And the real waiting begins!

Todd and I had our 36 week appointment last night and were very happy with how well it went. At our 35 week appointment I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced, and this weeks I am already 3.5cm dilated and 80% effaced. Not bad progress for a week! Our doctor is pretty confident that she will be here by the 20th, but he joked around that I could go into labor this weekend. So, because some women can sit at a 3 or 4 for weeks, we're just playing the waiting game now. Todd and I are both thinking she might come sooner than later, based on the number and strength of the contractions I've been having. I'm excited for her to be here, but want her to stay in there as long as she needs. (Now I just need to remember that next week when it's 90* outside and I'm dying of the heat...).

My most recent picture - 36 weeks!

We finished our HypnoBirthing classes last week and have decided to hire our instructor as our Doula (labor companion). Here's her website if you're interested in learning more. She will come to our home when I'm in labor, or just meet us at the hospital to assist us with labor and delivery. I can't wait to work with her! Todd has been so amazing through this whole process. I feel myself growing more impatient at the little things (leaving socks on the ground, not rinsing the dishes, etc) but I can't help but be amazed at how much he as risen to the occasion when it comes to helping me prepare for labor and birth. He has been by  my side every minute of the day (and night, for that matter), and is going to be such a wonderful Dad to our little girl.

We've started packing our hospital bag. You know me... have to be prepared and organized! I've made a packing list for us to go over before we leave just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I'm hoping it pays off, and doesn't just make me impatient to go into labor.

We had some maternity photos taken two weeks ago. You can visit our photographer's blog for a sneak preview :) I'll post my favorites on here once I get the CD from her. We had a BLAST taking them at Antelope Island, and I can't wait to see the final result.