Pregnancy diaries || Week 20 & 21 - Baby's first kick

Week 20

I have been feeling so much more movement from our baby this week. It started with me feeling harder and more frequent kicks earlier in the week and then by Friday I felt baby's first proper kick from the outside. It was quite a shock to be fair, I hadn't expected it to be so forceful. Our baby has strong legs! I was so excited, and then later that evening Chris held his hand on my belly while we were watching a movie and he felt it kick too! It was such a special moment and I am thrilled to be able to share more of the process with him. We both had tears in our eyes being able to experience this together. I think this pregnancy and becoming parents has become more real for him now that he can feel the baby rather than just me telling him that it's moving. From Friday onward baby has stepped it up a notch and is moving, wiggling, squirming, kicking all over the show.

I have been craving Chinese dumplings ever since Chinese New Year (16th Feb) so we have started making them at home, and they are delicious!

How far along?: 20 weeks

Gender?: Unknown, but we might get to find out next week! If baby cooperates...Eeeek!

Maternity clothes?: Yes but just maternity jeans and shorts at the moment.

Stretch marks?: No

Belly button in or out?: In

Sleep?: Not bad, but need to pee a lot during the night.

Best Moment of the week?: Chris feeling the baby kick for the first time.

Worst Moment of the week?: None that I can remember

Miss anything?: Not really

Movement?: YES! It has been a dramatic increase this week

Cravings or aversions?: Craving dumplings and orange juice

Queasy or sick?: No.

Looking forward to?: Our anatomy scan next week

Mood/emotional state?: Happy and excited

Week 21

We are meant to be having our gender/anatomy scan this week and I can't wait! I am desperate to know more about this little baby, gender included. Not that it matters either way, but saying he/she feels much better than it/the baby. Chris would prefer a surprise at the birth but isn't worried, either way he will be happy. The deal we came to was that if we can find out the gender at this scan then we will. Which is not a guarantee, as some babies are shy and keep their legs closed, so we might not be able to see anything for sure. If that happens then I am happy to wait until birth and won't go getting additional scans just to satisfy my curiosity. Even though I am going crazy with wonder.

I have been feeling a tonne more movement this week and my work mates are starting to comment on my bump as it is becoming more obvious, even in my loose work blouses it now shows. I have had a mole in the depths of my belly button since childhood, and now it is almost on the surface, so that is a pretty decent indicator of how stretched my naval has become. It shouldn't be too long before my belly button "pops". Chris is constantly commenting on how soft and smooth my skin has become and I haven't really been using any lotion so I guess it's all pregnancy related. Not bad as far as pregnancy symptoms go. I haven't had a single pimple yet either.

We went for a long 30km urban bike ride with our adventure group this weekend. I did a lot better than I was expecting considering that my exercise levels have dropped right off since the morning sickness hit all those weeks ago. Sure, I still go for evening walks, but nothing like I used to. I don't have the energy anymore. It was a wonderful day out with one exception. Near the end of the ride I hit a sharp curb wrong, lost my balance and came off my bike. My mummy instincts kicked in and I completely went into protection mode and sheltered my bump from the fall. This in turn lead to me sacrificing my hands and knees which are heavily skinned now as it happened on concrete. The baby was moving a tonne before and after the incident so I assume all is still well with little one.

We went to the Chinese Lantern festival which was lovely and then to the Incubus concert the next day (baby's second rock concert). So it was a rather busy week for a 21 week preggo.

Wahhh! Our anatomy scan got cancelled on the Monday which was hugely frustrating as they only told us when we arrived at our appointment and so wasted a morning off work etc. So it has been re-scheduled for next Monday now. I am SO gutted.

I am feeling really well otherwise, with no insomnia, no swelling, no heart burn, no constipation, and no head or back aches. The only unusual symptom I have noticed is that I do get a bit of bleeding gums when I brush my teeth but they are still healthy, so I guess it's just an increase in my blood pressure/having more blood in my body.

How far along?: 21 weeks

Gender?: Unknown, but we might finally get to find out next week!

Maternity clothes?: Yes but just maternity jeans and shorts at the moment.

Stretch marks?: No

Belly button in or out?: In

Sleep?: Not bad, but need to pee a lot during the night.

Best Moment of the week?: Doing normal things like the Lantern festival and music concerts. I'm glad I am feeling well enough to do the things I enjoy.

Worst Moment of the week?: Falling off my bike and having the ultrasound appointment cancel at the last moment.

Miss anything?: Sushi, it's a very popular lunch option in my office so I constantly want it while at work.

Movement?: YES! Lots of movement for most of the day.

Cravings?: Dumplings! Orange juice and Hot Cross Buns.

Queasy or sick?: No.

Looking forward to?: Our anatomy scan next week... finally!

Mood/emotional state?: All of the emotions. Happy, scared, frustrated and excited.