A Quick Update

I just wanted to pop in with a few photos from our week. We are all still settling into this new life, but it is a joyful settlement for us all. For the record, big sister is doing quite well---more to come on that soon! I will soon tell you a bit about her arrival, about my AMAZING support system/family and of course more about Elise.

For now, just a few photos.



Our beautiful dark haired (for now at least) beauty Elise



Cordelia, Elise and I at the hospital



Doesn't Cordelia suddenly look sooo much bigger? How did that happen?



My absolutely wonderful husband with his daughter and hair twin.

Taking Care of Business

 

So, the big day is nearly upon us! The countdown has begun. We know that this baby will arrive within a matter of days (please not weeks) and that things are going to be changing around here. Don't worry. I am planning to continue blogging as ever; it has become my link to sanity. However, there may be a blog interruption---I am not about to blog while in labor. So, if you happen to notice my absence you can presume that something is happening on that front. Trust that I will return with updates and the exciting baby news as I am ready and willing.

I have been busting my hump (bump?) to finish up any and all last minute details before the big day. The bags are packed and we are more or less ready.

If you haven't already placed a guess on the delivery date to enter and win a prize box please do so by clicking this link and leaving a comment.

Now, since I am so obviously focused on this impending delivery I could really use a little distraction. Please tell me a joke, or something interesting at all. Distract me!!!!

Not Quite Done

Last night as I was dressing to go out to a little housewarming party I sifted through my extremely narrow wardrobe selection, trying to find something to wear that was more than just maternity clothes. I resigned myself to the fact that there was nothing much to be done at this point in pregnancy. I had to accept the fact that I have only a few different outfits to wear. I put on my black column skirt, a maternity t-shirt and jazzed things up with accessories.



I wandered into the next room where Eric was and declared to him that I was done; that I was beginning to feel a bit trapped and claustrophobic in my own body. I had definitely come to that point that most pregnant women reach, the point that makes labor and delivery seem like a reasonable idea. Although when actual labor starts I seem to recall thinking that being incredibly pregnant was just fine. While we were out I happened to mention to others that I was beginning to feel "done" or "ready," but something about that just didn't quite sit right with me.

Later Eric and I were talking about all of the change that is soon to come. He put his hand on my belly and reminded me that while this is nearly the end I should remember to focus on this feeling of life growing inside me and to enjoy it for what it is. I have reached the countdown, but this is also the last time I will be able to engulf this baby in my protection, that this is the closest we will ever physically be. A few weeks from now all of that will change and I will be so happy to share this little girl with the world.

I am so thankful to my husband for the reminder that amidst the growing discomfort are these beautiful human moments that are such fleeting gifts. So today I am not feeling "done," instead I am just feeling that this moment is exactly as it should be. Yes there is still discomfort and claustrophobia, but there are also the hiccups and wiggles in response to my touch. There is the mystery person that I have the honor and privilege to grow and nurture with all of my being and for that I am filled to my absolute brim with gratitude.

Preparing Big Sister

Today I am officially to term with this pregnancy (37-40 weeks is considered full term). So that means that we are in the final stretch of this pregnancy journey with our second daughter. Our focus is currently on our first daugther and making this major life change something that is both exciting, happy and easy for her. We have, of course, been working toward this goal all along, but now it is time for the final preparation.



What have we been doing to ease the transition and prep her for the change to come, you wonder? Well, we have been exposing her to newborns. Fortunately for us we have a few friends who have recently had newbies so she is getting a little perspective on their size and activity level. I think she now gets that her baby sister will not be immediately ready to run and play.

We have been including her in the process. She has come with me to many appointments. She helped to pick out a few needed baby items, also picking something for herself.

She has been practicing sharing. Something that a two year old can never practice enough.

We have had discussions galore about everything from crying to the day that her sister arrives. She has been reading big sister books and practicing her holding techniques with her toys.

She has been starting new routines of special events with her grandmother, grandfather and father. She and I have also been doing some new activities that will just be special for us. The idea is that she can get out and have some special time/fun adventures when things get a little intense around the house.

She has her own hospital bag that is packed with new books and activities which she is very excited to check out.

I think this week we will swing by the hospital so she can get a lay of the land in advance. Just to be clear, she won't be there for the delivery--- afterwards.

Ultimately I think we just have to trust this girl with a loving heart and have faith in ourselves as we navigate new terrain on very little sleep.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Bursting at the Seams Giveaway

So, I am due in less than a month! July 17th to be precise. We are all getting very excited and I am feeling very, very, very pregnant. I have started packing the hospital bags (one for me, baby, and one for Cordelia). I am starting to read through the dreaded labor portion of the birthing books and going, oh yeah...that's gonna hurt.

