31 Weeks

Just fyi…I’m going to remove a couple questions because the answers are repetitive and/or aren’t changing week-to-week.

How far along? 31 weeks, 1 day

How big is baby? His unofficial fruit size is a pineapple. But more accurately, he weighs 3 pounds, 13 ounces. Bigger than I thought he was!

Total weight gain: 19 pounds-ish.

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Exercise? I figure if I keep this question on here it will motivate me to get a least some exercise. (Though to be fair to myself…it’s not so much motivation as lack of physical ability to do so…)

Sleep: I usually wake up once to go to the bathroom. My lower back is usually really sore when I get up in the morning, but the soreness goes away quickly.

Side note: If you want a really good night’s sleep, book a hospital stay. Just kidding…I really don’t recommend that. Since I was up most of Wednesday night while in the hospital, I slept like a rock Thursday night. It’s been a while since I’ve slept that soundly.

Movement: Happy to report that baby boy seems to be back on track with his movement! I am so very thankful for that! And, Thursday’s ultrasound confirmed that he is doing just fine.

Big news – he is now in the head-down position! I’m not sure when he switched, but happy that he has reoriented himself.

I forgot to mention this last week, but it was really cute. He was sticking his bottom out, so I told Mike to put his hand on my belly so he could feel it. Mike’s hand was really warm, and when he put it on my belly I could feel baby boy scrunching up to get underneath Mike’s hand. It was so sweet!

Mommy confessional: I put my Sugarland cd in earlier this week and turned the volume up a little louder than normal. Baby boy’s ears must be getting stronger, because I totally woke him up and he started moving around. Oops!

Food Oddities: Plain Greek yogurt. Very strange.

Symptoms: Some of the lightheadedness issues are continuing, even though I've been working hard to drink more water. That is really discouraging.

I’ve also had a lot of trouble with my legs – circulation issues. Even with my hose on standing and walking have become a bit more challenging. They just don’t feel very “steady” – somewhat like when your legs fall asleep, minus the pins and needles feel. Also really discouraging…

I’ve been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. They don’t hurt, but they can be uncomfortable. The doctor said not to worry about it unless I was having 8 per hour, which hasn’t been the case so far.

Aside from that, seems to be just normal third-trimester discomforts – uncomfortable, short of breath and constantly tired.

What people are saying:

The grocery store is a good barometer for determining how close you are to the finish line. All you have to do is pay attention to people’s reactions upon seeing you:

• First Trimester: The curious “I think she’s pregnant” look.
• Second Trimester: The “Look at that cute little baby bump” look with a small smile.
• Third Trimester: The “Whoa, she is really pregnant!” wide-eyed look, sometimes complete with a double take.

And in other news, you know you’re really pregnant when you’re sitting in the passenger seat and the cashier at the drive-thru window goes, “Baby on the way? Congrats!”

Sweet Moments: Mike made another hilarious comment the other night, followed almost immediately by a dismayed, “Oh no you’re going to put that on the blog aren’t you?”

No, sweetie, I don’t put everything on the blog!

Make room for baby: My mom and I were planning to work on his nursery this weekend, but with my injured knee I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to get done.

Mike and I booked the hospital tour, childbirth class and breastfeeding class this week.

Miss Anything? Nothing is really coming to mind at the moment.

Looking forward to: A fun weekend! I have a bridal shower for my brother’s fiancé on Saturday and my baby shower on Sunday.

Worst moment this week: Without question, the nasty spill I took on Wednesday evening. Check out the hospital post for details.

Best moment this week: It’s a tie: Baby boy got the hiccups for the first time. It was the strangest/coolest/funniest thing ever! Also, the unexpected treat of a 31 week ultrasound. Loved seeing my growing baby boy and hearing how well he is doing health-wise!