My Baby Story: 31 Weeks.

This has been another Baby-filled week for me. Not as much for my own baby, but with babies & baby thoughts nevertheless. My Sister-in-Law's Best Friend, who lives in Italy, finally gave birth to her big, beautiful, healthy Baby Girl -- Anna Maria. She was at a full 40 weeks and they had to induce labor on her but it was a natural birth and despite many hours of labor, the baby & mom are both healthy and now home, together. A couple of weeks ago I sent over a cute, soft, plush Bear to the baby, along with some gifts my Sister-in-Law had for her friend. =) My SIL considers this her first niece so she became an aunt for the first time. Her second niece (our baby) and also the blood-related niece (LOL) will come in two months.

To My Baby Girl:
I don't know where & how how fast November flew by. As much as I want to treasure each minute & each day of this pregnancy, because the time I carry you on my belly is truly sacred, happy & privileged, at the same time I am happy it is December - one of my favorite months of the year. I am glad it is December, because that means I am that much closer to having YOU be born and holding you in my arms. I love, love decorating for Christmas and this year I will be decorating with you in mind. Even-though next year will be your first Christmas, I want to purchase a couple of ornaments this year, JUST FOR YOU. Maybe I will paint one of them with your initial. It is hard finding monogrammed stuff in Albania. Anyway, you have been a blessing so far and now that I feel you and hear your moves at least 70% of the day (and night), I am getting a stronger bond with you. Your dad kisses my belly every day & night and every time he does so, he says he is kissing you - his sweet, little girl.

I love you with all of my heart, belly, body & soul. Love, Your Mommy, Ada.

How Far Along: 31 weeks (7 and a half months).

Total Weight Gain: 15 lbs. Yep, I am growing. More & faster these last 3-4 weeks than I have grown all through the first two trimesters.

Baby Measurements & Weight: About 1400 gr or 3 lbs.

Stretch Marks? I haven't noticed any so far. That's a good thing.
Maternity Clothes? Yes, of course. I wore non-maternity pants twice this week (low-waisted and left one pair, undone when I wore them - not to worry I had a really long top over them), but truth be told Maternity Pants is the way I should go from now on. They definitely feel THE MOST COMFORTABLE both for me and for the baby.

Best moment this week: As long as she moves a lot around my tummy, it's a good moment. It shows she is very active and she is getting stronger, daily.

Miss Anything? Sleeping well. Just like the last couple of weeks, as much as I need and want sleep, waking up twice at night and usually not falling easily or at all back to sleep, afterwards, is tough on my eyes and on my body. Since I am geting rounder too, it is hard bending down.

Movement: Yes, DAILY. She is especially very active at nights let's say after 9.30 PM.

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular. But I can pretty much eat anything. I am not picky with foods, these days.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No.

Gender: A Sweet Baby Girl. I cannot be happier.

Belly button in or out? Half-way in.

Wedding rings on or off? On but loose. I switch them to my middle finger most of the time.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy in general, unless I start worrying about her birth or anything baby-related.

Looking forward to: First, this upcoming weekend/next week, I am looking forward to decorating for Christmas. But I am also very much looking forward to the next ultra-sound in a month or so and hopefully I will get another 3D ultra-sound next time around.