A more detailed update...39+3

One of my dedicated readers posted that she'd like additional details about my status....since I am procrastinating the work that I need to do, I am going to placate her.

My last midwife appointment was last Tuesday, I will have another this Tuesday. I have asked not to be internally checked, as those types of checks tend to cause excitement/dismay with regards to progress. Women can walk around several centimeters dilated for weeks, all the while expecting that the baby will come any minute - other women can make no progress at all pre-birth and then have a 2 hour labor. What I do know is that baby's head is very low, her heartbeat is strong and healthy, my weight gain is doing what it is supposed to do, I am sleeping great, feeling great, measuring the right size, my blood pressure and iron are healthy, and that I will not be allowed to go past 42 weeks. After I hit fourty weeks on Thursday, they will allow me to see an accupuncturist and/or chiropractor as there are some natural induction techniques that they can do. In the meantime, I am walking daily, swimming a couple times a week, and going about life as usual. The baby, whom I have deemed 'spastic monkey baby' over the past week, is crazy in there.

What I think is really in there....

Dave took the day off on Friday and the two of us went to the beach and watched the SCAD Sand Arts Festival and chilled. As of last week I cut my in-office hours to twenty ... more because being there full time was not getting the point across that I need to start cutting back on new work and finishing old. I am doing a little bit of work in addition from home which is what I need to get started on this afternoon. I cannot remember when I have enjoyed my life more than this. I fill my afternoon time with filling out paperwork for my business (holy crap this is a daunting task!), chores, grocery shopping, walking, and working from home which I love. I sit on my yoga ball at night - bouncing and rolling around as it is good for my posture and helps move the baby down.

Lots of this lately...me on my ball...Dave with a beer...chilling...

I  am really not anxious at all about when the baby will come or what labor will be like. The hypnobirthing classes educated me on the stages of labor and which ones will require the most focus, etc. I am not expecting a walk in the park, but I am also not expecting this to play out like a scene in a movie with screaming and panting and anger. My job is to relax, breathe, change positions, and ask my support team for things that will make me better. I plan to bake something for the midwives in early labor to take with us to the birth center. We will be in continuous contact with the center, but they want me to labor at home until my contractions are 5 minutes apart, so I'll likely be home for a while.

Life is going along as usual. I am enjoying my last few weeks/days with Dave as a couple without parental responsibility. Nesting projects have included the reorganization of the vitamin/pill/tea cabinet in the kitchen, the pantry, printing and hanging pictures of our trip and the maternity shoot and sliding around furniture. A couple of girlfriends kidnapped me last week for a manicure/pedicure, dinner and a dessert bar last week which was awesome and Dave brought me flowers. The neighbors are organizing food drop offs for us which is really sweet. We've stocked up a little bit, but I cannot refuse good Southern comfort food for those first weeks home. At our neighborhood social last night I was informed that a bunch of them are making things out of venison because of our meat habits (a bunch of them hunt) which is fantastic. I have been rewarding myself for each week of pregnancy past 38 with 'prizes' each week. Last week (39) I earned a prenatal massage which was wonderful. I think my 40 week prize will be accupuncture, and I'll have to think of something exciting for 41. Suggestions welcome.

Thanks to my friends and family who have been calling and texting but do not be offended if I do not get back to you. Don't worry, we'll let you know if anything happens and we're just as excited!