my pregnancy: week 31

My brain has been all over the place this week. The closer and closer we get to May 25th, the more excited and anxious I get. Anxious in a good motivated-to-get-things-done kinda way. I still have yet to share the decor plan for the nursery, but it is slowly being worked on. Since I’ll be home all weekend with no big plans (no cycle workshop like last weekend), I hope to make a lot more progress on nursery projects. And that includes cleaning up all my clothes laying around in there!

We received a fun gift this week all the way from my aunt Carol and family in Australian.

Isn’t he cute! I foresee Hunter cuddling up next to his little owl friend in his owl room. Love it.

Speaking of Hunter, what’s he up to this week?

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. — from babycenter

He definitely moves a lot! The full body stretches where I can feel both sides of my stomach pushing out are pretty crazy. They typically happen in bed either in the early morning or late evening. Jacob loves feeling him move and squirm around.

The back pain I mentioned last week keeps coming back. It really just feels like a pinched nerve on the lower right side. I noticed it the most when I get up from sitting or laying, and walking can be pretty uncomfortable too.

During our Bradley class on Tuesday we began talking about fetal positioning and how to get the baby to move into optimal birthing position. I promise I will cover a lot more about the Bradley Method classes we’re taking (we are loving them). Different exercises (which I am supposed to be doing every day) help position baby correctly, but also this technique called the rebozo technique helps move baby where he should be.

Here’s a link to a video of what it is: rebozo techniquie

During class I offered to be the demo person while our instructor showed the technique (the movement was a bit faster than in the video). I kid you not, he began moving right away! Jacob practiced it too (and thought it was super fun giving Hunter a little shake). After a minute or two of that I was done being the demo person and went back to my seat. Hunter continued to move and my back pain felt so much relief! I ended up sleeping soooooooooo good that night. I barely moved (probably because my back felt better), which is not normal now since I’m always readjusting in bed.

Sadly the pain keeps coming back each day, but we’re going to try the rebozo method + I’m doing lots more pelvic rocks that seem to temporarily relieve my pain. Surprisingly, whenever I teach in the evening my back feels better all evening too.

There’s a crazy comprehensive site spinningbabies.com that covers baby positioning and different techniques to get him to move, which both our midwives and Bradley instructor told us about. Definitely worth looking at!

Phew, that was a lot of talk about that. Moving on….

I’ve had a very active week with something new and exciting added in – water aerobics!! It took a lot of trying on over the weekend but I found a bikini that fit AND made me feel cute in it (plus it was just $10 – total steal). I actually love my big pregnant belly in it.

The weekly workout rundown:

Saturday: 20 minute walk with Jacob + Joe
Sunday: 1.5 hours of cycling during my workshop
Monday: 20 minute walk with Joe
Tuesday: 60 minute water aerobics class
Wednesday: taught 60 minute cycle and 60 minute body pump (back to back)
Thursday: taught 50 minute cycle class
Friday: went to 60 minute full body strength workout

I’m definitely looking forward to a rest day on Sunday (teaching cycle Saturday)!

I haven’t ran for a few weeks now. The only nice day was Monday but I was extremely tired from my cycle workshop the day before so I napped instead. Naps kinda rock. If I end up running this week then great, but if I don’t it’s not a big deal. As long as I’m staying active I’m a happy (almost)mama.

I’ve felt much more emotional and cranky this past week, or maybe just more hormonal. I wanted to cry for no apparent reason a couple times. It was odd. Maybe because I had a more active week which meant I needed more rest made me more emotional….???? It’s a maybe. I am feeling less hormonal since I’ve been sleeping a bit better + adding in more naps.

Today we have another midwife appointment. The countdown continues with just 8 weeks to go today!

Back in week 15 Hunter was just one little orange, and this is what my belly looked like. Such a big change now that he’s 4 oranges!

Random bits

• How far along: 32 weeks, 2 days
• Total weight gained: 32 pounds
• Favorite foods of the week: oranges (so glad I stocked up for the photos!), cottage cheese and triple chocolate cake (which gives me bad heartburn now, sad)
• Food I’m totally bringing to the hospital: cliff shot blocks (gave me crazy energy in between my back to back classes I taught – and it tastes so good!!)

What has your favorite food of the week been?

Mamas out there – when did you start to feel the excitement/anxiousness of baby getting here?

Heather