Week 30: OMG! Did I just type 30?

I had a dentist appointment this morning, and my wonderful hygienist was so thrilled to see my expanding waistline, we spent several minutes just chatting about the pregnancy. Last time I saw her I was technically pregnant but didn't know, and in those first few weeks, I did everything wrong. I had dental X-rays. I ate sushi. I drank beer. My doctor has assured me that Baby was merely going through cell division at that time and there was little chance of my hurting him way back then. And that huge lead apron must have done something to protect those little dividing cells, because here I am: 30 weeks pregnant.

Fit Pregnancy tells me at 30 weeks:

"Baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and she measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. She weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, she'll gain only a few more inches in length."

Baby's brain continues to develop, and they tell me, his eyes are able to track light.

"Some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if she reacts."

If I try that, I will let you know the results. Baby is so active these days, I don't know if it would be a fair test, though.

They also say my belly is about the size of a watermelon (so now we're comparing me to food) but I'd say it's more like a basketball and reminds me of my medicine ball workouts from last summer.

One thing they don't tell me is how Baby seems to occupy all my waking thoughts. There are all so many things that have to center on Baby: doctor's appointments, eating habits, birth classes and other preparations. But even when I try to do things that don't center around Baby, he wiggles and brings my mind back to him. Did other moms experience this? Does it ever stop or is your child(ren) always on your mind, forever and ever?