Week 21 is here!

Hi All!

Well, I'm sure most of you have seen our video by now. It was the most amazing experience. It was so fun to see our little one! And it was great to have the technician look at every little detail and say that everything looked great! Even the doctor said that this tech is the best and he totally trusts her. He also said it was great that she never had to come and get him. I guess if the tech sees anything that isn't quite right, they have to go and get the doctor. He also said Joe should be able to feel the baby in another month and a half or so! I'm so excited for that!!!

We were so nervous going in to the ultrasound... all of a sudden we were going to know if we were having a son or a daughter and we wanted to know that everything was going great. It was a whole new level. And as we got to see our baby, it became even more of a reality for both of us. It was awesome. I am so grateful for all of this!

Our due date has moved to April 2nd. So, today we hit our 21 week mark! We're more than half way there! Whoo-hoo!

Joe is almost done with this semester! Yay!!! He has been studying so hard for all of these end of semester tests and has already taken one final. Crazy. I will be happy for him when he gets a break.

Work has been crazy busy for me. I could have stayed late every night this week trying to get stuff done. Fortunately I've had stuff going on all week in the evenings to keep me from staying. I will be getting another client the first week of December. Sigh. I have a new co-worker though, and we are hoping to transfer some of the stuff I've been doing over to her to do. This will help even out the load, I hope.

Well, here is what happened last week and what will happen this coming week:

Your pregnancy: 21 weeks

See the big picture
How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

How your life's changing: You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints. That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner. You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose. You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

Your pregnancy: 22 weeks

See the big picture
How your baby's growing: At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing: At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track. You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

www.babycenter.com

We hope you are all doing great!!!

Love, Joe and Kristen