Lilypie

Thursday, April 9, 2009

21 weeks and I finally get the stranger acknowledgement

I am pregnant, no doubt about it. I kept wondering when I was gonna receive the "Congrats on your pregnancy" from random strangers. Finally got it a few days ago!

Steve and I were at the horse track on Sunday, which I might add did not benefit us financially at all. I never cashed one ticket. But we had fun. Anyway, I headed off to the ladies room and got in line. Then all of a sudden the lead gal in line says, "Momma-you can jump in front of us. You get the next open stall." I was thrilled for 2 reasons: 1) someone was being so kind as to actually think of a pregnant gal and 2) a stranger acknowledged my bulging belly! I laughed at the lady and told her that I would've taken her up on it in my first trimester, but my bladder is a little better now that I'm in my second. She went ahead as scheduled, but the next lady wasn't letting me get out of it so quickly. She insisted I should go before her anyway. I obliged. What sweet people!

Pregnant belly very obvious to strangers: CHECK!

So, I'm on to 21 weeks this week. Things are going well. I love feeling the babies move. I love talking to them. I also bought them their very first book this week: "Goodnight Moon." One of my favorites when I was a little girl. I have been reading it to them at night before we go to sleep. I can't wait for our nightly storytime when they get here.

I realize that last line was a very positive statement. I hope these babies will stay in their current home for another 16 weeks. I really do. I worry a lot (I know, I know) that something will happen and I'll deliver early. This week a girl from one of my message boards (many of you may know or at least heard her story over the past week) gave birth to her twins at 24w1d. Her son died 2 days later and her daughter died the following day after him. How completely and utterly tragic. That's only 2.5 weeks from now at this point in my pregnancy. Too soon, too scary, too real. Also, scratching "24 week viability" from my vocabulary and brain. Obviously, some babies aren't viable at 24 weeks.

From Baby Center and The Bump this week: "Your baby now weighs about 13.9 ounces and is approximately 10.5 inches long — the length of a carrot or a banana. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now. Baby also 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."

14 comments:

Emily said...

That must have been a great feeling - we need an updated bump pic btw!!!

Goodnight moon is such a sweet book - I know the boys love hearing you read it to them at night!

Love how they can taste now - so cool!!!

Thinking of you & those twins!!

Just Another Mother said...

Ah! Stranger acknowledgement.

After our u/s DH and I went to the mall to look at girl clothes for fun. Two different moms asked me if we were shopping for our own and then proceeded to give me tons of advice on what kinds of clothes to buy and why. It was a sweet gesture, but it was odd discussing my pregnancy with strangers. I've barely gotten used to discussing it with my family and friends. Something I have been so private about for so long is so now out in the open. It's nice, but an adjustment.

I hear you on the worry. Pregnancy after IF makes the worry worse. Your boys sound happy in their current home and I'm sure they'll stay in there for a long, long time.

Penny said...

I get a lot of stares now, and I can't tell whether this is from the bump or my big rump. I kind of feel like a freak - now. But around 21 weeks, I was feeling pretty high on those initial stranger comments. Wee!

ashley said...

Congrats on the much noticeable bump! Can't wait to see it!

Lea said...

That's so cool that they can taste things! Definitely makes you think about what you are eating.

How nice of those ladies to think of your pregnant bladder! ;)

Jill said...

Two bananas, eh? Now, that's kinda funny... :)

Sky said...

Goodnight Moon is such a cute book - I read it to a friend's daughter I was babysitting last summer. Good choice.

There are always going to be horror stories and blissful we-went-off-BCP's-had-sex-and-got-pregnant-first-night ones. Most of us fall somewhere in between (although I'm crushed imagining the heartache of losing 24w babies).

One day at a time.....

Anonymous said...

Love the taste part! That is so cool! I also like the cartoon of the scale and chips - that is me now and I am not preggers!

Not Your Aunt B said...

You will have that book memorized and they will love you reading it to them over and over again.

Josée Martens said...

I love all the information in your posts. I learn so much each time.

Sounds like you were in the nicest bathroom line EVER!

Lost in Space said...

Congrats on the noticeable bump!

Retro Girl said...

I love the new blog title!

It must feel great getting recognized by a stranger. How bout' some pics for us? :-).

M. said...

Isn't it awesome when people start to recognize you're pregnant? And how cool to be put to the front of the bathroom line! That will happen more frequently as you get bigger -- and you'll appreciate the heck out of it!

Megan and David said...

I can't believe you are 22 weeks. How is this possible!?! They will be here before you know it!