I'm at 37 weeks and officially full-term. The little baby is completely done and just puttin' on the pounds at this point. In fact, at our doctor's appointment on Monday, my OB asked me if I had felt any contractions, and I said no. Surprise, surprise for everyone - I was already 1.5 centimeters dilated, which means that I HAVE been having low-level contractions. I just apparently had no idea.

Who knew that you could be pregnant, have contractions, and still be clueless??? Eye-opening, I tell you.

Lisa P and Lisa L threw us the best baby shower I could possibly have imagined this weekend. It was tons of fun, I loved seeing all my friends, and it actually made both of us even more excited about the baby's upcoming arrival. We played cute party games (Felix and I kicked $!%^@*& on the guess-the-baby-food contest, George estimated my tummy diameter down do the last millimeter, and Rob is a Diaper Champ genius) and opened lots of wonderful gifts.

I have to say - baby things are just too adorable. Seriously. There are times where I think my heart is just going to explode (or perhaps implode?) from looking at stuff that's sooooooooooooooo cute, it kills me. That, and it's absolutely mind-boggling how much paraphernalia is out there for someone so tiny. I actually think we might have enough 0-3 month outfits that our little baby could wear something different every single day...and that one wear would be the only chance she'd get before she outgrew it! Just amazing.

I was also delighted (and relieved) at how well all my friends get along. It's funny, but there's always a small worry when you're pulling together guest lists that things won't work out quite right, leaving you with mini-groups of separate friends from different contexts...and one lonely person for whom no one else in their "group" showed up. For my shower, though, I really wanted to see as many of my friends as possible, all with whom I wanted to share the joy and excitement of our pregnancy. So I invited everyone...and it worked out wonderfully. It makes you feel really really good to see your friends have a fun time together and enjoy meeting each other. I just loved it.

Felix and I are finally down to the last month. We packed our little hospital bags. We have a doctor's appointment every week. And after tonight's class, there's only one more birthing class to attend. Most importantly, the shower reminded me that our little baby is already surrounded by so many friends and family who love her and are excited about her arrival. Now she just needs to show up!

Just got this from a friend and love it...

Hark! The following is from the Washington Post Style Invitational contest, which asked readers to submit "instructions" for something (anything) but written in the style of a famous person. The winning entry was The Hokey Pokey (as written by W. Shakespeare).

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.