Buckaroo!

We found little man's bedding online and got a screaming deal! He's going to be our little cowboy!

BOY OH BOY!

We are having a boy! We got to see our little man via ultrasound Dec. 10 and it was amazing. Here is his debut...

Baby boy's profile:

His little foot:

His "manhood" (magnified):

We took our tour of the hospital today, which was really neat. We got to pre-register, which will make admitting a lot easier when time comes. We also got to tour the labor and delivery floor and the postpardum floor. We are taking our childbirth classes in January and are very excited!

This week, and for the next two weeks, baby is the size of a papaya. Here's what I learned...

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Weekly Survey: 21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +9 at last appointment
Maternity clothes: Pants yes, shirts are a mix
Stretch marks: Starting to get them on my lower belly. Not worried about it though!
Sleep: Lots! I'm in bed by 9:30 p.m. even on weekends
Best moment this week: Feeling Baby Taylor move outside my belly
Movement: More and more each day!
Food cravings: Juice, chocolate, cheese
Gender: We find out Dec. 10!
Labor Signs: No! Thank God.
What I miss: Wine and not having to get up at night to pee
What I am looking forward to: Finding out what we are having and getting our family pictures taken this Saturday
Weekly Wisdom: Drink lots of water, even if you have to pee a lot

Football, kicking and more!

Baby Taylor has been a mover and a shaker over the past two weeks! I love feeling him/her move.

We went to our first Apple Cup Saturday and the Huskies spanked the Cougs 30-0! Baby Taylor enjoyed it too!

This week, Week 21, baby is the size of a banana, 10.5 in., 12.7 oz.

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Week 20, baby was the size of a cantaloupe, 6.5 in., 10.6 oz.

I know, it seems like a cantaloupe is bigger than a banana, but I'm just going by what the site says!

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!