Week 21: Carrot (length)

Hey everyone … It’s been a hectic week and on Super Bowl Sunday I was too exhausted to get my update out. So here you go …

How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

How your life's changing:You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

This Week's Activity:Create a baby registry. Even if you don't like the idea of asking for specific gifts, family and friends will soon be asking what you need or want — particularly if someone's throwing you a baby shower. If you prepare a gift registry, you'll know exactly what to tell them.

Two common mistakes to avoid:

• Registering for clothing. Don't waste your time: People can't resist buying baby clothes, and they generally pick out what they think is cute.

• Not registering for big ticket or expensive items. Don't worry: You won't be seen as greedy. Many shower guests like to go in on a "big gift" together, so give them something to sink their teeth into.

As for me … I’m doing pretty good considering I’m still hobbling a bit. But that has NOTHING to do with my pregnancy. I did have an account on Monday night ask if I was waddling or hobbling. J I’m not waddling yet. Lol!! Acne and skin in general has been under wraps. I’ve been able to keep my skin from freaking out like it did at first. So that’s good. Haven’t seen any varicose or spider veins creep up either thankfully. Only thing is my left foot is swelling every day now. I’m sure part of it is the pregnancy and part of it is me relying so heavily on it because of my right foot.

Baby registry … Mike and I started ours a while back just to get it started when we weren’t so busy. But only put 4 things on it originally. Did more research and once we found out baby was a boy we added more stuff on. Doing more research and adding on things as we see fit. So we’re already ahead on that one.

The one we’re behind is scheduling our classes. We can only schedule those over the phone and our schedules are so hectic and different through the Spring that we need to make time to do a conference call for them. We’re hoping to get those scheduled soon.

I’m starting to feel him more and more. Realizing its him moving in my tummy and not my tummy rumbling. But still don’t feel him all the time. Things have to be just right. But it sure is neat. J Alrighty … it’s taken me from 8:30am til 1pm to get this completed for you all … back to work I go. LOVE YOU ALL!!!