21 weeks

Since coming back from vacation, I've been so busy (mostly with work) that I didn't even realize I was at 21 weeks until I got the weekly emails. Then I did a double take and thought, wow, this week has just flown.

I usually read a few web sites that talk about what's happening in the upcoming week. One in particular just struck a chord with me. I've linked it before. But here is Week 21. http://alphamom.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-calendar/week-twenty-one/

She is on her 3rd pregnancy and even she is looking at worst case scenarios. But in particular, this paragraph:

"Just knowing that horrible things can happen in pregnancy will never “prepare” you for them, if they happen to you. It won’t make things hurt less or or make you fold your hands quietly in resignation while the doctor delivers bad news. It does, however, remind me to cherish every moment I do get with my baby, even the uncomfortable “is it October yet?” moments. If something were to go wrong and these weeks of pregnancy were all I ever got to experience with this child, that wouldn’t make him less real. Less of my ever-so-loved-already son, who has his big brother’s mouth and his own name and his own place in our family."

This actually makes me think back to previous pregnancies and cherish the time that I did have. See, this is an always growing process. Maybe I'm just being overly emotional right now. But I wanted to share. (And no, I am NOT freaking out about this pregnancy. I just have my bittersweet moments. I love this baby and it's just amazing to feel him moving around down there. Amazing and weird. Very weird.)

I put off taking a picture, so the rest of this post was written right at 21 weeks but the picture is 21 weeks 2 days. I'm definitely starting to show and starting to get comments, even since I typed up the rest of this post.

How many weeks: 21

Size of baby: A pomegranate (or carrot on another site) and measures 19 cm or 7.5 inches.  The baby also weighs 350-425 grams or 12.3-15 ounces. Wow. 16 ounces is a pound. Really, the baby is THAT BIG already?! 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Oh my goodness. In the last two weeks (since I didn't even weigh myself last week) I have gained 5 pounds. That seems like a lot. I am now up overall 9.5 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: After coming back from vacation, my work pants are too tight and it's mostly right where they button/zip up because I'm carrying low. I've been on the test floor after the first day back though so I've been in jeans and even there am trying to decide between a pair of regular jeans that are just too big (and falling down a bit) or maternity jeans (that actually after wearing a bit are also a bit big and falling down). I think I'll pull out the be band for sure, with my work pants.

Gender: It's a boy!

Movement: I'm definitely feeling movement now and it's not always when I'm sitting still. I've been on the test floor at work, standing and working on stuff and feeling the baby thumping away. He seems to be pretty active already, and consistently in the same spot. I keep trying to get Dave's hand on my belly to feel it but so far he hasn't been able to. I have felt it from the outside with my own hand, though, so it's just a matter of timing now.

Sleep: During vacation I was pretty tired. Maybe part of that was basking in the sun. Since being back home I'm actually waking up pretty frequently in the middle of the night and surprisingly, I'm not too exhausted during the day because of it. Yet. I'm not sure if it's baby movements that wake me or just not needing as much sleep.

What I miss: I have to pee pretty frequently. And it's not because there's a lot there (sorry if TMI). But my bladder is definitely already squished. This does not bode well for the next 4 months or so...

Cravings: We finally went out and bought groceries to restock our fridge and cupboards. I'm not really craving anything. I'm going to try to be in general more healthy.

Aversions: None. Although I had Oatmeal just this morning and something gross texture wise was in it- maybe just a chunk that didn't soak in the milk. I actually gagged and almost puked.

Symptoms: Well, people are still saying I don't look pregnant. But I definitely feel it. My stomach feels a lot bigger. I have heard about popping but I don't know exactly what that means so... I guess I still haven't popped. And although I'm complaining about not having a stomach, at the same time I'm resisting putting on maternity clothes for some reason. I dunno, this all just still feels pretty surreal. But yeah, symptom wise, everything is good. I feel baby kicks and jabs, have some bleeding gums, have an ever growing belly area...

Best moment this week: The end of vacation since that overlapped with this week. I really needed it. Even with work being stressful, I could just tell I was more relaxed. Oh, can I add a 2nd best moment? There was a Pirate tailgate for work and I have to admit I was kind of dreading it because I wasn't sure who else was going (other than one friend for sure) and I couldn't drink. But I still had a lot of fun even though the Pirates lost (WHAT'S WITH THE PIRATES?!?!  GRRR)

Looking forward to: I have not even looked at my calendar to see what's going on. I have an appointment to get my hair highlighted on Saturday and I can't wait for that- it always makes me feel more fresh and I am long overdue. I haven't had any highlighting done since before the positive pregnancy test, so yes, it's been quite awhile.