21 Week Update

I can't believe we are over half way there. Justin and I were talking the other night about how fast the next few months are going to go. Justin has been working on the nursery and we will have all of the furniture in early January. We have a shower coming up in less than a month with my office and then another shower a few weeks after that. Then we will be able to set everything up and just wait for them to come. Our two little bundles of joy will be here soon and we can't wait. It is so exciting!!!! Here is the update for week 21...

Week 21:
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.

Your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting - skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain taste in utero via amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!

Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb - though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).

With all that belly dancing going on, ti's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your baby sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day!