming to visit this weekend. I'm sooooo excited to have them be here and hang out with them. I'm glad they're able to come up.

Anyway, here's what's happening this week!

Your pregnancy: 17 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

- www.babycenter.com

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Joe & Kristen