Still hanging on but slowing way down

Today marks thirty-nine weeks pregnant, which I can hardly believe. It seems like this has all gone by very quickly, but at the same time I sort of don't remember what it's like to not be pregnant. The baby is hanging in there, and my prediction is that I will go a couple of days past my due date. I also have a prediction that the baby will be eight and a half pounds or bigger. I don't particularly have any investment in being right about either of those things, but that is my gut feeling, so we shall see.

Earlier this week our department threw a baby shower for us. We got some things that were on our registry, and lots that were not, so it may not have been necessary to do the registry after all, but I suppose it was potentially helpful for some people. We were given a mix of toys, clothes, and practical things like swaddling blankets and bassinet sheets. We were also given a hand-me-down rocking horse from someone who used it for her grandchildren, and it was given to her by someone else who used to be in our department and has since left, and we found out later that it was given to that person by someone who is still in our department, and it was made for her children (now in late high school and university) by another psychologist in town who works at the rehabilitation center (where I have gone for my physical therapy). It will be a while before our baby can enjoy a rocking horse, but it is neat to have something that has a history to it here.

We have really prepared for the fact that we don't have family in town to help out. My mom is coming for about ten days, a week after my due date (fingers crossed that the baby arrives by then), but it's not the same as having someone who lives here who can help out. However, we have been getting lots of offers of help from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, so it is nice to know that we have backup if we need it. And just the fact that Jeff will be off work from when the baby comes through December will be amazing. I think we will do just fine even being so far from family.

Jeff has been extremely involved and helpful, and I'm sure that will only get to be more so when he is off work after the baby comes. I feel so incredibly lucky to have Jeff as the father of this baby, because I don't think that the average dad is nearly so involved. Certainly it would not appear that they are based on  all the baby books and websites I have been looking at. I know there are lots of great dads who are very involved out there, but my bet is that Jeff will be more involved even than the average great dad. Anyway, I know this baby is lucky to have him.

Also, Jeff got me a gift as a sort of end of pregnancy, this has been physically hard, thank you for carrying the baby gift. He bought me a lovely silver necklace with a sapphire stone in it, which will be the birth stone of our baby (assuming it is not more than ten days late). It was so thoughtful and so sweet, and such a reminder that I am awfully lucky too :-)