~Apart from my woodwork for the town's carpentry, I have been busy making furniture for the baby to surprise Fae.

With permission from the boss and some slight help from a few of the other men, I'm using my free time at the workshop building a dresser and a crib for the nursery. They are both pretty extreme projects, but as long as I keep finding the time I keep making good progress on them.

There is a smaller piece that I have built that is nearly finished; a cradle for our room for the baby's first month. All it needs now is to be sanded around the rough sharp edges and painted with a coat of tarnish and it will be ready.

I can't wait to see what Elphaba will think of my surprises. I'm sure she'll be happy to have all of this planning and work out of the way.

...

~These last few weeks have been rather hectic around our house as I move from five to six months of pregnancy.

Karina continues to help me though, taking some of the load off of my chores and making sure I stay comfortable. She does some of the more strenuous work, like tending the garden and folding, hanging, and carrying the laundry. I continue to sweep and dust and sew and do all the cooking, which are the easier tasks for me.

Fiyero is always working now, eager to garner some extra pay I suppose so we can take care of the baby's expenses. It's no matter to me, as long as he comes home at night and nestles into me in our bed.

But his work is the last thing on my mind what with all the fears that have developed as the birth of our child draws near.

I no longer fear the idea of my baby being born with my skin; thanks to our amazing friends I know that no matter what, our son or daughter will be loved and accepted.

Now it's the chilling memories of watching my mother writhe and scream, struggling through her labor with Nessa, and waking the next morning to see her lifeless in her bed with Father sobbing on the floor.

Will that be me? Could I not survive the birth of my own child?

Leona says I am in excellent health and should have a normal delivery- my mother had been normal as well…until the milk flowers.

But I would never. NEVER.

I won't let it happen, I won't.

I am strong. I am able.

I will have my baby and survive.