23 Weeks

Baby is still the length of a papaya!

"Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop. "

Weekly Survey
How far along: 23 Weeks
How big is baby: The length of a papaya.
Weight gain: Small gain of 0.2 pounds for a total gain of 13.8.
Stretch marks: Nope, hopefully the lotion everyday is helping
Maternity clothes: Exclusively.
Sleep: Ok.
Best moment this week:Starting to clean out the future nursery.
Food cravings: Nothing particular.
Food aversions: None.
Symptoms: Nothing major.
Exercise: Dog walks.
Gender: GIRL!
Movement: She's moving in there for sure! Bryan was able to see one of her kicks but has not felt her yet.
Belly button: In
What I miss: Nothing major this week.
Labor signs: No Way
What I'm looking forward to: Continuing the nursery. I'll be sure to take progress photos.
Milestones: More kicks.

The Week 23 Bump!

22 Weeks

Baby is now the length of a papaya!

"Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop. "

Weekly Survey
How far along: 22 Weeks
How big is baby: The length of a papaya.
Weight gain: Up 1.0 pounds for a total gain of 13.6.
Stretch marks: Nope, not yet
Maternity clothes: Pretty much exclusively.
Sleep: I have good nights and bad nights but the new body pillow helps!
Best moment this week: Ordering baby girl's bedding and picking a paint color. Now we just need to clean her room out so we can get started!
Food cravings: Mmm...cheese and pasta.
Food aversions: None.
Symptoms: Nothing major.
Exercise: Dog walks and a walk around Lake Underhill.
Gender: GIRL!
Movement: I can definitely feel her moving around in there daily! I can't wait for Bryan to feel her.
Belly button: In
What I miss: Bending over normally.
Labor signs: No Way
What I'm looking forward to: Starting the nursery.
Milestones: More kicks.

The Week 22 Bump!

21 Weeks

Baby is now the length of a banana!

**Baby is now measured head to toe vs. head to rump.

"Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch."

Weekly Survey
How far along: 21 Weeks
How big is baby: The length of a banana.
Weight gain: Up 1.8 pounds for a total gain of 12.6.
Stretch marks: Nope, not yet
Maternity clothes: Pretty much exclusively.
Sleep: Meh, been tossing and turning lately.
Best moment this week: Finding out we're having a GIRL! I also, felt her kick for the first time this week. It's amazing to feel her moving around in there.
Food cravings: Nothing particular.
Food aversions: None.
Symptoms: Nothing major.
Exercise: Dog walk.
Gender: GIRL!
Movement: I felt her first kicks this week!
Belly button: In
What I miss: Being more active.
Labor signs: No Way
What I'm looking forward to: Our July trip to South Carolina!
Milestones: First Kicks

The Week 21 Bump!

It's a...GIRL!

We had our anatomy scan yesterday to check that the little one was growing strong and healthy. We got to see arms, hands, fingers, head, spine, brain, legs and little feet. We were able to see her beating heart and all four chambers going strong. She had a healthy heart rate of 146 bpm.

Check out her cute profile!

When we first started the scan, she was being very stubborn with her legs crossed and knees pulled to her chest. She was not going to reveal her goods that easily... The ultrasound tech had me roll to my left side for a bit then I rolled back and she tried again, still no luck. I tried the right side for a bit and she STILL would not uncross those legs. The tech said it might help if I emptied my bladder in the restroom to give her a little more room to move around. While in there I jumped around a bit too. :)

As soon as the the tech started the ultrasound again, she knew instantly that baby girl had moved. She started the scan vertical in a head up, butt down position and now was completetly horizontal...with her legs uncrossed. We were able to get a without a doubt picture that she is definitley ALL GIRL!

Her little butt is to the left with her legs out straight. You can see the lack of boy parts in between her legs. Also on the top is her little hand resting next to her leg.

During the appointment I learned that my placenta is in front closest to my belly. This is why I haven't felt her moving around yet. I'll have to wait till she's strong enough to feel her little kicks through the placenta.

Baby girl was measuring within a day of her due date and at the 49th percentile. Not big and not small - just perfect.

I don't believe I'll get to see her again unless we do an optional ultrasound or require some sort of growth scan closer to my due date.

And finally, just for fun...a belly comparison from 6 weeks to 20 weeks. (Click picture for a better view.)

20 Weeks

Baby is now the size of a cantaloupe!


Weekly Survey
How far along: 20 Weeks
How big is baby: The size of a cantaloupe.
Weight gain: Down 1.4 pounds for a total gain of 10.8.
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: All the time.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Booking a summer cruise! ...then having to cancel because apparently it's unsafe to cruise at 24 weeks. Whatever.
Food cravings: Nothing particular.
Food aversions: Nothing particular.
Symptoms: Occasional headaches.
Exercise: Dog walk and Laser Tag
Gender: We find out tomorrow!!
Movement: Sometimes I think I feel something, but I'm not 100% sure...
Belly button: In
What I miss: Beer.
Labor signs: No Way
What I'm looking forward to: Anatomy scan tomorrow.
Milestones: Halfway through!

The Week 20 Bump!