• At eight months of pregnancy, your baby may weigh nearly 4 pounds and is gaining about half a pound per week. Layers of fat are piling on under her skin. She has probably turned head-down in preparation for her coming birth. She is approximately 16.7 inches (42.4cm) long.

• You might notice she's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room. She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!

• All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!

• Toenails are completely formed even though she may not be quite ready for a French manicure.

• Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.

• Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose your daughter is dreaming about?

Visually, your baby may track moving objects with the eyes. When he or she blinks, the eye's iris responds to light and dark. The lungs and digestive track are nearly mature, although the last few weeks in-utero are still important for lung development. Your baby is now around 14-1/2 inches head-to-toe, and weighs nearly three pounds, five ounces.

You may worry that if you are breathless from walking or sometimes even just sitting that your baby is in danger. This is not true. Your baby is getting plenty of oxygen from your placenta.

The baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. Due to the deposits of white fat underneath the skin the baby's skin is no longer red but pink, and the finger nails may reach the end of the hands.

Your baby is busy accumulating layers of fat under his skin as you continue your pregnancy week by week. The arms, legs and body start to fill out and look less wrinkly as each week progresses. Your baby may be finding the space in your womb tighter and tighter by 31 weeks pregnant. You may also feel more and more uncomfortable by pregnancy at 31 weeks as your baby continues to grow and the space in your womb decreases each week.

Though your baby's movements should continue to be strong, they will likely be less dramatic and sporadic at this point in your pregnancy. You may see an arm slowly moving across your belly. You will probably start realizing just how strong your unborn baby is from here on out. Kicks and sudden movement changes may cause you to gasp unexpectedly, much to the delight and amazement of onlookers.

Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?

Her head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing her to music, literature, and simply talking to him.

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her. As she grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!

She spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. Her eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. She may even reach out to touch the light.

Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.

Toenails are entering their final growth stage.

Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).

Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.

By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).