17 weeks

We are now 17 weeks and my appointment today went well! My belly bump is measuring 17 cm, which means we really are right on track with 17 weeks along!! The nurse did the fetal doppler in the office today and the heart rate of Baby K is 155 bpm. During the doppler, there were a few extra wooshing noises...she said the baby was kicking. What an active gymnast! At the next appointment we will have another ultrasound to make sure all the anatomy is okay. We are not finding out the sex of the baby because we want it to be a surprise for everyone, including us. Gender neutral until October! I am still feeling tired and still having very vivid, scary dreams. The doctor has assured me this is related to hormones. A new sensation occurred yesterday--intense right lower abdominal pain. I immediately layed down and examined my belly to make sure it wasn't appendicitis(the PA in me). Eventually, the pain went away. Us Kapplingers were thinking gas; however, the doctor said that my ligaments are stretching, which is normal. According to the books, our baby is now emptying it's bladder every 40-45 minutes, it is forming fingerprints, and the ears have moved from the neck to the head. The estimated weight is 5 ounces and length is between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 inches crown to rump. Impressive!