39 Weeks and Counting

Well, I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow, anyway. And I am counting. I'm not anxious or impatient or uncomfortable or anything - I want her to come whenever she's ready, and I really, really don't want to wish away this wonderful time, but I just want to know when that is! I want to have everything ready and planned for...but apparently that's just not how this thing works.

However, it's an important milestone to note: my estimated due date is one week from today!

The due date has been this goal, this endpoint, all along, and it's been a great thing to hold onto and anticipate and gauge my progress by (yes, ending sentence with preposition, give me a break). But now that it's actually here, it's basically a farce. You have to throw everything out the window and just wait around. It could be any minute now, or it could be weeks away.

Blurggh.

I had an OB appt. this morning, and there's not too much to report. She's moved down a little (which I can tell from all the low belly pressure when I walk), and I'm dilated "maybe a centimeter" but that's about it!

Thankfully, my OB isn't in any hurry and doesn't get too worked up about things, so she's not even interested in talking induction until I'm a week overdue. And even then, I don't expect any pressure from her - just beginning the conversation.

Also, I'm loving all the birth stories and wisdom from those of you who have sent them (thanks Aunt Mileta, Grandmother Zelda, and Allison!) - keep them coming!

I also had a great time this morning sharing stories with all the women from my floor. Today is my last official day in my office and they had a little par-tay with the few folks who are actually still around (a ton of people are on vacation or aren't around for the summer). So the people who are here gathered to say adieu and celebrate with me around a yummy pumpkin cheesecake (my favorite!). After the men-folk left (or perhaps they left once we started this conversation, I can't remember...), I listened and laughed as these lovely women recalled the high points and struggles of their labors. Every story and every birth is so wonderfully unique, and each woman's perspective makes it even more so. I love the advice and the reminders to enjoy every minute of it - even the minutes that I'll love to forget!

We're off to a Reds game tonight in Cinci - compliments of one of my fabulous coworkers, so I'd better get out of here.