31 weeks

Here's what is going on with Noah this week according to 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.Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor.

As for me, Noah is moving all of the time, and getting stronger/ bigger and more forceful in his movements each week.  Several people have told me within the last week that his position has visibly dropped and he is sitting lower.  Quite frequently by belly becomes disfigured now, and you can see and feel firm little lumps in areas of my belly that must be little parts of Noah's body.  Everything is still good, but I get a little less comfortable as each week goes by... I find myself getting a little more sore in my hips and back each week.  I've also been fairly tired lately, and am struggling to stay awake at my computer at work some days, and it's not from lack of sleep, because for the most part I sleep well at night around my frequent visits to the restroom.  My new favorite food has become Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning.  This stuff is amazing on hamburgers, roasted potatoes, and just about anything else.  Most frequently I've been enjoying it on sliced raw cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, and popcorn.  I even put some in the veggie dip and cole slaw that I made this weekend, it's salty, spicy, zesty, and just plain perfect!  And I've really been LOVING the Iced Passionfruit Tea Lemonades from Starbuck's... they are so light and refreshing!  I still haven't really experienced any super "weird" pregnancy cravings though... I've heard of people eating pickles with pixie sticks poured on them and super strange combos like that.  For the most part I just love all things meaty, salty, and cheesy... pizza (but I don't eat it very often), sausage (again, I don't eat it so often, but when I do it is bliss!), pickles, sushi, and chicken salad with cranberries.

We've completed our pre-registration paperwork at the hospital, have 2 prenatal classes down, and 1 left to go.  Noah's room is mostly ready for him, I'm just waiting for my 2 baby showers (in September) to get the last few things and then will need to wash all of the cloth diapers, bottles, sheets etc. and have them ready to go.  My doctor's appointments are currently on Wednesdays, every two weeks, and everything continues to go well.  This little guy will be here before we know it!

Shannon