21 weeks

I had my latest appointment at the midwife center right before 21 weeks. Along with that they did the blood draw to check my thyroid levels. I was in denial that I was getting a blood draw, so this time it didn't actually affect my sleep. I had a hard time with the blood draw but it's done. I am kinda irritated though because it seems like they are insisting I have an issue. I mentioned I'm cold and she said that that's a sign of hypothyroidism. Ok. I am ALWAYS cold. ALWAYS. I've never had any issues before this. I didn't mention I'm still tired because I'm sure that will get blamed on hypothyroidism as well. Annoying. I really blame it more on in general feeling stressed out because of a few things going on not baby-related in my life as well as chasing a toddler around. (I'm really irritated because the SPECIALIST did not have a problem. So why are they insisting this is so bad. She even mentioned needing medicine!)

Speaking of chasing a toddler around, does that count as exercise? Because last time with Neil I was on the exercise bike probably 3 times a week. If I run once a week this time, I'm lucky. Yet my weight is tracking (so far) really closely. My overall gain is less right now but my actual weight is very close to the same because I started out a little bit heavier this time.

Finally, I have a rash on my belly. It's mostly around where my pants fall on my belly but wow does it itch. I did ask the midwife about that and she said it's not pregnancy related. (I'm surprised she didn't blame this on hypothyroidism as well, grrr.) I should make a note of everything that I am told for myself and others because I forget so quickly. She said I can use pretty much any topical cream and she was going to check it out to see what she might recommend but I forgot when she went to check the heartbeat and it kinda comes and goes right now so it must not have been there. I was surprised though that even a hydro cortisone type cream is okay. I wish I had known that with all the mosquito bites I got in Savannah a few weeks ago! I didn't use anything and was scratching like crazy.

How many weeks: 21 (11/11/14)

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 13-15 ounces. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 0.5 pounds overall. I gained 0.5 pounds in the past week. Which is a miracle because my parents are in town and my mom is cooking/baking so my belly is pretty full.

Maternity Clothes: I did pull out all my maternity clothes and packed away my tighter clothes. I now have looser non-maternity sweaters as well as my pants that I bought after I had Neil before I lost all my pregnancy weight with him. I'm ready with the maternity clothes but not wearing them yet. They are all washed and in my closet now.

Gender: Boy

Movement: This baby is a mover! I feel it quite a bit. The midwife was having a hard time getting the heartbeat because of his movement. She kept finding it but then he would move. So he's definitely very active. Oh and I almost forgot! Dave felt the movement for the first time!

Sleep: I am still tired. That's just the normal right now. I'm sleeping pretty well but I often wake up an hour or so before my alarm goes off.

What I miss: Being able to take Advil. I got an optical migraine this week and usually if I take an Advil I can fend it off. Tylenol doesn't cut it. So I ended up laying down on the couch with my arms over my head blocking the light, trying to relax and let it go away.

Cravings: Ok the Halloween candy needs to go away. I always like ice cream, too.

Aversions: Nothing.

Symptoms: The second trimester is nice because you don't have as many symptoms. Speaking of that, though, why do we call them "symptoms"? This is not a disease! My gums are bleeding more and my nose is a little bloody in the morning sometimes when I wake up. See above for this rash on my stomach that the midwife center is saying is not pregnancy related so I guess technically that doesn't count as a symptom.

Best moment this week: Neil related, he loves to sing and I've been playing Let It Go (from Frozen) for him on my phone and singing with it. He loves the end where her voice gets higher and louder and sings with it. This is the most adorable thing ever. I swear.

Looking forward to: Last week I said the first snowfall and do you know what happened?! It snowed! Um, thanks but no thanks. It didn't stick to the ground at all and it looked like a mix of rain/snow. Since then it has warmed up so I'm looking forward to spending time outside while we still can before it gets really cold and snowy!

Same this time: Last time I actually said that Neil moved a lot as well. So lots of baby movement including when I'm not sitting down. I can definitely feel it at random times now when I'm not paying attention. Early on when you feel movement, you have to concentrate to feel it. I'm definitely past that point (although concentrating makes me be able to feel it more).

Different from last time: I mentioned this to the midwife at my appointment. Last time when I was pregnant with Neil I was actually warm or hot all the time. It was very weird because I am always cold (see above as well). Neil seems to be warm all the time so I figure now it was all from him. This time I'm always cold. So is this baby going to be cold like I am? He's not warming me up, doesn't he know that's his job?! ;)

One more thing in general. People have asked if Neil knows or not. While we aren't hiding the fact that I'm pregnant, we haven't made a big deal. But Neil constantly wants to be carried, and by me, so I've tried explaining. I told him there is a baby in my belly and put his hand on my belly.  Then he lifted his own shirt and looked at his belly. So I don't think he gets it yet.