Thirty Weeks

According to the Google-izer's research, at 30 weeks pregnant, baby:
- is about 15.7 inches long
- weighs approximately 3 pounds
- is the size of a head of cabbage
- can regulate her own body temperature
- is shedding the lanugo (aka - downy body hair) and accumulating fat
- has a rapidly developing brain
- will be gaining 1/2 lb every week for the next 8ish weeks


Mommies at 30 weeks along can expect:
- Inferno-like heartburn (yup)
- Discomfort standing, sitting, walking, sleeping (yes, yes, yes, and yes!)
- Breathlessness (gaaaasp!)
- Constipation, bloating & gas (I plead the 5th)
- Itchy belly, stretch marks (yes to the itchiness)
- General fatigue (Yawn...I may need to start taking naps)
- Anxiety & mood swings (Talk to my patient husband. Bless him.)

Despite however horrible sounding you may find the list above, it's worth it. Here is my own list of GOOD things that also come along with this time:

- Despite the heartburn, I'm still able to get a good night's sleep. This will be a thing of the past when our cowgirl arrives and wants to milk to the...urr...is hungry every few hours. (Forgive me. I can't help myself. MOO!!!)
- I still feel really good at this point.
- I'm treasuring this last 4th of the pregnancy because as a dear friend reminded me: "You'll never again be pregnant with your first baby." To me, this is a profound statement. Time is short so each moment is precious. Also, Lord willing, the next go-round will be completely different w/ a munchkin to care for!
- 10 weeks is ample time to prepare. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Never mind the fact that I yanked out the entire contents of our kitchen cabinets in order to reorganize them last Saturday. (Hubby thought my nesting efforts were really cute.)
- Being preggo at this time of year is (for me) ideal because spring is starting to tease us with samples of wonderful weather. I can shed a few layers and enjoy wearing lighter clothing!
- I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my big rounding belly. I haven't thought of "sucking it in" for a long time. Ladies, this is unbelievably freeing. What's more is that strangers are taking notice of the bump and adoring it. Being praised for anything but a flat stomach is counter cultural, but in the world of babies, it's something to be worn with pride. Freedom!!!!
- With my body in overdrive preparing to deliver and nourish this baby, I have never felt more girly or feminine in my life. My husband has been incredibly encouraging about my pregnant shape. Oh, how I love that man!
- I delight in feeling the movements of this child inside of me. A flutter, a kick, a turning is a reminder of this new little person God is bringing to us.
- There are ONLY 10(ish) weeks left before we get to meet our girl!