Seven Weeks Today

Well it is hump day (work week is almost over) it is also the start of Hump Week for me. I am just over the half way mark for the first trimester. I want to thank God for a wonderful OB and also for all the amazing things that are going on in my little one's life.

~~ What is Happening this Week~~

Brain child. My little one's big accomplishment last week was the "zipping up" of the neural tube. This week, the budding genius is working on building brainpower. Although brain development will continue long after birth, the basic sections are laid down now. As the week progresses, the organ will divide into three parts: forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The forebrain will be responsible for things such as reasoning, problem solving, and forming and retaining memories. The midbrain will function as a traffic cop, relaying electrical signals to their final destinations in the brain. And the hindbrain will take care of breathing, heart rate, and muscle movement. The action isn't all upstairs, however. Limbs are also growing fast. Arm and leg buds have sprouted, though at this point they look more like paddles. Measuring up. My little one is 0.15 to 0.3 inch (4 to 8 millimeters) long this week, a little larger than the width of your pinky nail.

Out on a Limb
Limb buds have appeared and are gradually forming arms, hands, and legs. The dark spot on the photo is an eye.