August 20 = THE DUE DATE.

So today was the day I have been looking forward to for 9 months now - and it's almost over. Chances of me birthing this kid before midnight tonight are slim to none, beings that I have not had a single contraction yet. Looks like the little guy will be "late" although you can hardly say that since this whole 'due date' phenomena is just a major estimation. So, while the little guy is still cooking inside, we decided to indulge and celebrate the day at my favorite place in the world for burgers, Terry's Turf Club:
Jenn and Justin joined us - and Justy wanted to show off his belly too:
My burger with bacon, grilled onions and burgandy wine sauce - just a few more days until I can get the precious goat cheese again!
It was a really fun day - I got to go to my WIN (women's business owners) group for our monthly meeting. I ran to the grocery, and worked a bit from home. I read a lot about labor and deliver in the Bradley Method book, and did some laundry. It's really been a blessing to relax and enjoy myself these last few days. And if the little dude wants to stick around a little longer, I am sure I can keep myself busy. I am not sure I've been bored too many times in my life - that may be kinda fun.

mello yello

I am incapable of getting a "normal" color put on my toes. When I look at that giant display of pretty colors, all I can see are the yellows, blues, and greens. So, my child will be arriving into the world to the sight of 10 sunshine yellow toenails.

Hooter Hider

I just ordered a "Hooter Hider" from BabySteals.com. Now I will be able to breastfeed in public and no one will get a glimpse of my boob! I liked the brown one - thought it would "go" with the most stuff, and look how hip that mom looks with her's and her cute hat. That is so gonna be me (ha). It's fun waiting for babies...

no new news

So, my due date is TOMORROW, and I don't necessarily feel any different! Yesterday I got a some work done at home, tied up some loose ends on a couple projects, did some laundry, read a lot of the Bradley birthing book, packing my hospital bag, had some friends visit, and pretty much just relaxed. Today I think I am going to get a pedicure, get some house keys made for the parents, make a couple cd's of relaxing music for the delivery room, and again, RELAX!

Update:

Sorry - I am the worst. Totally forgot to give the update.

I am now 2 cm dilated (last week I was between 1 and 2), and 70% effaced. Not huge progress, but progress nonetheless. The doc said I am looking good, and she has no reason to believe I should go early... or late. So, if I am still kidless on Monday, they will do the non-stress test and fluid check and all that good stuff to make sure the placenta is still working, his heartbeat is ok, etc. She said she would let me go at least a week over if nothing looks suspicious! So pretty much it's a waiting game at this point.

Paul and I just got back from a movie & Graeter's date. We saw Hurt Locker (whew - it was a doozy) and ate lots of yummy popcorn. Today we also did our lat Babies R Us run (thank God) and got all our final discounts on the stuff we needed, like the hands free breast pump. Goodie. While we were at the mall out in the burbs, we walked by "Treehouse Kids" and saw this monstrosity:It's a crib "in the round" - with a $1,099 price tag. (The optional chandelier that hangs down inside was an additional $400 - not sure if the frilly sheets are included. Doubtful.) This is wrong on so many levels - not sure where to begin....

3 days till d-day!

It's a very strange feeling - to know that your life is going to change drastically in the next few days, but not to have any idea as to when that may happen. Here I am, 3 days away from my "due date" and I have absolutely zero signs that I could be delivering this kid any day. My doctor's appointment is in a few hours, so hopefully they will have some sort of information for me. Until then, we just continue to prepare for the little guy's arrival here at home.

Family and friends have been super supportive lately - last weekend Mom and Aunt Linda came up to "babysit" me while Paul was out of town on a retreat. They organized the piles and piles of baby clothes, books, toys and other misc. stuff I received from the showers. Look at all the loot!! This also gives you a sneak peek into the kid's room:Jenn modeling a cutesy "hooded towel:"
And Mom and Linda helped assemble one of my final invitation projects that went out on Friday which was a huge help. They were pretty good at it - they got a great system down. (Yes, they are placing sea shells into sage green box mailers for a destination wedding in Mexico!) I have the coolest clients...This weekend we were blessed again by family - Mom and Dad Owens came in over the weekend to help with miscellaneous projects around the house! When I left to go to a baby shower on Saturday, my mother-in-law was mowing the lawn, and Paul and his Dad were on the roof fixing a leaky spot over the bathroom. DeAnne ironed curtains in the baby's room, washed all sorts of baby clothes, sheets, bibs, etc., and Dan and Paul successfully fixed the fan in the baby room - the fan/light that has never worked in the year and a half we have lived here. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos while they were here, but I did score this video of the WORKING FAN:

Finally, a cute shot of Jenn and I during my celebratory "let's go get Yagoot 'cuz I am done with work" run. I have to take advantage of any days off while Jenn is still on summer vacay! (you can really see how my face is super puffy when compared to my THIN twin!) Don't get me wrong, I am not lamenting the weight I have put on during pregnancy - I am quite proud of the healthy 40 lbs I have put on over the last 9 months. I just have this thing right now when I look at most people - I can't quit thinking of how THIN they look - and not just my sister. I guess that because I now have this GIANT ball of kid hanging out from my abdomen, I think that everyone else should have one too. I am amazed by flat tummies and non-swollen ankles..

More later when I return from the doc....

38 weeks and counting.

I know I always hate it when people talk about how much time flies and all that crap, but seriously, 2 weeks left?! And the even crazier thing is that he could actually want out any time now. I can officially say that now I am uncomfortable at times, like when sitting on the floor (not really possible to do, actually) getting out of a low car, or when bending over to pick up something off the floor... I thought I would be 100x worse and completely miserable by this point, but I am not at all. Sleeping is even still pretty good. The really funny thing is trying to switch sides, however, in bed. It takes a three point turn, but I can do it! Going to the gym is still fun - I can do the ellipitcal machine for a long time. I am getting a little tired of my 5 outfits, however...

The crazy thing is that I can REALLY feel this kid now. It's like there is a baby strapped to my abdomen. I can feel his butt, arms, amd legs moving around. It's very tight in there, I can tell. I have to sit up very straight, making my torso as long as possible in order to breathe and be comfy. I even had a "Oh my goodness, there is a SMALL CHILD living in my body" moment today. It still seems surreal, and I am sure it will until he is born. Then reality will hit.

Our dryer is still broken, and we are still trying to decide whether or not to buy a newer one off Craigslist, or try again to fix it. J & J are back from Spain, so Jenn did a few loads for me today. (THANKS AGAIN NEEBS). I was worried that if the kid came along early, I wouldn't have any freshly laundered clothes for him to wear, so she washed some for me. I am so jealous that she was the first to wash his leeeeetle tiiiiiny clothes, sheets, and some burp cloths. Cuteness.

Someone recently asked if we had "picked out" his outfit to go home from the hospital... I thought this was a weird question - had never given it a second thought. But after Jenn washed the clothes, I decided we may as well use my favorite little onesie we got from shower #2 from Liz. It is organic cotton (of course) and has a drawing of a goat on the front. The back simply says "kid." Love it.