Twenty-three weeks

This week: Wolverine Baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango).

Development: This week, Wolverine's sense of movement is now well-developed, so she can feel when I dance.  (I think this means it's time for a full-on dance party!).  I also assume this means that she can feel when I'm CrossFitting, which would explain why she seems to park her happy self on my bladder when I attempt to run or jump rope.  Her cochlea is fully formed, which means she can hear everything I can hear now, except that it's muffled by my abdominal muscles, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid.  Perhaps it's time Ray and I started being more diligent about the things that come out of our mouths?

Are you craving anything? This morning, it's Coca-cola. I needed some caffeine to get me moving this morning.  And since I'm allowed 200 mg of caffeine a day according to my doctor, and I've not been drinking caffeine at all lately, I feel like this is an okay treat.  And let me tell you, it was delicious.

Is there any food that turns you off? Not today.

How do you feel? This morning, I'm very tired.  But other than that, I'm feeling pretty good.

How is your sleep? Excellent - I slept like a rock last night.

Most surprising thing you've noticed or experienced:  At Lowe's on Sunday, I had a woman ask me when I was due.  It was the first time a stranger had asked about my pregnancy without having been given confirmation of the pregnancy first.  I was excited because I thought it meant that I do actually look pregnant now (instead of just puffy), but at the gym yesterday, a guy I hadn't seen in several months said to the gym owner, "Mandy is pregnant, right??"  So maybe it's still not totally obvious? 

Something you're surprised you haven't noticed or experienced: I'm surprised at the effect Ray's hand on my stomach has on Wolverine.  She'll be kicking up a storm, and the second he puts his hand on my stomach, she freezes.  I have no idea why this is, and it's frustrating because I want him to feel how crazy she gets.  He always says, though, "Honey, it's okay.  She's doing her own thing.  She won't perform on demand." 

Favorite/most comfortable article of clothing: I don't think I have one of those these days.  I feel like I'm just rotating the same skirt, tank tops, and my maternity jeans about every other day or so. I know that's not totally accurate, but my wardrobe is really, really limited at this point.  I'm sick of everything that fits.

How is Ray doing? He has been great.  We registered this weekend, and he was very involved and very patient.  I'm going to write a follow-up blog about that when I get a chance tomorrow.