Week Twenty

I can’t believe what I’m about to say, I’m 20 weeks along and officially half way through my pregnancy. Just thinking about it being half over is bittersweet. My favorite part about being pregnant is being able to feel my little guy move and knowing he’s always with me. In 20 more weeks, he will be out of my tummy and in my arms. I really cannot describe my thoughts on this. Sometimes it just seems too good to be true. I’m really looking forward to meeting my baby boy, but I know I’ll also be sad when he leaves my tummy and officially meets the world.

My week started out shopping with my Dad and Step Mom. They drove to Harrisburg to treat us to lunch and celebrate the baby. They brought us some cute presents including a baby sized Penn State Jersey and a baby Nittany lion plush animal.

They also took us shopping and bought us our car seat and an extra base, which was extremely generous of them. We then all pigged out on steamed little-neck clams for lunch (all of us besides Glen, who was utterly disgusted by the thought of eating a slimy sea creature).

I went back to get a 2nd ultrasound on Tuesday to measure the baby’s spine. Low and behold he was in the perfect position to get his spine measured. The ultrasound tech was pretty amazed that he was in that position. She then asked if I wanted to see a 3D picture of the baby and I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to see my baby in 3D. She took a few photos and 2-3 videos of the baby in 3D. She said that she’s never taken such a good picture of a baby this young before and that usually they look very skinny. She just kept commenting on how cooperative and beautiful he is, and I have to agree; our baby is absolutely stunning! I attached some 3D ultrasound photos for you to see. I really feel like you can start to see features of him, even though he’s only 10 ounces in weight. The baby’s measurements look perfect and he’s right on target in every way!

 

 

 

 I got so spoiled with these 3D images, that I decided to book a 3D ultrasound appointment with Womb with a View in Lancaster. Because they hold business accounts with the financial institution that I work for, I was able to obtain a pretty significant discount. That appointment is scheduled for May 14^th, Mother’s Day Weekend (I’ll be 28 weeks along). What better way to spend my first Mother’s Day than watching my baby in 3D!

Wednesday was my next baby appointment with a midwife at the Hershey Medical Center. These are the appointments where I get weighed, pee in a cup, hear the baby’s heart. The baby was moving around so much that she couldn’t get the heart rate. She was finally able to corner him and get it. She made many comments about how active of the baby is. Doctor’s and midwives don’t have to tell me how active my baby is, I can feel him pretty regularly, so I know that he loves to dance around in there. The best movements happen after meals. He particularly loves “donut day”, the day that I stop at Giant and get a chocolate covered sprinkle donut. I allow myself this pleasure once every week.

 

Week 20: Cantaloupe

Average size: 6.5 inches, 10.6 oz.

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!