An Opihi is.....

"Opihi"

An Opihi is the Hawaiian name for a limpet or sea snail. Not that we think Dean is a little snail, but more like a cute little sea creature like this picture.
So let me just start this blog by saying how annoying Braxton-Hicks contractions are! For those of you that may not know what these are, they are non-painful "practice" contractions that women experience throughout the pregnancy. Some women experience them more than others. Well, I definetley experienced them the other night, not fun! I was having them about every 3-5 minutes and despite drinking tons of water and relaxing they were not going away. Finally at about midnight I called my doctor and she reassured me that as long as they weren't painful that I shouldn't worry too much. Needless to say I wasn't able to sleep well that night and was drained yesterday. If "practice" contractions drain me like that, then I'm starting to get scared for what the real thing is going to be like. It's one thing to have watched hundreds of women go through this, but it's another when you are the patient.
Dean is moving like crazy everyday. I know he's getting bigger and stronger just based on his kicks and jabs alone. Before his movements felt like little lovetaps just reminding me that he was in there. Now they're full on punches that shake my entire body.  Last Friday I had an ultrasound that estimated his weight at 3lbs. 1 oz., big boy! His weight and measurments are all where they should be, which is very reassuring. They say at this point in the pregnancy he should be gaining 1/2 pound a week. I can't even believe that! I keep telling him that as much as I want him to be big and strong, he can save that for after he comes out of me :)