More than anything though I am just getting so excited to meet this wiggly baby who has hiccups several times a day. I want to hold this little person in my arms and marvel at the miracle of life. I can hardly wait. I am excited to be exhausted from sleepless nights. I am anxious to watch Cordelia interact and to see Eric hold this baby. Oh, it is going to be amazing.

I have started having random people guess the due date and I decided that you should probably get in on the fun. Why not have a little giveaway? So, I am offering the closest guess a little box of wonders to be shipped as soon as I am able to get it together after the baby is born. How to enter:

In the comments section please leave your guess:

Guess the date and time (the time will be used in the event of a tie break). The closest guess without going over will win the box of goodies from your truly! Good luck!

**Hints**

• I am feeling like I won't be late, but that may be the wishful thinking of the extremely pregnant.

• With Cordelia I was given 2 due dates (had 2 doctors as we moved mid-pregnancy) and she was born on the 2nd due date.
• The doctor thinks this little baby is already in position.

Pregnancy Photos

Well I don't think any pregnancy is really complete without a pregnancy photo, right? You may recall these photos from my pregnancy with Cordelia. We took those photos at the seven month mark when pregnant ladies usually look their best (pregnant, but not scary pregnant).

Anyway, I breezed past the seven month mark a while back and we just didn't get around to taking those photos. Really, the photos are for my girls I think everyone wonders what their mother looked like while she was pregnant with them. Last night we decided that we'd better rectify the situation as there isn't much time left and I do happen to be crossing into the scary pregnant territory. Don't believe me? Just ask my brother Sam who informed me that he is now afraid to be alone with me as I am a ticking time bomb.

So we waited until the magic hour for lighting and headed outside. Our little theater major in the making was very certain that this photo shoot was all about her. She wanted to wear a big dress. Eric was happy to oblige her with a little photo session of her own.



Next it was on to me. There was a lot of belly clutching and downward gaze photos going on when our toddler decided that the photos would be much improved by her presence.



We did manage to get some good solo shots as well. Mission accomplished.



For those of you who think we live in a perfect world I would like to show the following example.



Cordelia had a little meltdown, something about how I neglected to laugh at her crazy jumping. Anyway, we powered through the meltdown and took the photos.  Bumblebee wandered in and out of the scene, barking. I mostly laughed at the absurdity of it all. Life!

The Pregnant Lady

The other day I was out in a professional manner. Cordelia was at home with her father. I was, to the stranger, just a professional woman out with her colleagues. What I had forgotten was that I have a large protuberance in the form of a pregnant belly that tells people something else entirely. I am literally a mother first. I am full of life, carrying this little growing person in front of me. While there are points in the day where my attention is directed elsewhere I can almost forget the fact that I am pregnant, but for most people it is the first and only thing they know of me.

While I was at this work related event I happened to be introduced to someone new and I thought she asked, "What do you do?"  I started to tell her that I teach a couple of courses for the college, that I am an artist, a writer, a blogger, a stay at home mother...but before I could launch into all of that my colleague interrupted me and said, "I think she asked, when are you due?"

It was at about that point that I recalled one of the strange metamorphoses of pregnancy, the point when one becomes the pregnant lady. Now, before I go on please know that this isn't something that troubles me as this phase only lasts a short while. Perhaps this would be an issue if I were going to be pregnant for all time, but it is just a season of my life so I am kind of enjoying the strange perspective it affords me.

Anyway, I realize that at this moment I am a pregnant lady first and foremost. I may have spent a lifetime cultivating my talents, skills and interests, but none of that matters right now. I think it is pretty amazing how people are willing to connect with me over this one detail that really has little to do with me as an individual. When people talk to me they tell me of their own pregnancy experiences, those of their friends, their family, etc. With the exception of horror stories I am happy to hear more because I think it means I get the rare opportunity to learn more about others. I suppose, in some ways, pregnancy is a great occasion to connect as a human rather than as my profession, talent, hobby, etc. I also get the self-indulgent chance to marvel at the miracle of human growth and development with people that I have known forever and with total strangers alike.

For the next little bit I get to just be the pregnant lady and I plan to appreciate it. The little kindness' of others who hold the door, smile at my stomach, give me a friendly nod, lift things for me, just ask me how I am doing....they are all reminders that I am carrying another person into a world that is good.

