Well, tonight brought on some very short (<15 second) contractions spaced almost exactly 8 minutes apart. They persisted for a few hours until Ashley fell asleep. Certainly nothing major, but pretty exciting nonetheless and certainly a step in the right direction. Could this be the start of our adventure? We shall see. In keeping with the advice of our favorite birth instructor (Hi Emily!), we’re trying to keep in our normal routines through these first little contractions. Tonight that meant watching the end of Project Runway (Go Chloe!) and a pretty disappointing Next Food Network Star, even despite the addition of my boy Alton Brown. Somewhere in there I made a quick run for some pregnancy fuel and a full tank of automobile fuel, which is one less thing I’ve got to think about in the coming days. It should also be noted that Ashley informed me July 2 is Lindsay Lohan’s birthday. Maybe stay in there until the 3rd, Ali?

On a more serious note, I’d like to take a second to thank everyone who reads this and has given us reams of love and support over the past nine months (and beyond, I suppose). It’s pretty awesome that you all keep coming back to see what we have to say. We love to get everyone’s comments and poll votes and page views. It’s wonderful to know that we’re not alone in our excitement and anticipation of Alizabeth. Thank you all. We love you and treasure you.

And a public note to Ashley, who quite literally makes this child possible… Over the past nine months, you have constantly been putting our daughter’s (and often my) needs ahead of your own. Every day I am amazed at your persistence and steadfastness in the face of an ever-expanding figure and the intermittent losses in mental capacity (pregnant brain!). You are an amazing woman to have tackled this pregnancy head-on and not only nurtured a healthy baby, but reinvented and improved yourself (and me) in the process. I am forever thankful for your tenacity during the past nine months. I consider myself blessed to have you as a part of my life. I am in awe of what you have accomplished and am very much looking forward to what we will do in the future. I love you.

We now return to your regularly scheduled waiting….