We're having a baby tomorrow!

Stay tuned... Baby Lima Bean is on her way! And we are happy to announce that she DOES have a name, but you all have to wait until she's born to find out what it is. Hahaha.

In the meantime, feel free to guess away! Also, you can guess how much she will weigh. I'm hoping she'll be a 7-pound baby, but since I've been doing nothing this past week but shopping and eating bon bons, she could end up a big baby. We'll see!

Here I am with Aunt Jen Bean on the eve of Lima Bean's birth!

More shopping! Still no baby!

My favorite sandal broke today, so we headed up the road to Montgomery Mall, which is less than 10 minutes from our house! We also went to DSW shoe store and REI. We had some fun shopping...

We got some comfortable shoes for me, speakers from Apple to play music from our laptop in the hospital room, and several more things for baby Lima Bean -- 3 adorable pink onesies from Baby Gap, plus a pink tee, purple rash guard and pink fleece jacket from REI, all for a combined total of just $30. LOVE SALES!

Dinner in downtown Bethesda!

Celebrating our last few days of being able to go out to fancy dinners, Papa Bean and I got dressed up and went out Saturday night to the Redwood Restaurant in downtown Bethesda with sister Jen and friend Shazia, who is expecting her own Lima Bean in March!

More maternity pics... By Aunt Jen Bean!

My sister noticed that the light was really nice on Friday afternoon, so she dragged Papa Bean and I out to our back yard for some more maternity photos. She has a really good eye for photos, so combined with my editing skills, I think we got some really nice shots!

Here are my favorites:

Click HERE to view the rest.

Announcing... We have a new GRILL!

You read that right. GRILL. Not GIRL. Delivered Friday at 9:45 a.m. Four feet. 65 pounds. Complicated assembly. Here she is:

We labored late into the night before (Thursday) and also this morning (Friday) putting her together. We have decided to name her "Homer."

Later Friday night, we held the inaugural cookout with Homer and Stan the Man. Dave was a pro at the grill! And the burgers, an Allen Brothers wedding gift from Linda, were delish!

40 Weeks Down, NONE to go!

Yes, that headline is correct. I am due TODAY! It feels a little anti-climatic. Like I have just run a marathon, but instead of approaching the finish line, I have come to a sign that says: Sorry, 10 more miles!

So anyway.

We went to see our doctor this morning. She said it appears that my baby is too comfortable in my belly. Hmm. Would spicy food fix that? I am now 1-2 cm dilated, so a little more than last week. And I'm 25-50% effaced, so again, a little more than last week. But I am not long and closed, which is a good sign! And baby's head is down and ready to go! She has dropped!

Here I am at the local farmers market, flowers from my mom for Happy Due Day!

My doctor is on-call on Friday, which is also the day of the next FULL MOON. So I'm thinking she'll come on Friday? That would be good. After all, according to the Mother Goose rhyme, "Friday's child is loving and giving." That's much better than Wednesday's child, who is "full of woe." So Friday would be cool. Yay for Friday!

In the meantime, here are the Top 10 things NOT to say to an overdue woman.

And here are 101 Things to do When you are Overdue. It's a good list. I've already done a lot of the stuff on it (packed hospital bag, set aside snacks for the hospital, car seat installed, washed baby clothes, etc.). But I like the suggestions to eat something spicy, go for a bumpy ride, do yoga, get another pedicure, look at birth announcements, write a letter to baby...

Today, however, our couches arrive! Tomorrow, the grill arrives! So... Friday, baby will arrive! That's the plan. FRIDAY! YAY!

UPDATE: Our couches are here! It was a bit of a trick getting them in the front door. They had to take the light fixture down and the front door off its hinges! And they took the feet off the couch, as well as the cushions. But they got it in! The whole ordeal sort of made me think of labor... Getting the baby out...

Another Update: We went out for spicy Indian food for dinner Wednesday night. But it didn't work. Arg.

Walking and Shopping, Oh my!

They say that walking and shopping, basically staying active, can bring on labor. So off to downtown Bethesda, on foot, we went! I laced up my walking shoes and we took off. It's about a mile walk! The weather was really nice, very cool, so we enjoyed the stroll.

