30 Weeks

We've only got 10 weeks to go! Time is certainly flying by. I've definitely been growing more and more as our little Elizabeth grows inside. People are even beginning to comment on my pregnancy as they tell me I'm obviously pregnant---thinking hoping that's a compliment! "They" say she's between 15.2 - 16.7 inches in length and 2.5 - 3.8 pounds. Her brain is getting more wrinkly as her brain tissue continues to develop and she's now strong enough to grasp a finger. It's absolutely incredible to read about how much she's growing and developing inside me.

As for me, my dreams are definitely weird in full force. I continue to have dreams that a man is attacking me in some way or another. Apparently my anxiety and uncertainty is getting to me while I sleep. I've been relatively calm for the entirety of my pregnancy thus far, which is somewhat odd for me considering that I'm typically high-stress and high-strung. I know Steve and I both are taking advantage of it, and we sure hope it continues!  As my belly grows, sleep gets a little more difficult. I wake up more often for potty breaks and it's harder to get comfortable with my belly. Randomly I wake up and my hand is asleep on whichever side I've been sleeping on. I'm told this is 'normal'---anymore I feel like everything is 'normal' because every pregnant woman has a different experience and symptoms.
Even with the weight increase, Ellie is apparently running out of space. In addition to my shortness of breath, I keep feeling her press against me like she's stretching and pushing for more room. This morning in church I swear she was giving me a 'pound it'. For anyone who's unaware, this is essentially a fist-pump. Steve taught our dog Bailey this trick so we're hopeful Ellie will catch on with it quickly as well, haha. It's really neat for Steve and I both to be able to feel where her knee or foot might be pressing against me yet I'm sure in the next month or so, she'll be pressing into my ribs/lungs more and be quite uncomfortable.
As for swelling, my ankles really only do so after a run. I've been limiting myself to one day of running per week and only doing so until I'm uncomfortable or crampy so it's minimal. My ring finger has begun to swell somewhat and is posing a little difficulty in removing my wedding ring at the end of the day. I have a feeling I'll be done wearing that in the near future : (

We had a good doctor's appointment--- my weight, blood pressure and both our heart-rates are all great. He told me I can continue to workout until I'm uncomfortable and it's likely that she'll tell me when she's had enough. I go back again in two weeks!

We also had a prenatal appointment with our pediatrician this week. She was recommended to us by a couple others who really like her. Her office happens to be only two miles from our home too so will be very convenient if we need to get there quickly (which hopefully won't be the case) and for the many appointments we'll have for check-ins and vaccinations in the first year. She clearly spends her days with kids as she has a very bubbly personality so we're sure she'll be great with our likely high-energy little girl : )

This next weekend we have a 3-D ultrasound scheduled! We're hopeful that she'll cooperate and we'll get a glimpse into what our little girl will look like!

How far along: 30 weeks

Baby size: cucumber

Current Weight: 152 lbs (27 lbs gain)

Maternity clothes? - mixture of both

Sleep? - continues to get rougher

Best moment: our baby shower---loved little lady!

Miss anything: even just a sip of wine : )

Movement? active girl...just like her mommy and daddy

Anything makes you queasy or sick: nope

Showing yet? - yes!

Gender: GIRL

Labor signs: no

Wedding rings on/off? -  on...for now

Mood: loving being pregnant

Looking forward to: our 3-D ultrasound