Team Bartz rally cry.... OR objects in the rearview mirror may appear exactly as close as they are

As promised pics of the little lady (note: letters in bold and italics denote sarcasm) 12 days to the due date!

We are beginning to prepare emotionally and physically for childbirth. At least that is what the first lines of some of the books we just opened say. Kidding, Court and I have read at least a book and a half collectively about childbirth. A t least a 1/4 of my readings include the pamphlets that are on the wall wilst I wait for Court to get measured, weighed, and tagged at the doctor's office. Ok, I'm still kidding a little. The readings have pretty much solidified we have no idea what to expect; when they state labor can last from 2 hours to several days and the pain can be bearable to indescribable, it really doesn't give me the clay to sculpt our perfect labor scenario. The books are good because they are getting us talking about it and what we don't want to have happen. I guess that is a loose form of plan.

Also, Courtney and myself, as many of you know are not the best of planners. We have been known to take vacations with no particular destination...... in foreign countries. We have started epic trips with very little planning (and what planning we did was completely useless). We have orchestrated several of our friends and family members to plan a gala of music, food and celebration that was executed seamlessly (except for the cake in the lap, sorry dad) and will be remembered as one of our best days ever (with another soon to come). My point is we do well with little structure leading into big events. We are learning as much as we can but know when the time comes we will have to rely on one another, assess, adapt, and act. That sounds like I just pulled it out of an army recruitment pamphlet but I just made it up. They can buy it from me though and call it the r.o.o.a.a.a.a. strategy.

We have done well with this philosophy thus far. These unplanned escapades have us meeting lifelong friends, seeing a private jaguar sanctuary, eating pineapple from a pineapple farm, releasing baby turtles into the ocean, both getting Montezumas revenge, walking almost the length of the US (the short way thank god), seeing deep into other very different cultures and still being in the US, walking a lot, getting living down to the most basic efficient means..... and still getting along, more walking, getting all of the loved ones we could muster into one place at one time, partying and dancing with them, getting Nashville pros to play (thanks Casey), telling each other in front of everyone what we already knew, and getting the place cleaned out by 1AM! And these are just a few positives of 3 experiences we've done together. I got 8 years of these stories people.

sure I'm nervous about the babe coming, who wouldn't be, but I'm also confident it will be one of the best things we've done together..... and we have some doosies. But we are a good team and we'll figure it out just like we always do.

Hell Mom helped Patti deliver Phoebe in tent how hard could it be......... right?