T Minus 59 Days...and Counting

Soooo I am officially due in less than 2 months now. Wait, am I due or is it the baby? Or both of us? I am not really sure, anyway a baby is going to be here in 2 months. I mean I guess you could argue that she is already here as she is very much a constant presence in our lives. Anyway, I have been getting requests for another updated photo of my burgeoning belly. So here you go. If you think I am looking a bit earth mother-y then you wouldn't be wrong.



Here are the stats of this pregnancy:

Craving: Vegan sweets. I want cookies, cakes, cupcakes, anything sugary. So far I am managing to control the urge to go bananas and I am just giving myself a little indulgence every day. I am still craving fuzzy navels and champagne, but obviously that isn't an option for quite some time.

Pregnancy Style: Muumuu chic. I am totally over maternity pants. I pretty much just want to wear a giant t-shirt at all times. Thankfully it is summer and I am content enough to wear dresses. I try to overcompensate for my lack of general style by accessorizing, but I think I am probably not fooling anyone.

Physically Feeling: Pretty good. I am on track with weight gain and all of my check-ups and tests are perfect. Of course I am feeling a little trapped in my own skin and am now beginning to feel the strains on my legs, feet and back. Thankfully I have a very sweet husband who will give me foot rubs...not that I give him much choice in the matter.

Emotionally Feeling: Tremendous gratitude. I am so excited to have our completed little family. To meet our little lady. I wonder constantly about the person she will be.

Baby is: Moving constantly. I didn't even know an unborn baby could be this active. I swear she is still for about 2 hours a day, tops.

How are you doing today?

Preparing for Baby: Mentally Packing for the Hospital

Somewhere between sleep and wake I had a mild freak out, no big deal it was really quite mild. I just suddenly became aware that a baby will be here in a couple of months. Holy smokes! I feel like I just have so much to do between now and then.

Of course I am feeling a lot more mellow about the whole experience, because this is not my first time through the process....well that was what I have been telling myself, but this morning as the light shone in through the window I realized that I have only done all of this exactly once before and that was nearly three years ago. Last time I checked that kind of experience does not make me an expert.



I talked myself down by realizing that I could turn my energy to list making. I find list making to be oddly comforting, even though I tend to throw the list out at the last minute---it all stays in my head.  So, I am going to start at the most important (no it isn't) part, the packing of the hospital bag. I think with my first pregnancy I had started this process at three months, I was pretty eager. Now, the list will remain here for another month and a half.

I think I will need:

• Camera
• Video camera, for Cordelia's first meeting of her sibling. I am not earthy enough to want to relive the birth experience through film. Once is enough thank you very much.
• Something, or a couple of options for clothes to take her home in. I think I had something like 5 outfits for Cordelia, that now seems excessive.
• Vegan snacks for myself and our crew. There are some vegan food options at the cafeteria, but we will all appreciate a few additional munchies.
• Diapers and wipes. I know that the hospital will provide me with them, but I cannot kill the urge to pack them as well.
• Thank you cards. Last time I had such a big experience that I gave thank you cards to the doctors and nurses. I know it seems weird, but there will be some down time while I wait to leave and punching out a few thank you cards in the controlled hospital environment is way easier than when I get home and the madness really sets in, it will also help me keep track of gifts so nobody goes without gratitude.
• Toiletries.
• Bathrobe and pajamas. I felt so much more normal when I could just put on my own clothes instead of the hospital gown. 
• Computer. We will want to spread the news to family with some photos and by we I mean Eric.
• Children's toys and DVDs. I have no idea how much time Cordelia will be there, but I want to  be able to keep her happy. I assume that she will probably want to spend all of her time with the baby, but just in case the thrill of a silent sleeping bundle wears off then we should have something for her to do. I will probably add a few special big sister type gifts as well.
• My mother's book. I will, if I have a moment, want to write about my feelings and thoughts for both my new daughter and for the new big sister while the mood is still fresh.
• Car seat. Obviously they won't let us go without one.

I think I can leave behind:

• Crocheting. I bring it along to many places, but I anticipate that I will not be crocheting at all. I will be baby gazing and laying there in that beautiful baby fog.
• Music. I know some people swear by it, but from my previous experience I can tell you that I wasn't listening to anything. They could have been blaring Celine Dion's greatest hits for all I knew or cared.
• A birth plan. Ha ha ha. My birth plan is to have a baby, no need to type that up.
• Books and magazines. I specifically mean those birthing books, seriously who has time to read at that point?
• A baby book. Who knows why I brought one along last time around?

