Something about that number “2” changing to a “3” makes reaching 30 weeks seem like a pretty exciting deal.  I know that I’m getting more and more ready for baby boy #2 to get here 🙂

Joe decided to wake up crying at 4:30am today.  Perhaps he wanted to remind me of what’s in store once baby #2 gets here!

This is me around 5am when I finally gave up on going back to sleep… good morning!

Here’s how things have been going since the 28 week update:

Weight Gain & Pregnancy Fitness

I’ve gained a little less than half a pound since my last weigh in and am on track for a normal, healthy pregnancy weight.  Lets hope it stays that way.  I’m continuing with my once weekly prenatal fitness class and visiting the gym twice a week.  Earlier this week, I thought to myself that it’s pretty pathetic when you look like you’ve already completed a full, sweaty workout before you even get to the gym (I usually walk there with Joe in the stroller).  I know that it’s cold and snowy in the States, but it is hot and humid over here.  I’m ready for the temps to come down juuuuust a little bit.

Appetites, Aversions, and Cravings

No aversions, but lots of heartburn.  Nothing I can’t handle by eating smaller meals more frequently.

Sleep

Aside from waking up at 4:30am today thanks to Joe, my sleep has settled into a pretty regular pattern with only a few nighttime waking sessions.

Baby Movement

Lots of movement!

Pregnancy Brain and Weird Dreams

I had to put a reminder on my calendar so that I wouldn’t forget to take my 2nd iron tablet.  Except then I kept forgetting to put the reminder on my calendar to remind me to take my iron.  I had my 28 week midwife appointment and we went over my lab results.  My iron is at the very bottom of the normal range, hence the addition of a 2nd iron tablet.  Hopefully it will help boost my energy levels and get me through these next 10 or so remaining weeks.

Other Odds and Ends

Did you know that in the UK, women who are in their 2nd+ pregnancies are only required to have a total of 5 midwife visits?  That’s it – just five!  Granted, this is only for women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies and no significant health issues or risk factors.  In other words, if we were still in Oxford, I’d have met the minimum requirement and not have any more appointments on the schedule.  Interesting.  My midwife shared this with me when she said that if I wanted, I could stretch my next appointment out to 32 weeks rather than 30 weeks (in other words, come every 4 weeks rather than every 2 weeks, which is what happened when I hit the first trimester when pregnant with Joe).

I wasn’t sure that I wanted to do that, but then I thought about it and realized that it was a good idea.  I’ve got a lot on my plate and having one less appointment is nice.  My midwife was supportive of whatever I wanted to do and said that if I did come at 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks, I was to call with a status update or let her know if anything was a concern.  So far, everything feels fine.  Lets keep it that way!

And last but not least… I think that we’ve decided on a name.  I’m not 100% certain yet, but Chris is already referring to baby boy #2 by this name so I’m guessing it’s going to stick.  I like the name, but we went back and forth on so many different ones for such a long while (and then there was the whole, “I’m completely convinced this baby is a girl” thing) that I need a bit longer to get used to it.  Like with Joe, we’ll keep it a surprise till after he’s born, but I wanted to have a name settled so that I can get all of the passport paperwork sorted in advance.  Those who know me well will not be the least bit surprised that I’m filling out my child’s official paperwork before he even gets here.  It pays to be organized!