bakin’ a bun

Yesterday at work I realized I was done. I had trained everyone, caught up on work, worked ahead…done. So I decided to start my maternity leave. I was always sure I would work up until I went into labor. Physically I still can but instead it just kind of worked out this way. Today is my first day of maternity leave and I have no baby. I am planning a nice long walk with the dog. We are getting that baby out!

Today is October 15th. October 15th, people. Baby Due Date! And I’m still here with no real signs of impending labor. I knew all along that I would go to my due date or after. I’m still really hoping it’s this week though so that my brother and sister-in-law can come home on Saturday. Oh yeah, and SO I CAN MEET MY SON OR DAUGHTER!

Josh got me a gift for carrying his child. It’s a pink tourmaline ring from Tiffany & Co. I can’t wear it though because my fingers are kind of fat right now. About a week ago I had to take off my wedding ring. I can wear it but it’s difficult to get off and it makes me a little crazy. I am actually wearing a ring fashioned out of a pipe that my husband made for me. I’m not even kidding.

My next doctor’s appointment is Friday and we’re really hoping we don’t have to go to that appointment. One, I don’t want to get weighed again because I’m really okay with my weight right now. Two, I totally don’t want to even talk about getting induced. Just something I don’t want to do…

I am trying to get things completely wrapped up at work. I think maternity leave is going to start this week whether that baby comes or not!

On Sunday Josh and I drove to a nearby lake and did some maternity pictures ourselves. Now that I finally look very pregnant I wanted to make sure we had some with the belly. I gave up control and let Josh be the boss. I pointed him to Flickr before our little session for some inspiration. After looking for a few minutes he said, “Well it looks like you need to get naked because that’s all that women do for maternity pictures”. It was very few and far between that there were clothed maternity pictures. I just don’t get the appeal!

Needless to say, I kept my clothes on. Josh did really great and we got a lot of good pictures. There are so many of me laughing because Josh does/says things to get me going. I wish we would have been able to get some of the two of us together but at least we did these. Now if only this little one would decide to come out and play so we can meet him or her!

Some recent comments/observations:

I ran into a girl I went to high school with last weekend. I haven’t seen her in years. She asked when I was due and I told her October 15th. She did a double take and said, “Wait, you’re due THIS month?” I told her that indeed I was. She said, “Wow, I think you were meant to be pregnant”.

My brother said that he thought it would be cool if I went into labor at his show on Saturday. “Not in front of everyone or anything but like off in a separate room…”

“Uh, yes…I’m calling to schedule pictures for my newborn granddaughter in a week or so.”
“Dad! It might be a grandson!”
(My dad is sure that it’s a girl.)

My sister-in-law commented how I was just SO CALM about my impending due date. “By now I was so ready to have that kid out!”.

I kind of feel like a ticking time-bomb at work. Everyone is eyeing me to see if I’m having contractions or about to go into labor.

Josh read some more in Husband-Coached Childbirth and said, “You know, I’m really feeling good about this whole labor thing. You just have to be able to relax”. Oh good, I’m glad we figured that out!

Six days until my due date…

I finished up the baby’s room this weekend after we got our custom wall decal. Josh and I put that up and I decided I should take a few pictures to share.

I was really happy with how the room came out. I think the baby is going to like it! There are a few more pictures on Flickr.

I was determined to finish up all Knight Light work this week since last weekend was my last shooting weekend. I’ve spent most of my evenings this week working away at the computer and even decided yesterday to take off work at noon to process pictures. I didn’t move from the computer yesterday except to eat and take a quick nap. And just like that I finished up. I still can’t believe it!

The big project was the last wedding album. Once I finished that up yesterday, I got it uploaded for the couple to view and already started to feel better. And because that couple is so awesome I already heard back from them approving the album.

I have made all of the calls I needed to make, my inbox is empty, my call/waiting list is updated… Knight Light is officially on maternity leave.

Josh and I were joking that I won’t even know how to handle the weekend with absolutely nothing hanging over my head or any sessions. He suggested I sit on the couch all weekend, play Lego Batman and eat. I just might do that. Now if only my hospital bag was packed!

Patience is the companion of wisdom. -Saint Augustine

Patience is the greatest of all virtues. -Cato the Elder

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains. -Dutch Proverb

He that can have patience can have what he will. -Benjamin Franklin

- When we go into labor, Josh or I will tweet so be sure to keep an eye on our Twitter accounts.
- We bought Lego Batman for the Wii and I can’t believe how fun it is. Josh and I can play as a team which works best for us. When you beat up a bad guy the little Lego pieces fall apart.
- I’m wearing my “We’re Hungry” shirt today. Figured I better wear it while I can!
- Not sure if it’s nesting or just the fact that my house is so dirty, but I would love to be at home cleaning.
- I heard some good news last week and anytime I forget I get really excited again when I remember.
- If we have a little girl, we’re not going to name her Piper. A couple that live a block over named their baby Piper (she was born last month) and I’m hearing a lot of people using that name. We just don’t want to end up with a “trendy” name.
- It’s not even 8am and I would love some ice cream.
- I’m really proud of where Knight Light is this year. No advertising or promoting really… This just might turn into something great!
- I have finally settled on a new cell phone since mine is over two years old. My PDA has been acting flaky for awhile and I know I really need to replace it. I wasn’t sold on the cell phone/PDA combination until I heard about the HTC Touch Pro. I can’t wait until it gets released!
- Two Senior sessions left to process and one wedding album to wrap up. I really want to be done before the weekend.

Josh has been instructed by me to read Husband-Coached Childbirth. After putting it off for awhile, I convinced him that he was running out of time to be fully prepared. He agreed and started reading the other night. He stops occasionally to comment.

J: How much water did you drink today?
K: Probably close to 2 liters.
J: I want you to make sure you get at least two liters tomorrow.
K: Um, okay.

J: Huh…
K: What?
J: You haven’t been exercising.
K: ::grumble:: Well, neither have you.

J: Are you going to breastfeed right after the baby is born?
K: Yep.
J: Rock and roll.

He put the book down last night after reading for awhile and looked at me in utter disbelief. “We’re going to have a baby!”.

Today marks 37 weeks, which means only 3 weeks until my due date. I believe this is also the earliest date for a full-term baby. Uh, whoa! Josh and I have been talking about the actual labor and delivery a lot lately. He’s nervous but mostly because he knows I’ll be in pain. That will be difficult for him to watch and know he can’t fix me. I don’t really feel all that nervous about the labor part. I think a lot of it is in your head. Plus with Josh there with me…I know once we get focused, we’ll work like the awesome team we are.

I do think I’m going to miss being pregnant a bit. It’s a good feeling to have strangers regularly tell you that you look great after finding out your due date. I still giggle or smile when the kid starts flopping around in my belly. These days it’s such a drastic turn or movement that my whole belly will shake. And I will never get tired of my husband rubbing my belly and almost getting choked up.

I am beyond excited, anxious, emotional, happy to meet my little one. It’s hard to wrap your mind around it though. I keep reminding myself that in probably less than a month I will be holding my baby.