Re-cap of our 20-Week Appointment

Yesterday's news cycle was dominated by the announcement that we're having a girl! But I wanted to get back to the appointment to share some other details from our big day.

First of all, we're at the HALFWAY POINT! Pregnancy is 40 weeks, so I am half done growing our daughter! Of course, I didn't know I was pregnant until Week 5, so this half will seem longer. And, I'll LOOK more pregnant this half. But still. Yay!

Back to the appointment.

I weighed in at +11 pounds since my first appointment. My doctor said that usually women gain about 10 in their first 20 weeks and then about 20 pounds in their second 20 weeks. So I'm right on track with the weight gain. But now I'm starting to think about the 30 pounds that I'll eventually be carrying and it's freaking me out! Eeeeek!

Also, if you recall, last appointment, my blood sugar spiked, but I had just eaten. This time I ate a full two hours beforehand, so it came out normal. Good sign. Don't want to get gestational diabetes! And my blood pressure was also normal, too.

I discussed running (well, slow jogging and walking) with my doctor and he said he sees no reason for me to discontinue this. However, after the recent Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, I have decided to cut back to short jogs and lay off the distances.

Finally, have I mentioned here yet that I have fibroids? I didn't know until our first ultrasound, which my doctor says is a good thing because that means they weren't a problem either in comfort or in conception. During the ultrasound, the technician said one of them is a little bigger, but that's normal. She also said one of them has moved to the side and should no longer be blocking the birth canal, which is good news. I'll have more ultrasounds as I progress to check on these. But, really, it'll just be cool to see more pictures of Lima!

Now back to the gender news.

We're super excited for a little girl! Papa Bean says he knew I was growing a girl the whole time! He says it's his destiny to be surrounded by women. Ha! But I have to say that I'm a little surprised! Since I had no morning sickness and my pregnancy has been pretty easy so far, I figured it had to be a boy. I thought girls would be more difficult!

Well, as it turns out, maybe that's not the case. Our ultrasound technician said that our baby's demeanor suggested that she was a girl even before we got a look at her, um, stuff. She said our baby shows a very calm and laid back manner, as opposed to a boy, who might be flipping, bouncing, jumping and basically rough-housing around my uterus!

Papa Bean says it's only a manner of time before this laid-back baby turns into a diva, however. So we'll see if it's possible to raise a laid-back girl. Maybe? Until she turns 13?

Also during the ultrasound we saw her playing and sucking on her fingers, so cute! My mom, who is an OT, says that shows that even early on she knows how to entertain herself and keep herself busy. I did some looking and finger sucking does appear to be a sign of a baby who knows how to soothe themselves. This is a good sign both cognitively and temperamently!

Papa Bean is convinced that she'll either be the first female member of the Yankees (how about the name "Dereka"?) or the first female president.

Oh, and in terms of houses, we now have new criteria. Papa Bean says there is NO WAY are we getting a place with our room on a separate floor than hers and her room must be on the 2nd level. You know, so that boys can't sneak in and date her. Because, like, that's what infants do, apparently!