Baby Hobgood: 22 & 23 weeks

The past two weeks slipped by me! Sometimes the weeks go by so fast I forget how far along we are. I can't even imagine how fast the rest of this pregnancy will go by. Not a lot has happened the past couple weeks...we have just been living our normal life and Griffin has just been growing. I am thinking he has gone through a growth spurt recently, learning gymnastics...ya know just during somersaults all day every day. I know I am loving every bit of it. 

The only really exciting thing that has happened these two weeks is we bought our furniture for Griff's room. My sweet Granna called me last week to let me know that my Pop had bought savings bonds for all of his grandkids every year on their birthday ever since we were little. He just was saving them for the right time to give them all to us. She said she wanted us to have mine and use them for our nursery furniture. She said "Pop would be so proud of you both and this is a way for him to be apart of Griffin's life! It's like he purchased the furniture for him!" Yes, bring on the tears. How thoughtful to think and do something like this for his grandkids. It was more than a blessing for us to say the least! Also, my Granna will be making our baby bedding so Griff's nursery is going to have a little bit of Pop and Granna in there. I wouldn't have it any other way! The pictures of the furniture are below and I can't wait until they are here! Now I just need to make up my mind on bedding and what I want. I have search fabric store after fabric store and website after website. I have found a lot of things I like, just not the exact vision I have had in my mind. It is one of my goals these next couple of weeks to get that done and I will post about details about the nursery then. 

Lately, I have been dealing with some odd feelings adjusting to pregnancy. From embracing a new body to sometimes feeling guilty for being pregnant. Strange but it's real (and straight from the enemy might I add). I have a lot of friends dealing with trouble getting pregnant, miscarriage, health issues and sadness. My heart hurts with these people. I hate to see friends hurting. I hate to see them struggling. It's hard to hear them say that they are glad you're "healthy". Its hard to have something that others desire deeply. In the season we are in, somedays I wake up feeling guilty for the place we are in. Somedays I feel guilty for being thankful, happy, and celebrating because of those hurting around me. It is not healthy for me or our family when I wake up with this attitude...it is direct lies from the enemy. This morning at church, our lead pastor stood up and talked about embracing the new life Jesus gives us. We should be celebrating that He is always making all things new! Not only did it wake me up in knowing that this season is good and the reminder this child is a gift and that Griffin has been entrusted to us by Him. But it also gave me hope for those who are hurting because of the season they are facing. I know that He has a plan for us and for everyone else. I trust Jesus in every circumstance that we have faced or will face. If you can join with me in praying for those who are struggling? That they find hope in Jesus alone. Because I care and I know I want those I love and those I don't even know struggling to experience pregnancy or adoption or health or whatever God has planned for them to have a family. It is sweet and beautiful season and I believe everyone deserves that no matter what. And if not, pray that there is truth in knowing He is STILL good. 

He stood with me and He strengthened me. 

2 Timothy 4:17

23 weeks and 3 days

This week, baby is the size of a: ear of corn! (8.5 in, 1.5 lbs!)

Due date: January 17th, 2014

How far along: 23 (1/2) weeks

Next appointment: October 1st

Gender: ITS A BOY!!!!

Total weight gain/loss: Two weeks ago it was 14 pounds total. Im going to guess its probably around 15-17 pounds now!

Stretch marks: None!

Swelling: Hands sometimes after eating salty foods and feet swell after being on them for a long time...like at Tech games and shooting weddings!

Maternity clothes: This past week has been especially hard trying to dress myself...our bedroom ends up looking like all of the closet is in now on the floor and bed after I finally pick something to wear. Its hard getting used to a new body! Adjusting has been emotional at times, but thankful for a growing man! So my belly has definitely grown finally but I can wear most of my normal clothes but wearing all maternity and yoga pants! I am getting so excited for the fall to layer and wear sweaters and scarves. 

Belly button: Still in! But I am going to guess by 25 or 26th week it will be flat with my belly!

Sleep: Sleep is so-so. I sleep the heaviest in the morning after Heath gets up for class. Haha!

Food cravings/aversions: Over the last couple of weeks I haven't had a consistent craving. BUT I did crave McDonald's fries one night on the way home. So I got them. And felt disgusting after eating them the next morning! 

Movement: It is seriously crazy, he is moving ALL the time! For the first time, he has sticking either his head or hiney out on the right side of my belly the other day...which resulted in a lopsided belly! I dont know if I would have noticed if it wasn't for my laptop being on my belly!

Wedding ring: Still on! Hoping it stays that way.

