How far along: 18 weeks, 2 days!
Baby size: A sweet potato. 5.6 inches and 6.7 oz. He was already measuring ahead of that stat a week and a half ago (6.5 inches and 7 oz)! However, we’ll get a more precise set of measurements today at the anatomy/growth scan. I can’t wait to see how much he’s grown already! According to the internet, we are in a growth spurt right now.
Symptoms: Fatigue and frequent urination. Also, suddenly I’m having trouble sleeping again. I think it might be a pregnancy thing. It happens even when I’m comfortable and don’t have to pee. I lie awake for awhile and end up getting up earlier than normal. Maybe my body is preparing for baby. 
Food Cravings: The other day, I had to have a Frosty from Wendy’s. First time I’ve craved anything ice cream related since being pregnant. Hubby went out and got it for me. It was so yummy. Other than that, my cravings aren’t very strong right now.
Emotions: Oh boy, I’ve been crying a lot this past week! Sometimes it’s because I’m happy and excited about my baby boy. Other times, I feel in pain or sad.
My Grandma’s health is failing. Last month, she was struggling after getting a compression fracture in her back. She ended up in the hospital with several other health issues a couple days after the fracture. It wasn’t looking good. However, she made a lot of progress in a short period of time. They sent her to a nursing home for a couple of weeks, and then she went home! We were all so excited!
But after only being home for a couple days, she’s back in the hospital. 
She has Pneumonia and Congestive Heart Failure. My Dad was crying on the phone with me yesterday and saying it wasn’t looking good. The whole family is there to be with her. I really wish I could be there right now. It’s a far drive for me, and my back/bum pain is pretty horrendous. I want to try to go this weekend. I am trying to stay positive and pray she pulls through again.
It seems like I worry more about people while pregnant. Maybe it’s a protective mommy thing? Obviously, I’d worry about Grandma, but I’ve noticed that it’s everyone I’m worrying about. LOL.
The other issue is my back/bum pain. My SI joint is still stuck in the wrong place. We don’t know why it won’t improve. I’ve been diligently icing it and doing my physical therapy exercises, as recommended. I’ve been in tears pretty much everyday. I took yesterday off work to rest, and I’m going to try to do half days until my boss returns from vacation on Tuesday. After that, I might have to take off work if no improvement. I’ll have to use my PTO/Short Term Disability wisely, because I need it for maternity leave.
My OB doesn’t want me going to Physical Therapy now. She wanted me to see a “spine specialist”, but they didn’t have any openings until the end of April. So instead, I’ll be seeing a regular Orthopedic doc next Thursday the 28th. That was the soonest they could get me in. I have to get an MRI done before then, which I’m worried about while pregnant. My OB says it’s necessary though. We need to see if there’s damage or something else happening in there. I’ve never had one, so I don’t know what to expect. My OB’s office will call today with my appointment for the MRI.
I don’t want to complain, but this is something I am concerned about. I can deal with pain and discomfort – anything for my baby. It’s just getting to the point where I’m not sure I can work or do hardly any activity really, and that’s not good. I mean, just getting up from the couch and walking a few steps inside my own home is making me gasp.
Despite all that, I’m feeling really good overall. On Tuesday, I reached 100 days since I found out I was pregnant! It’s still a precious miracle to me every.single.day.
Weight: 6 lbs total – whoa, had a little growth spurt there finally! I was stuck at 3-4 lbs gained for the past 8 weeks.
Something I’ve done to prepare for baby’s arrival: Nothing much yet. I would like to get some household projects done, but we haven’t had time. (Plus, my pain prevents me from doing anything). Time to put Andy to work, eh! I’m excited to start thinking about the nursery!!
What I am most excited about: Seeing my baby boy today at the anatomy scan!!! <3 Also, still waiting for the first kick or movement! I cannot wait!
Belly pic: Definitely growing now!
