Yowsers!
Only five weeks until my due date. This pregnancy thing seems to have a split personality. I either feel like time is passing too quickly and that I'll never be prepared for the little one in time. Or, I feel like time is dragging and that I will be living with these aches and pains for an eternity.

A couple of weeks ago, I went through this whole phase were I began to rethink my entire birth plan. I've been seeing a midwife and planning to deliver at a local hospital with a reputable birth center. Suddenly, I felt like I had not researched my options as thoroughly as I should have. I called a couple of other care providers. I contacted another area hospital known for it's low c-section rates. I basically got myself worked up. This whole childbirth thing can be a little daunting. Anyhoo, I finally dragged Randy with me to my next appointment with my midwife, and got her to spend a little more time with me so I could get answers to the million questions I'd needed to ask. Now I'm feeling a lot more relaxed and confident about the whole undertaking.

Above is a charming photo from the baby shower my sister in law threw for me. I can't decide if my face is getting more swollen by the day, or if I'm just putting on a little baby fat!

My favorite gift from the baby shower was a small book called Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on Raising the Perfect Parent by 147 Kids Who Know. The book is made up of little handwritten messages from a bunch of 8-10 year old kids. Each kid gives parents some advice, complete with curvy handwriting, creative spelling, and little doodles. Here's one message that is sweet: "Think wehn yow were a kid and not yell so much--Joe." Here's another touching one: "Don't go to work on weekends--Elizabeth." This is a great book for a newbie parent like me. I may have to continue the tradition and give a copy to a new parent at the next baby shower I attend.

- posted by Laurie @ 4:11 PM