20 Weeks

Baby is the Size of a Mango

New for baby this week?  10 inches long (the major "growth spurt" is only half true, since measurements are now made head to toe instead of head to rump), 10.5 oz, starting to plump up, practicing breathing amniotic fluid, ovaries or testicles are in place, teeth buds, eyelashes, and eyebrows are forming

Total weight gain/loss? 6 lbs 

Maternity clothes? Fewer and fewer non-maternity clothes are fitting. Shirts areh getting too short/tight. But I haven't had to move up in a size in scrubs yet at work.

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep? Normal.

Best moment this week? Anatomy Scan

Miss Anything? No.

Movement?  Lots of little baby kicks.

Food cravings?  Halloween candy has been delicious

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really.

Have you started to show yet? Growing bump.

Gender? I think boy!

Labor Signs? No.

Belly Button in or out? I call it buttoned.  

Wedding rings on or off? On.

How is mama feeling? Pretty normal.  Some ligament stretching pains here and there.

Looking forward to?  Thanksgiving

20 weeks, the official halfway mark.  I just can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going.  As the weeks sneak by I get nervous about being the mama of two and finding a new normal.  But I am also so in love with this new baby and can't wait to see how he/she changes our little family. 

Our most exciting event over the last couple weeks was Baby L 2.0's anatomy scan.  It was a little different than with Bran because we went to a separate outpatient center through OSU for the ultrasound. The sonographer was very nice, and very tolerant of the wild toddler in the room during the exam. Bran was much less interested in this ultrasound and kept Daddy very busy.  I don't think Daddy actually got to see much to be honest. The great news is everything looks great, anatomy is normal, and baby is growing right on schedule.  He/she is in the 55th percentile, yay for an average sized baby! Lets hope it stays that way.  The baby was super active through the entire exam which was a lot of fun to watch.  He/she kept touching their face, waving, and kicking their little feet. 

So compared to Bran this baby is measuring smaller (at the 20 week mark, Bran was in the 70th percentile, but he was in the 50th percentile closer to delivery time). The heart rates are very similar.  Baby L 2.0 was 136 BPM and Bran's at his 20 week ultrasound was 141 BPM.

Feet

Lower leg

Heart, 4 Chambers (Normal anatomy, so thankful!) and 136 BPM. 

Hand

Wide open mouth.

Nose, skull, eyes.

Profile with hand under chin,

I can't wait to see this cute little face!

More feet :)

The following week I had a follow up 20 week exam with Dr. Turner.  They apparently did not disclose the gender to her either, so it looks like we will all be surprised come April! I told her that walking out of the ultrasound I just had this feeling it was a boy.  (Daddy still hasn't committed to a guess.) She said that was interesting because she has seen a research article claiming that whatever the Mom feels like she is having usually ends up being right. Hah, we shall see!  Only other fact she pointed out (which they had not said at the scan) was that I have an anterior placenta this time. It should have no affect on me carrying out a normal pregnancy.  Movements will feel different this time (probably more out to the sides, should I be nervous for my ribs?!) because the placenta is essentially acting as a cushion between my belly and the baby. I also may experience a lot of back labor this time, which I did not experience at all with Bran.  Another interesting fact (after an anterior placenta google search) is that apparently it is much more common for baby GIRLS to be anterior.  Interesting. But I am still sticking with my boy guess.

Childcare has always been a challenge for us, especially with no family living in town and needing care starting at 6 a.m. because of our work schedules. We have been so incredibly lucky to have found Jennifer, who has been watching Bran for us in her home since I went back to work.  Bran just loves her and has done great in her care.  Unfortunately with both of her girls in school, and her school program winding down, our days with Jennifer are going to be numbered.  So Bran and I set out to find a daycare nearby.  We have toured 3, and I think I found one that meets all of our needs (added bonus is it is only 5 minutes from our house).  I just got a great vibe from the facility and think it will be a good fit for our growing family.  Now we just need to work out details with the daycare and make some decisions about when we want to make the transition.  Bran has so many big changes coming, so it makes Mommy a little nervous.  But I am sure he will love it when the time comes.

Bran upgraded to the big table with a real cup at Jennifer's house.

Photo Ops

Izzy makes a great chair. 

Obsessed with "the bucket" after Halloween.

The Indorfs came for a visit.  Bran and Cohen had so much fun.

Bran has the wrong idea about his potty.

Playing with his picture from Frankie.

Ride!

Bath time hair fun.

"Brush, Comb!"

His hands used to be so tiny compared to mine.

Buddy thinks Bran makes a great seat, he deserves it! haha