Reality Check

Today I went for my weekly doctor's appointment and it's all becoming very real:

• my file's been faxed to Unit 25, Red Deer Regional Hospital, just waiting for my arrival
• the baby is dropping nicely
• at the end of my checkup, my doctor said, "So we'll see you next week, if not sooner on Unit 25", to which I replied, "Next week will be just fine." He laughed.
• Ryan and I installed the car seat last night
• all of the baby bedding and baby clothes are washed and put away
• Ryan's doing his last out-of-town job today
• there are many a frozen meal in the deep-freeze, along with an assortment of frozen muffins
• I don't think this house could be any cleaner (except if anyone wants to come and dust every single blind in this house)
• everything I can pack ahead of time in my hospital bag is packed, with a list made up of last-minute items to throw in
• I've bought every birthday present I need to buy between now and the second week of December

Ways that I'm not ready:

• I'm getting my brows done on Friday
• I'm getting my hair done on Tuesday
• I'd like to go to The Keg for my birthday supper next Thursday
• the Rebels have three home games in the next week and a half
• there's a huge, and I mean huge, craft sale in Red Deer starting next Friday that I'd like to go to
• and on a less superficial level, I'm going to miss feeling the baby in me, miss his kicks and punches and rolls, not to mention the hiccups, miss his 100% dependency on me, and hope to God that I never forget the experiences I've had

But the good news is that I'm more mentally prepared for what's ahead of me labour-wise than I ever have been. I'm just so excited to meet our little baby boy, and that excitement right now is a much more powerful emotion than the fear of labour that I have. I'm also reminding myself that I won't be in labour for a week, I'm not giving birth in the middle of nowhere, there will be people there to help me, the baby's in a good position (i.e. he's not breech and as long as he doesn't roll around too much before delivery, no back labour) and as long as Ryan's by my side, I can do it. And speaking of Ryan, the opportunity to bring this baby into the world with him is too special for words.