23w0d and Christmas!

Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate or don't!  Can't believe I am 23 weeks already!  Can't believe I get to document gifts for the baby...and yes, you will get pics!  I am in some kind of reality-induced haze.  Like, the reality is sinking in, but still in a haze of YIPPEEE!  Does that make ANY sense?  Who knows.  Here's the stats.  Enjoy your holidays!

WEEKLY UPDATE

How far along: 23 weeks 0 days. Cricket is the size of a papaya! Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.10.5-11.8 inches; 12.7-20.8 oz. (*This will apparently remain the same info for a few weeks now as she gains weight and actual development slows down).

I totally wore this to work Christmas Eve, with
Christmas socks and slippers.  LOL. The Cafeteria
lady couldn't look at me with a straight face.



Total Weight Gain: staying right around the 30lb gain mark, so hopefully that hospital weight is balancing out a bit.

Maternity clothes: Of course!  What's fun is figuring out what pre-pregnancy shirts I can still wear...long tank tops work to assist with that, and bella bands to cover the gap.  I still don't like baggy tops cuz I want to "dress my bump."
Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Better this week, except on nights where I had bad reactions to the pain meds. Otherwise, not bad.  So it varies from day to day.  Still don't feel like I ever got that 2nd trimester "burst of energy."

Movement: If I'm settled down, she's kickin' like crazy.  This cervix kicking though...man oh man!   And still hiding well below my belly button most of the time...don't know why, but I suppose it's better than my ribs being kicked :)  AND last night it occurred to me to look at the belly while she was kicking, and lo and behold!  We saw my belly jump!  Hubby was so creeped out.  I was just giggling :)

Cravings/Aversions: All over the place, though red meat is still totally off the table!

Sex: The OB kindly put a note on there this week when I was in to warn others we don't want to know the sex.  A bright orange post-it note right over the information from the u/s tech, LOL.  So that no one slips up and says something.  Hubby said, "GRRRR".  LOL.
 
Symptoms: Mmmm, nothing bad this week.  Swelling has gone away, for the most part, though my rings spend more time off than on.  Morning sickness has made a bit of a return, but I think it has to do with the pain meds, so I am discontinuing the Fentanyl (which was WICKED expensive :( ) to see if that does it.  Which means, yes, I am still on Pancho because of it.  Oh! And LEUKORRHEA. Man, I panicked and thought I lost my mucous plug! But no...just the craziest discharge ever! (Sorry for the TMI).

What I miss: Ease of movement. That's about it.

What I look forward to: Viability! Being free of Pancho. 

Moods: Feeling better this week. Still a bit frustrated with my body, but overall, pretty good!

Milestones: Ummmmm.....we put the crib together!  Cricket got her first Christmas presents!
Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines, severe back pain. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 100 mg, Zo.fran pump, Iron, D3, D2, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. Flexeril a bit longer, Lidocaine patches, Tylenol 3 for the migraines.

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy EVERY moment of this crazy ride :)

Best moment this week:  Putting the crib together with Hubby.  Falling asleep at night with DH's hand on my belly, puppy at the feet, Cricket kicking away :)

Worst moment this week: Severe vomiting again.  Booooo! It made me cry, but meh.  Whatever. This too, shall pass.