T-Minus 4 Days?

Beth's stats as of this a.m.....4 cm dialated, 90% effaced, contractions have begun...doctor said we might not make Tuesday.

T-Minus 7 Days!

Beth's stats as of Tuesday 12/11... 3 cm dialated, 85% effaced. Baby is estimated to be 7 lbs. 11 oz. All his measurements are right on track with 39 weeks.

T-Minus 13 Days...

Mark your calendars! December 18 is officially our induction date. We're to check into the hospital at 5 a.m. Fingers crossed the Bean arrives on his own before then.

Beth's stats this week: 2+ centimeters dialated, 85% effaced, -1 station. Yippee!

BEAN's Nursery Digs

We finished the baby's room this weekend! Alan hung items on the wall and I organized the last of the tubs of clothing Aunt Heather gave us. The closet is stocked with close to 1,000 diapers (newborn to 2 years old). Pooh Bear and Porter the Puppy are set to be squeezed. We're ready!

Birthing 101

Next week Alan and I "graduate" from our 4-week Birthing Class series. We watched birthing videos from the 80s, learned about narcotics and the "cain" family of drugs soon to be at my disposal (no cocaine, Alan!), and witnessed the nurse, Marydee, push a baby doll out of the bottom of a bucket with a styrafoam slit. Things we learned:

• I'm looking forward to making Alan get down onto all fours to assume the shape of a "table" in any hospital hallway.
• Pee smells like alcohol, amniotic fluid does not.
• How to "hee hee" breathe.
• Tennis balls really do make good massage tools.
• Do not wear heavy eyeliner during the birthing process like the lady in the video. She looked like a drowned raccoon after 3 hours of contractions.
• Alan is a great partner. Beth is scared shitless.

We're getting excited to meet the Bean! Check out month 8 videos of real 3D ultra sounds here: http://www.ehd.org/science_imagegal_4.php

Porter the Puppy

How cute is Porter?! This is my splurge for baby!

Roast Beef Never Hurt Anyone...Yummm

People often ask me if my eating habits have changed since I've become pregnant. I used to say "not really" but then when I thought about it, I realized they really had. For instance, now I always eat breakfast. I always take a vitamin every morning when I first get downstairs. I try to take fruit or veggies with me to work for a mid-morning snack. I stick to drinking water or milk. I eat pasta and bread without guilt. When I snack, I grab a few nuts or a slice of cheese - all foods I used to avoid or eat in moderation.

And then, there are the cravings. I've experienced nothing where I wake up and make Alan drive to the store. But I sometimes whine for him to stop by on his way home and pick up some ice cream. Or, I call Mandy because I feel guilty for driving through Arbys and eating a Beef and Cheddar for lunch. I've had multiple dreams about french toast and often crave breakfast cereal, which I never really ate past 9 a.m. before. We've gone through boxes of Cherrios and I'm satisfied if I eat a bowl for my dinner.

Below are some of my cravings. I've acted on some of these, abused some (Love the DQ), and have just had dreams about others. My days of cravings are numbered, so for now, I'll enjoy the pictures and dream of warm, baked bread. Yummm.....

Baby Bean Moves!

Last night I was lying in bed, watching the Real World Australia. All of a sudden I felt these two strong "bubbles" pop on the right side of my tummy. It was the first time I really felt the Bean move! He kicked, or air punched! It was the best feeling. I can't wait until Alan can experience it.

Other Bean Milestones:

April 25th - Day we found out we were pregnant

May 13th - Day we told our families

July 16 - Week 18...the week the Bean and my tummy really popped out

July 24th - Day we found out Bean was a Boy

August 11 - Baby Bean kicks for the first time in front of Papo, Grammy, and Dad