Week 21-24: Baby Papaya

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.

It's a............

Well actually....everyone that voted was right-almost down to the exact percentage! We are having a 70% girl!!! Woo! What does this mean? This means that the umbilical chord was right smack dab between the legs, so the doctor couldn't be 100% sure. He said "I don't see much there, and those two lines look like what could be vaginal lips, but I can't say for sure. I would say I'm 70% sure that it's a girl." So there you have it.....if it's 70% girl, there's a 30% chance that it could be a boy, so everybody on the poll wins!!! We'll get another ultrasound in eight weeks, but until then we're just going to go with it being a girl!

My Lovely Baby Bump

Well folks, here it is! Our little baby bump! This picture was taken early last week, so around 20 1/2 weeks. This is also my first maternity outfit!!! The shorts are amazing-they're the secret fit kind and they are so comfy! I definitely recommend them!
I've been feeling just great, though it is getting a little harder to bend over and on Sunday my feet looked like giant sausages. Since my stomach has really started to show, reality is setting in a little more, so we bought our first pack of diapers! I know! We got huggies because we really have no clue, so I want to ask all of you moms out there-which diapers are your favorite??? Leave a comment please!!!

Baby 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.
My poor baby will be eating Cherry Poptarts and Captain Crunchberries.

Goodbye Mander

Well, I'm sending off another missionary! Amanda will be serving in the Russia Moscow mission and leaves for the MTC on Wednesday. She is such an amazing girl and friend, and I know she'll be an incredible missionary! We'll miss you! From left to right: Kari (who is now officially engaged!!!), Brooke, Amanda, Callie, and Big Mamma Sam. Seriously. I look huge in this picture.

Baby Cantaloupe

We've reached the halfway mark and baby is definitely a cantaloupe this week...with arms and legs that like to kick and punch! Last night I was relaxin on the couch with my legs up when I felt a little nudge, so I called for Ronnie to come over and see if he could feel it. He put both of his hands on my tummy and within seconds our baby gave him about four hard kicks right in a row! It was so crazy! It totally knew it's Daddy was there, because when he took his hands off it stopped! It was such a special moment and I've never seen Ronnie with a bigger smile on his face! It kept moving around for about a half an hour after that-it was SOOOOOOOOOO cool! Only 11 days until we find out what we're having-get your vote in!!!!

Oh my hairy egg!!

Sunday night, we made brownies - I know, brave huh! But it got even more courage-demanding when it came time to gather ingredients and tenderly mix them together into a dreamy concoction and Ronnie reached into the egg box to pull out an egg, when lo-and-behold, there were chicken remains on it! Yipes! I cringed and made a beautiful face, which Ronnie later let me know was not really. Following is a picture chronicle of the disastrous event.

PS - account retold by Ronnie :D