Thanks to the latest imaging technology

we'll be peeking inside the womb to see how babies grow during the last

seven months before birth, and how they keep themselves busy in the meantime.

Now let's see how far our new little person has come in just eight weeks.

The face already has features

distinguishable from other babies the same age. And everyday

new features appear that will make this baby's face unique from any other face

ever in the history of faces.

Another feature unique to each person,

fingerprints, are being engraved at the same time.

At nine weeks our baby learns four of the most important things we do our entire lives-

sleep, wake-up, stretch,

and suck our thumbs.

Well maybe three things we do our entire lives.

In the tenth week some babies get a kick from using the womb like a trampoline.

While others the same age just shrug their shoulders.

Our eyes and nose

are two of the itchiest parts of our bodies.

Fortunately they take shape about the same time

baby learns how to scratch; and has fingers

to do it with. And baby's mouth can even open to practice saying, "Ahhhhh."

once the itch is gone.

At twelve weeks mom's coughing wakes the baby.

Also without being too specific, a close look will reveal that this baby's parents

can stop thinking about girls' names.

Also at twelve weeks baby starts to smile. It's probably just coincidence that this is

the same time that

baby learns to kick, bend, twist, turn the head,

make a fist,

and punch.

At thirteen weeks sex organs are more apparent. So is bone structure. And vocal chords are

close to fully formed, ready to shut out

with the first breath of fresh air.

Around four months

baby can grasp with hands, swim, turn somersaults, and frown.

That'll come in handy.

The fifth month is when mom and her baby start communicating.

For example,

a big noise from outside the womb

might be answered by a big kick on the inside, baby's way of telling Mom, "That scared me!"

There's a growing sense that the mouth is going to

be a big deal.

Thumb sucking and finger licking become serious business and baby seems to know that being

able to open the mouth will be

a useful skill one day.

Around week twenty-five

fine hair grows on the head and eyebrows.

The average weight is one-and-a-half pounds,

closer to a total of three pounds if you happen to be twins,

which makes it all a bit cozier.

This probably won't be the first time this boy and girl butt heads.

Or lend each other a helping hand in a tight spot.

By the way, even though it looks like the twins

are sharing the same room each is in a separate sac.

They won't actually touch each other until they're born.

In the last twelve weeks basic training for birth

goes into high gear.

Two baby skills are being perfected.

Grabbing.

And pouting.

Eye-teeth are present.

And so are eyes.

Eyelids do a lot of blinking even though there's nothing to see.

At first all this new stuff raises a lot of smiles.

But after a while anything can get boring.

Or even downright distasteful.

With just four more weeks to go

baby weighs well over two pounds.

And the once spacious room is getting a little cramped.

Except for packing on a few more pounds in the last few weeks

baby's appearance and behavior are pretty much identical to what they'll be at

birth.

The only major stage of development left

is for baby to make the first big decision in his life.

"When should I get out of here? And see if there's anything new and amazing

on the other side?"

Never suspecting that this first big decision will

produce the one thing

that never stops being new and amazing -

the miracle of seeing a new life

created by God.