31 weeks

How far along? 31weeks 2 days to be exact ;)

Total weight gain/loss? 20lbs

Maternity clothes? yes! yes! I even bought new underwear a couple of days ago because my other ones were too low and they would hover & rub right around the incision from my surgery last year. I like to call my new ones 'grannies' but they are still below my belly button so no worries. The Dr was impressed when I was still wearing my pre-pregnancy undies a couple of weeks ago...but my new ones are MUCH more comfy!

Stretch marks? Only on my boobs. I'm surprised they are not any place else. Strange.


Morning Sickness?  nope. 

Sleep? Surprisingly great. I get up 1-2 times a night to go to the bathroom but I've been falling back to sleep pretty easily. Lets pray that continues and I don't have any more of those insomnia moments.

Best moment last week?  Realizing that we only have 2 more months give or take!!! Until we meet our sweet miracle. Holy cow!!!

Worst moment last week? When I noticed some spotting -- here is the story from the past two weeks and if you'd rather not read my crazy personal pregnancy details - I suggest you stop reading now. 

On Monday 5/9, I went in to see Dr S for my standard 30 weeks check-up. A few things happened during this appointment that I think are worth noting for my own records. First, they noticed some blood in my urine and they asked me if I had any UTI symptoms, I said no. Dr S said she would probably end up treating me for one depending on how the test results came back from the lab (I got a call on 5/16 from the nurse saying that there was a common bacteria in my urine that usually cures itself and she wouldn't treat me unless I had pain...which I didn't). After Dr. S checked his heartbeat (which sounded great) she asked me if I had been having a lot of contractions and I said "no" because I didn't feel any. She said "well, you just had one when I was checking his heartbeat".  I was shocked because I had no idea. She described a contraction as a "tightening" or "balling up" sensation of the entire uterus. I told her that I never felt anything like that and the only thing close is when he sticks his head or butt out and you can see a bulge on one side. She said to pay close attention to the contractions and to time them over the next few days. She asked me to come back on Friday to be monitored and they would determine how many contractions I'm having, etc. Then, she checked me internally to see if there was anything else. She said he has "dropped" a little but I wasn't dilated or anything like that. She said it was normal for him to have dropped some, and this definitely explains the added pressure on my bladder lately! 

I left that appointment feeling very confused. I felt "dumb" that I couldn't identify a contraction. I felt like I "should" know what my body is telling me since I do pay close attention. I spent the rest of the night trying to "pay attention more" like the Dr asked me too but it was frustrating. I decided I wanted to go back in the next day so they could monitor me and actually TELL me when I was having a contraction so I would know what to look for. I went in the next day to be monitored. I was on the monitor for 45 minutes. William was very active (he doesn't like to be constricted like that ;)) and I didn't have a single contraction. They said I was having "irritable uterus" which is common for an active baby. I saw Dr Pittman after being monitored and she said not to worry and if they got worse or closer together, to start keeping track. She asked me to keep my appointment with Dr S on Friday so I went BACK to the Dr on Friday. Ugh. I was so exhausted by this point. I was monitored again and NO contractions during that time. Dr S checked me internally again and said I my cervix was still closed.  She said I could wait two weeks for my next appointment but to call if I noticed any changes. I was relieved to have a break from the appointments!! -- especially since I really feel great! 

We had our first birthing class on Sunday. 6 hours is a little silly but it wasn't that painful to sit through since it was interactive. It was interesting to say the least. We learned a lot about what to expect when I go into labor as well as breathing and relaxation techniques. Brad also learned about what he can expect as being my "coach" so that was good too (We have our 2nd & final class this Sunday). 

After class was over (around 6:00) I went to the bathroom and noticed that I was spotting. I didn't think anything of it since I was checked internally on Friday and they say that can happen. 

