We've come so far...or have we

Last weekend we managed to get out of the house and attend a kid-friendly gathering hosted by Don's friend. We ran into a few people that we haven't seen for awhile [well, a really long while]. It was really neat for all of us to see just how much the kids have grown. Don's friends knew the girls when they were little so it was a big shock for them to see them as teenagers now. Don and I were also surprised at how much their own kids had grown as one had been a baby and the other a toddler the last time that we saw them. They had changed so much - with definite personalities of their own now.

There was another pregnant woman at the party. We shared some stories and some sympathy. However, when she told me that she was 40 weeks along I was both happy for her and a bit dismayed. I thought that passing the half way point was a good thing. It makes it seem as though you are almost at the end. When you meet someone who is actually almost there you have to stop kidding yourself and remember that there is still a way to go. With the morning sickness still making the occasional appearance and the ever growing belly it's not a thought I care to recall.

We've got so much to do before the baby comes that I am glad for the time remaining but I don't expect I'll ever get any joy out of the pregnancy experience and just want it to be over. I talked with one of the other mothers about just how much I expect life to change when the baby arrives and although she didn't say so, I know she was thinking I can't possible realize just how much [and I'm sure she'd be right].

In book club news, the first catalogue arrived last week and I was so excited. I ordered some baby-friendly books about bears, a plush book on turtles and the Polar Express [more for me at this point]. I hope our baby learns to love books too or someday I'll be making one big donation to a school library or daycare. Both of my nieces are big readers so I know that there is hope. My love of reading and Don's overwhelming curiosity about just about everything ought to count for something too. Actually, Don and his Dad are great with all things electronic and technical and my parents are creative and can build just about anything. We may either end up with a kid that breaks everything apart just to understand how it works or one that is able to take all the things that we break and put them together again. It an interesting prospect either way.

I've got a week and a bit to go before my next appointment. I think we will be talking about more tests then - and probably more blood work. The only positive thing that I got out of all that so far is that I know I'm fairly healthy and I now know my blood type. The baby seems to be doing great - I get a lot of movement going on at night and the occasional solid kick during the day. I still haven't had any elbows, knees or feet sticking out yet [something my sister warned me about] but expect that will come when room gets a little tighter in there.

Until next time...I'm off to contemplate the passing of weeks.