39 weeks

I thought you'd like this picture since it includes a patriotic Texas star.

So Sunday night I thought I felt a few contractions. But I wasn't really sure they were contractions so I had to call a friend and ask. We confirmed that yes, they probably were and immediately I got really excited. But then I panicked as I looked around the house and decided, "We can NOT bring a baby into this world tonight. I am NOT ready!" Which is, I think, another term for nesting.

I discovered something funny about nesting. It's not so much this love of cleaning that takes over you like I'd imagined. It's more of a reaction to people seeing what a slob you are and so you better clean up and put on a good impression.

And the realization that I'm not totally packed for the hospital yet. Let's get it together, Karen. Seriously.

But my contractions were more Braxton-Hicks-ish and I haven't had any since. So in the meantime...

• I've discovered how much I love swimming. It's the perfect thing to do on a 100 degree day here in El Paso. It's relaxing and takes the pressure off of my back. I plan to go every day until this baby comes. Hoping it'll help get him out.
• Jim left for the field yesterday. As in, he's gone for the week. But don't worry - there are LOTS of people (I made sure of it) that are in charge of making sure he has his cell phone on him at all times. In case, you know, I call in between Lamaze breaths and need him to get to the hospital pronto.
• We also discovered we're not quite sure the fastest route to the hospital from his field exercise. I'm hoping his GPS comes through for us.
• Only in the Army does it not seem strange that days away from your wife's due date, you got camping with 400 of your closest Army buds.
• I'm not concerned because I don't think this baby will come early. I have yet to dilate, and aside from that odd Sunday night cramping, I still feel normal (or as normal as 9 months pregnant can feel).
• We almost have a name. We're still keeping it a secret, but mostly because we're still deciding between two and Jim gets to pick it when he sees the baby. So it'll be a surprise for me, too, which is kinda fun.
  
• And I've purposefully not posted pictures of the nursery (which I know isn't entirely fair - I'm sorry) because, well, it's not quite done yet. I mean, it's done enough. But there's still a quilt I'd like to make and the pictures really wouldn't be complete without it. So you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. But it's turning out super-cute.

So the week ahead probably includes lots of sewing and nesting. And maybe a Grublet.

Crazy.