16 Weeks Pregnant: Your Pregnancy Week by Week

mom with crib 16 weeks pregnant

You’ve made it to week sixteen. Hopefully, you have a little more energy now than you did a few weeks ago. Now that you are feeling a little less tired and a lot more pregnant, you may be ready to start decorating your baby’s room. If you haven’t started decorating your baby’s nursery, you will probably want to start on it soon. There are so many choices for baby bedding, window treatments, and wall decor that you may be having a tough time choosing the right theme. You may be waiting to find out what your baby’s gender is before you set off to decorate his or her room. In this week’s newsletter, we are going to help you narrow down your nursery ideas and give you some tips on saving money on decorating your baby’s nursery.


What Is Going on With Mom and Baby


avocado


Baby is the size of an avocado!


Mom: You may notice quickening or your baby moving this week. You may be starting to notice more aches and pains from being pregnant. If you are having problems with back pain, try using a maternity support belt. Wearing quality walking shoes and avoiding prolonged standing may help to relieve back pain as well.
Baby:
Baby’s crown to rump length is around 11-12 cm. Your baby weighs about 100-150 grams. Your baby’s eyes and ears are in their proper place now. Your baby’s circulatory system is functional now. Her sweat glands are forming now. Your baby also has toenails and fingernails now.


This Week’s Pregnancy Checklist



  • Talk to your doctor about AFP testing.

  • This should be done around 16-18 weeks of pregnancy.

  • Consider taking an infant CPR class.

  • If you have felt your baby move, write a journal entry about your baby’s first movements.

  • Plan a night out for you and your partner.

  • Look for some freezer ready recipes to use for later in your pregnancy.

  • Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.


Nursery Decorating Ideas


Decorating your baby’s nursery may be one of the most enjoyable experiences during your pregnancy. You may be looking for a few ideas of creative things you can do with your baby’s nursery. Here are a few ideas for you to think about.


Wall Hangings of Your Baby’s Name


You can purchase wooden letters to hang on your wall. Hand paint the letters to match the rest of your nursery theme. It is not as difficult as you might think and will really make your nursery unique.


Paint a Wall Mural


If you are really talented you can paint a mural from scratch. If not, you can purchase a wall mural online to use on your walls. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply the mural to your wall.


Stencils


Purchase stencils or make your own. Use the stencils to decorate the walls in your nursery or even your crib or other furniture.


Rugs


Purchase a coordinating area rug for the floor. This will give the finishing touch to your nursery theme.


nursery


Money Saving Tips for Decorating Your Nursery


So you want to decorate your baby’s room, and you don’t have a lot of money with which to do it. That’s okay! We are going to give you some ideas for decorating on a budget.


Hand-paint Your Room And Furnishings


Hand-painted accessories make your room look sharp and save you money. Stripes and checkerboard patterns are easy to paint with just a little tape. You can also use sponges to add texture to your walls. This will give your room a designer look without a lot of expense.


Garage Sales


Look for deals; garage sales are a great place to find baby items at a great price. Always bargain for the price. You may not be able to talk the seller down in price, but you just never know. It is worth a shot, and you could get a great price on something you are looking for.


Redecorate Items You Already Have


Use inexpensive fabric to cover trash cans and lamp shades. You can also use fabric and a staple gun to cover drawers of your dressers and create a custom-looking dresser that coordinates with the rest of your room.


Look at Bargain Stores


Look at close-out and discount stores for inexpensive picture frames and room decor. You can paint the frames to match your room and add photos or pages from storybooks to create your nursery theme.


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