We started off this week with our 21 week doctor’s appointment and ultrasound – which was a blast. Up until now I both longed for and dreaded doctor’s appointments because while I love getting to hear the heartbeat, I worked myself up for each appointment, convincing myself something would be wrong. At my 16 week appointment I was freaking out so badly that my blood pressure shot up to 126/70, which is through the roof for me. I’m normally somewhere around 100/60 so I was seriously NERVOUS. Now that baby girl is kicking and punching me throughout the day, I know she’s doing well in there and for the first time I was just plain excited to go to my appointment and get sneak peak at her little arms, legs, toes and cute(?) little face. (Blood pressure = 108/64, cool as a cucumber.)

Of course with all the measurements they took at the ultrasound, I still worried that she would be too big or too small or have some kind of genetic disorder (quad screen blood test results were in at this appointment). But we are truly blessed with a healthy baby girl who has (from what the doctor can see) all her vital organs, no elevated risks for genetic disorders (knock on wood!) and weighs an adorable (i think everything relating to the baby is adorable) 13 ounces – right in the 50% percentile for weight at 21 weeks gestation. Dan and I also got to enjoy almost a full 30 minutes of watching her wiggle around on the screen – trying to suck on her fingers, playing with her hands and toes, stretching out her neck and doing complete 360 degree spins on her head – I definitely felt that one! The doctor says in the next week or so Dan will probably be able to feel her little kicks which is so exciting. I can’t wait to share that incredible feeling with him.

Here’s a picture from baby Richards’ 21 week checkup – she is head down already (good girl!) and already two big to fit her whole body on the ultrasound screen.

This one shows her stretching out her back and neck – she’s excited for yoga class tonight 😉

In other news this week, we painted the nursery! And by “we” I mean Dan since he kicked me out after about 20 minutes, saying I shouldn’t be exposing baby to paint fumes. The room came out really nice though – we’re going with a grey, ivory and pink color scheme – so the walls are grey, crib and dresser will be ivory, and everything else will be pink 😉

And now…this week’s chart:

How far along? 21 Weeks

Total weight gain: 6 lbs (doc says to expect a “growth spurt” over the next 3-4 weeks)
Maternity clothes?  oh yes
Stretch marks? thankfully not yet
Sleep: not too bad
Best moment this week: seeing (and feeling) baby girl wiggle around on the ultrasound
Miss Anything? hot dogs
Movement: more and more everyday
Food cravings: hot dogs, still
Anything making you queasy or sick: not really – hallelujah!
Gender: It’s a girl!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: heartburn, but its not terrible
Belly Button in or out? in (but belly button ring is out, per doctor’s advice)
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Dan being able to feel baby kicks