31 week update - Whew, I'm not late!!

Hello my dear friends!  I'm still in week 31 (nearing the end of it, but still in it!) so therefore I am not technically late yet!  This may be lengthy, or it may roll to the next post.  Anyway, lots to catch up on.

Last week, I had a business trip to Las Vegas with Mom for 3 days.  It was nice to get away for a bit.  Mom had developed a cold so whereas we usually split a room, she got her own.  Upon getting there, the hotel talked us into a 2 bedroom suite instead so we wouldn't be across the hotel from each other, but also wouldn't be in the same room sharing germs.  And in the end, the suite was less than the 2 rooms would have been, plus we had 2 (yes 2!) jacuzzi tubs!  So this is how I spent an hour or so one evening...

Not gonna bore you with work stuff that happened in Vegas but a few fun tidbits.  We had a night with a James Bond theme.  My Mom L*O*V*E*S James Bond movies, especially when they had Sean Connery in them.  Well, guess who greeted us at the party that night?

Yup, Sean Connery himself.  Well, not THE Sean Connery, we were in Vegas after all.  But it really made Mom's day.  He looked really good...had the walk down, the talk down and everything.  J's response was that he didn't look like "that" in the movies...that's how he looks now.  But whatever!

Next Las Vegas fun.  I was talking to J one night and I had him on speaker phone on the cell which was sitting on my belly.  Baby Girl Reese must have known it was her papa, because more than a couple times during the conversation she was kicking up a storm.  They really can hear you and know you in utero!

And the last thing I got from Vegas...these bad boys....

Yes, the day after we flew to Vegas and the day after we flew home, I swelled up like crazy!  My ankles looked like they had both been broken they were so swollen!  Thankfully it subsided, but man-o-man, it was not happy!

So that's enough about our trip.  We dipped under the double-digit countdown on Sunday.  That's right folks, we only have 9 weeks to go.  Are we ready?  Hell no!  I ordered vinyl stickers for the nursery last weekend and am hoping they get here soon so the nursery can be finished.  I went through all the baby gifts on Sunday and put it all away, and some will go back because we just have too much and need some pricey items still.  But now the nursery doesn't look like Babies R Us exploded all over it!  We really are blessed to have so many great people care so much about us.  I've even had a couple clients and associate planners bring in presents unannounced.  So awesome!

So here's the 31 week update and I'll talk about the doc visit and our 2nd child birth class tomorrow. As always, my comments are in red.

Week 31 of Pregnancy
As your baby's senses increase, his mommy's breathing room decreases.

Your Baby in Week 31 of Pregnancy
Weighing in at three-plus pounds and measuring 18 inches long, your baby is quickly approaching his birth length — though he's got to pack on another three to five pounds before D-day. Also developing at an impressive clip: your baby's brain connections (he's got to make trillions of them!). He's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why you're probably noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still). Baby Reese definitely moves more in the evening, and early morning hours.  Seems as if I am sleeping too much, she does somersaults to say, "Get up Mom!"

Your Body in Week 31 of Pregnancy
Chances are your diaphragm is feeling a little cramped these days. Okay, a lot cramped. That's because your uterus is pushing up against it (and all the other organs in there), crowding your lungs and making it more difficult for them to expand fully. The result: Your body is spare on air and will be until your baby drops near the end of pregnancy in preparation for birth. But don’t worry: Your baby is as happy as a clam because he’s getting his oxygen from the placenta. I feel like I am breathing heavy many times, and according to J, night is the worst.  Besides being congested, it is just hard to breathe.  He told me the other night not to be offended if I woke up one morning and he was sleeping in the guest bedroom!!! At least one of us is sleeping better, but I'll get to that.

