Comparing Apples & Babies

At seven weeks old, our baby was the size of a blueberry. At fifteen weeks, our baby was the size of a red delicious apple. Now at nineteen weeks, our baby is apparently the size of a large heirloom tomato.

Each week, Leah gets an email from BabyCenter.com that gives her all kinds of fun, interesting and helpful facts about her stage of pregnancy and development. For example, this week we learned that our baby has eyebrows now, and can hear. We also learned that because of Leah's increased estrogen levels, she might suffer from red palms. So far her palms look normal, but we'll keep an eye out for that.

The comparisons seem harmless enough, even cute, when you're comparing a baby to a kumquat. But there's a certain cruelty that becomes common in the later weeks when the unborn baby is compared to a pineapple, a watermelon and a pumpkin. I'm not looking forward to the day Leah gets that in her inbox. And as far as week 37 goes, what the heck is a Swiss chard, anyway?

But as strange as it feels at first, I am used to it now, and will continue the comparisons after the baby is born. So if one day you hear me say that our baby sleeps like a grape, or eats like a pomegranate, or talks like a mushroom, or dresses like a bell pepper, or dances like a glob of horseradish, you'll know exactly what I mean. 

Comments

[Meghan Smith]

Thanks for this post! It cracked me up. Our bean is compared to a leek this week. A leek!?! The small human in my belly certainly seems vastly larger than a leek. I suppose they were just giving a length representation? However, what about next week when he becomes a "mini-watermelon" or the week after that a "small pumpkin"? What constitutes a mini-watermelon or a small pumpkin? It seems a bit abstract (aside from being somewhat offensive). I think they need to revise some of their fruits and vegetables... Congrats to you both and happy healthy pregnancy to you!!