31 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 31 Weeks  

Size of baby: Little one is around 3.3 pounds and over 16 inches head to heel, about the size (weight) of 4 navel oranges.  

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained about 27 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes:  I am pretty much wearing all maternity clothes.  I don't have a ton of them so that is why you see them all repeated on here. I have finally found a couple of pairs of shorts that will suffice.  What is up with the trend of everything being cuffed?  I am not a fan...  I am loving dresses right now and have some non-maternity dresses and some maternity dresses of my own and a few on loan.  So comfy!

Gender:  It's a girl!  Mary Isabelle (see this post about her name)

Movement:  At my appointment this week, Mary was doing well and the doctor seemed pretty certain that she has flipped back over to a head-down (vertex) position.  You can watch my abdomen shift around when she's busy... and she's busy a lot these days!  She gets the hiccups 2-3 times a day.  They are very light-feeling but they are good because that means she's swallowing okay and practicing her breathing.

Sleep: Both of my hips are sore when I sleep on either side for more than a few hours.  I have found a new way to prop/tilt myself on my pillows so I am tricking myself into thinking I am sleeping on my back a bit even though I am tilted to the left. It worked for awhile but it's getting harder to stay comfortable for long.  

What I miss:  Sleeping on my back.  I cannot wait to lay flat again!

Cravings:  I am still enjoying fresh fruit and I love that I have access to it daily in the dining hall.  I'll be sad about that when school is out in 3 weeks.  No more free meals until August!  

Symptoms:  My heartburn is still there.  I've had to go back to taking the Zantac every day along with some Tums.  I am having a few Braxton Hicks from time to time and I have some swelling at the base of my ankles and feet that seems to come and go with the heat and my activity level. My SI joint pain (low back) is flaring up from time to time and the doctor I saw about it recommended a SI support belt.  I got fitted for one and I am already in love.  I plan to really test it out on Monday when I am back to work.