We also had fun at two totally adorable baby stores! And, of course, bought a few little items for Baby Lima Bean!


And, of course, we stopped for frozen yogurt at Sweet Green. Yum!


We're going to up the ante tomorrow (If I make it to tomorrow... Come on baby!) and hit the Leesburg Outlets! I think it might be working. I have been crampy all day. Think I'm getting Braxton Hicks contractions, which is a new development. So that's got to mean something, right?

How many beans does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Actually, more than you'd think... You really have to ask Papa Bean about this one for the whole story. And I kid you not when I say this was a week-long project! But I'm proud to say that the light has finally been changed! Yay!

Thanks to Aunt Chimmy for the picture! And for coming out to visit us in the 'burbs. We all went out to dinner on Saturday night and I ate all the spicy salsa I could handle! Still NOTHING!

But here's a cute pic of Papa Bean and I, on our way to Julia & Sara's 2nd Birthday Party:

Kristin's baby shower!

This was a hard party to RSVP to. We didn't know until that day whether I'd be still around, mobile or in the hospital in labor! Turns out, I was still pregnant and still waiting on Lima Bean to make her big debut, so off to Kristin's baby shower we went! So glad we were able to go!

It was a co-ed baby shower and Papa Bean loved it because he got lots of food! And the guys all smoked cigars outside while the girls opened presents and ate cupcakes. So it was perfect! And that cupcake was goooooood. So were the cookies. And the cake.

Anyway, here are me and Kristin showing off our bumps!

She is due on Oct. 22, one day before my birthday. Loved her dress. And what a cute bump! She is also having a girl - Kaitlyn Marie. Can't wait for our baby girl to play with her baby girl!

My parents are here ... and SO IS MY SISTER FROM SPAIN!!!

Today was my LAST day at work! And then in the afternoon, my parents arrived in Washington, D.C! We went out for a nice dinner and gelato. And after hitting the grocery store, we came home ... to a BIG SURPRISE!

My sister -- soon-to-be Aunt Jen -- flew in all the way from SPAIN to surprise us and be here for Baby Lima Bean's birth!

So ... Baby Bean ... We're ALL waiting for your arrival! Come on now, it's time to start moving!

39 weeks down, only ONE to go!

We're really getting down to the wire here! I can now tell people that I am due NEXT WEEK. And that is a bit frightening. Even more so is the fact that she could come at ANY TIME NOW!

Papa Bean has bet me $1 that I'll go into labor on Friday when my parents are flying from Hawaii to Washington, D.C., and that he'll have to call them at the airport and tell them to come straight to the hospital. Surprisingly enough, my mom already thought of that possibility and printed out Mapquest directions from the airport to the hospital! LOL. So... We are ready for anything!

Today was my Week 39 doctor's appointment. I am 1 cm dilated and 25% effaced, which is the SAME as I was last week, so there's been NO CHANGE.

Baby Lima Bean is still head down and I think she may have dropped. On Saturday, I felt a strong pushing on my pelvis and could barely walk. I thought I just had to go to the bathroom, but that feeling has come back several times... So maybe that means she's in position?

I still haven't had any Braxton Hicks contractions though... Unless I've had them and not realized that I as having them? Is it possible that I'll miss the onset of labor completely?

We have put in for an induction on Sept. 8th, 9th or 10th, which would be about a week past my due date. Back-up date would be Sept. 14, which would be 12 days past due.

However, our induction probably will NOT be the 9th because apparently everyone wants their babies born on 9/9/09 and so the doctor on call that day already has 2 c-sections and 2 inductions scheduled. Boo! We wanted her born on her great grandmother's birthday! She'll have to make it happen on her own if she wants that day then.

In other news, I am up 34 pounds total since our first appointment. And our crib should be delivered this afternoon! Yay!

Baby Bean: We're ready for you!

Today was all about relaxing. We spent the day in downtown Bethesda, where I got my hair cut at Salon Cielo. Love the new do! Papa Bean also go this hair cut. I also got a manicure and pedicure! So, basically, I am all ready for baby.

