19 Weeks Pregnant!!!

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

Baby is now the size of a large mango!!!!


















Total weight gain: 2 lbs this week!!! Woah Mama. I'm sure a year from now I'll be looking back at this thinking "What was all that anxiety about gaining weight when I was pregnant??" But for now, it freaks me out. My mom says it is just the sign of a healthy pregnancy and really, I'm still well within the healthy normal range for weight gain if not just a little under the recommended amount for 19 weeks along. 10 lbs total.
Sleep: Great sleep this week. I'm trying to savor every night of good sleep. Some nights, this little baby is like a taking a strong sleeping pill. I out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Best moment last week: I went to go visit my sister-in-law this week who is 38 weeks pregnant or so. My mother-in-law came as well. We had so much fun visiting and talking babies. My mother-in-law gave me baby's first toy. A fluffy and soft stuffed teddy bear that says "heaven sent" on the front. It was very sweet of her and fun to picture my future baby holding his first toy.
Other fun moments: So I decided that I needed to change up my exercise routine. I need something that is a harder workout than walking but also low impact. So, I ventured into uncharted territory - Water aerobics. Aside from being the youngest person in the class by 20 years or so and the "sweatin' to the oldies" style music, it was actually a pretty good workout. We do a lot of the same things I did in boot camp, only it is in water: lunge jumps, squat jumps, squats, high knees etc. I NEVER thought I would be doing water aerobics. Now I'm doing it and enjoying it. I do draw the line at Chubby Checker's "The Twist". I refuse to move during that song.
Movement: Baby seems to need some extra sugar to get him moving. Seems to move around a lot right after the first few bites of my meals.
What I miss: Valentine's day is the week so maybe a V-Day champagne??
Other thoughts: Bible study started last week it started off with taking a look at Zechariah and Elizabeth in the first book of Luke. They were both well along in age when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and told him he would conceive a son and they would name him John. Zechariah doubted at first and his speech was taken away until Gabriel's prophecy was fulfilled. It just reminded me how God can make the impossible, possible. I know God spoke to my heart and told me that now is the time for me to be a mother but sometimes I still doubt and ask "Lord, how can this be?" I'm so thankful I am not struck dumb like Zechariah and forgiven by grace each time I doubt the words God spoke to my heart. Lord, help me to stand firm on the promises you have given me.
What I am looking forward to: Valentine's Day! I never liked Valentine's Day until I met Dan. He makes a big deal out of it every year (much more than I ever would)and makes me feel very special and loved. Also, I have my big, important ultrasound this week. They will do a total body scan of baby and make sure that all the parts and pieces are there and perfectly formed. Can't wait to see my little one again.
Milestones: No big milestones this week. Will report on the ultrasound results in my next week's post.
19 week belly picture: Not great picture this week. Kind of just look chubby. :(