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First Trimester
I began developing my brain and spinal cord, as well as my major organs. My parents were also able to hear my heartbeat during this time. My limbs started to grow around 3 weeks, and fingers and toes around 8 weeks. By the end of the first trimester, I was roughly around 3 inches long. I am getting all of my nutrients through the placenta in order to grow.
Source: Healthline -
Second Trimester
Second trimester is weeks 14-27. By 18 weeks, I am able to yawn and hiccup, and I am able to start kicking around 21 weeks. During this time, I also start getting my little baby hairs, and my eyelashes and eyebrows. My heartbeat is regulated by week 17, and I'm able to see, hear, and taste by week 22. I'm about 2lbs at this point.
Source: What to Expect -
Third Trimester
Third trimester starts at 28 weeks and lasts through birth. By week 31, all of my senses are fully developed, and I am able to see light and dark as well as hear what's going on outside the womb. My brain grows rapidly during this period of time, and I am able to regulate my body temperature and have dreams. I grow a lot during this time, growing from about 2 1/2 inches to 6-9 inches.
Source: What to Expect -
Birth Through 2 Weeks
I arrived about a month early through C-section. My twin sister and I were having some complications in the womb and the doctors decided it would be best to deliver us early. They brought my mom into the operating room, and in less than 10 minutes, my sister and I were born. We were cleaned up and our mom was able to hold us for a little bit, but then we had to go to the NICU. I remained in the NICU for about 2 weeks where my heart was monitored, then was brought home. -
Infancy: Physical, Month 4
By 4 months, I'm able to roll onto my back and can lift my head while laying on my stomach. I'm sleeping about 16 hours a day, and can almost sleep through the night, but wake up after about 6 hours. I'm able to wiggle my arms and legs and can sit up with some help.
Image credit: FirstCry Parenting -
Infancy: Social/Emotional, Month 8
By month 8, I am able to recognize my own name, and can also distinguish family/friends from strangers. I also start to imitate noises and other sounds, as well as facial expressions. I also like to be tickled and love to smile.
Image Credit: Rainy Day Mum -
Infancy: Social/Emotional, Month 12
By month 12, I start to imitate others and like handing others objects. I can independently play on the floor, but get upset when separated from my parents. I like being held and love being read to. I am also able to recognize myself in pictures and the mirror.
Image Credit: Pinterest -
Infancy: Mental, Month 14
By month 14, I'm able to clearly say hi and bye, as well as about 8-20 other words. I can point at something and ask for it and can understand and follow simple one-step instructions. I can play peek-a-boo and I look at someone while they talk to me
Image Credit: Today's Parent -
Toddlerhood: Physical, Month 18
By 18 months, I'm able to run and like to run, but I can't stop or turn very well yet. I probably stumbled and tripped a lot. I can wash my hands with help, can feed myself (very messily). I also like to get into things, such as cabinets, boxes, or drawers.
Image Credit: Lesley Veronika Photography -
Toddlerhood: Mental, Month 22
I can talk A LOT. My vocabulary consists of a few hundred words, including names, and I can use two to three-word sentences. I enjoy humming and singing and like jabbering to myself and anyone that will listen. I have my favorite toys and toy preferences and like to choose between objects. I enjoy music and finger-plays, I'm also getting used to saying "Please" and "Thank you".
Image Credit: The Pregnancy Lab -
Toddlerhood: Physical, Month 24
By 2 years, I have almost all of my teeth and, while it's very messy, I am able to feed myself with a spoon. I can turn pages of a book and can scribble. I'm able to independently walk and am able to walk backward. I can also walk up and down the stairs by holding the railing. I can open drawers and cabinets, and love getting into things.
Image Credit: [Healthy Children](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Sample-One-Day-Menu-for-a-Two-Year-Old.aspx} -
Toddlerhood: Social/Emotional, 26 Months
I like to imitate others, especially my parents, but I get shy around strangers. I love giving hugs and kissing. I don't like asking for help when doing multiple tasks at a time, and I get frustrated easily. I don't quite understand the concept of sharing yet, so I don't like it when other kids take toys around me, even if I'm not playing with them. I love playing make-believe, like playing dress-up.
Image Credit: [Kara Abbey Photography}(https://www.karaabbey.com/braelynn-30-month-update/) -
Early Childhood: Social/Emotional, 3 Years
By 3 years, I'm able to follow simple directions and enjoy helping out both at home and in the classroom. I'm able to make simple choices and like making others laugh.
Photo Credit: Pinterest -
Early Childhood: Physical, 3 Years
By 3 years old, I'm starting to become more proportional and have most if not all of my baby teeth. I'm sleeping about 10-12 hours a night, and am able to feed myself with the occasional mess.
Photo Credit: Pinterest -
Early Childhood: Mental, 4 Years
By this age, I'm able to place objects in line from largest to smallest. I can also speak fairly complex sentences and begin to write my name.
Photo Credit: Pinterest -
Early Childhood: Physical, 5 Years
I might start losing some baby teeth at this age. I'm able to dress myself and have become fully right-handed. I like to skip and play with balls. I'm starting to learn how to ride a bike.
Photo Credit: Babyish Care -
Middle Childhood: Physical, 6 Years
I'm able to efficiently use scissors and other art supplies. I'm starting to grow my adult teeth and continue to lose my baby teeth. I'm also starting to look disproportional again.
Photo Credit: Pinterest -
Middle Childhood: Mental, 6 Years
I'm starting to understand the days of the weeks and left from right. Things still seem black and white to me, and I'm still pretty self-centered. I enjoy being recognized for my work and get upset when I'm not.
Photo Credit: FeedFond -
Middle Childhood: Social/Emotional, 7 Years
Friends are super important to me at this point, and I need to have as many as possible. I like playing with girls instead of boys, and I like to follow the rules.
Photo Credit: Babylish -
Middle Childhood: Physical, 8 Years
I'm starting to get my adult teeth in and still losing baby teeth. I can tie my shoes and I have a good sense of balance.
Photo Credit: For Every Mom -
Adolescence: Mental, 14 years-old
By this age, I'm starting to set goals for myself and thinking about what I want to study in college, though it's not urgent to me at this point in time. I'm able to use more complex thinking when it comes to decision making. I start to set goals and really develop my identity and who I am as a person.
Picture is my own, age 14 -
Adolescence: Social/Emotional, 15 years-old
At this age, I'm starting to take on a lot more pressure than I'm used to. This includes trying to fit in with my peers, maintaining good grades in school, making time for extracurriculars, and maintaining relationships with my friends, family, and new boyfriend (with whom I'm still with today). It's a lot to take on, especially at such an early age, and I get stressed out easily and frequently.
Picture is my own, age 15 -
Adolescence: Physical, 10-16 years-old
I begin to hit puberty at about age 10 and have my first menstrual period at age 11. I grow a little taller, but ultimately stop growing around age 15 (Team 5'2"!). My figure also becomes more feminine and filled out around age 16.
Picture is my own, age 15. -
Adolescence: Social/Emotional, 18 years-old
By 17, I'm becoming extremely independent from my parents and family and move out after high school. I have been in a committed relationship for 3 years at this point, and have a solid friend group. I have a job and am able to have spending money. Politics and other global problems actually start to matter to me, and I start to get ready for college.
Picture is my own, age 17
