Update

I just talked to Shannon, who sounds exhausted and euphoric and just as surprised as the rest of us that it all went so fast. Katie is doing well, and apparently she looks just like her big sister did when she was a newborn! Gaby is at the hospital right now meeting her baby sister. Yay!

I read Shannon all of your comments, and she was so touched by all of them and sends love right back at ya. Katie is nursing (!) and getting all that great colostrum. Since they're all about the boobs right now, and Shannon has been a committed Breast Cancer 3-Day fundraiser, etc., for years, anyone wishing to send something for the baby is gratefully and kindly encouraged to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Boobs. Hee!

(P.S. Regarding the weird timing on these entries... Katie *was* born after midnight. 11//11 is a great date for birthday, no? I got the text from Ernie at 1:10 a.m. The times on these entries are off by a couple hours.)

Oh. My. God.

I just got an amazing text message:

"8lb 1oz 3hrs of labor and no epidural mom and baby doing fine"

WOW WOW WOW. Shannon was having mild cramps when I was on the phone with her posting the previous message. I can't believe it! I can't believe she's here so fast! You guys!!!

Welcome to Earth, Katie!

It's time!

Shannon's water has broken! Swim down, baby!

Passing the Time...

So Shannon's waiting (and waiting) to go into labor and taking care of last-minute things. Here's some youtube clips of 80s and 90s sitcoms related to pregnancy, childbirth and babies.

First up, Niles on Frasier tries to learn to be a good parent by baby a bag of flour. Hilarity ensues.



Then, Elyse on Family Ties goes into labor on the radio and gives birth to Andy, the cleanest, 3-month-old looking newborn ever.



From the Cosby Show: Theo and Cockroach visit Mrs. Westlake in the hospital, post-partum.



Rachel on Friends can't make her baby laugh unless she sings "Baby Got Back"

Full term today!

No sign of Katie yet, but she's officially full-term and ready any time now. Hooray for lungs!

You know what always strikes me (the as yet not-a-mama) when I first meet a newborn? It always strikes me as funny that this real little person, this hat-wearing, squalling, needs-a-carseat baby was almost exactly the same the day before, just still inside, sans hat and carseat.

I had a friend who delivered right at 36 weeks due to preeclampsia. Everything was fine in the end, but in theory, A. could have stayed inside a little longer. So right now Katie could totally be out here, all fine and wearing a hat. Huh. You know?

The bets are in

Whee...yes, at least 3 cm dialated. We'll see what a different doctor tells me when I go next week. For now, let's just concentrate on making it to next week, shall we? I had some very strong contractions last night and some not so strong contractions, too.
I've recently be struck by how different the end of pregnancy is this time compared to last time. The latest reason? When I do have a big contraction, and I'm panting and trying to make it to the couch to lay down, I realize I've got a peanut gallery watching: Gaby to get the ice pack, which she's convinced will help; Sally trying to climb up into my lap to sniff my face; and Ernie occasionally looking up from WoW.

Anyway, here are your best guesses.

Nov. 4: Cindy (bless you, Cindy, for being the one to think I'll deliver the earliest. Can I at least vote first?)
Nov. 5: Aunt Tina
Nov. 6: Terry
Nov. 8: Gwen
Nov. 10: Alissa
Nov. 12: Kate
Nov. 15 (Gaby's birthday party): Cheryl
Nov. 23: Grace (which may be someone's birthday I know)

I'll be 37 weeks on Monday, and all of Katie's organs will (hopefully) be fully developed. I'll try to keep her inside until then.

Sooner rather than later?

As I understand it, we've got 3 cm dilation.... The time is nigh-ish. Ish! :)