Stretch marks? Nope, not a one (sweeeeetttt– hoping for it to stay that way!)
Sleep: This week is remarkably better.  After last week, I really thought I was doomed to surrender to insomnia.  Like I mentioned in the 24 week appointment update, my OB approved of me taking a low dose (25-50mg) of Benadryl to help me get my snooze on.  I took this two nights in a row (night one: 50mg, night two: 25mg)- mainly out of fear for not sleeping at all.  The next day it seemed as though the babies were just sleepy.. not as active as they usually are, moving around- but no flip-flops or strong jabs.  I haven’t taken anything since Sunday night, and I’ve slept well, aside from the usual up and down for potty breaks.   The babies are their normal selves- active and beating the crap out of the inside of my belly.  I like that better.  Even though my very conservative OB approved it, the Benadryl will be used as a last resort. 

Food cravings: Not really. Still enjoying the usual: fruit of all kinds, yogurt, cheese, peanut butter toast.  I have a desire to have something in my mouth all the time- bubble gum, sucker, hard candy- you name it.  My mom  brought me some Blow Pops (sucking on one as we speak!), and those have kept me busy this past week.  Still waiting on my chocolate shake from Chili’s…and cheesy tots with plenty of ketchup to go with.  

Labor Signs: I had my very first Braxton Hicks contraction this week.  I didn’t even know what it was until I described it to my doctor- she smirked at me and made mention that since my body thinks I’m 33 weeks pregnant, that the tightening of my abdomen is totally normal and will continue.  It has happened twice- once when I was leaning over to pick something up, and the other was when I got up off the couch a bit to quickly.  Lasts about 30 seconds and then its over.  
Symptoms:  Congestion comes and goes.  This week I started to get serious heartburn/reflux.  I have never ever had heartburn, but I dealt with mild reflux before pregnancy.  Both now are making me miserable.  I’m okay during the day- but in the late afternoon/evening, and all through the night- I feel like my throat is closing in and food is sitting right at the back of it. Blech.   I’ve been rather emotional this week- cried multiple times, and its not just a couple tears- it is full on breakdown, snotty nose, and puffy eyes to boot.  My mom left for home yesterday morning, and I lost it moments after she left- sniffling and talking between sobs to Jordan on the phone (he was at the fire station).  Hormones.   Also, the contant feeling of needing to pee.  I have started to conserve my use of toilet paper because I am going through it like water.  I can hardly contain myself when I am out somewhere and use the potty and toilet paper on someone else’s dollar.  It feels so nice to use more than two squares of paper at a time.  I almost force myself to resist the urge to stuff a roll in my purse.  I know- please don’t judge.   

Happy or Moody most of the time: Aside from random bouts of sobbing, I’m a happy girl.  My doctor warned me that the steroids could cause me to become aggressive at times- and I was boldly boasting that they didn’t affect me in this way.  The look on Jordan’s face was clear that I shouldn’t have been so bold with my statement.  Apparently there have been multiple times that he has had to force himself to just walk away for fear I may come after him with a butter knife if he questioned the attitude flying out of my mouth.  What?  Me?  Attitude? (try not to laugh too loudly, Bree..and Bree’s son.)