• Baby has engaged or “dropped”
• He is at -1 Station
• I am 1/2 centimeter dilated already*

Also, my normal Braxton Hicks contractions have been more often, much longer, more uncomfortable and somewhat painful. In addition, I’ve been having false labor pains in my back. On the tune of about 1-2 an hour. Sometimes, they migrate to my abdomen, which is a good sign and means I am more than likely continuing to dilate.

In a nutshell, and for those of you who read this and felt like they were reading Greek, it means everything is going accordingly! w00t! Probably time to get that bag packed sometime soon, hmm?

*I know 1/2 centimeter doesn’t seem like much, but considering that Binary Boy has been breech up until this past Wednesday, the fact that I’m dilated at all is a super great sign. Typically, the baby’s head pushing on the opening of the cervix is what helps dilation occur (in conjunction with contractions, and, of course, hormones), so it means that during the past 2 days his head has helped in dilation. If it continues at this rate, well, he could be born right on time.

Those of you who have been following the story of the endangered Kura, or Rimatara Lory, Vini kuhlii, will be very excited to know that these rare birds are producing babies! Last year, 27 Rimatara lories, or Kura, were translocated from the island of Rimatara to the rat-free island of Atiu, which is part of their historic range. The translocated birds were recently documented to be producing chicks in their new (historic) home.