Pregnancy Countdown...

I'm so excited to meet our Ella. I'm also excited to not be pregnant anymore. It's bittersweet; this is more than likely the last time I'll be pregnant. I don't enjoy the symptoms of pregnancy, but I do enjoy the anticipation, the bond that develops over 40 weeks of being attached to another being. And I love having children more than I ever realized I would. I think I'll be a little sad when it's over, but at the same time thankful and relieved if Ella and I can just make it through this healthy and whole. And I'll keep my fingers crossed that my sister one day will have a baby or two so I can play the role of 'doting Aunt'.

Pregnancy by the numbers:

• 0 days of work missed due to morning sickness
• 24.2 pounds gained
• 4.5 pounds, Ella's approximate weight currently
• 116/78 my blood pressure last night
• 14 vitamins, supplements, and antacid pills I take per day
• 6 more scheduled doctors appointments (though I could deliver early and miss half of them!)
• 16 average times per day that Betsy says 'Ella!'
• 48 days until my due date
• 31 work days until my due date
• 27 days until Ella is full term (the point at which I delivered Betsy)
• 20 days until I'm 36 weeks pregnant. This is the point I was put on bed rest with Betsy and has been my goal this pregnancy, to work at least up to this point.

I love looking at the numbers. Last pregnancy I didn't realize how unpredictable the end of pregnancy could be, so knowing that in a couple more weeks things can change rapidly from one week to the next fills me with excitement!