Week 31 Pregnancy Tip: How a Baby Responds to Sex
Parental lovemaking and orgasm can have an interesting effect on babies in the womb, as you may have noticed. Some babies are very quiet after their parents have sex (rocked to sleep by the rhythmic movement, perhaps) while others become frisky themselves (hey, where's the party?). Both responses are completely normal and in no way indicate that your baby is aware of the goings-on…just that he is having fun going along for the ride. So keep on enjoying your sex life — and your orgasms — as much as you like. And for as long as you can (which, with your practitioner's approval and a few advanced Twister-type moves, can be right up until delivery day). After all, pretty soon making love with a baby in the house won't be quite so easy or convenient.  Seeing as both my parents and my grandmother read this blog, I'm not gonna touch this subject!

Week 31 Pregnancy Symptoms
More frequent urination: Your uterus puts more pressure on your bladder in the third trimester, giving it less room to store urine. Cut down on the bathroom trips by double voiding: Pee, then when you’re done, pee again. That’ll make sure you’ve emptied your bladder completely.  I'm considering setting up a computer in our bathroom at home and at the office if that tells you anything!  Have literally walked out and walked right back in!  Oh well, all worth it right?!

Occasional headaches: If tension is twisting your head up in knots, try spending a few minutes in a dark, quiet room. If you’re at work, close your eyes and put your feet up for 15 minutes. Have had a few of these (sadly) but nothing like the first few months.  Let's hope that continues.

Varicose veins: Your growing uterus is also putting pressure on your blood vessels, which along with pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume creates the perfect set-up for varicose veins. Take a walk (or even better, several) during the day, or make sure to get in some other form of low-key, circulation-boosting exercise. Still, thankfully none.  Knock-on wood!  I try to keep my feet up as much as possible.

Possible nasal congestion: As if a swollen belly, feet, and fingers weren’t enough, now you may be contending with swollen nasal passages, making for one stuffy feeling. You’ll get relief when you deliver, but until then saline sprays or nasal strips can help clear up the stuffiness. (Antihistamines and nasal sprays are usually off-limits, but check in with your practitioner for other recommendations). I mentioned this earlier.  You betcha!  I have a lot of congestion at night and in fact, one of my staff asked me if I was getting sick the other day because I was sniffling and blowing my nose so much.  At least J can go sleep in the guest bedroom, there's nothing I can do to get away from my own nose!

Lower abdominal achiness: Blame that growing belly of yours again for those growing pains around your middle. The best thing to do? Yep, you know the drill: Get off your feet for a while. I have had some cramping lately, but no blood.  Doc says it is just how Reese is sitting and putting pressure in me. 

Backaches: That burgeoning belly can also do a number on your back as it curves to accommodate the load. If you haven’t already, now is the time to incorporate some prenatal yoga into your exercise routine — the stretches will relax your back (and your mind!). Minor.  I do stretch a bit and try to sit up straighter more.

Increasing clumsiness: Your shifting posture (not to mention your increasing girth) and lack of concentration (see below) may make you clumsier these days. Take it easy when you’re climbing into the shower or tub and roll up any area rugs that could trip you up at home.  Yes, yes and yes.  I haven't fallen, but I am definitely feeling a bit clumsy these days.

Forgetfulness: Welcome to mommy (to-be) brain — a condition that’s a result of shrinking brain-cell volume in the third trimester (don’t worry — your brain cells go back to normal a few months after delivery). Don’t stress out about your foggy memory (stress just makes it worse). Write things down (or program them into your smart phone) and delegate responsibility (if possible). I don't think much more than the past 7 months, but who knows!

Difficulty sleeping: This is another common third-trimester woe, caused by a constellation of other conditions, such as leg cramps, heartburn, frequent urination, and plain old anxiety (with a dash of pregnancy hormones). If tension keeps you tossing and turning all night, talk it out with friends (or other WTE members) or your partner during the day.  And here we are again.  Yes, this is getting more difficult.  I used to be able to turn over in my sleep, but now thanks to all the pillows and this ever-growing belly, it's much harder to do that in my sleep.  But I'm making it work.  


Alright folks, to be continued tomorrow...