I didn't see any spotting on Monday but then it was worse & consistent on Tuesday. I still wasn't that worried but I called the nurse anyway. She asked me a few questions like: when was the last time you were checked inernally? Friday. Have you been very active today? Just my mile walk during lunch. Have you had intercourse in the last few days? No (Sorry, TMI). Anyway, she said to keep an eye on it over night. I described it to her as a bright pink to red blood that was sometimes watered down looking and then darker at other times. She said to go to the hospital if it got worse but otherwise to call in the morning if it was still there and I would need to come in. So, on Tuesday night I noticed it wasn't really going away but it wasn't getting worse. I didn't worry too much until I started to have some lower back aches around 2am. It felt like menstrual cramps but didn't last very long and I haven't felt them since. I was a little more worried after that because I know that can be a sign of preterm labor. I called on Wed morning and made an appointment to go in to be checked. They put me on the monitor again. William looked great and I had 1 mild contraction over the 30 minutes. Dr. Dark checked me internally and didn't see any blood & I am still completely closed. Which was great news! I could rule out losing my mucous plug this early! I DO NOT want to have William before June 25th (4 weeks early) and in all honesty, I would prefer to carry him to term (37 weeks would be more like the week of July 1st). Anyhow, they told me that I had a lot of blood in my urine. Hmmmm. I would think I would know the difference when I wipe but I decided to pay closer attention. I didn't even think about that!!! They sent my urine for testing and since then I've been paying closer attention....I will spare you the dirty details because its very confusing but I think it may be a mixture of both. A little bit from being checked internally and a little bit from my urine. Sounds like I may have a UTI without the other symptoms. Treatable with antibiotics of course but I guess we will wait and see what the results say. I honestly feel great other than getting tired easily. I have more lower ligament pain this past week and the Dr said it was likely because of his low position and all of the pressure/weight he is adding which makes sense. They said I did the right thing by calling/coming in to get checked because of the blood. They said it is not "normal" to see blood but it does happen and sometimes they can't even explain why it is happening. Needless to say, I am SO thankful our William is ok and there is not any evidence that he would make try to make his grande entrance this week at least!

Movement? ahhh. Movement. My favorite. My little reminders that hes there and is ok. Hes getting stronger and its crazy to look down at my tummy and see his body wiggling around. Brad has felt a lot of this lately and is amazed at how strong he is too. Sometimes he kicks my bladder and although it kind of hurts for just a second and I constantly have to go to the bathroom because of his low movements. Its ok, though! I love it and am so happy that our little boy is having a good time in there.

Food cravings? YES! I want everything I can't have because of my "borderline" gestational diabetes test. I have a pretty strict diet and I can only have sugar/carbs paired with other foods and in low quantities. 15 grams of carbs counts as one carb. I've never had to really pay attention to labels before but believe me when I tell you that 15g of carbs is NOTHING. Luckily I've found a great multigrain bread that keeps my levels under control. There have been very few instances of over 120 and Dr S said they look great. I have to bring a list of my levels and what I'm eating to her each time I go for appointments.

Gender? Our sweet little boy.

Labor signs? despite the very random Braxton Hicks contractions I'm told I was having by the doctors, I don't "feel" any labor signs or anything close.

Belly button in/out? Its at surface level and is flush to my belly. It may pop any day now.

What I miss: Carbs & Sugar! I'm not a big sugar eater but I want what I can't have.

What I am looking forward to:  I am having an ultrasound at 34 weeks to determine how big he is because they think he is on the big side and at that time, we will know more about what to expect over the next couple of months.

Exercise:  I'm still walking and stretching but I've slowed my walks down a good bit due to the heat. I don't walk during lunch any more if the temp is above 85. If its hot during the day, I walk at night when it cools down.


Milestones: from babycenter.com

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
 
Stupid things people have said lately: 
I've had a lot of "you look like you are ready" & "you could go at any minute".
NO, PEOPLE! I will NOT go at any minute. This baby is staying in here for at least 5 more weeks!!


I've also had several really sweet people tell me that I look great, beautiful, glowing, excited & healthy!
....these people are my favorite! :)