31-Week Update

Good morning lil' one,

We were 31 weeks yesterday.  I can't believe it! The entire miracle of pregnancy continues to amaze me.  At 31 weeks, here's what's going on with us...

Herm:

• You are about 3.5 pounds.
• You enjoy yawning and sucking your thumb.
• You also enjoy kicking me in the bladder and standing on my cervix (or at least that is what it feels like).
• You get the hiccups, which daddy and I both felt last night. (Sorry about that half a glass of coke.)
• You are constantly wiggling throughout the night. 
• You favor my right side and have for quite some time. 
• I think you dislike loud noises.

Mommy:

• Counting down the weeks until I can hold you in my arms, which is approximately 9 weeks. (EEEK!)
• A little congested in the mornings and I continue to have daily bloody noses.  
• Extremely relieved that I do not have gestational diabetes and have only gained 1 pound in the past two weeks. 
• When I had bronchitis I coughed so hard that I either dislocated or cracked a rib. This is uncomfortable, especially for sleeping.
• My hips hurt and I think this is partially due to sleeping on my sides left side all night due to the sore rib(s).
• I love when I can feel you move and I try to guess what body part is pushing out on my belly.  
• I think I felt your spine...or at least your little bottom.
• My belly button has almost popped. 
• Continues to crave meat, fruit and chocolate milk.
• Heartburn is present every now and then.  Apparently, the story is that if the mom has heartburn the baby comes out with a full head of hair.  We'll see how that goes considering the lack of hair in your gene pool.  
• Has been busy trying to figure out maternity leave, finishing your nursery and just overall enjoying the last weeks of pregnancy. 

Daddy:

• Likes to talk to you through my belly button.  Apparently that is the two-way radio for you boys.
• Daddy's voice immediately calms you when you are active.
• He's been hard at work finishing up your room.  
• Is already planning how we are going to take you on your first camping trip...you will probably be about 6-8 weeks old.
• Gets a cute little smile and twinkle in his eye when he talks about you.
• Notices other little boys with their daddy's, doesn't say a word, then looks at me and grins from ear to ear.  He's so excited for your arrival.
• Talks about you playing with your cousins, especially the lil' bean that is about 12 weeks younger than you.
• Is excited to take you to Vandal games.
• Won't talk about it much, but I think is a little nervous for your delivery.  Your daddy gets weak in the knees at the sight of blood or anyone in pain.
• Loves you so much.

Other updates...we're fairly certain we have a name for you.  It's a name we both like and continue to go back to it.  It's very traditional.  We may even have a couple of back-ups...just in case the name doesn't fit you when you arrive.

I love you little one and continue to pray for you daily.

Love,

Mommy

30 Weeks and 5 Days

Good morning lil' Herm.  


It's been a couple of weeks, but there really hasn't been any new news to share.  I'm through with the bronchitis and rattling your living space from the horrendous coughing, but I do believe I have either cracked or dislocated a rib.  It's uncomfortable, but manageable.  It's beginning to be a little more difficult to sleep at night as my hips really hurt, I can only lay on one side (due to pain in the ribs), and the constant getting-up-to-pee is only preparing me for when I will soon be waking up and caring for you throughout the night.  To be holding you in my arms and rocking you back to sleep is only a few short weeks away and something I am so looking forward to. 


Daddy and I went into the doctor today and everything looks fantastic.  I do not have gestational diabetes, which I have been a little worried about beings that my severe sweet tooth has returned.  My blood pressure is phenomenal 108/60, there are no traces of protein in my urine, I am not anemic, my weight is right on track, your heat beat was around 160 and you are continuing to grow just perfectly.  What a relief it is to hear consistent great news from the doctor.  


Nursery Update:
Your room is almost ready with a few remainder touch ups to be made to the wainscoting, your closet and additional little purchases.  I found a rug at IKEA that I like and I need to go pick it up...big surprise, it's Vandal colors (black with silver and gold circles).  


Name Update:
We think we have a name for you and this week your Daddy and I are doing our best to refer to you using this name and not "Herm".  It's been a little difficult to break away from the "Herm".  I dreamt about this particular name and we both seem to like it.  It's very traditional and neither Irish nor Scottish, which is what we originally wanted.  Nonetheless, we'll test it out this week and see how it goes.  We continue to have a rotating top-5 list, but this name consistently comes around again and again.  


I continue to love your little movements, especially in the evenings just before I fall asleep.    Whenever I feel you move it's a little-extra-continued-reassurance that you are okay.  You seem to listen carefully to your daddy's voice and instantly calm down when he places his hand on my stomach.  The next few weeks are full of doctor appointments and a couple ultrasounds...it's been a while since we have been able to see you on the screen.  I'm very much looking forward to the next couple of weeks. 


Love you little one.
Mommy