K Visa us citizen marriage: conditional vs. permanent card

[yhelfman]

My U.S. Citizen wife and I got married on 12/26/03. A decision in my I-485/I-130 have not been made yet. From my understanding HDS may grant me a Conditional Green Card within the first two years of our wedding, so they have only 140 days left to do so. Otherwise, they should grant me with a Permanent card. Is it common they will give someone a conditional card after almost two years of marriage, because if so, the application to remove the condition after another 21 months will take place after almost 4 years of marriage, which seems quite tasteless to me. Also, suppose I do not get the conditional card until 12/25/05 (or a few weeks later), what is the best way to proceed: request a permanent card by mail or in person going to the local USCIS office? Thanks a bunch for any help !!!