Last Stretch

37 weeks. Wowsers.

So, the doctor measured me at 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced at my appointment before last. This news really got my hopes up but I've been this way for...8 days now. Everyday I wake up wondering if today will be the day only to have my hopes smothered by the end of the day. I guess I should consider it a blessing though; I've been working for the last 7 days in Murray and didn't really want to go into labor at work. But let me tell you this: over the next 7 days I will do everything I can to get this baby here as soon as possible (besides caster oil. That just frightens me. Sorry, Mel, I don't think I'm that desperate yet).

1. Because I really don't want to go back to work in a week.
And
2. Because this last week the doctor estimated her weight to be in the upper 7 to 8 lb. range.

SERIOUSLY? He better be wrong or she needs to come out right now. If that's what she currently weighs (and from the way he said it it sounded like that's what he meant) I can only imagine that she'd be a 9 lb. baby if I actually do go to my due date (July 13). As much as I enjoy being pregnant I say No Thank You to that.

I know I don't have that much control over this so I'm trying not to be too anxious about it. But I still am. Plus, I'd like to be able to do stuff that requires bending over without grunting like a caveman. Things like tying my shoes, putting on pants and shorts, shaving, or just picking up the items that seem to magically fall on the floor in my presence. Also, as great as the last month or so has been for my posture I'd kinda like to be able to slouch again. I didn't do it all that much before, but when sitting up straight is your only option it starts to get old. All I want to do is be able to curve my back!

OK. I'm done complaining. Being pregnant has been relatively easy for me so I really shouldn't complain. Even though there are some definite discomforts that come with carrying a baby feeling your child move around inside you, especially when they get bigger, is quite amazing. I really can't wait to go through the whole birth experience and be able to meet my baby. She's going to be absolutely perfect.

Buffalo Part II

The rest of my time in Buffalo was spent watching movies, making baby bling, and visiting Niagara Falls.

A note on the baby bling: my sister is super crafty and has started making the cutest baby jewelry. Seriously, this stuff is cute. I arrived with no baby stuff and left with 3 little bracelets, 4 adorable necklaces (the necklaces are for when she's a bit older), and a ton of cute clothes. My sister is the best. Thanks to Melissa, my little girl is going to be the most hip baby out there. We are starting her on the girly stuff so young that there's no chance of her ever being a tomboy.

Buffalo was just so much fun. Being able to spend time with Melissa and her family really made me wish that we lived closer and could hang out all the time.

Beached whale!

Before Maid of the Mist: happy and adorable

After Maid of the Mist: a little upset but still oh so adorable