A poem and 2 updates

I know I said I would try and not be so tardy this week, but I am.  Today I am 29 weeks, but I have yet to post the 28 week post.  Sorry folks...it's been a busy couple of days.

But first, here is a poem that one of the invitees to my shower wrote in her card.  She's also a client, and mentions the name of my company, so sorry, but I have omitted that.  Such a great poem and will always be treasured!

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Whether a girl or boy,
So much love, so much joy!
Will fill our hearts with years of glee
Until the wee one reaches three.

Look out mom, look out dad
Can it be a genius we've had?
This darling child, to our remorse
Will chat endlessly (in sentences of course).

Speaking Spanish, German, French
before the 16th year,
Playing Chopin, Bach, Beethoven
and has a perfect ear!

Graduate from Harvard
before age 21
Not surprising us at all
while having lots of fun!

Suma Cum Laude in Economics
before age 25
Now CEO and owner of:
(you guessed it) _________!

Such a fun poem from a great lady!!!  I've contemplated writing it up and putting it up in Baby Girl's room, however don't want to overwhelm her at such a young age!

And now for the 28 week update....
Week 28 of Pregnancy: Fetal Brain Activity
 Your developing baby, who this week weighs in at about two and a half pounds and stands — or rather lies — at almost 16 inches (measured head to toe) has added blinking, coughing, and more intense sucking to his or her growing bag of tricks.

Are you dreaming about your baby? At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby may be dreaming about you, too. Brain wave activity measured in a developing fetus shows different sleep cycles, including the rapid eye movement phase, the stage when dreaming occurs.

By now, your baby, who weighs in at about two and a half pounds and stands — or rather lies — at almost 16 inches (measured head to toe) has added blinking to his or her growing bag of tricks. (Outside in the real world, blinking is necessary to help keep foreign objects out of the eyes.) Other impressive new talents being added to your baby's roster in the womb include coughing, more intense sucking, and, perhaps most important, better breathing. Of course, it's still best if a baby doesn't check out of that uterine hotel just yet — there's still a lot of growing and maturing to do over the next 12 weeks.

It's a short one!  So we'll go straight to the 29 week update and get me caught up!  And I've commented in blue this time.
Week 29 of Pregnancy
Your baby's packing on the pounds, which look so cute on her. If only you could say the same for your varicose veins….

Your Baby in Week 29 of Pregnancy

How big is your baby this week? She weighs nearly three pounds now and measures about 17 inches. Though she's getting pretty close to her birth length, she still has to chub out a bit. In fact, over the next 11 weeks, she'll more than double — or even come close to tripling — her weight. And as she grows and the room in your womb gets tighter, you'll be less likely to feel those big kicks and more likely to get poked by an elbow or jabbed by a knee.

Your Body in Week 29 of Pregnancy

Unsightly yet harmless, varicose veins are simply swollen blood vessels that often surface on your body for the first time during pregnancy, especially if your mom or grandma had them. You may have a mild case (minor achiness and swelling) or you may be unlucky enough to experience real pain and bulging blue veins, usually from the ankle to the upper thigh. There are things you can do to alleviate this veiny situation, including watching your weight, keeping your blood flowing, and avoiding heavy lifting.  None to speak of, let's hope that continues!

Week 29 Pregnancy Tip: Counting Baby's Kicks

Have you counted your baby's kicks today? Once you've passed week 28, you should be counting them every day. To make sure that you do — and to make sure that everything's A-OK in your belly — make a habit of counting your baby's kicks twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Best to do your counting lying down (since babies are more likely to kick up when Mom's lying down — a pattern they tend to continue after they're born). If you can't lie down, sit. Count any and all movements (even swishes and rolls) until you hit ten. If you haven't reached ten within an hour (your little Rockette may just be on her break right now), have a light snack and try again — that blood-sugar rush is likely to get baby on the move again. Just remember that fewer than ten movements within two hours warrants a call to your practitioner. Chances are everything's fine, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. I keep saying she's very active, guess it is time to find out for sure.

Week 29 Pregnancy Symptoms

Constipation: Pregnancy hormones cause your muscles (including those in your bowel) to relax, which can cause your system to get backed up. One way to get on track is to eat yogurt with the probiotic acidophilus (look for yogurt brands that contain “live active cultures”) since these beneficial bacteria can aid in digestion and help get things moving. I feel like I head for the bathroom numerous times a day - yesterday it was 9!  I think I'm okay!

Occasional headaches: When a headache (even a migraine) hits, alleviate pain by lying down in a quiet, dark room with a cold compress on your neck or forehead.  I did have a migraine last week, bummer, they might be back for the long haul.

Hemorrhoids: If the veins in your rectum have begun to bulge and pop out (as a result of increased pressure and blood flow to the pelvic area), reduce discomfort and irritation by using gentle wipes or warm water on soft toilet paper after bowel movements and, of course, drinking lots of fluids so your stool isn't hard.  Again, thankfully NO!

Forgetfulness: No wonder your brain feels especially foggy these days — hormones are wreaking havoc on your memory and your brain-cell volume actually decreases during the third trimester. Try not to take this temporary pregnancy symptom to heart — stressing about it will only cloud your pregnancy brain even more.  What were we talking about?  Yup, this is full force.  See Mom, I'm not making it up!

Itchy abdomen: Your stretched-out belly can cause your skin to become dry and itchy. Apply moisturizer regularly and consider soaking in a warm oatmeal bath to ease the itch. I lotion the belly every morning and every night, and I still itch occasionally.

Skin, hair, and nail changes: Even though your nails may be growing faster than ever, pregnancy hormones may also cause them to become dry and brittle. Trim them regularly. Mani-pedi time!!

Difficulty sleeping: If heartburn is keeping you up at night, avoid eating too much and chowing down too close to bedtime. Also, avoid coffee or chocolate in the evening since these energizers will make it harder for you to get to sleep. Caffeine used to not affect me, but I am seeing that if I have tea before bed I have trouble sleeping.  So am opting not to do that.  Usually, I sleep pretty well, especially after a busy day, but sometimes when I wake up to go to the bathroom, going back to sleep is difficult.  Guess I should get used to that huh?
 

Whew!  That's a lot of info!  Chew on that and I'll post later in the week...PROMISE!!