Today is the last day our baby will be called an embryo. With all major body parts in the right places, for the most part, the baby has completed its embryonic phase of development and will be referred to as a fetus from this point forward. Another crucial milestone. Those finger and toe nails that began as specks in the beginning of this week are almost completely formed already. The external genitalia has begun to transform into that of a baby boy or that of a baby girl. That transformation will be complete within the next 3 weeks. The blood vessels leading to and from the placenta have increased dramatically in size over the last couple of weeks as the baby's thirst for additional nutrients from Antoinette grows as fast as everything else. The ears are continuing their transition from the back of the head to the side of the head. The intestines are growing and man, there's a whole lot of that stuff to grow. As a matter of fact, there is so much intestine, that at this phase of development, they have begun to push into the umbilical cord. As the baby's abdomen continues to grow, the intestines will eventually get pulled back where they belong, in about a week or two. And now for the gross part. The urinary system is now functioning. The swallowing mechanism is now functioning. In a closed liquid environment, you get the idea. The good news is that the baby is basically just recycling amniotic fluid as its systems work through the paces and it begins practicing a vital technique for the future. The baby is kicking and grasping now, but Antoinette can't feel it yet. Not for another couple weeks. All organ systems are functioning and will continue to grow stronger and more efficient over the remainder of the pregnancy. If we're lucky and she feels up to it, Antoinette will provide the next update so you can all hear from her own mouth how she is feeling at this stage of pregnancy. Here's her Week 11 picture. Look at that smile!!! What a trooper!!!
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