It won't necessarily be "excruciating." Mike weighed 9.5 pounds at birth, 23" long, and he was an easy delivery. Very quick! Each baby and mom is different, so you really don't know what to expect, really. Congratulations on your soon-to-be addition to your family!

Keep in mind though Michelle that I was two weeks late (which kind of set the pace for the rest of my life but that's a different story). Also, I don't remember the birth being as easy as my mom said it was. I was taking a nap at the time and really wasn't "ready for the world" as they say. On a non-related note, I noticed Taco Bell wasn't on the registry?