WE'RE growing in leaps and bounds....

Hello, everyone!

Well, we're in the home stretch! Again, I am amazed that the belly can stretch this far. I've caught myself snickering at the gi-normous size of my belly in the mirror (it's gi-normous to me, at least, although girls at work think I'm carrying "petite"). No decorative stretch-marks yet, but that could be just around the corner!

We're still feeling great. I don't think I will be having the baby this week, based on how I'm feeling, but what do I know :-) 'Never done this before!

Doug and I walked three miles on Saturday, and then three miles on Sunday. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here, so we decided to enjoy some sunshine! I've been keeping up with a brisk treadmill mile or two a day (more often 1.5 miles) to keep the muscles in shape for labor. Some days are rougher than others, but I truthfully haven't been "waddling" yet.



Doug and I also took our last pre-kid "road trip" on Saturday, up to Cleveland, GA, situated in the north Georgia mountains. Doug is working on house plans for someone we know, and wanted to see the land on which the house will be located. It was a perfect day for a drive, and nice to get away for a little bit. We saw Cabbage Patch "Babyland" while visiting Cleveland. Cleveland is the home of Babyland General Hospital, where visitors can "watch the delivery of the unique Cabbage Patch Kids." Cleveland is the hometown of Cabbage Patch creator Xavier Roberts. The old town hospital was turned into the museum. Very cute! http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com

Last week, when I went to the doctor, I had gained 4 lbs! Unbelievable! I don't see how this is humanly possible (especially since I've been good about the treadmill and haven't been spending my day stuffing the "face"). They typically say in the last two months that a pregnant woman should gain 1-2 lbs per week. I have been gaining 1 lb per week, so I guess I was "due" for the 4 lbs. My appointment was after lunch this time (instead of before lunch, as it typically is), so THIS pregnant lady tried to tell herself it was the Cuban restaurant food sitting in my stomach that caused the big # on the scale :-) We're up 25-26 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight. This is actually right where they want me to be... They told me originally that they want me to gain 30 lbs while pregnant. So, limiting future Cuban lunches, we should be okay ;-)

I did tell Doug the other night, while eating dinner, that I would rather just be fed intravenously now, instead of eating food. :-( Food isn't the glorious experience I imagined it would be at this point. It seems to be all about "calories in", and because my stomach is all crunched-in there with the baby and all, I get full so fast, so it's really not that enjoyable. Funny thing is, I remember a friend (Kathy Flanigan) telling me that everything she ate when she was pregnant was "the best" of whatever it was she ate. For example, if it was a piece of chicken, it was "the best chicken" she'd ever had. If it was a piece of broccoli, it was "the best broccoli" she'd ever had. At this point for me, food hasn't been anything to write home about. Interesting how different people experience different things during pregnancy!

We've been seeing a lot of knee and appendage action in my belly, lately. The doctor commented that the baby is very active, and that it was refreshing to see such a healthy pregnant lady like myself. Okay, I think he must say that to everyone. It was nice to hear that, regardless, though!

WE'RE READY
We're down to the weekly appointments, now. At the last appointment (last Thursday), we weren't dialated at all. Hopefully that changes, now that we're officially considered "full term". The next appointment is this Thursday at lunchtime. The bun should be fully cooked by now! Our house is almost as clean as I'd like, dinners and soups are frozen, baby clothes washed and organized, and bags for the hospital are packed...

Doug is thinking she'll make her grand entrance on 03/20 and weigh 7 lbs 6 ounces. I am thinking 03/20 and 8 lbs 2 ounces, although the thought of a St. Patty's baby is sounding better and better these days...

Can't wait to meet her, finally! Looking forward to seeing Doug as a sweet Dad, too. I know he's going to be the best Dad!

With love,
Shelly