What does one do with themselves?

I technically started my maternity leave last Thursday. It was pretty good, I got some stuff done around the house and all. Come Monday of this week, I was getting stir crazy. I'm not one to sit around and clean and cook and wait. I was sort of hesitant to go out and run errands so for the whole day I was stuck at home, twittling my fingers, on the verge of going crazy. I made phone calls, went online, watched tv, took a nap, but I don't know how people can do it. Be home all day and like it. I expressed my frustrations to Nick, who had class that night and didn't get home until close to 10. On Tuesday, I woke up and thought about what I was going to do that day. I laid there in bed and thought, great another fun-filled day of being home alone and trying to find things to keep my mind occupied. Nick called a few minutes later that morning and left a message, asking me to call him back. I did and he said he was going to pick me up at noon and he was going to take me out to lunch. Really?!?!?!? I was completely surprised that he was going to leave work and meet me. I was thinking he'll take me to lunch and then he'll probably go to school and study for the rest of the day and come home early in the evening. When noon came around, he picked me up and we went out for Indian buffet. It was very good but later it gave us horrible heartburn. While waiting for the bill, I asked him if he was planning on going back to school or work. He told me he had taken the rest of the day off and was planning on spending his entire day with me. I was really surprised and happy and almost close to tears. He was so sweet for thinking of me. He knew I was somewhat upset and sad about being home and with the emotions and waiting for the baby, he decided to take the day off and take care of me. Isn't that awesome?!? I felt so special and happy and it's reinvigorated me. Today, I'm feeling much better. I've made plans to go run a few errands close to home and to try to do constructive things. I went and rented a movie to watch later this afternoon. I feel very lucky to have him.

It could happen anytime now...

Last Friday Nick and I visited the doctor and she checked to see how the pregnancy was going. She did a pelvic exam and informed us that I was at 1-1/2 centimeters dilated and that the baby has started to go down. Wow!! I had no idea. It's all starting to happen and it's so exciting. So what does that mean? She said that it could happen anytime now; in a matter of a couple days to a couple of weeks. It's a huge range, but the fact that it's all beginning to take place is pretty amazing.

Today is my official first day of maternity leave from work. Actually, with Veteran's Day last week, my last day was Wednesday. I've been doing the usual stuff around the house -- organizing, preparing, washing baby's clothes, etc. I have to pack my overnight bag and have started filling the baby's diaper bag with things she'll need. Other than that, I'm just pretty much waiting. We're almost completely done with the nursery. We have to go exchange the crib mattress because I read it's better to get a mattress that's a bit firmer with a coil count of at least 150. Yeah, I've been reading a lot about that stuff, so I'll have to wait until Nick has time or if someone else can take me to get it exchanged. I can't really leave and go by myself to run those types errands now. My brother is taking a week off from work Thanksgiving week, so that will be good.

Nick still thinks she's coming Thanksgiving weekend, around Nov 27th. My due date's the 28th. My family and I have all made bets that she will come earlier. I think I had predicted that she'll be here Nov 19th, my sister said Nov 16th and my Mom and Dad were saying Nov 20th and 21st. My brother was the only one who thought she was coming a little later at Dec 1st. Since his birthday's Dec 14th, maybe he's hoping she'll be a December baby like him. I guess we'll find out eventually when the day finally comes.