The Final Stretch...

It's hard to believe, but I only have one more week until I'm officially 9 months pregnant. In theory, I could be having a kid this time next month (and wondering whether she'll be a Leap Baby). All in all, it's been remarkably easy - I've had no morning sickness, no stretch marks, and a healthy appetite (as evidenced by the photo shown here, taken this morning. Never knew I could miss my chin so much). So I've had nothing to complain about, though I have been a bit frustrated these past few weeks at how tired I am all the time. It forces me to relax rather than be in my constant state of go-go-go. That and the fact that all of my joints are turning to Jell-O in preparation for labor. If anyone needs a good laugh watch an 8-month pregnant woman try to hold a fork or glass of water (just be wary of the consequences once she gets her strength back in a few months).

But we're all ready to go. My mom came down a few weeks ago and helped us do the nursery, and we were thrown two awesome showers, thanks to my mom, sister Cathy, Aunt Judy, sister-in-law Stacy, mother-in-law Carolyn, and family friend Pat! We've got a pediatrician, day care, and have taken a couple baby classes. Now, we're just getting ourselves educated on how the heck to take care of a baby. I'm reading the book The Happiest Baby on the Block right now, which emphasizes the importance of swaddling. David's Wallace doll has been kind enough to let us practice on him (although I can't say he's thrilled about it).

We're also prepping the pets for the big change. Jonas is no longer allowed in the backseat of the car, for fear he'll smother the kid in his zeal to stick his head out the window. We've installed a system of bars that confines him to the far back. He's been a bit whiny about it so far, even though we set him up with a blanket and some toys to make it feel more homey. Meanwhile, the cats have to be taught not to sleep on the changing pad or in the crib. We came home one night to find Mazzy curled up contentedly on the changing pad on the dresser, as if to say, "Thank you, how considerate of you to put this cozy bed on the dresser for me to sleep upon." Then there's the whole concern about cats stealing a baby's breath while in the crib (or, you know, simply sitting on her face while she's sleeping). So we're using a trick David read about in one of his expectant father books - cover the pad and mattress with tin foil. Tip: don't just put a sheet of foil in the middle of the crib or pad. Cover the whole thing with tin foil. I peaked in the crib yesterday to see Mazzy sleeping in a corner that hadn't been covered.

We're pretty excited, though already missing the idea of sleep. Allison's been kicking around pretty actively lately, and is getting ready for the big day herself by facing head down (thanks, Sweetie). I take her swimming once a week at a prenatal water aerobics class, which is more difficult than I thought it would be but is great for keeping me in shape. Can't say I'm fond of fraternizing with all the other expectant moms, which the class advertises as being one of the perks. While David and I are mostly concerned with how to make our kid smart - shielding her from the mind-numbing effects of TV for as long as possible, reading to her daily, and seeking out a Mandarin-speaking tutor, most of the women in my class are more concerned about finding cute curtains or the right shade of green paint for their nursery. One woman almost strangled her husband after realizing he'd chosen a yellowish green instead of the sage green she'd always dreamed would adorn her child's walls. Don't worry - she broke down in tears and got the paint she wanted.