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.

Being a veteran at the labor thing now, here's a few things we learned... Bring a cell phone charger. I forgot mine and my battery was dead before I could make all my calls. Bring an extra pillow. Kym's hospital pillow was horrible. And Kym found it nice to have her own robe. She couldn't wear it for the first day and a half, but after that I think she was more comfortable in that than the hospital gown.

Good luck!