Almost there...

Speck seems to be increasingly eager to come out and play. We went on Monday afternoon to the oral surgeon referred to us by our dentist for a consultation for Tim. (I went along because one never knows how much English people might speak... happily, the surgeon speaks great English, but seemed happy to be able to explain a few things in German.) Tim will be going in to have a dental implant next week; the receptionist tried to give him a Thursday appointment, but found some time on Wednesday when I pointed out that Thursday was "absolutely impossible - I'm going in on Thursday to deliver the baby." When someone who looks as pregnant as I do right now says this, it does seem to have a way of magically making other times available on a calendar!

Then yesterday we had our weekly check-up with the doctor, and sometime between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Speck decided to move downward. Even further than she already is. Her growth is fine, judging from the ultrasound, and her heartrate indicates that she's perfectly OK where she is, but she's moving lower and lower as I have more and more contractions. The doctor said he didn't think she'll come this week, but that she might not wait until Thursday the 26th, which is when we're scheduled to induce her. All the fun things I've been doing with the midwives to get ready to deliver - the acupuncture, the herbal teas, etc. - seem to be doing what they're supposed to: I'm about 30% effaced and beginning to dilate. So... either she comes a bit earlier than expected, or Thursday next week we go to the hospital for our weekly check-up (the doctor couldn't squeeze us in on Tuesday - and the magic pregnant woman effect on rescheduling is much less effective on obstetricians!) and then stay there to have a baby.

With the baby's head so low, I'm now waddling in earnest. It's gotten hard to walk - especially during the contractions, when I really feel her head pressing down. And since my hip joints have become so relaxed at this point, walking is about as uncomfortable as sleeping has become (sigh.) But, I should be able to finish up this week - though today will be a very short day; I'm congested and sore and cranky, and only planning to spend a few hours in the office. And we're keeping our fingers crossed that Pauline waits until next Thursday. We have a few things left to do, not to mention that my mom arrives on Wednesday (and Tim has his surgery appointment, which we'd like to be able to keep!)

The mail has been bringing us a nearly constant stream of baby things, courtesy of Tim's family. This will be one well-dressed little girl! It's kind of like a baby shower that goes on and on - it's been a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone!