Dear Stewart,

It's been awhile, so I thought I'd check in with you. A lot of people have been asking me, now that my due date is sort of looming (I'm due in exactly one month, on February 4th) if I'm "ready," and my answer so far has been, NO!

I'm really enjoying being pregnant, and that seems to surprise people.

I mean, I don't want to rub it in or tempt fate or anything, but aside from some pretty uncomfortable back pain for the past couple of weeks (checked out with my doctor; no, not pre-term labor), I've been doing great. I feel good, if pretty tired at times, and though I wish I'd done a little more research on safe skin care during my pregnancy (I stopped using anything remotely medicinal or, dare I say it, effective, leaving me with what I see as red, blotchy, spotty skin), my hair and nails look healthy. Everything seems good. I'm having fun.

How are you, my friend? Are you staying active? Been riding your bike? Oh, man, I miss riding my bike! It's been pretty rainy around here as I'm sure you know, but even still, I haven't been on a bike in months. More than nine, I got a little lazy about it. Still, even if it didn't seem dangerous, I just don't think I could manage, to say nothing of looking ridiculous. And if people are giving me a hard time about walking up and down one flight of stairs at work, imagine the comments I would get should I attempt to lumber up on my bike!

We're still debating what to name this baby, and it's kind of become a joke. Even my dad is calling him "what's his name," which seems a bit... hard. You're welcome to make a suggestion (though I think I mentioned that my husband is dead set, I mean, DEAD SET against "Stewart," a position I think he's taken up rather too militantly), which I promise to strongly consider (your kids have great names, so either you're very good at this or your wife was. Her suggestions are of course welcome as well).

So, okay. I'll keep you posted on the baby. I hope you keep working and playing as much as you seem to have been lately (I so wish I could go to Dallas in February, but I'm going to be a little busy!), and that I have more opportunities to grin like a moron in your immediate vicinity.

Happy new year, Stewart!

Love you,
Irene

P.S. No doubt you heard that "Who is Sting" was the question on Final Jeopardy last night? Hearing Alex Trebek say the word "Symphonicity" cracked me up. I think even he thinks it's pretty stupid.