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

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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

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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

Latest Doctor Visit

Guess what we are having? To find out watch the ultrasound.
The text for what you are looking at is in the upper left corner, sorry it is kind-of blurry. So use your imagination........

Well, here we are starting week 20!!! Yay!!! Everything is going well. Well... except for the numbness in my right arm all the time. Sigh. Oh well. They say it's normal because of all the swelling that goes on inside.... pinching things and all. Hopefully it won't be numb forever! Ha ha. Other than that, things are great. We get to find out if we're having a boy or a girl on Friday (November 14th). I'm so excited. We'll be sure to let ya'll know!

Joe is still hanging in there with school! The first week of December is finals week. He's been such a great trooper through it all. He is taking such a monsterous load. Hopefully he won't have to do that anymore. My genius hunney is getting burnt out!

Dad and Jerrilyn have been called on their mission! Yay! They have been trying to go on a mission for a long time and things kept delaying them. It's finally happening for them! They have been called to serve in the Translation Department of the church. That will be such a great thing to be a part of! It's such an important part of spreading the gospel around the world. They report to the Missionary Training Center in January, but have decided to come to Utah early (they arrived last night) to spend some time with Grandma Evans, Utah family, and visiting California family. It will be great to have them so close by!

Well, here is what is happening this next week.

Your pregnancy: 20 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

www.babycenter.com

Howdy All!

Mom and Ralph have been here visiting this week. It's been so fun to have them here! They brought us a beautiful rocking chair and our baby's first outfit. So fun!!!

And recently Mom and Dad Green gave us a dresser for the baby as well as some of Joe's baby blankets. It's so exciting!

I had another migraine this week. I finally called the doctor to see if there is anything I can do. They told me to come in and they did some blood work. Turns out I'm anemic. They told me to take iron pills. I'm hoping this will help big time with my headaches and all of the other symptoms I've been having, but didn't know why. :0)

Here's what happened this last week and this coming week. Very exciting things!

Your pregnancy: 18 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

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How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Info from www.babycenter.com

Well, here we are starting week #17! Yay! I think I'm feeling some movement going on. It's absolutely amazing.

I've developed a cold, darn it all. It hasn't been too bad though, thank goodness. I'm hoping it will go away soon! I'm mostly just so stuffed up. Crazy. Other than that, all is good! Joe is still way busy with school and studying and all. Come on first week of December (the end of the semester)!

Mom and Ralph are coming to visit this weekend. I'm sooooo excited to have them be here and hang out with them. I'm glad they're able to come up.

Anyway, here's what's happening this week!

Your pregnancy: 17 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

- www.babycenter.com

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Joe & Kristen