good news and bananas

I recently had my quadscreening test (just a simple blood test) last week and then the day after, we had our first appointment with our perinatologist (high risk doc) to have an ultrasound and make sure everything is going ok. I briefly talked about this visit in our last blog, but I didn't touch on the next topic because I didn't want to freak anyone out. So, while at the perinatologist, they ended up finding what they are calling a "hot spot" on the heart that could potentially be a sign of Down Syndrome. They also measured the length of all of our peanut's legs and arms and noticed that the femur was measuring a tad bit smaller than average, which could also be a sign of Downs. This definitely raised a red flag for us since Ant's little sister was born with Downs and a severe heart defect. She passed away at about a year and a half old and this is obviously in the forefront of our minds when they were giving us this news. Since we were still waiting for the results to the quadscreening (which would tell us if there is anything serious to worry about), the doctor assured us that they see many of these 'hot spots' multiple times a day and that, for the most part, we shouldn't be too worried. So, we waited a WEEK to get the results from the quadscreening! My intuition was telling me that all was ok, but there is always that reality of what could happen. Well, we got some good news yesterday… actually it was GREAT news! Our genetic counselor called with the results from our test and said everything looks 'phenomenal'!!! We couldn't have been more relieved to hear that. Praise God!!

So now, with that behind us, we're getting so excited about our little one. Only 19(ish) more weeks until he/she is here :) I have definitely been feeling the baby move a lot more… it's such an awesome feeling… I can't wait for Ant to be able to feel it also!

Here is our 21 week update from babycenter and thebump: (they are a little different, so i read both of them)
By week 21, your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces, and her length from head to rump is seven inches, about the length of a spoon. Ten and one-half ounces is also the size bear cubs are when they are born. Your baby has begun her main project for the rest of your pregnancy: putting on weight. She regularly drinks amniotic fluid for hydration and nutrition, urinates in the fluid and breathes in and out (fortunately, the fluid pool refreshes itself every three hours). Her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. Taste buds are forming on her tongue. Her eyelids are still sealed, but her eyes are active.

















The baby is now the size of a banana. 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.

So, there you have it. Just for kicks, here is a list of things that have been on my mind lately:

1>
i thought i was going to be lucky and not experience heartburn in this pregnancy, but i was sadly mistaken and it has definitely set in the past 2 days… not fun!
2>
my belly has now surpassed my boobs when i look down. not too sure how i feel about that.
3>
i highly enjoy being able to feel the baby move, but don't appreciate the fact that it is using my bladder as it's own personal trampoline.
4>
i got my first 'are you expecting?' from a perfect stranger! thank goodness i'm actually starting to look pregnant and not just fat anymore.
5>
i have the most loving, supportive husband in the world! (although, he finally just admitted to me yesterday that i actually look pregnant now and that before i just looked like i had a pudge. at least he didn't say that before, cause i just might have cried, even though i knew it was true!)

more belly pics to come shortly… :)