Hi there! Another week gone by, and one week closer to meeting our Baby. This week I got a little discouraged, but finally decided to look at the bright areas of my life. You can read about that in the post from yesterday titled Happiness, In Pictures.

How Far Along: 21 weeks 6 days

Braxton Hicks Contractions: Only a few. Glad I didn't have anymore half days of contractions this week. I was telling Nick, that in our last pregnancy at this time, I was so worried that our baby would even make it to a viable stage (24 weeks) when a doctor would try to save the baby should I go into early labor that couldn't be stopped. This time around, it hadn't even crossed my mind until this week. We are doing incredibly well this pregnancy, so well in fact, that I would venture to say that my irritable uterus is actually doing the part of a normal uterus this time around.

Food Cravings: Not really cravings for anything, but I did enjoy some store bought chocolate cookies that someone brought to our care group church meeting this month. I think I ate 4. I also made a white cake with white icing and sprinkles for the care group meeting, so we had a half a cake laying around for a few days. I sent the last few pieces to work with Nick to remove the temptation of eating the cake when I wasn't hungry, just because it was there. And I made a really good blueberry bread that I wanted to keep eating after a few slices. I like to cook/bake which doesn't help when I'm pregnant... [Hijacked by Dad] - And wouldn't you know it, I am not the one with a sweet tooth. After three days of having cake at the office, I haven't eaten but one slice of the three that she sent with me. I really don't see what all the fuss is over this sugar stuff. Just give me some Mac & Cheese... ;-)

Midwife/Doctor Appointment: Nothing this week. I did, however go through our birth supplies box and make a list of all the things I needed to pick up or order to get ready for our 3rd home birth. Seeing things on the supplies list like newborn diapers, cord clamps, sterile gloves, and chux pads gives me satisfaction about having some control over the birth process. Even if it doesn't work out and we need to go to a hospital for the first time, I'm planning for just rolling with whatever the outcome is. For now, we'll be preparing for our home birth. And, we're looking forward to our gender scan next week!!!

Boy or Girl: Find out next week. Serious this time! No more rescheduling this appointment. Total Weight Gain So Far: 10 lbs. This was another week that I ate crazy. I gained back the pound I lost last week, plus added 1 more. Apparently my body doesn't understand the general concept of a pound a week in the second trimester...? I just didn't want salads very often (unlike my salad a day I've been doing up 'till now). I would've eaten more fruit, but I need to make a trip to the grocery store to restock. And I need to make more yogurt. That makes a fantastic breakfast/lunch/snack to go with the fruit.

Regular or Pregnancy Clothes: Both. I'm finally having a tough (read, it's not happening) time getting my regular clothes to button/zip up around my waist. I guess that is because I don't really have a waist anymore. But most of my shirts still fit just fine, and my dresses all have room still.

Starting to Show: Yes? Baby Movement: A little less this week. Last week I was questioning if there were twins in there because of the frequency of kicks I was feeling, plus sometimes the kicks would happen on both sides of my belly at the same time 6"-8" apart! This week the movement has tamed down just a little, and I think Baby is settling into my right side, just as our other babies did. My belly gets a little lopsided each pregnancy as the baby chooses which side to lay on. Ooh, and we could see the baby kicks from outside my belly this week. It's always entertaining watching my baby belly jump randomly. [Hijacked by Dad] - That is always an exciting thing to see for the first time. I know everyone thinks of it, but it will always remind me of the scene from aliens of course. ;-) Click here to see it. ;-)

Size of Baby #3: A carrot. Weighing about 3/4 of a pound now, and around 10 1/2" long.

Pregnancy Thoughts This Week: I have really been struggling with the weight gain this week. Obviously, it is something that is supposed to happen, and is a sign of a healthy pregnancy, but it is still hard for me to see the numbers go up. I've never looked "cute" while pregnant with a nice baby bump that stays in front. I gain weight pretty evenly all over. One thing that I think of a lot that bothers me though, is that I have a neighbor whose condo I need to walk past to get to our vehicle. She tells me each pregnancy how large I'm getting, and told me two weeks ago that she watches me sometimes when I go up the stairs in front of her house, and notices my (excuse me for the frankness), ahem, butt cheeks, jiggling with each step I take. Now, all I can picture when I leave the house, is her peeking at my behind, and I can't do anything about it except get larger for the next several months. I don't even gain excessively in my pregnancies. It just bothers me...  

Do you have any suggestions of good eats while I'm pregnant? or any suggestions for handling the neighbor's comments?  

To read the previous Pregnancy Week posts:
-Pregnancy Week 14: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 15: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 16: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 17: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 18: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 19: Baby #3
-Pregnancy Week 20: Baby #3