To be evicted no later than April 12

Today we had our 38 week appointment. My blood pressure had gone back down a little (128/68) but I had gained 3 pounds (silly girl scout cookies and brownies!). We listened to her heartbeat, though it took the doctor a bit to find it since Alaina was moving around all over the place! However, it was a nice healthy 150. We didn't get to see her today, though. The doctor also checked and saw that I wasn't dilated at all and Alaina was not "engaged." If she was engaged (i.e., dropped), that would mean that her head was 'locked into place' and she really wouldn't be able to move it very much. However, she's still moving her head around and such and likes to run from the doctor. My fundal height had stayed at approximately 40 weeks. In combination, these things gives me a ray of hope that she won't come this week. I know...I'm still one of the few pregnant women who is not ready for the baby to come, at any cost, this late. I've read online about women who do all kinds of crazy things to start labor (e.g., drinking castor oil--yuck!). Not me. I don't even want to bend over and pick up a piece of paper in case my water breaks. ;)

I also talked to the doctor a bit about what her recommendations would have been if she had not seen our birth goals. In general, she suggested that she probably wouldn't vary them much. However, she did schedule us for an induction on April 12 (40 weeks, 4 days), if Alaina hasn't arrived by then. The doctor indicated that it's possible that Alaina hasn't dropped because she's just too big. When I asked if she was thinking I would need a c-section, she basically said she always keeps that in the back of her mind when she is dealing with a big baby. But that it isn't something we need to schedule, or even decide on, for another two weeks. She said she won't really want to suggest it unless we get to April 11 and I've not made any progress in labor and they do another growth scan and it looks unlikely to be delivered naturally without complications. While I am not thrilled at the idea of having a c-section, I have come to terms with it in the last couple of weeks (I was never adamantly opposed to it; just a preference). I am really at peace with it either way. My doctor said something along the lines of "you all went through so much to have this baby and we just want her to be as healthy as possible." Chad and I completely agree. While it would be great if I didn't have to have one, I won't be upset about it.
No matter what though, Alaina should be here within 16 days. Interestingly, this is the same day that my sister, Andi, has been scheduled for her c-section of her little boy, Sam and the same day my colleague, Lana is due with her little boy, Ben!
One of our graduate students is fully confident Alaina is coming Thursday, April 5. A coworker reminded me that April 6 is a full moon so she expects Alaina's birthday to be next Friday. That would be too bad for the student whose thesis defense I'm sitting on at 3 pm that day!

Along those lines, a few have asked me how long I plan on working. My plan is to work through next Friday, April 6. We'll see how well that goes! It would be a lot easier if OSU hadn't chosen this month to take away all of the parking near our building, forcing us to hunt for spots and walk further! That's a pretty sore subject for me. I start summer supervision on June 4 and plan to go in 2-3 days per week, depending on child care (which is yet to be determined).

Anyhow, things are going well! Still lots of work to wrap up but it is what it is. This is my list for work...to help me with accountability (the other list seems to be working really well in that regard).

• Revise and resubmit NSSI manuscript (due April 2)
• Review manuscript for Psych Assessment (due April 4)
• Finish grading midterms
• Grade reports and feedback sessions for class
• Write 3 lectures
• Create grading rubric for graduate presentations
• Enter grades
• Sign clinic notes twice weekly
• Review assessment report
• Review 3 intake summaries
• Review my graduate student's thesis proposal
• Review undergraduate thesis and poster presentation
• Help undergraduate revise IRB application
• Read graduate student thesis (that I may not be able to attend if I'm in labor!)

Tonight we're making the last freezer meal (I gave up on the baked ziti) and yesterday I booked a newborn photographer. Yay for crossing things off the list...even if I didn't get to finish grading the graduate students' midterms...

• Find a pediatrician 
• Finish decorating the nursery
• Launder and organize the baby clothes
• Decide on a bring home outfit
• Make meals to freeze
• Write "birth goals"
• Determine what necessities we still need to buy (like um, diapers...)
• Pack our hospital bags
• Install the car seat
• Find and schedule a photographer for newborn photos
• Finish thank-you cards
• Talk to dog sitter
• Get more house keys made
• Buy curtains for front door
• Find part-time child care for the summer