It's Almost April!

My girl is looking absolutely beautiful and FULL of baby Eleanor!

It's funny how Kelly changes from day to day. One day there are lots of prelabor things going on and she is anxious to give birth, and other days it seems like she wouldn't mind being pregnant for a few more weeks at least. I'm sure that's the way I felt too when I was pregnant. One way or another (meaning acupuncture or castor oil) she does plan on meeting her sweet baby in April!!

I know one thing she is ready to be done with is the ankle and foot swelling. Shoes don't fit and it's just plain uncomfortable.

Over the past several weeks work has become tiring, but the weekends really help to revive her. I wish she could just be done with work right now, but I know she'll want as much time as possible with Eleanor once she's born.

Luckily, the longer Eleanor waits the better prepared (hopefully) I'll be. It seems like each day I get something new done. Yesterday I made the cutest cotton baby cocoons and matching hats. I sure hope we can squeeze her into them, at least for a picture! (Poor Eleanor. She has two people who are very ready to be dressing her up!!)

We've been doing some weight guessing, with the exception of Matt. Here's our approximate guesses: Dad -- 8 lbs; Mom 10 lbs; Josh 9 lbs. As you can see we have almost every weight covered. We also have some different thoughts on hair. Everyone knows I hope for red, Josh guesses red and Dad guesses brown. I know Kelly thinks Eleanor will have brown hair and Clint thinks she'll be a blonde. Imagine if she has black hair!!

Well, whatever Ms. Eleanor looks like, and whatever she weighs, we can't wait to meet this sweet little girl!!

Heading into the Home Stretch!

I am more excited about Eleanor's arrival than anyone could imagine! It's like Christmas, a vacation to the Ritz AND MORE all rolled up into one. I can't sleep at night. I'm even getting sympathy pains and feel like I'm the one who is starting to go into labor.

Kelly had some contractions that woke her up the night before last. I decided right then that I had better get all these goodies together that I need to take with me. I don't want to be stuffing it willy nilly in the car in the middle of the night. Kelly said I'll look like a homeless person who robbed Babies R Us and she's right. I have SO MUCH STUFF to bring down to them. I really hope it all fits in the car.

Today I'm trying to get more organized so when Kelly is ready, I'll be ready. I'm going to make lists of things I can't forget to bring so if they aren't sitting in grabbing range in the dining room they won't get left behind.

I don't think I'll get off this adrenaline high until Eleanor is here. Who knows, maybe not even then!

It's so hard to wait, even when you're not the one giving birth!

She's in the Groove

It's amazing to talk to Kelly these days. She is so ready to give birth! And I don't just mean that she is tired of moving around with a close to full-term belly. She KNOWS that she can give birth to Eleanor -- no matter what.

It took me until my second pregnancy, when I was expecting Kelly, to figure that out, and I don't believe that most women today ever get it. They want to be delivered and to be relieved of their pain in the meantime -- to relinquish responsibility to the medical profession rather than owning birth themselves. And they lose out.

Talking to Kelly Friday night reminded me of just how I felt as I was waiting for her birth. I was trying to find the place that felt best to me, where I knew I'd feel safest to be able to surrender. She wants that for herself. She doesn't want interference from midwives or anyone. She wants to be able to do what she instinctually knows is best for her and Eleanor. To tune in to what is inside her, rather than be directed from the outside. Kelly is full of power and ready to roar!!