31 weeks - 28th July 2008

Hellooooo!!!!

Well, I seriously fell off the wagon these last 2 weeks....and time itself has just whooshed by. Brad was away in the Transkei doing the Imana Wild Ride....I was frantically getting the babyroom cupboards all neat tidy and sorted for the pending arrivals, painting the workbench with primer....before I left to join him at Umngazi.

So to backtrack quick....

This is what happened in week 31:

Your baby continues to grow and is nearing their birth weight and its going to be putting on about half a pound a week from now until two weeks before its born. So just when you thought you were heavy enough, it’s going to get harder. The baby’s skull is still fairly soft, as this helps during childbirth, and some can have the soft spot on their skull for up to a year before the skull fuses together. This week, the baby’s immune system has increased to protect from the germs in the outside world.

Heartburn and increased back pain are the order of the day. To reduce the heartburn try eating smaller amounts of food more regularly. Put your feet up as much as you can, try putting them on cushions and elevate them above your head. You might start to leak milk at this stage, so you might need some nursery pads to help you retain your last piece of dignity.

about your body
I am woman hear me roar! Your breasts are now about a third bigger than what they were before you fell pregnant. You're super-human at the moment and not just an ordinary woman. Revel in your newfound beauty. If you're expecting twins their growth will slow down dramatically.

to do list

Take time to bond with your unborn baby and listen to soothing music or even read a story to your baby. Rub oil or lotions on your entire body so as to decrease the severity of stretch marks should they occur.

your growing baby

Your baby is making breathing motions, narrowing her pupils, focusing and blinking. The skin is becoming pink rather than red as a result of the white fat deposits that have been laid down beneath it. These will provide energy and regulate temperature after your baby is born.

tips for dad

Because her breasts are now much larger than their normal size, she might feel like it's a blessing or think that they have a life of their own, which she hates. Give her loads of compliments and make her feel like a goddess. What about giving her a back or foot massage to ease her aches and pains?

In the life of the Hemphill's:

Brad flew to East London on Monday, and started the Imana Wild Ride on the 29th July. He had an absolute ball as always....and although I missed him terribly, I was able to rest up and live on soups for the week he was away....ie. no cooking, just heat my stock-pile and eat :)

I left on my epic journey on the Thursday morning...flight to JNB, connection to Umtata, then hired car and drove to Umngazi....and had wonderful afternoon just lazing about and feeling chuffed that the travelling had gone so well and that the babies were contented and happy like their Mommy ;) and excited to see Brad on the Friday. The weather was awesome :))) so was not missing the cold and rainy Cape Town at all!

Brad and the peleton arrived at about 2pm on the beach amidst a
sandstorm gale...and after banging the gong, we all piled into the boat, and jokes of me swallowing a Weber with 2 turkeys was the conversation of the crossing back to Umngazi itself for hot showers, lunch and a very welcome afternoon nap cuddled up in my sexy husband's arms! It was a great weekend, with most of the crowd leaving after breakfast. Brad and I spent a wonderful day reading and generally just relaxing with me having A LOT of naps! Brad hired a boat in the afternoon and we went for a drift up the river for a nice little sundowner all by ourselves ;)