We had our first childbirth class yesterday, having opted for 2 long Saturday sessions instead of 6 short Tuesday or Thursday night classes. It was pretty interesting. We learned about the different stages of labor, how to identify them, and what to expect from each.

I think I had one of the biggest bellies there, though, among the 6 couples total. Maybe I'll deliver early. I hope so! Just these past two weeks or so, I've really been feeling the weight and pressure. It was difficult to get in and out of the bean bag chairs on the floor of the classroom, no matter how comfortable they were once I got in them!

According to Alex, I've started to waddle when I walk, too. I've been trying to resist, but I guess there's no way to fight it entirely! Alex has a good time making fun of me for it. He'll quack or do an exaggerated waddle alongside me. Or he'll say "walk this way," then lead off with a penguin impression. What a nut!

We had another good laugh after the childbirth class too. Among the handouts we received, was a page for the coaches, with silly stuff on it like "don't give up on her if she says she doesn't want to/can't continue." (Duh!) Then, we read the suggested "encouragement  talk" and laughed even harder. It sounded like the script from a cheap porn movie! ("That's good. Yeah, like that. Stay with me. Breathe with me. You're doing good. Don't stop. That's right. It's almost over...") Too funny!

Today is a much better day for me. I feel a little tired, but ok. At least I'm not so weepy anymore!

Last night's dinner went well. Everyone was super-nice, and I got some good kudos for my PT work. I'm really looking forward to when I can move over full-time and get rid of the crazy corporate job! Actually, I'm looking forward to taking a break from both jobs and spending a little time getting to know my little girl. She is certainly growing! I felt her rolling around and kicking quite a bit last night when I got home. (I think it was that huge hunk of chocolate cake I consumed!)

My biggest concern now is whether this little one is ever going to get into the correct position. I think I still feel her head on my ribcage, and it doesn't feel like she plans to go anywhere else anytime soon. Although, I think she might have shifted a little bit last night, because my upper abdomen doesn't feel quite as tight or sore. I plan to ask the doctor at my appointment next week.

Only 40 days left until my due date! Wow! Hard to believe it's almost here already!

Today has been really rough for me. I think the combination of fatigue and pregnancy hormones is just playing havoc on my emotions now. I FINALLY have my weeping under control - good thing, too, as I don't think I'd be able to get through the entire workday without someone catching on!

Today, March 2nd, is the expected due date of the pregnancy I miscarried. I really didn't think it would hit me so hard, being so close to delivering a beautiful, healthy baby girl, but again - those darn hormones can really work a number on me! This morning, as I was getting dressed for work, Alex looked over at me and said "It's hard to believe you still have another month. You look like you're about to pop!" I just burst into tears. Poor guy didn't know WHAT to do! He tried to tell me he just meant it looks like I've got a big baby, and I know he didn't mean any harm in it, but I lost it anyway.

Later, my mom called me at work and told me that someone brought in their adorable 5-week-old daughter. "So hurry up on my granddaughter!" she said. "Hey, she still has another month to cook," I responded. "No, 29 days," she said. (She is so sure this baby will be born on the 31st, she even scheduled that day off!)

Then I told her that if it wasn't for the mishap before, we'd be there by now. Which really wasn't fair of me, I know. I just wasn't in much of a joking mood and don't really feel like chatting with anyone today. I'm tired and just want to wallow for a while.

We had our tour of the maternity ward at the hospital Thursday. It was pretty good! We got a few freebies, saw the delivery and recovery suites, and had a few laughs at the nursery. I probably would have enjoyed the tour a little more if someone's little unborn head wasn't uncomfortably rammed up against my ribcage!

Nevertheless, when we got to the nursery, we looked in on a few of the newborns. One of them was HUGE! He must have been 10-13 pounds, as he significantly overshadowed the other babies there. Then my attention went to one of the obviously-expert nurses there. With one hand, she reached down, grabbed one of the babies out of the crib, flipped him over, quickly unwrapped and re-wrapped him, flipped him back on his back, and put him back in the crib. It couldn't have taken her more than 5 seconds! She was like a short order cook at a famous diner, or a hog-tying champion at a rodeo! I couldn't help but laugh. The baby never budged or gave any indication of waking up during this process.

The next evening was our baptism class. It was just a 15-minute video and an informational booklet. My church does baptisms on the first Sunday of the month only, so I think I'm thinking about scheduling it for the first Sunday in June. I want the baby baptized early on, and don't want to have a baptism during the really hot summer months. I'll have to check with the godparents first, though, to be sure their schedule can accommodate the date.

Today was my follow-up doctor appointment. Blood pressure went down to 120/70 (yay!), but I'm still swelling a lot. Just this week, I gained 4 pounds! The doctor said it might help to soak in a really hot (but not scalding) tub for 45 minutes a night. Sounds like a great plan to me! Alex said he could lower the hot tub temperature for me so I won't have to fill the bathtub so much.

My next appointment is in two weeks. They'll be doing a Group B strep test. Yeck! However, I hear it's not a big deal. Not even as bad as an internal exam. I hope that's right!