Update from Chana:
I went to see the pediatrician last week because my "eye goo" came back. I think I had a clogged tear duct from the time I was born and both eyes used to be gooey all the time. Then, when I was about 4 months old, I was admitted into the hospital for an unknown virus (which turned out to be nothing), but while I was there they gave me some IV antibiotics. And POOF, my eye goo was gone...for a few weeks. It came back in one eye and stayed around for a few months before disappearing again. Then, I got an ear infection right after I turned one and the eye goo came back along with the infection. I took Amoxicillin for the ear infection, and the eye goo left. (I bet you know what's coming next, don't you?) About a week ago, the goo returned...but without any sign of an infection. The pediatrician then put me on Augmentin (which tastes terrible, so make sure CVS puts flavor in if you need to take this as an oral suspension). So far the goo is gone, and we hope it doesn't come back, but my mommy is going to make me an appointment with the eye doctor to see if there's something still blocking my tear duct. I sure hope not! My mommy says that she had to have her tear duct clog removed when she was 11 months old, but I'd rather not have that same experience.

Update from Dovid:
I also got to see the doctor this week, but for something completely different. I had a follow up with the surgeon at Children's Hospital to take a look at my umbilical hernia. The doctor says that it looks MUCH better than it did the last time I saw him, and he also says that it really should resolve itself without any surgery (YAY). He told Mommy that the pediatrician should just keep a watch on it to make sure that it resolves, but that I don't need to see him again unless she recommends me to later on. He also said that they don't usually operate on these things until at least the age of 5, so by then it really should be gone. If not, I guess I'll have to see him again...but I'd really rather not.

Update from Mommy:
I'd like to do a weekly fetus update, and since my week changes on Thursdays (ie I became 9 weeks on Thursday), I'll start posting this type of thing on Thursday. This week I'll post a weensy bit late, and I hope you don't mind! Also, I'd rather not refer to fetus updates by the title "Update from The Fetus," so I'd appreciate some ideas from you guys on what I can title it instead. Until then...

Update from The Fetus: (9 weeks)

• My crown-to-rump length is about 1.25 to 1.68 inches (about the size of a grape), and I weigh about 0.18 ounces.
• My placenta is now producing progesterone which helps to make nutrients for me.
• I've now passed the stage when I was most susceptible to damage and by the end of this week, the danger zone for congenital abnormalities has passed!
• The plan for my body has been completely laid down by now, and further growth and cell division will build on this plan.
• My eyelids are fused shut and won't reopen until 27 weeks.
• My taste and tooth buds have appeared, and I have recently developed fingers and toes, which are now well-formed.
• My heart is finishing its division into four chambers, and the valves are starting to form.
• Ankles, wrists and my inner ear have formed; my nose is flat, and my eyes are far apart.
• My eyes, ears, mouth and nose are all recognizable, and my tail is disappearing.
• I'm swimming all around the amniotic sac and moving my feet and ankles. Mommy still cannot feel these movements, but maybe she'll be able to see them on an ultrasound.
• Blood is circulating through the arteries and the vein of the umbilical cord, and my brain is developing at a phenomenal rate. About one quarter of a million new neurons are produced every single minute at this stage.
• If I'm a boy, my testes, though they are not even clearly visible, are already producing testosterone.
• And finally, I'm no longer called an embryo, but rather a fetus!!! WOO HOO!