31 Weeks

THIS WEEK
I am thirty-one weeks pregnant and I can't believe it, I am so blessed. We had another ultrasound with maternal fetal medicine this week and although always worrisome, I wasn't nearly as anxious about it as I have been in the past. It was a very good ultrasound, the tech was so nice and our beautiful little girl has moved into a breach position where she is bent over her long legs which explains the strong movements I've gotten so used to feeling. She refused to look up which stinks because I love seeing her little face even if it is just an ultrasound for now, but the tech showed us all of the hair our beautiful little girl already has! Momma has got to get started on some headbands and bows for our little girl. They also waited for her to practice "breathing" but baby's at this stage only do that 30% of the day we didn't catch it so they hooked us up for an nst (non-stress test, which tracks baby's heart beat and movements, watching for the heart beat to accelerate when she moves just as it does when she breathes - also tracks contractions) which she did wonderfully as usual. We met with the perinatologist who was so reassuring and comforting, she said the ultrasound looked great and our baby girl is measuring 3lbs 10ounces which is a full pound up from a month ago, grow baby girl grow! We're scheduled for our next ultrasound in two weeks and I can't wait to see our baby girl again.

BABY UPDATE
Baby girl is the size of a pineapple for these next few weeks, over the next few weeks she will weigh approximately 2lbs 5ounces to 3lbs 7ounces and measure between 15 inches to 16.5 inches from the top of her beautiful head to her little toes.

Her brain is working overtime as it develops faster than ever, connections between individual nerve celes are growing and our baby girl can now perceive information from all five of her senses (although she will only experience smell after birth, mom and dad being among the first smells she will experience). Our baby girl is also busy making faces which we've seen on ultrasound, swallowing, breathing, sucking her thumb, moving her hands and feet all over and hiccuping, which is another way that she can practice breathing, which I have been feeling for weeks now.

MOMMA UPDATE
I have been feeling pretty good - although one again very emotional. I am starting to feel very clumsy lately I even tripped this week (although caught myself) but I am being extra careful to avoid an accident. Acid reflux is coming more frequently this week which tends to bring some nausea with it, but I've been managing with frequent little snacks just as I did before. This week I've been craving chocolate chip pancakes like crazy and have thoroughly enjoyed having them at home (thanks to my wonderful husband! I'm so lucky). My belly button is out and with my growing belly I am officially leaning forward in a sad little attempt to pee because otherwise I am back in the bathroom right away. I don't know if it is solely because of our baby girl's breach position but she seems very fond of bouncing on/hitting my bladder/cervix, this week I ended up peeing myself (just the tiniest bit thankfully) after a particularly hard hit - which made me panic that I was leaking amniotic fluid, I managed to calm myself down. Our city was hit with a very bad blizzard this week, we were snowed in for a few days and it definitely instilled a lot of extra stress because I couldn't get out - for all the mom's (myself included, I was mid 2nd to 3rd trimester with our son) who dislike being so pregnant in summer, it still beats the anxiety of being snowed in or traveling icey roads this far along and this close to delivery. Despite all protests and all efforts, not to mention since I am on reduced activity that I don't leave the house much, I caught a little cold and am doing everything to fight it off before it gets worse (just a sore throat at this point).

Measuring 45.5 inches!

DADDY MOMENTS
Making fresh chocolate chip pancakes for this momma, they were amazing and everything I was craving, and baby girl kicked up a storm!

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEEK
Our ultrasound, I am not desensitized one bit and despite how often we have ultrasounds - I absolutely love them. This appointment was particularly good and I left feeling so good! Plus it was the first day we were able to get out after the blizzard so that brought some relief too.

LOOKING FORWARD TO
My maternity photos, with the snow here (although I am waiting for it to calm down and warm up a bit) I am so excited to take our pictures soon.

xo, Anne.