Anyway, that's all I've got. Care to add to the list? Share your own?\

31 Finds Me...

Today it found me...31. I can't believe I am in my thirties. How did this happen? While I still am not used to being this age I am really loving my thirties infintely more than my twenties and teens---my tens were really good though.

31 finds me in a very happy marriage.

31 finds me loving motherhood.

31 finds me with more professional success than at any other point in my life.

31 finds me almost in my third trimester (please refer to the photographic evidence below)





31 finds me feeling better about myself, more confident than ever.

31 finds me interested in personal growth.

31 finds me to be a homeowner

31 finds me still editing two books

31 finds me happy with my friendships and family relationships

31 finds me healthier than ever

31 finds me less worried than at any other time in my life.

31 finds me without complaints.

Angelcake and Gingersnap

Thank you all for your kind comments, texts, emails and phone calls to congratulate us on the newest member of our family. We are really excited to specialize in girls!

Cordelia is excited and even has a vague idea of what she is excited about. She has been talking to her baby sister in my tummy.

This morning she told me she was playing hide and seek with the bananas...the ones that are sitting immobile on the kitchen counter. I couldn't be happier to provide her with a sibling, because I am certain that the bananas will never make good hide and seek players.



Cordelia also informed me that from now on she will be called Anglecake and the baby will be Gingersnap.


Eric is very happy to be a father of two girls although I think he is planning to become a bodybuilder or collector of medieval weaponry as now he has to worry about getting two girls through their teen years, fending off the boys. I expect that he will have a full head of shimmering white hair within the next few years.

As for me, I am so thrilled to watch these two girls develop their own unique sister relationship. My deepest dream is that they will be close throughout their whole lives.

We are having......

Yesterday morning was the longest morning of all time. Really I swear that it was. Did you notice it too? I woke up and was ready to go very early. I was excited and anxious. Truly I didn't care what the results were I just wanted to know. So, we ate our breakfast and tried to distract ourselves as the morning seemed to drag on. Finally it was time to go.

My parents were flying home and kept checking in to see if we knew anything. I did my normal checkup with the nurse. Everything was great. Then we waited. We watched as two other couples got their time in the ultrasound room. The nurse gave Cordelia a black balloon (for the doctor's birthday) and fiiiiiiinally it was our turn.

We went into the ultrasound room and tried to patiently wait. Seriously a challenge. Another small eternity passed. Cordelia tried to fly around with her balloon. Then the doctor came in. He is a great doctor. We stuck a lollipop in Cordelia's mouth (she can be a real Chatty Cathy) and turned off the lights. I had the goop smeared across my belly and the doctor set to work.

I would like to start with the joyful news that our baby is healthy! The doctor showed us a healthy brain and a healthy heart. There were no deformities to be seen and no warning signs for other complications. He commented that our baby was really really active. No kidding! I could have told him that one! We watched as our little baby grabbed at ears and waved around in there like it had always had limbs, always had a body.

Now, I can't tell you how easy it would be to just expect that all would be perfectly fine, but I cannot take that for granted. The health of this baby is the real gift and it was our deepest concern to know that all is well and all is healthy. What a gift and a comfort. Not every parent gets to experience this joy and we are so thankful and we will not take that for granted.

Now...with that said I suppose you are all eager to hear the news. I will let Cordelia and the black balloon tell the tale....



We have a set. Sisters! Sisters have always been a mystery to me. I cannot wait to see these two develop their own relationship. We are overjoyed! Thank you all for sharing in this exciting time! I mean that sincerely.

And the winner, through random number generator is EMILY! I will get your book on its way today! Congratulations

Last Chance to Enter Giveaway and Belly

I haven't been sleeping well. I am just too excited. I can't wait to hang the show tomorrow. I have an interview on Friday and of course tomorrow at 10:10am we will be having a little peak at this baby and discover if we have a little lady or a little guy in there. Don't forget to enter the giveaway. Today is the last day!!!!

I have been receiving a few inquiries about how I am looking...pregnancy-wise. Apparently many of you feel that a little look at me will inform your guess about the gender. Yesterday I received an email from a friend asking if I looked pregnant from behind and whether my belly was big enough to fit a drum. So I took some photos that are really pretty weak, but you'll get the idea. Here is what 20 weeks looks like on me. For the record I don't think I look pregnant from behind, but I opted not to take the photo. I think the world will understand.


Small belly, but big enough that none of my pants zip anymore.


From the front, just missing my waist



So there you have it, place those guesses. I am off to sew a little bit. Have a great day!

