21 weeks

Oh geez, how did this happen? I'm behind, way behind! I'm actually 21+1 right now AND I missed the last few weeks!

Whoops.

I have pics from last week which I will get up here soon(ish) but I haven't taken any this week since I was in Dallas for our National meeting. I hate traveling for work but am lucky to have extremely limited travel, in fact, besides a random overnight trip to Nebraska here and there I should be done with the multiple day trips for the year. Yay!!

So here's my 21 week update:

how far along:  21 weeks

size of baby:  according to the bump a banana, about 10.5 inches long and weighing 12.7 ounces.  I think they've moved to measuring from head to heel, or little A grew roughly 4 inches over the last week which in that case- holy growth spurt child!

weight gain:  5 lbs... Despite my trip to Dallas where they had food and drink everywhere, I didn't gain a ton of weight! It also probably helped that we were moving every hour and walking all over the hotel/convention center. Yay for that I suppose.

maternity clothes:  None. I did use a rubber band on a pair of jeans last week for the waist band (granted they are a smaller paid of 26s so I didn't feel bad) but other than that I'm in normal clothes and jeans with everything buttoned. I do have a bigger lump the last couple of days, I think I'm finally popping.

symptoms:  Occasionally heartburn (was kind of kicking my rear in Dallas), the lump, shortness of breath, and getting kicked in the lower abdomen on a very regular basis. I had to google whether or not it should feel like she's about to kick out the trap door (sorry, tmi but true and slightly uncomfortable to be kicked there from the inside) but it turns out thats fine.

exercise: Walking and stretching/pilates. Its really more stretching these days while doing the moves but I've felt sore lately, probably from the travel.

cravings/aversions: Hate: Chinese and hard boiled eggs. Serious hate. Love cesear salad. Odd.

movement: Constantly, in fact I skipped out of a expo session early one afternoon because I hadn't felt lil A move in a while and really needed to sit so I could get that feeling just to check on her. Scott even got to feel her once late last week when I was laying in bed. Randomly at night I get the feeling he might be able to feel her so I just have him put his hand on my belly. Besides the doc and E&C, he's the only one allowed to touch. Creeps me out.

sleep: Pretty good until 4-6 in the morning when I usually have to pee. Then I debate getting up because if I do it's hard to go back to sleep :(

gender: Still a girl as far as we know but we do get to see her in a couple of days- YAY!!

looking forward to:  Her furniture comes today!! The room is (almost) all painted, Scott is going to cut in one more time but it's looking clean and bright :) It's a white room, I think that's what a white room should look like! And yes, white walls, no color (yet) on those walls but boy do I have plans... Scott's part is almost done besides probably hanging a couple of things so that makes him happy.

worries: Mainly just the same health worries. I have no worries about us being able to do this or make the transition. We've talked the heck out of those plans, because believe me, there's a plan in place! With only 8 weeks of maternity leave that's all the time I get to really get all of us on a schedule. Yes, we are schedule people and this time around I will take absolutely ZERO talk about it. To this day it still bothers me when certain circles of people make comments about our need to be on a schedule, I don't talk about your lack of schedule so lay off our schedule. I had a lot of mommy guilt/shame associated with the girls because I let people in my head. But I've realized a few things: 

1. I'm a good mom. Not perfect but I am a good mom and the decision I make alongside my husband are done because we know OUR kids better than anybody else. So doubters, questioning minds, and unwanted opinions will not be tolerated. I may not say anything but as (this leads directly into #2)...
2. I've realized one of my greatest asset- my ability to distance myself from those who drag me down in life. I don't need or want the negative in my life. I'm busy enough! I'll focus on the things I love like my husband, girls, dogs, family and friends All those who want to cause drama or interject their (unnecessary) opinions can say their good byes :)

what's different this time: I feel like I'm out of breath more now. Is that weird? I realize most times I'm also carrying 1-2 toddlers but it's an odd feeling for me personally.

milestones:  18 weeks left... (we're going to 39 as a goal)

best moment this week:  non-pregnancy related- getting home and seeing my girls! Love their belly laughs and running to me. That makes me feel like a good mama.