Big as a watermelon, happy as a clam.

At least that's what the doctor said. Baby is huge, head down, and has a normal heartbeat.

Hey, as long as it's not big as a clam, happy as a watermelon, I'll be happy.

Now that we're getting reasonably close to full-term, posting directions to the hospital might be a good idea.

Barring unforeseen events, our baby will be born at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood. The address is 1575 Beam Avenue, and the phone number is 651.232.7000. Here's a map of the hospital's location, and I'll provide some directions below. Of course, these are only suggestions; if you know the area better than we do, you might know a quicker way.

The directions that MapQuest provides for around the hospital are goofy; if you use that service to generate directions, there's no need to make any sort of U-turn as it says!

From the South:

• Take 35E North.


• At Exit 111A, take 36 East for about 2 miles.


• Take 61 North for about 1.5 miles.


• Take a right and head east on Beam Ave. for about a half mile.


• Take a left on Hazelwood St. (You should be able to see the hospital.)


• Take a right into the hospital parking lot area.

From the North/Northeast:

• Take 35E South.


• (Left Exit) Take 694 East for about a mile.


• Take 61 South for about a mile.


• Take a left and head east on Beam Ave. for about a half mile.


• Take a left on Hazelwood St. (You should be able to see the hospital.)


• Take a right into the hospital parking lot area.

Directions from the West/Northwest and East are pretty much the same; just get on 694 and follow the directions above.

Once you get to the hospital, you can park just about anywhere, though I wouldn't recommend using those spots reserved for the handicapped, clergy, or medical personnel. Use the main entrance; the Maternity Care Center is the first right, but you'll need to sign in as visitors at the front desk. We will not have our cell phones on while we are in the hospital, so please don't panic if we don't answer them! After you arrive at the hospital but before you visit, please call us (or have the front desk call us) so we know you're coming.

Nine Ten Months Later...

OK, so it's been nine months to the day... where's the baby?

I wonder if the general non-baby-having public will ever get used to the idea that pregnancies usually last around 40 weeks, not 36.

Gretchen and Baby will be full-term in a week... let the countdown begin!