30 Weeks

I had my 30 week checkup earlier this week and everything went well.  My weight gain is up to 18 lbs and my blood pressure was holding steady at 110/80.  I saw a doctor I hadn't met yet so it was good to ask him a few questions just to get a different perspective.  I asked about items that I'll be including on my birth plan (delayed cord clamping, walking around during labor, pulse ox testing, etc.) and he basically said that I can do anything I want as long as it doesn't endanger me or the baby.  He used to practice medicine in Seattle so he said I can bring in bongo drums and burn incense for all he cares.... I won't be doing either of those, but it's good to know that they're flexible :).

Stretching
I was worried earlier in the week because I kept getting pains in a certain spot on my belly and I was thinking they could either be Braxton Hicks contractions or just the baby readjusting.  When I was in the shower on Saturday morning, I looked at my belly (getting harder to do) and noticed my stretch marks are stretching and it looks like there's some blood starting to break through the layers of skin.  No wonder it hurts!  I think I might try using some Bio Oil on my belly go keep it moisturized.  I've been using Me! Bath body icing (lotion), which feels and smells really nice but I think I need something more oil-based.  I dunno.  Any recommendations are welcome :).

Sleeping
Horrible.  I haven't been sleeping well at all and it's due to a combination of things.  First of all, I'm just uncomfortable and it's hard for me to get into any position without getting pains around my belly, pelvis, legs, etc.  I'm having trouble breathing because my lungs are squished and I've been sick with a cold for the past 4 or 5 days.  On top of getting up at least 3 times each night to go to the bathroom, I've been getting up to blow my nose and try to clear my throat by drinking water... which makes me have to use the bathroom even more.  Finally, Logan has been waking up in the middle of the night (every night) crying for mommy so I've been getting up to put him back to bed.  This has been going on for the past week and I'm hoping it's just a phase but I don't know what else to do.  Jason wants me to let him cry it out but at that time of night, I'd rather just put him back in bed than listen to him cry.  I'm sure most moms out there understand what I'm talking about.  Anyway... any tips for that would also be appreciated.

Stress
I think I'm just starting to let things get to me more than usual but I'm trying not to let them stress me out.  We've had a bunch of medical bills come in recently and even though I'm covered by 2 insurances, the charges aren't being covered like I assumed they would be.  The ultrasound place I've been going to is apparently considered a "specialist" practice, so they're billed differently than if I had gone to a different place.  That would've been nice to know.  I'm also starting to get anxious about making sure everything is ready for the baby.  The walls are painted in her room but nothing else has really been done.  I'm trying to collect a couple pieces of clothing for her each month but we still need bedroom furniture and other items from my registry.  Logan will also need a "big boy" bed so that we can move the crib to the baby's room.  I know that everything will fall into place but I'll blame hormones for the time being.  I just feel like there's SO much left to do and very little time (about 10 weeks or less!). 

Contest
I added a link to the upper right side of the page to "Expect Net" where you can enter birthday, birth weight, length, etc. guesses.  It's just a fun competition to see who guesses the closest to the real thing.  My due date is December 11th... if anyone guesses past the 17th, I'll be coming for you.  I was told by the doctor that if I reach 41 weeks (as I did with Logan), they will do a c-section.  Labor has to start spontaneously in order for me to have a VBAC so I'll be trying all of the 'old wives' tricks.

I think that's about it for now other than announcing that my youngest brother and his wife are now parents, yay!  Their little boy Briggs was born yesterday and is probably one of the cutest babies I've ever seen.  I can't wait to meet him :).  I love it when people I know become parents so that they will know the joy (and stress...) that comes with having kids ;).  Love you guys!