21 Weeks

I keep planning to make a "week" post on Sundays but so far have ended up too busy. Here is the baby's progress report. It's not all inclusive, just a simple one from Kidshealth.org.

Your Baby's Development
The amniotic fluid that has cushioned and supported your baby in the uterus now serves another purpose. The intestines have developed enough that small amounts of sugars can be absorbed from the fluid that is swallowed and passed through the digestive system to the large bowel. Almost all of your baby's nourishment, however, still comes from you through the placenta.
Until now your baby's liver and spleen have been responsible for the production of blood cells. But now the bone marrow spaces are developed enough to contribute to blood cell formation as well, and bone marrow will become the major site of blood cell production in the third trimester and after birth. (The spleen will stop producing blood cells by week 30, and the liver will stop a few weeks before birth.)

Pretty cool, I think. The bean can also hear sounds now, which I think is just incredible. He's getting to know us while he's in the womb. Just amazing.