"The time has come," the walrus said ...

My mom and I have been getting a lot of phone calls and emails asking whether or not the baby is here yet.

Nope.

Not yet.

But very, very soon.

I had an OB appointment today, and things are definitely progressing in the right direction. I will either go into labor in the next couple of days, or I will be induced.

So many people are saying to me, "Oh, I bet you're ready to have this baby." Or, "I'm sure you're sick of being pregnant." And while my back hurts like nobody's business and is screaming at me right now, urging me to say, "Yes! Let's have this baby," the truth is that I am really enjoying just being pregnant. No emergencies. No fear of preterm delivery. No restrictions. Just normal. Sure, I'm uncomfortable and tired, but that's because yesterday I did the grocery shopping.

Let me repeat that. Yesterday I did the grocery shopping. 

When my membranes ruptured on June 1, I didn't expect to be able to do anything throughout the rest of this pregnancy. I thought I'd have the cerclage removed, get taken off of bedrest, and I'd have the baby. I didn't expect this little reprieve that I have gotten. As a result, something like grocery shopping that seemed like a chore six months ago, made me feel like a real human being again.

I am anxious to meet this little darling, and I'm not at all sorry it will be happening in the next four days, but I feel like this time I've had has been a blessing.

I mean, goodness gracious, five months ago we were just trying to make it to 24 weeks -- that was our goal. But on Thursday I will be 39 weeks pregnant. That's almost nine months. What a miracle! I never expected this. I never expected to be this pregnant in my life. I am so thankful.

And I will be so thankful to meet my baby this week.