31 Week Update

How far along: 31 weeks 6 days (8 weeks to go as of tomorrow OMFG)

Size of baby:  Average = 2.5-3.8 lbs, 15.2"-16.7" long, or the size of a PINEAPPLE or the weight of a coconut. Buuut the paperwork from our 20 week anatomy scan said he or she was in the >97% size percentile, soooooo....!?! We have another ultrasound on Wednesday, so maybe that'll be a moment of truth as to whether this kid is actually enormous or not. Orrr we'll just find out the hard way in 8 weeks. Eeek.

Physical symptoms: Constipation's #1!!! I'm still having those really awesome dizzy spells. It's still usually if I get hot. And I have to fully lay down on my left side (it's been happening even when I'm already sitting). So that's still cute and fun and TERRIFYING every time it happens (every few days). Ribs still feel like they're going to break from the pressure inside (like they're being pushed out). Back pain, especially while standing for more than 30 seconds, haha- that's a new one. Oh, and anxiety- definitely had a panic attack or two this week and fought off a couple more. Not major ones, but random and, well, never fun.

Weight gain/loss: According to my home scale I'm still up 20-22lbs. I'm sure the doctor's scale will say I've gained 15lbs since our last appointment but, I'm sticking with my scale!

Maternity clothes: Same- mostly maternity shirts, two denim maternity skirts, while elastic waist skirts and normal nylons still somehow fit. Maternity dresses or old non-maternity empire waist maxi dresses. I stillll need to get some maternity/nursing bras but I'm still gonna push that off for a bit maybe. A few friends recommended the Bravado brand... any other suggestions out there?

Stretch marks: I don't think so. There still might be some thinking about happening on my hips but I haven't really checked.

Sleep: Best in months. Thank Gd. For like 4 days straight now I haven't had to do my restless legs trick. I've had quick little RLS twinges, but I shift positions a couple of times and, I'm not really sure what happens but I wake up hours later. I'm definitely waking up throughout the night to switch positions more than ever before, but it's like a half-conscious thing. So I'm still exhausted, but the frustration and annoyance of RLS and insomnia isn't there, so I will 100% take it. Please let it stay like this!!!!

Best moment since last week: We went away for Shabbos to some friends in MA. They've been some of my very closest friends for almost 10 years and have run a Cha.bad house for the past 6-ish, and just moved into a new house/center this summer and it's amazing. There were also a bunch of other old friends staying there this weekend so it was really nice to see everyone. It was otherwise a pretty chill week (the Jewish fast day of Tisha B'Av was this week so that kind of threw everything off).

Movement: Still getting uterine spasms occasionally, but not as much as last week. Maybe a few Braxton Hicks but I'm not sure. The baby gets the hiccups a lot, and he or she is a big time mover and shaker- but only when it's quiet. When there's people around s/he gets shy or something and doesn't move. :) And when E puts his hand on my belly s/he also usually stops for a couple of seconds. It's pretty cute. Oh at one point this weekend, my friends' daughter was sitting on my lap and the baby kicked and she kind of looked at me funny and I told her that she'd just felt the baby kick and she got SO EXCITED and told her mom later, haha.

Cravings/aversions: I still really just want ice water All. The. Time. Otherwise there have just been momentary things- I really wanted Oreos this morning (there's a kosher brand called Trios) and a coffee milkshake yesterday. Oh and I usually can go for a "breakfast special" from a certain bagel shop in our neighborhood... my "usual" for years has been a cinnamon raisin bagel, toasted, with eggs and extra american cheese in the middle (a sandwich). I've craved those for years though, it's not much worse now than ever before, but I think I didn't want it so much in the earlier weeks... or maybe I did?

Plain Chicken still grosses me out. And most beef (this Shabbos I really wanted a piece of steak and then when I got it tasted weird, like what happened with coffee. And fish too.

Gender: Confirmed!! But we're keeping it a secret...

Labor signs: Hopefully not anytime soon.

Belly button:  Innie!

What I miss: I'd still love love love like an extra 2 feet worth of internal body space. My ribs feel like they're going to crack from the internal pressure. There's just no room. 

And sushi.

What I am looking forward to: Going to Canada this week, and relieved that we found someone to house-sit. E's entire family owns a lake cottage up there and E has visited it every summer of his life. :) And Excited for our doctor appointment on Wednesday, we're supposed to get an ultrasound, so it'll be awesome to see this kid.

I might not be able to post my update next week but I'll definitely try to at least remember to write it. Eeek.