What I miss: Having a lot of energy! I am not a napper and never really have been...but lately I have had to lay down at least once during the day and "try" to nap to feel a little energized. It usually hits me between 3-5pm, which is the worst considering I start my sessions around that time. Also, just shooting a session makes me tired, which is also new. Weddings obviously make me tired but just a evening session I feel just as tired as shooting a wedding sometimes. Crazy!

What I'm loving: I am loving just about everything. His movements in the morning and when I am falling asleep are my favorite. 

What I'm looking forward to: Gosh, Im not sure exactly. Each new thing is exciting, Im not sure if there is anything specific besides us getting closer to meeting him. Regularly, I envision what its going to be like as a family of three sitting together at church or a tech football game or with family. Im excited for that reality! 

Best moment this week: These past two weeks we started looking for bedroom furniture for Griff and finally decided on something this weekend! We cannot wait for it to come in and get it in the room!

Milestones: A BELLY IS FINALLY HERE! Haha, adjusting to that is interesting...from growing pains, round ligament pain, to feeling of being full all the stinking time but actually being hungry ;-) And being one week away from being 6 months pregnant. What? Thats crazy to say! 

Baby Hobgood: 21 weeks!

Another week has gone by and 22 weeks is sneaking up quickly this Thursday. Can't believe it! I just know I feel thankful for life and growth and change this week. I have had a lot on my heart here recently. Not sure if that is due to pregnancy hormones, getting ready for a tiny human to join our family or what exactly. But I started thinking about how much God is refining our life since we found out we were expecting. We have walked through a few hardships, heartaches and tribulations. We approached us "starting a family" as a place where we felt like we wanted to be in a good place in our marriage, our life, and everything else before we did so (or God allowed that to happen for us). So months leading up to finding out about our bundle of joy, we spent time with the Lord asking him to mold us into the people He desired us to be. So He did...of course. And we felt called to change and move and shake our life up a little bit in obedience of knowing it is what we had actually asked for. Little did we know even after finding out we were expecting would He continue to do so...and not always in the most comfortable way. Despite it all, He has walked with us through the fires we have faced, the joys...just as He has always promised. It hasn't been the funnest thing ever nor is it the most convenient time in our selfish nature. But our opinion doesn't matter and we feel like this time is so sweet. In the hardship, He is so faithful. I am encouraged by the simple fact that He is refining our marriage and life to prepare for what is to come. How can I not be encouraged that we pray for patience and He gives it. Sure like I said before...not in the way I would have chosen but in a way I can walk straight through these fires and know He has given us new eyes and direction in our lives. 

By no means has this pregnancy been easy emotionally, physically maybe it has been easy for me. But thats okay! I read an article this morning talking about how some weeks you just wake up on Monday morning and KNOW its going to be one of those weeks. You're going to be late, tired, there are going to be piles of laundry staring you in the face and the bills are going to fill your kitchen counter. Here is a part of it that REALLY hit home with me as I peeled myself out of bed this morning:
Agh! How awesome is that! All of the bold quotes are my favorite and the things that I am grasping onto this week AND for the rest of our pregnancy. Really for life. Change can be the hardest freaking thing we approach even when it's something we want. 

"No one knows but you do war every single day with the slanderous voices in your head and you wrestle a bit with the death dark that encroaches around the edges of everything and you’re never the only one: anyone who gets up has to push back the dark.

I’m standing there in front of the mirror.

Standing there, looking right into me and the abyss of the mess of me that I’ll never get all right. And it comes down to this: Christianity is the only hope for this broken world because there’s no other way for the broken to get the Nails they need to rebuild.

That’s what this week needs, that’s all this week needs most:

More than needing schedules and productivity, this week will need a Savior and prayer. God’s not asking me to produce– He’s asking me to pray. God’s not asking me to climb ladders — He’s asking me to kneel and let go. Right there at the mirror, right at the beginning, the week begins to unfurl in slow, in hope.

And that’s what I whisper into the mirror:

His grace will be more than just sufficient — His grace is guaranteed to actually save. Time, me, the week, all redeemed and miracles happen in mirrors and to people we know. When we know Christ, we always know how things are going to go — always for our good and always for His glory. The sun flashes blaze in the mirror.

The week has this written all over it: God only allows pain if He’s allowing something new to be born." 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/09/how-to-live-through-the-hard-weeks/

Agh! How awesome is that! All of the bold quotes are my favorite and the things that I am grasping onto this week AND for the rest of our pregnancy. Really for life actually. Change can be the hardest freaking thing we approach even when it's something we might want. But I am taking days, minutes and seconds at a time and enjoying every little thing I can. Not because I am terrified for our boy to be here or the future but because I want to spend every moment reminding myself that He is GOOD. And every moment is GOOD and MEANINGFUL despite its a crappy moment or a really happy moment. And that this is ALL for His glory. Its not freaking about me. Nor do I want it to be about me. 

