Week 23

The average fetus measures between 10.5 and 11.8 inches (think of a papaya) by this time and weighs in between 12.7 and 20.8 ounces (ours was estimated at 14 ounces on 12/26...but we have no idea how the ultrasound tech arrived at that conclusion).

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With baby's sense of movement well developed by now, they can feel you dance. And now that baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see baby squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in baby's lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. Baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing them for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze them when they hear them outside the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing.

Baby's little face is fully formed, minus the baby fat. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.