Red Door Farmhouse: A belated gender reveal!

I typed this post a few weeks ago and I never sent it...Very belated!

On Friday August 10th we found out we are having a little GIRL!!!

Darrin and I had an ultrasound at our hospital and we were amazed how big and real our baby is now! Seeing the baby move and actually wave to us, was unreal! Her nose, lips, hands and feet are just so adorable! We told the tech that we didn't want to know the gender in the appointment and I'm so glad we waited. We had to drive to DC right after, but we stopped at a really nice restaurant in downtown Salem for the reveal! The place was so quaint and a perfect spot for our special moment together. After ordering a glass of champagne (for Darrin) we unfolded the ultrasound picture that had "GIRL" written on it! We both looked at it for a few seconds in shock and then there were happy tears. We just couldn't believe it! The whole restaurant staff knew what we were doing and came over to congratulate us. We had a great dinner and then we were off to tell Darrin's family the news in person. Then the next day, I flew to CA for the weekend to tell my family and friends!

How many weeks: 21 Weeks - 5 Months!

Baby Size: Size of a long carrot. 10.5 inches. Over a 1lb

Weight gain so far: About 7 pounds
Maternity clothes: Belly band still, tank tops and I just got a lot of used maternity clothes from a family friend!

Stretch marks? I just bought Palmers Stretch Mark lotion, but I haven't done research on special lotions. We'll see if the standard one will work?

Sleep: Even though I got the flu this past week, I was sleeping well. I had to take Nyquil PM some days;( The doctor said it was okay to take regular meds now... Its still really hard sleeping only on your sides though!

Best moment this week: Flying home to CA and telling my family and friends the gender news! We were all in shock because we thought it was a boy. We are sooo thrilled it's a little girl though! My sister and Mom helped me register for the first time and it was a breeze. My sister told me all the things we really needed and all the things that would be a waste of money! She knows since having three kids what is crucial.

Missing Anything: Saying goodbye to my family and friends again in Los Gatos. My nieces and nephew are growing up too fast!... Also, sleeping on my stomach and back!

Movement: I felt like she calmed down when I was on cold medicine, but she moves more in the morning and an hour before bed. The flutters are more like jabs now. I felt hiccups yesterday too!

Food cravings: I forgot to mention about carbs last time... Carbs, fruit and dairy have been a staple for me during my pregnancy. Pasta, cereal, cottage cheese, waffles, bagels and quesadillas, etc... are the usual. Before, I had a lot of salads and I need to get back to eating them more!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Well having the flu and being pregnant was not fun;(

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: Some lower back pains still and stomach tightness.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but it's not as deep anymore:(
Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: This week I was sooo tired and took my first sick day in a while. I needed to rest as much as I could to get rid of my flu, but still managed to keep busy doing house projects. Unfortunately, work has been super busy too.
Looking forward to: To having my friends coming to visit for the first time! Kataneh, Morgan, their 15 month old son Emerson and Laura are staying for two days! They flew to Nashville and are driving to VA. Then we are all flying to upstate New York for our friend Mari's wedding! Then Darrin and I are taking Amtrak into Manhattan for a night! It will be busy, busy, but what a great trip we will spend together.

Things to do still: We have been working so hard getting projects done in the house for my friends visit and the baby coming. Now, that Darrin finally painted our last room (guest room), we can try to focus on the babies room in the next couple of months. It helps that we know the gender now!

Due Date: December 29th! Christmas/New Years baby!