Tick tick tick...

Sometimes I feel like I have an invisible oven timer floating above my head. But, I can't figure out how many minutes it has been programmed for... so it will be a surprise when it goes off!

Brian finished presenting the research proposal portion of the comprehensive exam for his PhD today (yes, it is complicated just like it sounds). And passed. This means that his reviewing committee likes what he is researching and is giving him the a-okay to delve right in there and figure out what he has told them he wants to figure out. In a simplified nutshell. Hurray! Congratulations my dear husband! Also, it means that this baby can come anytime now... because that is out of the way.

Though, technically speaking, s/he still has a couple more weeks to 'bake'. Oh the suspense! I have cleaned the whole house, I've made soup for the freezer, pasta and a bit of baking too. Gathered up addresses/ phone numbers, thought about birth, thought about names, washed and folded little blankets and sleepers.

So what else is there? Well-- read some more, there are a pile of books on the coffee table. Bake and cook more (I feel like a squirrel!), stock up on grocery staples/ snacks, maybe even figure out how to make a birth announcement on Paintshop. Write some more thank you notes. And go swimming!!

Speaking of pregnancy exercise, it's hard to do sometimes but I do think it is extremely beneficial in making this whole journey a little easier! I think my biking days are over- not because of my current state, but because of the weather. I still biked yesterday and was quite fine. But it was chilly and started 'flurrying' right after I got home. (good timing!)  It's nice for the back and no one can tell I am pregnant and give me funny books because of the leaning-forward posture of the bike. Walking is still fine- hopefully s/he drops down milimetre by milimetre with every kilometre? haha. But I want to try swimming... I've heard some gentle laps are pretty good for pregnant ladies. Plus, imagine not feeling the weight of a baby belly- hurray for water! Perhaps I'll go tomorrow....

Mr and Mrs Claus at last Saturday's 'Ugly Sweater/ Christmas costume Christmas party'