21 Weeks

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: No really sure...it looks like maybe 1/2 to 1 lb.

MOVEMENT: Had what I imagined as an actual punch or kick this weekend.  I was reading after waking up with Nick still snoozing.  My hand was on my belly and, Kung-fu punch (or kick)!  I think I could just barely see my belly move with it.  Cookie didn't do it again and Nick has now taken to always keeping his hand on my belly to try and get that first feel.

CRAVINGS: Watermelon.  I saw it in the grocery store and immediately started drooling.  We bought one and got to share with good friends and their 2 year old on Sunday.  It was bliss.

SYMPTOMS: The weather every since Sunday has been hot, hot, hot.  The hottest days I've ever experienced living in San Diego in my eight years here!  Last night was pure misery trying to sleep.  It never cooled off until around 5AM this morning.  I made an ice pack with a hand towel and Zip lock bag full of ice which helped for a while, but I woke up with it leaking all over me and had to give it up.  Nick was blissfully sleeping next to me...I was really jealous.  I just hope this isn't the start of insomnia.  By belly and double D's are itching like crazy.  I wake up scratching the heck out of them.  I've been using baby oil and lotion, but it only helps for a little while.

BELLY BUTTON: Still an innie, but still getting shallower by the day.  Now when I press at the top of it, it goes from an innie to a full on outtie.  I have to say, this is the one part of pregnancy that creeps me out the most (other than delivery).  It looks pretty gross when I do it.

PREPARATIONS: The paintings are almost done.  I've started the last 2 and just have some touch ups on the 2 other ones.  All the birds are done for the mobile, including stuffing.  Now I just have to go out and get some sticks and put it all together.  Nick has been impressed with my crafty talents, I told I just needed inspiration.  We haven't done much to the nursery.  We were going to begin painting on Saturday until it was 95 degrees at our house.  It's been postponed until next week.  We registered for all our gear and my wonderful girlfriends Tara & Amanda have begun preparations for my baby shower...Nick & I feel so touched to have such wonderful friends!  Still debating on the carpet, but I think the navy blue may be winning out

MILESTONES: As noted above, I believe I saw the first movement, but nothing since Saturday morning so I'm not sure if I imagined it or not.  Repeat ultrasound on Friday!  Think positive thoughts about those little legs being uncrossed.

WEEKLY WISDOM: Enjoy this time.  I may complain about some of the symptoms, but I'm constantly in wonder at what's happening in my body.  I was complaining about, ahem, the feeding parts of my double D's exponentially growing to my mom and she told me I should be happy and proud and that it was beautiful because my body is making a miracle and getting ready to help that miracle adjust to the world.  At that point I was bummed at the ugliness of what was happening, but it really put it in perspective to me.  Yes, it's uncomfortable, yes, I don't feel like the sexy woman I was before, but, yes, it's a miracle and when I feel Cookie move around it's the most wondrous thing to realize you have an actual person in there.  It also amazes me that I made this person with Nick and there will never be another one like our Cookie.