Monday, April 16, 2012

20 Week Update: Gender Reveal

It is hard to believe I am entering my 21st week.  Until last week, I had not taken a "belly" photo since 12 weeks, but after looking back through my maternity photos while pregnant with B I decided it was time to be more consistent.

We had our 20 week gender/anatomy ultrasound Friday, so before I share an update I'm sure you are wondering if the ultrasound revealed a:

Well, you'll have to scroll to the bottom to see the results (unless you already know, of course)!!

My friend Ashley does a weekly bump report and I really like the topics she covers, so I am going to snatch a few of her ideas.  If you have a chance you should click over and see her cute baby bump.

How far along:  20 weeks (technically 20 weeks and 6 days)

How big is the baby:  Our ultrasound tech said the baby currently weighs 14 ounces

Total weight gain:  I was so pleased that I had gained less weight during the first trimester compared to my last pregnancy (WHEW, I gained 46 pounds with Bennett).  Well, I have caught up.  I have now gained 14 pounds since the start of this pregnancy.

Sleep:  Overall, I sleep great.  I do struggle to fall back to sleep if I am awoken by B.  Thankfully, that is not a regular occurrence.

Moments I want to remember:
  • When I ask B what is in my belly he says, "Sista or Brahder."
  • Bennett hearing his sibling's heartbeat for the first time during last week's ultrasound.  He talks about it on a daily basis saying, "I hear heartbeat.  Ba-boom.  Ba-boom.  Ba-boom.  It sound ike Cookie (referring to his Cookie Monster stethoscope)." 
  • Feeling the baby move for the first time
  • The encouragement I have received from various "mom friends" regarding the sex of our baby
  • The joy of seeing a healthy baby during the ultrasound after a scary start to this pregnancy
Food cravings:  Carbs, carbs, and more carbs.  Cereal has been something I want on a nightly basis, but otherwise I haven't had specific cravings since approximately 15 weeks.

Food aversions:  Nothing specific at this point.  Thankfully, I no longer gag at the thought of eating meat or cooked vegetables; however, I still have to make a conscious effort to eat enough protein each day.  

Symptoms:
  • I have been experiencing some soreness in my abdominal muscles (on the right) that can cause some significant discomfort when moving around
  • Fear that if I sneeze I might pee on myself :) Seriously!!
  • Occasional cramping
What I'm looking forward to:  De-cluttering and preparing the nursery for our new arrival.  Making the most of the time I have left alone with my sweet boy.  There are many moments during the the day that I cherish a little more, because I know my time alone with him won't last forever.

What I miss:  Running.  Sitting comfortably in the floor while playing with B.  Sleeping on my belly.

And now for the gender reveal:

*I wish the photos weren't out of focus (among other things), but trying to do self portraits when your child only takes a 30-45 minute nap is nearly impossible......at least it is for me.  I think I am going back to the days when Sam took my baby bump photos before bed with an on camera flash.  Looking pretty and having a "great" photo is not the goal anymore :)

Yep, it's a girl!!!!!!!!  I was surprised, but the ultrasound tech thought it was a girl several weeks ago during an ultrasound I had to monitor an ovarian cyst, so I have had a little time to adjust to the idea.  Unlike most people having one of each sex has never been all that important to me.  I could see the benefits and drawbacks of having another boy or girl.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't originally hoping for another boy, but primarily so B could grow up with a brother.  I know how great it is to have a sister and Sam knows how great it is to have a brother, but neither of us know what it is like to have a sibling of the opposite sex.  Therefore, our personal experiences influenced how we felt about our children's experiences.  Back to the point, I am now thrilled that we are having a girl.  There are so many things I think about experiencing with her that I would have never experienced if we had another boy.  Plus, praise the LORD for a healthy baby thus far.  








24 comments:

Courtney said...

How exciting!!! Congrats!! What a clever idea for a gender reveal!! Girls are fun!!

Mama Smors said...

Congrats to you all!! :) I am excited for you to experience motherhood through a totally different little person.....a little girl. I hope to get some little boy in the future. And PS- I am already imagining all the cute little pictures that you will be taking of this little princess.

