At this point we are considering camping out in the birth center parking lot

Just a short update following my 36 week OB appointment today. First, I had the pleasure of scaring the crap out of all the first-time pregnant women in the waiting room who stared wide-eyed at my belly as I waddled by -- no doubt worrying that they too would soon need their own ZIP code. I resisted the urge to smile and say, "Yeah, and I'm only 36 weeks along."

Then I had the ultrasound. The boys are still measuring big, although not as freakishly as at the 32 week appointment.

Twin A: Just under 7 lbs (80th+ percentile)
Twin B: 6 lbs 4 oz (60th-70th percentile)

The sonographer confirmed that there is a 20% margin for error on these estimates, and even more so with twins because they are so smooshed that it's hard to measure accurately. So who knows, perhaps they will fit into their preemie outfits after all, even if just for a week.

My OB is off this week, so I saw another doctor in the practice. I decided to request a cervix check, even though I was afraid that knowing would cause more anxiety for all of us. As it is, I can't take a sharp breath at home without my Mom and DH grabbing for the car keys. "If you are sure you want to know..." the OB said, "...you are 5 centimeters dilated."

My Mom asked the doc if there was any amount of dilation (besides 10 centimeters, natch) that would cause her to admit me sooner for a C-section. "Nope," she responded. "I had a woman who walked around at 8 cm for a week. Even though we are doing really well, it's better for the babies to stay in a bit longer. They are still premature."

Then she added, "It just makes a difference in how fast you drive to the hospital when labor begins."

GULP.

I am debating whether to go to preschool with my Mom and Bean tomorrow morning. I know the more I push myself physically, the more likely I am to go into labor. Everyone is asking me if I'm "ready." As far as nesting goes, I think we have pretty much everything we need for their arrival. Emotionally? Yes and no. I am definitely tired of being breathless and uncomfortable, walking like Gumby and wondering what's happening in the world beneath my giant belly shelf. But I don't want to rush the boys. Obviously their health is my top concern, and I have no problem enduring this for a while longer because it benefits them.

Plus, although I may be excited to meet them, the thought of having major surgery and then bringing home two newborns to care for at the same time... well, let's just say that's a pleasure that I'm perfectly willing to wait for.