i like stuff that other white people like.

I don't have an update today on the baby or our progress... I feel about the same as yesterday. I do, however, have a new favorite blog that you must read. While it may sound racist, it really is more of a satirical look at the idiosyncrasies of Caucasians. Read at your own risk, and take with a grain of salt:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

Beware, more creepy cervix talk.

Yesterday was just not my day. I felt miserable most of the day. So here is my attempt at a mass apology to anyone I may have offended. I am sorry.
We waited to see Dr. Connor for almost 2 hours. TJ was politely irate by the time we finally got to see her, but she was very thorough and answered all of our questions. TJ and I were both impressed by her. I liked her small hands.
We haven't made much progress though. I am 1 and a half centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. I am in the latent phase of labor and the duration is different for everyone. She said it could be soon or right around the due date...at this point it is hard to tell. I was disappointed to say the least, but I started having hard contractions about an hour after we left. I had them for about two hours, pretty consistently. Then they went away. I got a great nights sleep, and I have been having cramps and contractions all morning. It could be from the pelvic exam or it could be progress! I am hoping for progress! But, if nothing else happens, we are getting an ultrasound to check her size on Wednesday, followed by another check of the cervix. Yay.

Mr. Miyagi and me.

Dr. Connor (Dr. Waller is out this week), and I are going to have a little chat this afternoon at my appointment. We are at 38 1/2 weeks, and she will either have to tranquilize me or induce. I can not and will not go on being this miserable. I know, I am impatient. I always have been. That isn't changing. Trust me though, it will be better for everyone involved if Avery comes out now. There is no upside to a very distressed and sleep deprived woman who is ready to burst. The unfortunate thing is that Dr. Connor will probably tell me to shut up, and deal with it. She will then meet my inner ninja as I karate chop her in half.
Seriously, my patience has run out.

Sleepless in Montgomery

I am in a much better frame of mind today. I actually found a semi-comfortable position to fall asleep in, and I only got up 5 times last night. This sounds like a terrible night, and a month ago, I would have been miserable with that, but these days, that is about as good as it gets! So I woke up pleasantly refreshed. I think I froze TJ out, though. I turned the heater off and it got really chilly in the house! Perfect for me and Baby Hot Flash!
I am 99% sure that Ms. Avery has dropped. Granny (the omniscient mother of 4) told me so, and I am currently sitting here with my pants unbuttoned because it is impossible to sit comfortably with this huge belly resting in my lap. I can't close my legs ( ladylike I know...at least I am wearing pants (not that a skirt is really an option right now with these cankles.)), and seriously, the belly has rolled so far forward that I can't see over it. Do my shoes match? How should I know?
Tomorrow we go back to the doctor, and hopefully we will have made more progress, and can get a better idea of when she will make her grand entrance. More on that on Thursday!

Please don't tell me, "It's almost over!"

1. Apparently, pregnancy related insomnia is a very common ailment. And I have it. It's not so much that I can't sleep, its that I cannot get comfortable enough, and when I do, I have to get up to go to the bathroom every hour. So, unfortunately for those around me, I am miserable when I am awake and when I am trying to sleep.

2. I am so sick and tired of hearing people say, "You are almost there!". "I really want to hit you." has become my response. I appreciate that you are trying to be encouraging, but instead, you are reminding me, as if I need a reminder, that I am miserable and it shows. Another offensive line to throw at a pregnant woman is, " You haven't had that baby yet?". Seriously? That doesn't even warrant a response. Probably the only thing a very pregnant woman wants hear is, "Would you like something to eat?"

3. I think I had my first boost of energy yesterday. I didn't sleep Saturday night either, but I felt like going to Granny's 85th birthday party in Atlanta. I am so glad I went, and we had a great time. It was also our bon voyage trip for Partner. He is now residing with Aunt Patty. They are the perfect match! I think it was love at first sight!

4. On a more positive note, I go back to the doctor on Wednesday, and hopefully we will have made more progress. I will keep you posted. Maybe, I will feel better tomorrow.

TMI alert...don't read this post if you are easily grossed out!

I went to see Dr. Waller yesterday for the 37 1/2 week appointment. Avery is doing great, her heart rate was 150, and all of my levels were good. As for the pelvic exam, we had good results, but I was not expecting it to be so painful! The last one I had wasn't bad at all, but I suppose once the baby starts to drop, everything begins to hurt! I am sure you are ready for me to get to the point...drum roll, please. We are 1 centimeter dilated, and he said the cervix is very soft! Now, all the books say that the majority of women begin to dilate around this time, and still deliver right about their due date, so don't go getting any ideas. I have resigned myself to the fact that she is not coming out until February. Dr. W says expect her between the two due dates (the 6th and the 11th), which works well, since I have been going by the 9th. He does not think she will overstay her welcome with the progress we have already made. So that is good news! He also said he would induce before February 18th, should she become stubborn. So at the very longest, she is 26 days away. He says most babies come within 2-3 days of their due dates, so not to worry about it! We go back next Wednesday for the 38 1/2 week appointment, and hopefully we will have made even more progress!

Yes, I am still here (at work that is).

We had the most wonderful Baby Shower at the Esdale's home on Saturday night. The food was delicious, and I hope everyone else had as good of a time as TJ and I did! Here is some commentary along with pictures (thanks to Angela and Allen!).

I am huge. These images only prove that I have eaten my way through the past 2 months. And while it may appear that I am drinking for two, keep in mind, it is only water in a wine glass.

Allison and I had a running joke that my little girl was going to be a super girly ballerina and her little boy would be a drama queen. So she got Avery a "tutu". My three chins thought it was funny too. Too bad I didn't think ahead and get Riley some tights and a Mardi Gras mask. Perhaps there is still time!

TJ couldn't hold back from opening some gifts as well! I think he is going to be a great Daddy!

And here is the proud Grandma Ahma...which does in fact have a silent "h" in it.

This is the softest bear that Isabella and Benjamin picked out for Avery. Their parents were some of the hosts at this shower.

This is TJ trying to figure out why the "Moses Basket" has handles if you aren't supposed to carry it with the baby inside.

It was a great party! Thank you to all who came and those who hosted it! We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends!

In other news, Evan made it back from Europe last night. He did a tour of London, Paris, and Rome. He had great trip, and as always, brought back some hilarious stories. He also did a little shopping for baby gear while in Rome. Little Avery now has her very first designer item, a snow jacket with mittens from a very stylish designer (whose name evades me right now, uhh Baby Brain!). The best part is that Evan was shopping in a designer baby store. Ohhh the mental images. Too bad he didn't bring pictures back of that!

Melanie surprised me this morning with a beautiful blanket that she made!!! It is the sweetest and softest thing I have ever seen! It is perfectly green to match Avery's room! I will post pictures of it at a later date, perhaps even with Avery wrapped up in it!