Ask the Magic 8 Ball

Ask the Magic 8 Ball when the baby is coming. That's about all you can do. I've heard it all so far.
I'm really, really tired one day and a woman tells me that I will deliver the next day because that's how it happened for her. Then I'm supposed to experience that "nesting" phenomenon where I have limitless energy and the insatiable desire to clean and in 2 days I will deliver. Then I am nauseous for 10 days straight and that's supposed to be a sign because that's how it happended for someone else. So...I've concluded that no matter how I feel it indicates that labor and delivery are right around the corner.
The truth is that there are numerous factors that need to be present in order for it to occur. You can't just have some of them, you need them all. Not even the baby knows when they will all come together, but until then, we wait.
Over the past 11 days I have had a sore throat, sinus congestion, lost my voice, been sick to my stomach, had gastrointestinal distress, and just pretty much felt like dog doo. So now that I feel somewhat normal again, a little waiting is OK.
If you picked a day before 11/24 in the baby Thor pool, you lost. We'll keep you posted!

Smiling Elephant

The elephant has officially arrived! He is all smiles for Thor. The lion is close behind, but we ran into a color issue. It appears Mr. Lion has hit the haircolor isle one too many times and cannot decide on what his natural color should be.

Home Stretch

Here I am on the home stretch. 37 weeks, full gestation, ready to come out any time. I looked at the picture and all I thought was - I really need some highlights. Maybe that will be a project for January.
The belly measures 36 3/4 inches, the doctor said he is dropping, and the "practice" contractions have started! So for all of you who are excited as we are to see this little guy in person, it won't be long.
There is a Thor pool at work for when he will actually arrive. I am going to ignore my friend Malfrieda who is betting on the week of December 10th.
Thank you to everyone who has given Thor all the necessities to start his life with us! It really means a lot to us.

Horoscope on dogpile

Here is my horoscope on dogpile.com today:
If you can't see the finish line in the near distance, don't get frustrated -- turn around! There you will see it, miles behind you. You have been going at such a furious clip for so long, than you may very well have eclipsed your original goal. You could just keep going on to the next milestone, but the stars say it's time for you take a break. Stop this forward momentum for a while and just enjoy where you are in life -- it's a heck of a nice place!
I like dogpile.com horoscopes because they are fun and straight forward. No, I don't believe they will predict how my day will go - you should know better than that. Especially from someone who will roll her "fortune dice" until she gets something she likes!
I thought it was appropriate to how I feel right now. I have 26 days until my due date and it seems like FOREVER. But given that I have made it through 36+ weeks, it really seems to have gone fast. It also tells me to sit back and relax. Enjoy watching Thor move in my belly, sleep in a quiet house, and take long showers (oops we are in a drought) - make that go get a pedi with Janice.
The nursery is ready and the bag is packed. All we need now is our baby to arrive happy and healthy!
Pictures will be posted when my photographer gets home! Also, the times posted on the blogs don't accurately reflect the current time. Traci - at 4am I am snoozing, don't worry:)

Update

I just realized it's been 15 days since my last post, eek. Good news is that all is well and I am 5 weeks from my due date. Thor is getting bigger by the minute and still as active as ever. I start going to the doctor every week now. It's exciting and scary all at the same time... I am sure I have said that before, but it's very true.
My (Thor's) second shower is today with work folks. We are excited to see all the cute stuff come his way and for a fun and relaxing day. The last 3 weeks have been very hectic and stressful, more stress than a 36 week pregnant lady needs. I look forward to next week when my schedule opens up a bit and I begin the final stretches of my journey to motherhood.
New belly pictures coming this week!

Animals

Yeah, the animals are coming! At present the nursery has one faceless giraffe, but the rest of the animals should arrive this weekend. Look for pictures to come!
As of Saturday the 20th, the giraffe is done! The elephant is on its way.

33 Weeks

Here I am at 33 weeks. In the background and also in the picture below is the nursery minus the jungle animals. The giraffe, lion, elephant, and monkey are set to arrive next weekend (I hope).
Ted and I started pre-natal classes last week.
We went on a tour of the maternity area;
we saw the nursery (with 2 adorable newborns in the window);
we went through the check-in process (which involves going upstairs and telling the OB nurse that you are going to have a baby);
AND the role of the Support Person.
The book says the Support Person should avoid eating onions or other spicy foods prior to delivery. This is because of their role in helping with the breathing - hee hee who.
Should I write that again? - NO ONIONS OR OTHER NASTY SMELLING FOODS ON YOUR BREATH PLEASE. Ted will be on a special diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and water starting week 38, just in case. Love you honey!