week 20 & 21

OK, so again, I am a week behind (I will update both week 20 and 21 today), but I also come with more updates, not just baby-centered.

Week 20: Cantaloupe!!!

Holy Crap! clearly from the photo below I do not think that I have a cantaloupe-sized baby in my uterus!! But then again, both my stomach and my bladder are shrinking considerably, so the space is filling up with something... And here is what The Bean was up to during that week: Bean'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, the baby's genitals are now FULLY formed!!! The Bean is appx. 6.5 in long and 10.6 oz. crazy huh? doesn't sound like much but I have seen what 10 cm dilation looks like, and that is serious business... clearly The Bean bulks up later on in the pregnancy to necessitate such a large opening to squeeze through.

Pablo has been able to feel The Bean kick a couple times, which is still so cool and new to us both!

Week 21: Banana!

The Bean is now appx. 10.5 in long, weighing 12.7oz (where they come up with this weight measurement, really beats me). Here is what has happened this past week: The Bean has been downing amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Like I said before, I have heard that babies like the foods that their mothers eat while they are inside, so it will be interesting to see what The Bean's faves are when born. :) Sadly, I do not have the photo to upload for the banana, but I will do it tomorrow.

Here are some photos from our ultrasound as well...

can you believe these!!!!

Along with growing a baby, Pablo and I have been very busy that last few weekends trying to get our house fully ready for the baby. Here are some things (not too exciting, so keep your expectations low) that we have documented (we have done a lot that we have not documented, so don't think we have been lazy!):

1. Pablo installed a dog door for the girls yesterday -- this is wonderful! it took the girls some getting used to, but chicken and rice treats really do a wonder with training. :)

2. yesterday I painted the red stripes on one of The Bean's walls. The ceiling will have black and white checkers, and the other 3 walls will be dark grey. I am SUPER excited about how the room is coming together!

3. we bought beds for the girls (they have been sleeping in our room lately -- I was sick and tired of having their huge crates in our living room for them to sleep every night -- originally on just spare blankets, but we decided to upgrade). we brought the beds in and put one on the couch (where both girls like to hang out sometimes) and immediately Laila hopped up in one and hung out in it the rest of the day. it was a little ridiculous, but at least it has been a hit! :) You can see the dark grey walls in the background -- we painted 3 walls in our living room last weekend (once I have put up the artwork this week I will post what the whole room looks like -- so far in my head it will be AMAZING!!).