When Luke came home from work this evening, I held it together for approximately eight seconds before bawling into his shoulder over how nervous I was about labor and how I did NOT want to read another baby book until I actually had a baby to deal with at home. I started What to Expect: The First Year yesterday, and while it's been a great read so far (I really have no idea why the What to Expect series gets such a bad rap from the Internet. The authors are always talking about the wide range of normal that exists both in pregnancy and in babies, and I've found them to be very comforting), my brain needs a break. The last thing I want to turn into is That Mom who runs to her stash of parenting guides every time she has a problem, and yet in the last few months, I've read two books on breastfeeding, delved into two baby's-first-year manuals, finished The Big Book of Birth (which I just might review on my Parents blog one of these days), and breezed through countless magazines from my ob/gyn's office. And that's in addition to all the regular pregnancy stuff. Being prepared is one thing, but at this point, it's safe to say that I am literatured out. Tomorrow I'll go for something lighter; perhaps a hardcover Nancy Drew.
If I'm still at home, that is. I've been having more regular contractions since before Luke and I went to dinner (thank you, spinach dip?), though I still haven't timed them. I'm almost afraid to, like I'll jinx my progress or something.
People are calling me, full of excitement about the new little person that's about to enter our lives, eager to measure my own barometer of Happy!, and I feel like my reaction disappoints them. I'm not chirpy, I'm not eager, I'm not even impatient anymore. Freka can wait a few more days if she wants to. Hell, I'm not going anywhere.
Here it is, folks. Forty weeks in all its glory. Here's hoping I don't make it to forty-one.
It WILL HAPPEN. That baby will come out. Just remember that. One more week tops, right? TOPS.
You can do it!
Posted by: Emily | December 10, 2007 at 10:58 PM
The two main reasons I can remember for hating the What to Expect series are 1) though they gave out the standard recommendations, they seemed to be neutral toward or against breastfeeding, especially after one year old, and 2) they emphasized how homebirth was so dangerous, and you must be in a hospital (insert roll of eyes here). However, please keep in mind that it's been 3+ years since I read either of those books!
Posted by: Katie | December 10, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Katie: The editions of What to Expect that I read were both very pro-breastfeeding, though they don't condemn any mom who chooses to formula feed. Also, in the second edition of What to Expect: The First Year, which came out in 2003, there's a whole chapter dedicated to breastfeeding techniques and advice, which I read this morning and thought was very good. I know the first edition, originally published in 1989 (!), didn't have that.
Posted by: Frema | December 11, 2007 at 12:27 AM
I may regret not charging my camera batteries tonight. Possibly.
Happy Due Date!
Posted by: Molly | December 11, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Love your blog, follow you at parents.com as well. You look great, good luck with the contractions
Posted by: Kristen | December 11, 2007 at 12:52 AM
I've done 41 weeks and it really isn't so bad. I do complain about the fact that I have 4 children and not a single one was willing to come out of their own free will. I'm quite sure they'd all still be up there if they had their own way. Which really doesn't make for a pretty picture.
Posted by: Emma | December 11, 2007 at 01:23 AM
Maybe today is the day. Take care. We are thinking about you.
Posted by: mjd | December 11, 2007 at 06:37 AM
What a wonderful attitude! A day on the couch with a book sounds heavenly, and a perfect way to pass the time.
Posted by: Erika | December 11, 2007 at 08:27 AM
Even at 40 weeks, you are still looking great! Now, little Freka, any time you are ready, my dear!
Posted by: Katie | December 11, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Hang in there.
Posted by: Bethany | December 11, 2007 at 09:30 AM
I'm with Katie - you've got that glow about you...
Posted by: Marriage-101 | December 11, 2007 at 09:35 AM
Ok I'm scared for you. :) My grandson (first) was born in February. I took photos of her each month and she did not look near as huge as you (no offense) yet her baby was 8 lbs. I'm scared worrying how big your baby must be. :)
Did I mention how lovely you look? Glowing and ready. :) Fingers crossed everything goes well for you. :)
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos | December 11, 2007 at 10:46 AM
You look fantastic!
I hope you're feeling pretty good and enjoying some rest. And yay for more regular contractions!
Keep us posted :-)
Posted by: Erin | December 11, 2007 at 11:09 AM
You look fantastic! Truly, you do.
I've been thinking of you a lot the past couple of days, and hoping Freka cooperates and comes out SOON!
Posted by: Kathleen | December 11, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I gave up on What to Expect when it advised me to have my microwave checked for radiation leaks by a professional and said I couldn't swim in water deeper than my head for the duration of the pregnancy.
But it was good for reference.
Good luck! You look awesome.
Posted by: Becca | December 11, 2007 at 11:39 AM
I have my fingers crossed for you!
Posted by: Nic | December 11, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Hooray for your beautiful belly!!! I can't wait to see the sweet little girl that living inside there. (Wait, that sounds sort of creepy. Sorry.)
Just a little longer...
Posted by: Isabel | December 11, 2007 at 11:59 AM
I could only hope to look that good at forty weeks! I'm not even pregnant and you still look better than I do most days.
Obsessively checking for any updates. Hang in there!
Posted by: Anna | December 11, 2007 at 12:00 PM
You are so stinkin' adorable. That's all.
Posted by: Audrey | December 11, 2007 at 12:00 PM
You are definitley glowing. And it looks to me like it's more of a new mommy glow now than that pregnancy glow! Aw... can't wait to read your birth story!
Posted by: Trilby | December 11, 2007 at 12:12 PM
What a great photo! I hear you on the hello, good-bye. Hopefully you won't be posting a 41 weeks pregnant entry like I did this morning :)
Posted by: eva | December 11, 2007 at 12:43 PM
You look amazing! I hope I look that cute next time I get pregnant. You make 40 weeks look good.
Posted by: Hilary | December 11, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Everything looks good to go. The baby gets a chance to do her timing on coming out, up to a point that is.
Posted by: daddy d | December 11, 2007 at 08:54 PM
You look terrific. I can't wait to hear the big news when it finally happens. Is this weird, but I actually have had a dream about you having the baby the last two nights...I hope it is soon!
God be with you and little Freka! (It will be so strange to actually start calling her by what her actual name will be! Can't wait to find that out too!!)
Posted by: Jenny | December 11, 2007 at 09:41 PM
OMG! You look so great and I am so excited for you!!
Posted by: Brie | December 11, 2007 at 09:57 PM