So Jesus, THANK YOU for refining me, our marriage, our life. We welcome you in to our lives everyday and lay it all at your feet.

My husband makes me laugh. I adore him.

Jaxx wanted in on the fun! :)

This week, baby is the size of a: spaghetti squash! (8 in, 1 WHOLE POUND!)

Due date: January 17th, 2014

How far along: 21 (1/2) weeks

Next appointment: October 1st

Gender: ITS A BOY!!!!

Total weight gain/loss: 14 pounds total!

Stretch marks: None!

Swelling: No swelling as of lately!

Maternity clothes: A belly has definitely grown finally but I am still in most of my normal clothes but wearing all maternity and yoga pants! I am getting so excited for the fall to layer and wear sweaters and scarves.

Belly button: Normal

Sleep: Sleep is so-so. I sleep the heaviest in the morning after Heath gets up for class. Haha!

Food cravings/aversions: Not a lot of cravings lately! 

Movement: It is seriously crazy, he is moving ALL the time! I felt a few serious jabs last night for the first time. I was shocked!

Wedding ring: Still on!

What I miss: Nothing really at all!

What I'm loving: This week I have loved seeing my belly move when Griffin is moving around.

What I'm looking forward to: I am enjoying where we are right now. We are enjoying each other, the pups, and me personally being pregnant. I am enjoying every bit of my energy and all the good that comes with the second trimester before I get to the third in a few weeks! (Hooooly cow! Third Trimester!) Cant even believe that is almost here.

Best moment this week: We started registering last weekend. First, its overwhelming and I am so glad we started now so I can research a little more and pick the brains of my mom friends. Second, it was fun to pick out little bitty things. 

Milestones: I literally feel like this week for the first time I have a legit bump. Every time I walk past a mirror, I am surprised and shocked that I have a belly! It will be hard to get used to. I know so far its hard to dress with a bit of a belly, can't imagine what its going to be like later. AH! Not only does it look like I have a bump, I can literally FEEL my belly growing. My skin is tight! 

Baby Hobgood: 20 weeks!

Well, we are half way there! Our anatomy scan was today, it was nothing short of amazing. I am not sure if I can even express the joy I felt in that room today. He was a wiggle worm for sure, but we saw more of him than we have yet. He was measuring perfectly, everything looked great! I wasn't expecting to get 3d shots of him, so when she pulled up images of his face I sort of couldn't even believe what I was seeing. When she first pulled it up, his sweet little face and hands were in the shot and it looked as if he was waving with his little fingers! Sigh. It is such a surreal feeling to see what is in your own belly...and that thing that is in your belly is a living human...and that this living human is your own child. What an overwhelming feeling of love you feel in that moment. He is perfect already, he will always be perfect to me! No matter what comes or happens or he does or whatever...He is perfect. And God has decided for some unknown reason to entrust Heath and I with His child. I am so thankful today for the gift of family and children. At the very end, he decided to give a guns up, ya'll! Heath said "thats my boy! starting him early!" Our little red raider!

Oh...and we decided on a name! :) 

Sweet boy.

GUNS UP!!!

This week, baby is the size of a: banana!

Due date: January 17th, 2014

How far along: 19 (1/2) weeks

Next appointment: October 1st

Gender: ITS A BOY!!!!

Total weight gain/loss: 14 pounds total!

Stretch marks: None!

Swelling: No swelling as of lately!

Maternity clothes: This week a belly has definitely grown but I am still in most of my normal clothes but wearing all maternity and yoga pants! 

Belly button: Normal

Sleep: Sleep is so-so. I sleep the heaviest in the morning after Heath gets up for class. Haha!

Food cravings/aversions: I have wanted Sheridan's almost everyday this week. So feel free to bring me a smoothie or shake from there anytime and anyday of the week friends. ;-)

Movement: So so much movement! The past few days I started to feel flips and twists and turns. It is the strangest feeling, but the best yet! Heath has finally felt him kick a little. He is very timid when it comes to Heath trying to feel...little stinker! 

Labor signs: Nope

What I miss: Nothing really at all!

What I'm loving: We are half way there to meeting him. But also that I still have 20 more weeks of being pregnant. I am just adoring being pregnant, I know I will miss it in the end.

What I'm looking forward to: I am trying to take this day by day and enjoy every second, because I am loving it so much. Im not sure if there is anything specific that I am looking forward besides obvious things like another ultrasound and getting closer to meeting him. Starting on the nursery will be fun and already started planning for a baby shower! Woah! 

Best moment this week: THE ANATOMY SCAN!

Milestones: Half way to holding our little...

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