Also this weekend, I washed all baby bassinet bedding and clothes, plus burp cloths, slings and changing pads. I used Seventh Generation Baby Laundry Detergent and washed cold on delicate cycle with no fabric softeners.

And... On a trip to Buy Buy Baby yesterday, I found an adorable white and pink Margary Ellen outfit for Lima Bean to wear when we leave the hospital. A kimono top, pants with footies and a little hat, plus a blanket. I washed that too, so it's all ready to go!

Finally, we took a few fun bump shots... To remember how huge I am! Baby Bean, you have a one week! This is your final notice! By this time next week, it's time to come join us in the real world!

Click Here to see the whole shoot.

My office shower! And a library for Lima Bean!

Balloons! A cake! And lots of presents! My office threw me the sweetest shower yesterday.

And the best part... They teamed up to start a fabulous library for Lima Bean! Everyone was asked to choose a baby book or children's book that they remember reading as a child or reading to their child. It was so neat to see what everyone picked out!

And on top of all that, my friend Libby, who is a national education reporter, also showered Baby Bean with books at dinner last night!

And earlier this week, we got a surprise package in the mail from Papa Bean's stepbrother Brent and his wife Jeanie and their kids - More great books!

Plus, we had a few books already from Aunts Kelly Bean, Missy Bean, Tina Bean, Elizabeth Bean and Grandma Enid Bean. And a couple I had purchased for Papa Bean on Father's Day!

Just look at all her books!

Our girl will no doubt be well read. We are so excited to teach her how to read and share these books with her. Thank you everyone for starting off her library!

38 weeks down, only TWO to go!

Two more weeks... Or two more days! Who knows? We are in the home stretch and now it's just a waiting game. We continue to get more and more things done each day, so that is a blessing. I keep thinking that I need one more week... But at the same time, I am ready. It's exciting to think about when it'll happen... Every night is the night before a big race. Or the first day or school.

This morning, we had our last sonogram appointment! We now have THREE different sonogram technicians all telling us with 100% certainty that we are having a girl. So if there is a delivery room surprise, it will be quite a SURPRISE! Here is our picture from the appointment. It's her spine. Couldn't really see much because she is so crammed in there.

Baby Lima Bean is no lima bean anymore... She is measuring in the 30-35 percentile at 6 pounds and 13 ounces. My office has taken up a pool on how much she'll weigh at delivery! Guesses range from 6 pounds to 8 pounds, 3 ounces. They are also doing a pool on WHEN I'll deliver, with guesses ranging from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10.

Meanwhile, I am up 3 pounds since last week, so 33 pounds since my first appointment. Week 38 bump pic from this morning below! (Check out our new yellow flowered hanging plants!)

Blood pressure good and belly measuring in line. Dialiation is now a "fingertip" as opposed to "long and closed." So that could mean something, or it could mean nothing... My doctor said she felt the baby's head! A little weird, but also a little cool.

If we make it to our next appointment (Week 39) then we will pick three dates around my 41st Week to schedule an induction... Eeeeeeek!

37 weeks and one more White House visit!

I think this is the last one... My 9th trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this year, since Obama took office and since I have been carrying a little Lima Bean in my belly!

Today I had routine White House pool duty. So I arrived for pool call time at 8:30 a.m. (thanks Papa Bean for the ride!) and attended an East Room reception honoring new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Here is my Week 37 bump photo, in front of the East Wing entrance:

In his remarks, President Obama made this statement, which I hope Lima Bean heard and paid attention to. He said: "While this is Justice Sotomayor's achievement, the result of her ability and determination, this moment is not just about her. It's about every child who will grow up thinking to him- or herself, 'If Sonia Sotomayor can make it, then maybe I can too.'"

So whatever name we choose for Baby Lima Bean, it must be able to work with the titles "Justice," "Congresswoman," "Senator" and "President." You know, just in case. :-)

According to my pregnancy books, Lima Bean should be about 6 pounds and fully developed. But although she is now considered "full term," she will continue to grow and develop the longer she stays in her utero home.

