As I mentioned before, our friend, Heather, predicted we would go into labor on January 23rd or 24th. That date has come and gone and still no baby. However, I started feeling funny (completely different from all the previous months of my pregnancy) on the 23rd.

The next predictions we have are from our friends, Anne, Scott (Heather’s husband), and LeAnna. Anne guessed we would go into labor in Week 38, which is next week. Scott and LeAnna both predicted next Thursday, February 1st. Will it be next week or sometime between now and then? It could be!

The next prediction is mine. For months, I’ve guessed we would go into labor on Saturday, February 3rd.

I know I’ve listed all of those dates before, but I wanted to do it again since they are coming up.

We’ve gotten many phone calls and emails from family and friends checking on us, especially in the last few weeks. We really appreciate them all.

Of course, everyone always asks how I’m feeling. That answer usually depends on what time of day it is. Up until a few weeks ago, mornings were the best time of day for me. I felt good and pretty energetic. But that has since changed. Now, my nights are rough, and my mornings are even worse. Generally, the daytime is when I feel best.

Today, my nurse confirmed that all the new things I’m experiencing are symptoms of the onset of early labor. Though, the process is completely different for each mom-to-be. Our doctor said that some pregnant ladies progress fast (in a matter of a few days) and some progress slowly (over several weeks).

I could be eating my own words, but I don’t think we’ll be pregnant much longer. Now that I’m feeling so different from before, I do not think we’ll make our specialist appointment on February 5th either.

It could be any day now. All of our preparations at home are done. Our bags are in the car. We are ready mentally. Ray even leaves his desk neat every day just incase he doesn’t return for a week or two.

I’m in such good care at our house. In addition to all Ray and Mom do, the dogs and even Yoshi have been extra nice. A few times, I’ve found Yoshi waiting outside the bathroom door for me when I shower. I guess whether or not my shower cuts into his nap time determines if he comes to check on me! :) Mya, who has been rather aloof about me being pregnant, has been following me around and giving me caring looks in the last few days. Daisy has also been more watchful over me and has been giving me more looks of concern.

And Mr. Hobbes! Well, that little fella has taken his job so seriously since Day 1. He follows me in and out of every room. Believe it or not, he tells me when I should be resting. He will bark and make a fuss until I go sit down on the couch. And when I do sit down, he always lays on my left side, half of his body on the couch and the other half on my leg! When I’m not feeling so hot (which is happening more and more), Hobbes knows exactly how to cheer me up too! He looks at me with those two little twinkling eyes and actually tries to talk to me by making growling and grunting noises. And when he is really trying to get his point across, he jumps towards me as he growls and grunts. I love how expressive he is! You’d just have to see it to believe it! He is so fun to talk to! And sometimes he winks at me too! That is an automatic uplift for me! He’s my little prince! :)

~T.T.