This photo was actually taken last Sunday, so 31 weeks.
For comparison here’s last month’s photo at 27 weeks.
Still feeling pretty good! The only really annoying thing has been that I seemed to have developed pregnancy related carpal tunnel syndrome. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. It started with my arms falling asleep several times a night (especially the right one) which would wake me up. Then when the arm wasn’t asleep it was just aching. A couple of weeks ago it started spilling over to the daytime. My fingers were constantly tingling. It was getting to be painful to hold cooking utensils, write, and obviously type. Brushing my teeth was killing my wrist! So Jacob picked up a wrist brace for me at the store and it’s helping a lot…as long as I wear it! I try and wear it all night and that helps. I have to put it on for an hour or two a few times throughout the day, especially if I’m typing or sewing or doing something else with my hands. (When am I not? What is there to do that doesn’t involve your hands?)
The funniest pregnancy symptom has been the smell cravings I’ve developed in the last couple of weeks. I haven’t had any real food cravings but I can not get enough of the smell of cleaning products. My cleaning product smell of choice is Lysol 4-in-1 All Purpose Spray in “Lemon Breeze.” I’m looking for things to clean with it everyday just so I can smell it!! Sometimes I’ll be doing something and just suddenly have the strongest desire to smell that spray. It’s crazy! I also like the smell of dishwasher detergent, hand sanitizer, bleach, and laundry detergent. We were at the store yesterday and I insisted that we walk twice through the cleaning aisle just so I could take another whiff. This is especially funny because I hated all smells during the first trimester and had to buy unscented laundry detergent.
My parents were here for a day earlier this week on a detour from their trip to Zion’s. Mom got to come to the doctor with me and hear the baby’s heartbeat.
I’m making some progress in my plan for the nursery. I’m too much of a worrier to handle crib bumpers. So I’m skipping the bedding set altogether (the rest seems pointless without the bumpers!) I’m just going for some cute crib sheets. I’m pretty sure we’re going with the Gulliver crib from Ikea too. It’s a third of the price of the one I wanted and still is the style that I like. We don’t have Ikea here so we’re planning to get it in Utah in 2 weeks when we go up for my baby shower.
We went today for the labor and delivery tour at the hospital we picked. There are lots of hospitals around here and the one we picked isn’t the closest but is newer. My friends who have delivered there really like it. It wasn’t very “cute” but everything seemed nice. I won’t lie, the tour freaked me out a little. Mostly because I can’t believe how close this is getting. We’re planning to take a one day crash childbirth class next month.
And somebody asked about the name. We have chosen her name but won’t be sharing it with you until she arrives. Something to look forward to! 
I bought soy milk last night at the grocery store that expires AFTER the baby’s due date. Less than 2 months to go now. Wow! Ready or not…
Wow, time is going by so fast and your baby girl will be here before you know it – although I’m sure for you it feels longer than for those of us not pregnant! I know the last weeks for me seemed to drag on and on but then once the baby is here time whizzes by so fast…
We have the Gulliver crib and it’s wonderful. We’ve had no problems whatsoever with it. We do use a bumper pad, have since day one, and no probs there either. I know it’s not necessary to have one (here in Canada, Health Canada says they’re not safe yet you can still buy them in the stores, go figure!) but…We got one of those foam things for once our baby transitioned from bassinet to crib…he used it in the bassinet too, come to think of it – it’s a sleep positioner thing that keeps baby from rolling/moving around. In the earlier months when you might worry about the baby moving toward the bumper pad but not being able to roll back, this can help ease that worry. Although our lil guy was pretty strong early on and once he decided he was moving around, there was no stopping him! I’m glad we had a bumper pad because he has always liked to feel like he’s cuddling up while sleeping. He would lay against the pad and I think it was a source of comfort for him, there’s been lots of times where if it wasn’t there he’d have smacked his head on the crib rails. But it’s definitely a personal choice and if it’s something you think you need later, you can always get it then. It sounds like I’m trying to push the bumper pad, which I’m not, I just want to reassure you that they really don’t seem so unsafe (at least in my experience)!
Take care – how exciting that you’re only about 9 weeks away from meeting your sweet baby! This is an exciting time for you. My boy is almost 14 months now and I am loving every second with him!
The home stretch!!!
And the smelling thing totally amused me. How awesomely weird is pregnancy?
The carpal tunnel thing is horrible! Sorry! I always got a very mild case of it. Especially when I was working at the bank and counting money all the time. I heard if you keep your hand flat when you are sleeping it helps. I noticed that I would ball my hands up (which I think is a natural reaction to carpal tunnel).
The smelling thing is so funny. I always had smell diversions the whole pregnancy. I also hated raw meat.
That is so great that your mom was able to go to an appointment with you. The last 2 months almost feel like the full 9, so hang in there. It is so close!
I am going up to my parents next weekend and will be able to go through the clothes. I’m hoping to get a package in the mail by the end of next week!
Erin
Such a serendipitous adventure going along to your dr appt!
And always delightful to see a new blog post!
Love the photo.
Erin already wrote exactly what I was going to say. When is you due date? Ariel wants to know if it is close to her b-day.
So cute! And thanks for reminding me, I need to figure out when to do my labor and delivery tour! Haha! We’re so close to being done! (Except, not… haha!)
I can’t wait to see your baby girl and hear the name you picked. I hope you are doing well. Let us know if you need anything or want some company. I”m just a phone call away
Everyone has already guessed that you’re naming her Calpurnia. Calpurnia Lettice Stephenson. It has a nice ring to it! Although I think you should call her Cordelia.
You look GORGEOUS!!!
Heidi, stop giving away all our name ideas! You already told everyone about Chewbaqueena so now that’s out.
You are getting so close yay! just remember that it is a huge adjustment and so give yourself time to get into the swing of things, be patient, and just breathe and enjoy the moments!
ek, you look fantastic!
what a sweet bump!
that really stinks about the carpal tunnel stuff. hope it goes away sooner rather than later!
i can’t believe she’ll be here so soon! EXCITING!!
So exciting that your little one will be here so soon! You are such a pretty preggo lady – I hope I am that gorgeous when we go down this road!
You are looking super cute!! And sorry about the carpel tunnel – one thing I learned from pregnancy is that every weird thing possible happens to your body and it is all “normal” – like when my whole body itched uncontrolably for the last month of my pregnancy with Derek. Too weird
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Can you believe how close we are?!
So what is the worry about crib bumpers…I must know.
Emily,
You look amazing. I can’t wait for the upcoming weeks and the final arrival of little miss!