And, finally, what you have all been waiting for... I have finally achieved watermelon status. Behold, my final fruit picture!

Lima Bean is "full term"!!

That's right folks, pack your bags and stay by the phone... As of this week, Lima Bean is considered "full term" and welcome to join us in the real world anytime she wants! 

We had our Week 37 doctor's appointment this morning and that's what our doctor said. Eeek! Working feverishly to pack our bags and get things ready! 

Here is a picture from this morning:

Some details from today's appointment: 

• I weighed in at one pound less than last week, so +30 total. 
  
• My test from last week came back good. 
  
• My belly is measuring on track. 
  
• When our doctor went to listen to baby Lima Bean's heartbeat, she decided to stick her butt out, causing my stomach to lurch and our doctor to exclaim that we don't even need to hear her heartbeat if we can see her move that much! 
  
• We still did and her heartbeat was strong and steady. 
  
• Baby Bean is head down, so at this point I'm told there is a 95% chance that she'll stay that way. She has not "dropped," however. Not as far as I can tell at least...
  
• Not dialated at all. 
  

Our next doctor's appointment is Wednesday, Aug. 19th. We'll get our last ultrasound then too!

Our first dinner guests!

Aunts Chimmy Bean and Elizabeth Bean came over Friday night to celebrate the arrival of our fabulous patio furniture! They brought cheese, fruit and wine! Papa Bean supplied the iTunes as we enjoyed the wonderful evening in our new back yard!

Little Lima Bean enjoyed it too! She started dancing in my belly as soon as the eating was over. I think she likes fruit and nice music!

I. Am. H-U-G-E!!!

Imagine carrying a 10-pound dumbell in each hand, and having another 10-pound plate duck taped to your stomach. That is about what it feels like every step I take!

Add to that a squirmy baby who likes to do summersaults and stick her butt out and turn my tummy into a lopsided mound of undulating flesh, and it's all I can do to keep from tipping over these days!

Baby Lima Bean... Seriously, if you are running out of room in there, maybe you ought to come out soon? Because trying to stretch my belly to accommodate your acrobatics is not exactly the most comfortable thing for mommy to endure! And the jumping on my bladder doesn't help things!

So anyway.

With one month to go (Week 35, Day 3)... Here is the belly of all belly shots!

Another baby shower!

No, not mine. But a former co-worker of mine had her baby shower this past weekend! She is due about a week before me (6 days), is also delivering at Sibley Memorial Hospital, also goes to the same OB-GYN practice and also lives in Bethesda! So I'm looking forward to having someone to hang out with for play dates and to go strollering with while I am out on maternity leave!

This last picture shows how big I've gotten... Taken at 33 weeks, 3 days. Thanks to my mom for the brown maternity dress! Very comfortable!

My fabulous baby shower!

My baby shower was Sunday at noon, and it was fabulous! A big thank you to my friends who hosted it and friends who attended -- especially Missy who took the train down from NJ just for the shower! You all absolutely made my shower the most amazing day ever. Little Lima Bean is so lucky to have tons of great "aunties" like you gals!

Now, check out the fabulous decor! Libby used vintage Lima Bean labels to decorate soup cans filled with pink flowers! She also used the vintage labels to make favors that were filled with green jelly beans! It was the most creative and cutest thing ever! Even the balloons matched the Lima Bean theme!

Now, check out the food! Oh my goodness it was delicious! And the cupcakes... Red velvet all the way. But all of them were seriously delish! Wow! And check out the adorable diaper cake that Chimmy made! Holy cuteness meets practical!

Finally, the gifts! My goodness but you ladies spoiled me and baby Lima Bean. She is so lucky to have you all looking out for her and dressing her in all these adorable outfits! I'm now set on clothes, bath stuff, baby toys and gear, even a manly Diaper Dude bag that Papa Bean can carry!

Papa Bean came to pick me up after an amazing afternoon. Can't wait for Little Lima Bean to try on all her new outfits and play with her new toys... What a lucky baby (Week 32, Day 4)!