This past weekend all outstanding electrical issues were solved. I figured out the issue in the baby’s room and the electrician was over Saturday and Sunday and the 200 amp service installation is complete. The old service wire and meter box were ripped out yesterday and all that’s left is finishing off the laundry room. And, well, that’s just the laundry room. So it wouldn’t be the end of the world if that wasn’t 100% complete before the arrival. So with 7 days until the due date I have made good on my promise to Kate to have a new kitchen and bathroom, a new electrical system, and the baby’s room completed and installed before we added to our family. I was never worried. So what’s going through my head these days? Take a look:

• I have lost my cell phone and I’m the least bit concerned. Others have picked up the slack in the panicking department. I don’t think I’ve seen it since Friday or Saturday. Kate called it today and it went right to voicemail. Oh well, I guess if Kate wants to go into labor she better do it within shouting distance of me.
• Kate’s belly is so big right now it’s almost unbelievable. Last night we watched a movie together in our bedroom. We’re both sitting up against the head board and her belly is jetting out what looked like a good ten inches. I know it probably had something to do with the way she was sitting but still, it was ridiculous! And the when you touch it you can always find the baby’s feet and side. I don’t know how the baby is still comfortable in there. Maybe she isn’t and we’re a day of so away for the big day? That would be nice.
• We had breakfast and dinner over at my mom’s house yesterday and everyone is over the top excited for the baby’s arrival. When we were leaving everyone gave Kate those “the next time we see you you might have a baby” hugs goodbye. It’s definitely an exciting time for everyone.
• Kate told me that a lot of her people (family, friends, etc.) are worried that they’re not going to get the call when the time comes. And since I’m the phone man when we’re heading to the hospital that makes me mildly important to this whole process. So if you’re hoping for a call and it never comes, I don’t like you!
• Kate informed me yesterday that on more then one occasion she has been approached by strangers telling her she was having a boy. When Kate told one of these people that she was in fact having a girl the lady laughed and again said “that’s a boy”. My mom chimed in and said she thought the same thing based solely on Kate’s appearance. But she was in the room for the ultrasound so she never felt the need to say anything. Basically all of this got me thinking of the massive undertaking that would be needed if a boy did come out. For starters, a closet full of pink girly outfits would all need to be returned. While all immediate family females were doing that I would need a dependable team of people frantically painting the baby’s room a different color. Our only saving grace would be that we did buy (and register for) a lot of gender neutral things. Even the area rug in the baby’s room is green. But I’m sure I’m getting ahead of myself even entertaining these thoughts. Not to mention I’m actually excited at the prospects of having a girl.

I know I labeled a previous post the same title but it again seems fitting. With a mere 11 days until the baby’s due date I am officially feeling the jitters that accompany her arrive. It’s more excited anticipation then it is nerves or fear. I can’t wait! This morning we had our weekly appointment and again all looks great. Mom and Baby girl are in perfect shape for the big day. So what am I thinking about leading up to the big day? Let’s take a look:

• Kate’s officially huge! And so I don’t get in trouble when she reads this I need to clarify that when I say huge I mean her belly. The rest of her is still skinny (although her ankles tend to swell up towards the end of the day). She really looks incredible. I should also throw in there that she has actually lost some weight from last weeks doctor visit and this week. And of course the exact amounts are not to be made public because I don’t plan on sleeping on the couch for the next few weeks.
• Last Friday I got a call from Kate at around 2:45pm telling me she was heading to the Hospital. Yeah that’s right, the hospital. The place where people give birth. After recovering quickly enough to ask why she was already telling me it was only to look at her swollen ankle. Which was determined to be fine and we spent Friday through Monday down the shore relaxing.
• On Friday when I got to the Hospital I walked into the delivery room where they had Kate and to my surprise she was hooked up to all types of machines and was lying on the delivery table in a gown. I almost fell over. But again Kate quickly calmed my concerns and my knees regained stability.
• The baby’s room is basically done. It has been cleaned to the point where the boy in the bubble would feel free of any disease or allergens. Now all it needs is some electricity and it will be good to go.