Long Walks, Good Visits, and Baby Goats

So, here we are. Full Term! This Saturday Rachel will be entering her 39th week. Crazy, right?! It is interesting this sort of process that my mind has gone through in getting ready for the baby. About nine months ago I was excited, but couldn't really grasp the fact that this was a reality. Rachel looked the same, and I couldn't feel any kicks or nudges on her belly, so it was simply an interesting idea that there was something tiny living inside of her.

Then came the day we heard the heartbeat. Especially when they are still tiny, babies hearts beat very fast. I think my rhythm caught up with the baby's - I was so exited to hear that sound! Several weeks later, we found out that we were having a girl. One word: FEAR! I mean, I felt like I would at least have some idea of how to raise a boy; but a girl?!?! That was a very scary prospect for me.

Since then, I have slowly traveled to the point at which I currently find myself: Unbelievably excited!!! We are so eager to see her and to touch her and to count her fingers and toes and let her hand grasp our fingers. So then, we are doing everything we can to speed up this whole waiting process. We've heard that a good walk can get things going, so we've been walking...a lot! Last night we logged 2 miles. Quite a feat for a waddling and fully pregnant woman. I think Rachel is even more desperate than I am to see her.

In other news, my brother was down last weekend to visit Rachel and I. We had a very good time together. I also shared with Nathan my current culinary fascination: Cabrito. Although I'd had it before, this trademark Northern Mexican dish has been my favorite lately. It is basically baby goat, and can be cooked a lot of different ways. My favorite by far is al pastor, when the goat is roasted over hot coals. For effect I've included a picture I took last week of Cabrito Guisado - which is stewed baby goat. How many more baby goats will perish to satisfy my animalistic, carnivorous cravings? Probably many more.

So then, there are no signs yet of the baby's imminent arrival. It seems like the she is still sitting high in Rachel's tummy, although she has been in a head down position for several weeks now. We are hoping she'll drop soon, at least showing us some sign of progress. Rachel has also been having regular B.H. contractions - the painless kind that are basically her uterine muscles warming up for d-day. They have gotten more regular and slightly more intense in the past few days. This Saturday we'll be at the birthing center for yet another check up and birthing class. It has been fun to meet other couples and exciting to come back each week and find out that some of them have had their babies. Yahoo!! I'll keep you posted, and yes, I will post a current picture of Rach and I very soon.