One month (or so) to go!

Wow, it's been a while since my last post. I'll try to give a thorough update of the things that have been going on. Expect regular posts in the upcoming weeks

Most importantly, we are coming up to the last few weeks! My tummy is absolutely enormous. It seems like the baby finally dropped down a little bit. She's not packed up under my ribs anymore and I can get a full breath in now. On the other hand, though, she's settled down in my pelvis which makes me waddle and causes this strange hip stretching feeling. I'm gaining weight much more rapidly now. I gained 8 pounds in 5 weeks! This is probably contributing to the waddling effect. I was happy to find out that she is upside-down and ready to go. In about a month (or so), that is. I'm hoping for early rather than late... not scary early... but 2 weeks would be just perfect for me. The nursery is ready, all her little outfits and blankets are washed and dryed and organized, we have the bassinet, the carseat and stroller, and the soon-to-be grandparents are on standby- we're ready for the baby to arrive!    

There's obviously lots of anxious anticipation going on here, but there is also life outside of baby (OK, not much, but a little bit). Last week I completed my revisions on my dissertation and got the green light to submit it officially to the graduate school. I handed in the final forms, graduation fees, ordered 2 bound copies of my completed thesis, and ordered my regalia for the graduation ceremony. All of this is shockingly expensive, by the way. It costs about $500 to graduate if you want to do all the things that go along with graduation. I wouldn't want to skip the ceremony though... You only get one chance for that photo-op with the silly robes, the diploma and handshake, etc.

Despite being mostly graduated, I'm still bumming around the lab a bit. I have a review paper to revise and resubmit, and I need to get my final chapter of my thesis submitted to a journal. In a more high-energy time of my life, this would all be done by now. Right now it's taking me about 3 weeks. I'm simply not motivated to 'bang-things-out' lately. I'd rather take my time reading whatever happens to interest me, writing, and painting art for the baby room, which is exactly what I've been doing. One more official week of employment at the lab (technically) before graduation. After which, I will transition to my new short-term (and unpaid) job of completing gestation and mentally willing this baby to start making her way out.

Oh yes, and the long-term (and unpaid) job of becoming parents. I keep forgetting.