Two for the Price of One

I am finally starting to look pregnant...at least to myself and those closest to me. To most others I probably look like I have a tiny pot belly---my favorite phase. Acquaintances still aren't comfortable asking me yet and strangers won't dare to ask (unless they are completely reckless) until probably my 7th or 8th month. Truthfully I have still gained less than 5 pounds, but I am proudly sporting the BeBand. I am remembering how, for me at least, pregnancy can be divided into four phases.

Early on pregnancy is this special secret the first phase, shared with only a cherished few. A time of promise and hope that the relative security of the second trimester will quickly arrive. Then there comes the day that the announcement is made. I always find that a bit awkward. I never know how to say, "There's a tiny human growing inside of me..." Generally my delivery of the information involves jazz hands for added flair.

Then there is the second phase, which can last a few months, where pregnancy isn't obvious to one and all, but I always declare it in weird ways. Like when I was at the grocery store and the checkout lady, with whom I am friendly, asked how I was doing and I answered, "Pregnant." What a weird answer to give, but it seemed normal at the time. Generally this period is just about feeling awkward...clothes don't fit, but maternity clothes are still not the right choice. Thankfully baby wiggles make this phase very exciting.

Now I am just starting to put my toes in the water of the third phase, where it becomes obvious to most that I am in fact pregnant, but there really isn't anything to be done with it beyond updates on health and well-being. When I see people starting ponderously at my belly I will give my burgeoning belly a gently pregnancy rub (you know it when you see it) to clue them in. Soon enough people will begin to rub your stomach for you. While this is a little weird at first by the end you don't even notice it, or at least I don't. This will last through the 7th month...when the final phase hits.

The fourth phase of pregnancy is the one where you transform from a human into pregnant human/time bomb. All but the closest of friends are afraid to be alone with a pregnant woman. People just stare and desperately hope you do not go into labor at that moment...it's pretty hilarious. I like to fake labor pains and freak people out.

So, now that I am starting to reveal a bit of a pregnant belly I am looking forward to all of the distractions and fun to come between now and the big reward in July.

Thank You! Yes, You Specifically!

Maybe this pregnancy was the worst kept secret ever, or maybe there are just lots of psychic people in this world. People have been asking us about a potential baby #2 lately and we've been giving weird and vague answers, sorry if you were one of those people, but we were just waiting to share the news.

Oddly we have had two occasions where people nearly found out a bit early. The day I took the pregnancy test in October I left the test out in the bathroom, because it made me happy to see, and I forgot about it when a friend came over for dinner. I was giving her a tour of the house and we went into the bathroom where I was regaling her with details of cabinet painting when I spotted the test just sitting there in the open. I stopped mid-sentence, stumbled over my words and quickly ushered us out of the bathroom. Amazingly she didn't notice it; I asked her later if she was just being polite, but she just hadn't seen it.

Then a few weeks ago we had friends over and we were standing in the kitchen talking. They asked if we were planning to have more kids and there was a weird, awkward pause as we tried to give a vague answer. We moved the conversation along, but later I realized we had an ultrasound on our fridge...still not sure if they saw that.



Anyway, we are so very happy to be able to share this news with the world now. Thank you so very much for your kind words and enthusiasm for our family! Your well-wishes really made our day, so nice to share something so very precious to us. We are very excited! I am thinking about tiny toes and baby snuggles. We can't wait to see Cordelia loving her little baby brother or sister. Since a few of you have been asking, we have started discussing the situation with Cordelia, but only in a very basic sense at this point. She has an eternity, in toddler time, to wait.



We also told Bumblebee, but she just gave us a blank stare.

Also, thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the new blog design! Eric was up until 2am just getting everything in order. He's kind of awesome that way.

This year is off to a great start! I have lots of fun stuff planned!

I hope you are having a great new year as well!!

Just a Dusting

Well, it looks like fall has moved on and we are now prepping for winter here in Wyoming. The weather has cooled dramatically in the past couple of weeks and now we have moved onto phase II, snow. Sure, there is barely any snow, but it's a hint of what's to come. Last night the snow was just lightly swirling around in the night sky, looking like sugar falling from some heavenly confection.

Now, this morning there is just a light dusting of snow on the ground. It's beautiful. I kind of want to make the tiniest snowman ever.

This summer when I was pregnant (oh it seems so long ago, but it was really only 9 days ago) I had a very real desire to go sledding. I think maybe it stemmed from being so rounded; I thought maybe it would be more fun to sled. Anyway, now that pregnancy is over and I am no longer the rounded lady I still want to go sledding. I am certain that this skiff of snow will not support a sled, but I can sense that sledding days are soon to come. When was the last time you went sledding?

