Bump Update - 23 weeks

I know I sound like a broken record, but I can't get over how fast this pregnancy is going by. Like when I think about how I only have 3.5 months left of work, it BLOWS my mind! Or the fact that I am almost in my 3rd trimester. It seriously feels like it was only a month ago that I was sitting in this exact spot texting Ryan a picture of the positive pregnancy test.

Things are definitely starting to become more real lately. Jaxon is a kicking and punching machine! There have been two times in the last week where I had to stop what I was doing. Although they weren't necessarily painful (yet), they were definitely strong enough to be uncomfortable. And in a strange way, I loved it!

He's grown so much in the last two weeks, in fact, I have noticed that when it comes to eating, I have to eat several VERY small portions thorought the day now and can almost never finish a meal. Yesterday I had a small spinach salad and a piece of steak not even the size of my palm, and I was SO uncomfortable the rest of the day; I felt like I could explode.

I've been feeling a lot of anxiety and stress lately which I am trying to deal with. I've mentioned before that my Grandfather is very ill. There was a rough patch in December when we found out that he has cancer in both his lung and hip (on top of his pre-existing heart condition). At that time, he had chosen to do the hip replacement surgery to eliminate the mass on his hip despite the surgeon telling him that the chance of him making it out of the surgery was highly unlikely and not recommended. Thankfully (for my own selfishness), he changed his mind and decided that he would rather live a little longer on pain meds and deal with things as they come. Despite everything (being on morphine everyday, etc) he has been doing very well - until last week. He got sent to the hospital via ambulance due to catching pneumonia. Although they have gotten it under control, they also found out that the cancer has spread to his left arm (which he can no longer move). I've been having anxiety over the fact that I am almost into my 3rd trimester. The inevitable is going to happen, we all know that. We've been told that it is very unlikely he will live to see 2014, and I have also come to terms with the fact that he probably will never meet Jaxon (we aren't going home with him until December). What I am having a hard time with is the fact that he could go between April and July when I am not allowed to fly. I would never be able to forgive myself for not being able to be there for the funeral. I know it's something that I am not going to be able to help, so I have been trying all weekend to prepare myself - just in case.


Crummy picture I know - was in a rush this morning, what can I say!

How far along? 23 weeks

Size of Baby D? The size of a Grapefruit - His face is fully formed now and he can distinguish my voice from surrounding noises (he can now hear horns honking and dogs barking too)

Total weight gain? I kept joking that Baby J was going through a growth spurt because of how much my belly has popped recently, but I've also gained 2 pounds in the last week (up a total of 12 lbs now) so I think that is definitely confirmation that he is a growing boy!

Gender? Sweet baby boy - Jaxon Daniel :)

Maternity clothes? I'm now in a mixture of pre-prego clothes and maternity clothes. I have two maternity tank tops that I have been wearing (and LOVE), and also been wearing my maternity leggings. Other than that, the rest is pre-prego stuff along with my belly band. I can still get away with my regular dress pants for work, and one pair of jeans, so I'm hoping that stays that way so I don't have to buy maternity versions! I am noticing though that my regular tops are getting shorter and shorter on me though!

Sleep? It's kind of been give or take lately. Some times I sleep like a baby (see last weeks update) and there have been a couple of nights (ahem, last night) where I just can't get comfortable. I think it has a lot to do with the pain in my hip. I noticed last night too that it's starting to get uncomfortable to sleep on my tummy -- I think it's finally time to nix that all together. Boo.

Belly Button in or out? Still in but it is inching it's way out more and more every week!

Best moment of the week? A lot has happpened this week! First, I THINK I may have SEEN him move! I was having a bath last night and I started to feel him bounce around. I looked down at my belly and I could have sworn I saw a little bump go up and down for a split second. I can now also feel him hiccup quite often as well which I can't help but smile when he does! Lastely, I have officially had my first stranger comment on my pregnant belly! Up until yesterday strangers would definitely stare at my belly, but nobody has every actually said anything. I finally had a lady ask me how far along I was and I was only happy to share :)

Miss anything? I miss being able to walk around the mall for more than 30 minutes without my hip feeling like it's going to give out!

Cravings? Still on a chocolate Cheerios kick.

Symptoms? Pee breaks at night have started to subside - I get up once a night on average now instead of 2-3 times. Linea nigra is still very faint. Still no stretch marks (knock on wood). As mentioned above, still experiencing horrible pain in my right hip -- It's worse when I walk somewhere for more than 20-30 minutes. My legs are also starting to get VERY restless some days (feels like I have no circulation). 

Mood? Anxiety (with the whole Grandfather situation) and also starting to get anxiety a bit when it comes to work. I have a high stress job and have been finding myself waking up with slight anxiety almost every week day. Although I am usually used to it, I've been chalking it up to hormones. Other than that, just extremely excited for the future -- I just can't wait to meet him!

Upcoming appointments? Next OB appointment is scheduled for April 2nd.

Looking forward to? Having Ryan feel him move and finishing the nursery