Listen. I know first babies are rarely on time (or even early), but I’m convinced this kid is coming within the next couple days. My bag and the baby’s bag are waiting by the front door…before I put them in the car, am I forgetting anything?

(also: WOW, this blog has gotten boring)

P.S. Our birthing instructor strongly suggested that we bring swim trunks in case I use the jacuzzi or shower and need help in or out. I believe her exact words were, “We’re used to seeing naked women in Labor and Delivery. We’d rather not see a naked man.”

To celebrate Baby on Board’s impending due date and to thank you all for the wonderful advice and support you’ve given over the past 8ish months, I thought I’d run a little contest.

To be entered to win a $25 Powells.com e-gift card (if you’re local to Portland, I’ll give you an in-store gift card) guess the following:

• Is BoB a boy or a girl? (tons of pictures here if you want to see how I’m carrying, even though my doctor swears that there’s no scientific evidence that suggests that matters)
• How much will BoB weigh? (hint: A LOT if you ask certain relatives)

Well, here we are. I’m 37 weeks, 2 days pregnant and very much ready to give birth to this child. Time has flown by up until this point and now I feel like it’s standing still. We’re pretty much ready. We are waiting on the rocking chair for the nursery as well as the window treatments (which we’ll be waiting a while for as I ordered them on Saturday). We have to install the car seat bases in both our cars and then tack down the FLOR tiles in the nursery.

All the tiny clothes are washed and folded. Both my bag and baby’s is packed for the hospital. Bill is reading his labor coach book. I’m finishing up the last couple pages of Happiest Baby on the Block. Our freezer is stocked with yummy meals.

But, as excited as I am to meet this little guy or gal, I’m scared. I’m scared that I won’t be a good mother. I’m scared that my relationship with my husband will change. I’m scared my career will suffer. I’m scared that I’ll change. And, I know that change isn’t bad. I know that in some ways we will change as a couple and that I’ll change as a person. But, will I still be me?

What about you? Did you feel this way toward the end of your pregnancy? How did you handle it?