39 weeks and counting! ("Push it. Push it real good!")

Here's Carrie at thirty-nine weeks, trying not to look too impatient and glowing brighter by the week! The bean has now grown to the point where limbs and appendages are beginning to protrude. We think she may be done spelunking and is ready to head out into the light. Carrie wishes she'd stop head-butting her bladder...

We're also now packed and ready to go to the hospital. Supplies have been gathered in anticipation of what could be a lengthy labor: snacks and energy bars, change of clothes, deck of cards, massage balls, the first season of the TV show "Alias." We've also put together a mix cd of music to help keep up our energy, although tragically, the dynamic hit "Push It" by renowned rap duo Salt-n-Pepa did not make the final cut.

If anybody has any tips or bits of labor advice, we'd love to hear them. Brian keeps saying, "This'll be just like going to a hotel! We've got a jacuzzi in the room and room service..." but he's not so sure this is calming Carrie's nerves at all.