Update: 22 Weeks (or 18 Weeks To Go)

Cinnamon Roll Baby. 21 Weeks

Yes, the last post said 20 weeks. So I missed one. I never committed to posting here regularly. Well, maybe I did, but I'm pregnant so I'm pretty sure you won't hold it against me. I also (against my better judgment) leaked the news on facebook first and that took most of the joy out of posting here. Sad, yes?

I'll do two in one to make up. Last week was a little bit busy and exciting. I even had some snarky comments on the weekly email updates that I get. Yes, your read that correctly. I also typed it correctly. I get more than one weekly update on the progress of our baby. I'm a little obsessed like that.

I've also decided to use the countdown method. Since I've already come farther than I have to go, it seems appropriate. And it makes me feel better. And It's my blog. I can do what I want. At this point making myself feel better is paramount. I even make myself do things that aren't fun like forcing myself to sit (or stand) up straight so that my back won't hurt. What can I say? Slouching is fun. Back pain is not.

I mentioned in my last post that I hoped that I wouldn't have to use any more gender neutral terms. I did not tell you that I had had a strong gut feeling that we wouldn't be able to find out. I had the feeling for several weeks. It proved to be correct. Throughout the course of the entire hour-plus ultrasound exam the baby kept it's feet and legs in front of where we needed to look and only moved to put her hands over her bottom or face depending on what the tech was trying to see. Once [s]he did both. So I don't have a big announcement. We still don't know for sure. I do have a really cool foot picture though.

Perfect little foot. 21 Weeks

Even though we weren't able to find out the gender, the best news is that [s]he measures and looks perfect. Perfect little kidneys and bladder. Perfect little spine. Perfect little cranium. That is really the best news that we could ever get. We also confirmed the due date to be November 7th. Which is a good thing because that's what I have been telling everyone.

Milestones

• Obviously the ultrasound is at the top of the list. This was the first extensive look at our perfectly formed human that is growing in my abdomen. From a blob of cells to a tiny little person in such a short time. Amazing!
• After all trauma associated with getting the blood out of me for tests, I found out that I'm anemic. First time EVER in my life that I've had something like this wrong. Yeah, for real. I'm ridiculously healthy. I always have been. So this was a shock. Except it wasn't. I knew I was too tired. But a few steaks and iron supplements later, I'm on the right track. I'm already feeling better. I got up early yesterday and even walking out to check for eggs doesn't seem so dreadful now.
• The baby is now (at 22 weeks) 11 inches long, about the size of a spaghetti squash, and weighs just less than a pound. It stays rolled up though, so getting around isn't too difficult yet.