Still Pregnant, Let's Talk About Fall

Yes, I am still here. Sorry, no baby to report yet. Let's change the subject shall we? Don't worry I will almost certainly turn any subject into a discussion about pregnancy.



It's starting to look fall like here in Wyoming. I am still stubbornly refusing to wear anything but dresses, but there have been a few chilly mornings were I felt quiet regret that I didn't wear my ever so flattering maternity pants. I am also still wearing open toed shoes. I put off wearing closed shoes until the last possible moment. My toes are independent, they don't like to work as a team.

Yesterday I picked and ate what were probably the last tomatoes from my garden. I have been watching them ripen and waiting for just the right time to pick them. They were delicious. Are you still getting food from your garden? OK, so here is the point where my mind begins to wander back to this pregnancy and I could go off on a tangent about how my pregnancy is sort of like the change over from summer ripening to the fall harvest, but that would be crazy talk. Crazy talk that comes only from a woman who is past her due date...so, I won't do that. You can imagine some eloquent post about seasonal changes and how they relate to my pregnancy.

Tomorrow or Today Will Do

OK, so I am going to write about pregnancy again. I am a little focused on it at this point and there is really nothing else going on in my brain. Plus, many of you have been emailing me and asking for updates. I will give you the low down in bullet points, mostly because it makes me feel cool to use bullet points.

• I have been having regular contractions since Wed.
• We went into labor and delivery when the contractions were consistently happening every 5 minutes or less (as per the doctor's instructions). They hooked me up to some cool monitors, made me wear a bed sheet for a while and then sent us home until contractions are 2-3 minutes apart. They aren't yet.
  
• I have been walking a lot. Bumblebee really appreciates all the walking.
  
• The upside is that I've gotten to spend a lot of time with my husband and mother.
  
• I am officially due tomorrow.

That's it. I think you're up to speed. What have you been up to?

Kindness Bandit and Pregnancy Update

Well, it has been a while since I've done a Kindness Bandit post. Lately Eric, the baby and I have been on the receiving end of so many kind words, thoughts and gifts. I can't help but feel like I should start to spread some of that around. People have given us so very very much to help as we settle into our new life with a baby.

Complete strangers have actually given us gifts. I can't even begin to express how touched we are at the absolute outpouring of generosity for our little girl! All of the gifts we have received are absolutely being put to good use and are treasured. We are so very thankful for all that has been given. However, I noticed recently that there were a few duplicate gifts and decided that instead of exchanging the gifts we would share them. So, I am packing a little bag of our extras and taking it with us when we finally head to labor and delivery. I am going to ask the staff nurses to pass the gifts out to mothers who look like they could really use them. Of course we are not giving away anything that isn't a duplicate, because the gifts were all chosen with such care and love. I just want to continue to spread the kindness.

Now for the pregnancy update...
Yesterday I brought my crew with me to the doctor's office and what will hopefully be my last check up. Eric and my Mom were there to hear the good news that something is FINALLY happening. The doctor said ANY DAY NOW (which of course could mean much longer, but we're optimistic)! Can you believe that!?!?! Then last night it seemed like any day now would be any second now, but things have since cooled off. Anyway, it feels as though things are starting to happen. I can't believe she'll be here ANY DAY NOW!

Also, we asked the doctor for a guess on her possible weight. He suggested between 5 and 15 pounds...so that wasn't particularly helpful.

Finally, Eric has taken one final pregnancy portrait if you care to see it you can click here.

Bags Are Packed...Now What?

My suitcase is packed, ready to be tossed into the car for our drive to labor and delivery. I have even packed a bag full of snacks and reading material for Eric and of course a small bag of stuff for the baby when she finally arrives. I have even put notes on my suitcase reminding me about last minute items like camera and cell phone. I have gone over my list of things to accomplish before the little one arrives. I keep cleaning and cleaning. Menus are planned for the next several months (overkill I know). So, now what am I going to do to occupy these final few days or weeks (please not weeks)?

Yesterday I got a little crafty and made myself some earrings from buttons. First I smoothed out the back. Next I used a little paint to age the buttons and give them a bit of an antique quality. Finally I affixed them to some posts and that was that. It took about 20 minutes and when I was done there was still no baby on the way. Can you tell I am getting a little anxious to meet her?

Do you have any suggestions for ways to use my time instead of being obsessive about meeting my little girl, because that is all I am doing at this point? I am just so excited!