Practice makes perfect!

Kate bought Jay a manly baby sling. Let's hope Joaquin looks more comfortable in it than Mayo.

Belly Picture Friday - 21 weeks, 1 day

Ticker Change Thursday - 21 Weeks

Joaquin is 21 weeks today and about the size of a banana. I'm not sure how a banana is bigger than a cantaloupe, but I'll go with it. Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. So, I guess I need think about what I want Joaquin to eat as I prepare my own meals.

How far along? 21 weeks
Weight gain/loss: Up 15ish pounds.
Sleep? No issues this week :-) Great sleep last night.
Best moment this week? Getting all of the wall decals up on Monday. It's really starting to feel like a nursery in there!
Movement: I really felt him kicking yesterday afternoon for the very first time, rather than just tiny little flutters. It was really cool. I admit that it made me cry, just a little.
Food cravings: Still salad.
Belly button in or out? In, barely. It's starting to pop out slowly.
What I miss? Clear skin - still. Ugh.
What I am looking forward to? Getting to 24 weeks, aka "V-Day" or "viability day." At 24 weeks, a baby has a greater than 50% chance of surviving if born.
Milestones: We are more than half way to seeing our healthy baby!
What I'm nervous about: I'm wondering how my feet are going to survive the next few months. They hurt already!

Special Delivery at Work!

I ordered Joaquin's quilt a long time ago but it was on backorder. It finally arrived. I love it. It even has his name on it!

Nursery Progress

This weekend, we received our crib and dresser and also put the wall decals up. Joaquin's room is starting to come together. We think it looks adorable. The next steps are getting the changing table (which should be here in the next week), getting the rug (should be here in 2-3 weeks) and putting up a curtain rod so we can hang the valance and curtains. We are also waiting on the rest of the crib bedding, which is on backorder, as well as the elephant mobile.

Belly Picture

20 weeks, 2 days.

Ticker Change Thursday - HALF WAY THERE!!!!!

Joaquin is 20 weeks today - that's half cooked!! Woohoo! He is about the size of a small cantaloupe. Joaquin'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.

How far along? 20 Weeks Today - half baked!
Weight gain/loss: Up 15ish pounds.
Sleep? No issues this week :-)
Best moment this week? Getting that amazing picture of Joaquin's little face. It is truly mesmerizing.
Movement: I can feel him now and then, but I have to be sitting still to notice it. I found out yesterday at my ultrasound that this is because I have an anterior placenta, which means that the placenta is between Joaquin and my skin. So, when he kicks or punches, I don't feel it much because he is kicking or punching the placenta.
Food cravings: Salad
Gender: BOY!! I got further proof at the ultrasound yesterday.
Belly button in or out? In, barely. I give it maybe 3 more weeks.
What I miss? Clear skin.
What I am looking forward to? Getting the nursery put together.
Milestones: We are half way to seeing our healthy baby today!
What I'm nervous about: Lasting 20 more weeks at work.