grrr........rrreat!

Alright. I've about had it.

Nah. I'm just teasing. Being pregnant isn't that bad. Ok. I'm teasing again.

Truth? It's been long, I've done well, and it's almost over. The hardest days were when I was commuting between two part-time jobs in 117 degree weather during my second trimester. Or maybe it was when I was shoving orange rind up my nostrils during my first trimester and couldn't stand the smell of everything, including myself. Or maybe it was the waiting these last few weeks... the waiting and waiting to meet the kid I've been cooking for 9 months, and who seems to want to come out extra crispy.

The best part was when we had our first ultrasound at 17 weeks and were assured that Max was there... and healthy. Or maybe it was when I first felt him move. Or maybe it was two days ago when my midwife told me there would be an end. And that end is tomorrow... I hope.

Max will be nine days overdue when I am induced tomorrow night at 9 p.m. I just realized that nine is appearing all over this pregnancy... 9 months to cook Max, 9 days over due, 9 pounds, 9 p.m... "What does it mean, Nate?" I asked. "Maybe it means we're going to have 9 kids." Bah! Or I'm like a cat with 9 lives, and birthing Max, the 9-pounder, will use up one of them.

As I type this, Max is squirming around. I honestly don't think I'm going to miss that, only because my experience will be upgraded to having Max squirming in my arms. And thinking about him outside of myself makes me re-visit how bizarre the reality of having him INSIDE of me has been. Having gone through pregnancy only makes it more intriguing and strange than it was before I had the experience. It's weird, people. The "beauty" comes from the end result. Otherwise, I'm like a host for a parasite, or a Gremlin doused in water.

It's a strange process, yes. On the other hand, I don't know if I've ever been so excited in my life.