Ashley Sisk said...

I started reading this on my iphone on my way to work at stoplights - couldn't wait to come in and read it fully. I am so excited for you...and that we'll have little girls the same age. You look AMAZING and so glad you're feeling better. Big hugs my friend!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I go in on Wednesday for a 20 week ultrasound. We were told at 16 weeks at a girl so we are hoping this confirms it.

Katie Perdue said...

Congratulations Amber! I am so excited for you and your sweet family.You look great, and I can't wait to see pictures of this little girl once she makes her arrival later this year :)

Sarah Coats said...

Congrats! I am so excited for you. Love the gender reveal idea. Super cute!!!

Rebecca @ Better Life Bags said...

whooo hoooo! You will LOVE having a little girl :) And B and her will be closer than you think... Jonah and Clara call themselves best friends ;)

Adeena said...

Yay! :D Congrats!

You might be surprised how close B and baby girl are. :)

Rebecca B said...

Yey! I think I told you this before, but as I grew up having only a brother, I can testify that there is a special bond that is formed. I really love having a brother. And having a girl, I can say that there is already a special mother-daughter bond forming that you'll love experiencing.

Deborah said...

Congratulations. It's such a blessing having a boy and now a girl. I'm very happy for you.

Nate and Molly said...

I love your pictures-what a cute idea! I think you look wonderful at 20 weeks! Congratulations on the baby girl. Bennett will learn so much through being the big brother.

Us said...

Wooohooo! I'm so glad everything looks healthy with baby girl! I've been thinking and praying for you over the last few weeks since the beginning was a bit scary. I totally get the thing about hoping for a boy. I would personally be sad if our future 3rd kid was a boy. I love the idea of all girls in our house. Glad you have another half of your pregnancy to get ready for a little miss in your house. They really are so much fun!

AP Mommy said...

Congrats! Girls are so fun!

Amy Sullivan said...

Eeek! Love girls, love, love girls, and you my friend, are adorable.

deb duty said...

I'm just now realizing you're having a baby! I'm so happy for you. (I realized it when I saw you were pinning baby girl nursery ideas on pinterest!)

The Boney's said...

You look beautiful! Yay yay yay for girl! Can't wait to meet her and do girly things! Love the pictures of the reveal too!

Alene said...

Oh. My. Goodness! So thankful I found my way to your blog. I'm so excited for you. You are going to just spoil that little girl crazy! There's something about the pink and white, and her little sweetness. What a great post capturing your journey. Blessings for an awesome pregnancy and delivery!

www.positivelyalene.com/

Heidi of Operation Organization said...

HI Amber!! SO glad I stopped by so I could wish you congratulations!!

How exciting!

~Heidi

Carolina said...

Love your idea of the gender reveal- you look really great pregnant for 20 weeks! I am so excited you're having a little girl and although shocking at first I know you will love it. The Lord knows the plans He has for her life! :)

Karli @ The Bonnie 5 said...

Oh my goodness, I didn't know!!! What WONDERFUL news... I'm just so happy for you! And as a mom of blue AND pink... let me just tell you how awesome a girl is - YAY you! :-) You look fantastic too!

I have to tell you, I absolutely ADORED your comment on my blog today. It seems like so many of us are feeling the same way, but something about the way you worded it really hit home. And your comment about my grandkids reading it 30 years from now? I seriously didn't think of it that way! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts... they meant so much!! Congrats again on your sweet little girl on the way! xo

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Ah that's great news Amber - we always hoped a little girl would come our way - we now hope we'll someday have a granddaughter instead. I can so related to you wanting to spend that precious time with your wee one now.

You're looking wonderful - blooming!

Tiffany said...

Yay!!!! Congratulations! I'm so glad baby girl is healthy! :]

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Little girls are so fun! I'm sure B will make a great protective older brother!

Unknown said...

Have I mentioned how excited I am to go do a little shopping for pink and frilly?? I know this comment is way overdue, but since I kinda knew ahead of time I wasn't surprised ;)