Week 22, Nov 12, 2008

Gained 15 pounds total. Now 115 pounds.

So Shane and I had our prenatal appointment today. We were so excited since we couldn't find out the sex of the baby last time. We saw the nurse practitioner, Lisa O’Brian because Dr. Ziainia was not available. Nurse O’Brian was not aware that we were here to find out the sex of our baby and an ultrasound room was not scheduled. She thought we were there for the basic routine exam. We were obviously really disappointed and had to beg her to perform the ultrasound. She was super cool and agreed to sneak us in the ultrasound room as soon as she was done with her 2 other patients, only if they were really quick with the visit. Needless to say, the awesome and quirky Lisa O’Brian kept her word and we were brought into the room with the ultrasound machine a few moments later.

Well, surprise surprise! At least to me, it’s a BOY!!!! We’re going to have a mini Shane. I was so sure it was going to be a girl but hey, they say little boys always love their mommys, right? And little boys are easier when they reach their teenage years. I should have known that it’s a boy because my belly was so big by month 4. Most of my friends who have girls didn’t show much until they were 6 or 7 months along. According to statistics, boys are generally heavier/bigger than girls when they are delivered.

This ultrasound picture isn't as clear as the one at 19 weeks because this machine apparently isn't as advance as the one at the Radiology lab.


I think I’ll still keep the little girls’ clothes I bought at Children’s Place just in case we have a little girl next time. Shane always thought a little girl should have an older brother to protect her. Perhaps, this works out better in the end. :)

Week 21 Nov 9, 2008

I can’t wait ‘til our next prenatal appointment this Wednesday. It’ll be our 2nd chance to find out the sex of the baby. Hopefully she’ll behave this time. So you still have time to cast your vote if you haven’t already done so, for a boy or a girl on the right hand side. Shane’s vote has been swayed. First he wanted a daddy’s little girl. Now he wants a football and fishing buddy. He voted for a boy. The other day he says he wants a little girl again. Talk about indecisive!! No, you can’t change your vote like the senior citizens in Florida. :P

This weekend Shane and I went on a 2 day Expecting Getaway Childbirth preparation class held at the Julian Lodge at Julian. There were 6 other couples; most of them were due in Dec or Jan. I would have liked to take this class when I’m farther along but the next one available is late Feb. That would be cutting it too close since I’m due mid Mar. The class was really informative and I do recommend taking it at the Lodge.

It was a beautiful warm day on Sat; we spent most of it watching birthing videos. Stacy, the instructor showed it right after dinner and everyone felt a bit nauseous. After that we all learned how to do massages and had a group nap on the floor. It reminded me of yoga naps. On Sun, the weather changed drastically. It went from 80 degrees warm to about 40 degrees windy and snowing. Crazy! Too bad I forgot to bring my camera. The town of Julian was icy wet and the cars were covered with snow. During lunch, all the pregnant ladies with big bellies were trying really hard not to slip and slide while waddling through town in search of food. I was fortunate to have brought my parka. Shane on the other hand, was less fortunate; he was walking in puddles of water and snow with his flip flops. Nonetheless, we were able to make it to Mom’s to get us a whole apple cherry pie. Yum!

The rest of the day, we learned more about birth options such as natural, epidural, cesareans, episiotomy, forceps and vacuums; pushing and breathing techniques; how to breast feed and swaddle a baby. And more newborn videos. Episiotomy is a scary procedure! I must remind my doctor to avoid it if possible. When the class was over, we sort of wished we could just skip the next few months and have the baby now.

Oh something exciting happened this week. I'm starting to feel flutters on my lower stomach. Way below my belly button. First I wasn't sure what it was because I didn't know what I was feeling for. But it happens regularly now - the twitching or butterfly flutters. It's really hard to describe but I must say it's an amazing feeling. The best I could describe it is that it kind of feels like a fish is swimming in my tummy. I can't wait for the big kicks so Shane can feel it too!


My belly at 21 weeks. It's getting bigger!!!