21 Weeks!

What is your due date?

June 29th, 2013

How far along are you?

21 weeks

What is the Gender of your baby?

That's going to be a surprise!

What are you going to name your baby?

We've come pretty close to settling on a girl name, haven't even discussed boy names yet. But we'll be keeping the names a secret as well.

Best Moment this week?
My 20-week Ultrasound!

What scripture is speaking to you this week? 

All of Psalm 121 - Trusting God and his incredible power in every aspect of my life!

Baby's growth? 

He/She is about 8 inches long. I forgot to get the exact measurement at the Ultrasound but they did say that it weighed 13 ounces. My pregnancy app says it's weighing in at close to a pound and the size of a Spaghetti squash. 
Symptoms?

A growing belly and a gigantic appetite that just doesn't seem to stop! (This hasn't changed). I also have a non-stop runny nose and am starting to think it's pregnancy related and not a 4-week long cold. This week was also the first week that I felt really tired, my body is finally slowing down a bit and starting to make it's own pace. 
Medical Stuff?

Since my last post I had more lab work done (at 18 weeks). As a pregnant woman, you get very used to getting poked. I actually don't mind it in the least though, I've had really good luck and never had a bad experience getting blood drawn. Oh yes, and the mask. I was coughing and sneezing which meant that I got to wear this beautiful mask to the lab. Lucky me!

All of my lab work came back normal which means I have a low-risk pregnancy and a healthy baby growing inside me. PRAISE THE LORD!

My 20-week ultra sound went great. Everything looked normal and healthy and growing. 

We got some good pictures of Little Foot and a peak at all of it's body parts, except the gender specific ones :)

Starting in March I'll have two appointments a month with my mid-wife. It sure seems like time is going by fast! 

Weight gain (or loss)?
I have gained 8 pounds to date. I am pretty sure by this point with Zachary I had gained over 20 so I'm feeling wonderful right now. I know there will probably be good days and bad but overall I'm eating well, exercising regularly, and feeling awesome!

Cravings?
Still a lot of fruit! I have strawberries and yogurt for breakfast every morning and then usually cantaloupe, oranges, pears, apples, mangos, or any combination of those 5 in the afternoon. My favorite thing in the whole world right now is Danon Light & Fit Yogurt. I can't get enough of it so I always put fruit in it to make it a guilt-free treat. 

Food Aversions?

Still none. Just about everything sounds good all of the time!
What Made Me Cry This Week?

My Ultrasound. I was highly emotional that day. 
Sleep? 
Still going great. I notice my growing belly getting in the way of my comfort more and more each day though. 

Maternity Clothes?

I am primarily in Maternity clothes with a few exceptions now. I am not having good luck finding a cute selection of maternity clothes so I've had to just size up and buy some non-maternity clothes  but I am definitely to the point where comfort comes before beauty. 
Stretch Marks?
None so far. 

Movement?
LOTS of movement lately! Got to see and feel baby kicking simultaneously at the ultrasound which was neat. It really links the whole experience together. There IS life inside me! Nathaniel got to feel baby kick last week also which was incredible. 

What I miss....
Still nothing - I love pregnancy! 

What I'm looking forward to....
Taking this baby bump, putting it into my new maternity swim suit, and laying on some tropical beaches in the Caribbean next week. We're headed for a 7 day cruise out of Miami and I can't wait! 

Labor Signs?
None but I did have a Braxton Hicks Contraction during my ultra sound (which I couldn't feel) and then started feeling a couple the following day. It's all normal and has nothing to do with labor but it's the closest reminder I've got that I will get to re-live the death joy that is labor.

Thoughts from the family....
Everyone is surprised/disappointed that we didn't find out the gender at our 20-week ultrasound but they are excited for us to be surprised. My husband still loves my growing belly and Zachary still talks about the baby and my belly. We announced our pregnancy during the holidays which was a busy time of year so it seems like it's starting to sink in a bit more for everyone that we're going to have a baby this summer. We have received a lot more interest in and questions about our pregnancy the last couple weeks.

Something I'm Excited About.... 

Our cruise!! And that we still don't know the gender. It gets me so much more excited to meet Little Foot and learn all about him or her when he or she is in my arms! 

Pregnancy related books you are reading.... 

Nothing pregnancy related, but I just started reading The Mommy Diaries - a compilation of short stories and journal entries from 50+ moms about finding yourself amidst the demands of Motherhood. 

Any other thoughts?

This week my heart opened more than I could possibly fathom it would. My heart used to be wrapped up in two boys, and now there is a third person that completes my whole heart. I know nothing about this tiny person except what it's feet feel like against the inside of my womb, yet, this baby has captured my soul and my heart entirely. 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, and I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:13-14