Thank you, dear readers, for your good thoughts. Arrangements are definitely being made for the trip to Laborland, and I thought I had a ticket for last night's train, but I guess I didn't read the fine print closely enough. I tried to get on board and was booted off at the next stop.

All day yesterday I was feeling little contractions, and at 5:30 I felt a few biggies (the kind that would wake you from a sound sleep), and I decided that teaching a room full of 6th graders was not where I needed to be. Our Director of Children's Ministry insisted on driving me home, even though I knew it wasn't necessary. So of course a handful of people saw me getting into her car... so I have this feeling that the whole church is now watching for this pot to boil, which I really need to put out of my mind.

Managed to get a pretty good night's sleep, and things started strong this morning, but gradually petered out. (Hmm, come to think of it, that happened last time too. 24 hours later it was the real thing.) I had a scheduled appointment with the midwife today and am 1-2 cm. Better than nothing, but not anything to jump for joy over.

So... I'm puttering around the house, planning to make the traditional Christmas pralines this evening, and pondering what I would have missed yesterday had I gone into labor:

The chance to make candy with C. We did it the lazy way--Wilton's candy melts, candy canes and peppermint extract. We made lollipops and stirring spoons and I was all, "Wow, I have a daughter, and we make candy together."

The luncheon for the teachers of our church's preschool, to which the church staff is also invited. It was an Italian-style feast--salamis and cheeses, bruschetta, mozzerella salad; tortellino with pesto, penne with marinara, shrimp risotto; and three kinds of dessert. Whoa.

Getting all of the Christmas cards addressed and stamped. (To be stuffed with letter and birth announcement later.)

The chance to completely clear off my desk.

The chance to snuggle with R this morning while watching a gentle snowfall outside.

Getting the confirmation that Carrie Newcomer will indeed be coming to our church next fall to do a workshop and concert. I am beside myself with joy over this.

Here's what I will miss if I go into labor tomorrow:

C's preschool Christmas program. Waaaaa!!!!!!

My final scheduled meeting before maternity leave, with the incoming elder for spiritual growth.

The staff Christmas party tomorrow night. I might miss it anyway, if I feel the need to rest and nest. But it's a fun time--the staff exchanges gifts of service with one another, and the spouses exchange "white elephant" gifts. We have potluck and sing carols around a gorgeous Steinway piano in the home of our accompanist. And R enjoys the homemade eggnog, 100% free of guar gum. (The man loves him some eggnog.)

Now, here's why this baby should come tomorrow:

We have two doulas who do shift-share, and I love them both, but the one I feel just slightly more comfortable with is on call tomorrow.

So is the midwife we saw today.

They have the same name.

And it's the name we've picked out for the baby.

Hear that, universe? It's meant to be.