37 weeks

I've entered the "zone" - I'm 37 weeks, which is considered "full term," so I could have the baby today...or a month from now. I remember trying to wrap my brain around this when I was pregnant with Beck, and it's not any easier this time. It's difficult to mentally prepare for the baby to arrive any day now, while at the same time preparing to be pregnant for another 4-5 weeks. It's just so unpredictable!

I am nearing the end of my to-do list. The cloth diapers, blankets, and baby clothes are washed. Disposable diapers and wipes have been ordered. The infant car seat has been cleaned, but the car seat bases still need to be installed in our cars. The swing and bouncy seat have been taken out of storage. The boppy pillow is ready and waiting. I still need to set up the pack & play bassinet, which the baby will sleep in, and pack my bag and Beck's bag. I'm also hoping to prepare and freeze some meals (I think Paul will actually do this), buy a gift to the baby from Beck and vice versa, and get supplies for my post-partum recovery at home.

We will be delivering at the Mountain Midwifery Birth Center this time, and will be coming home 4-6 hours after the birth, as opposed to staying in the hospital for a few days. We've hired a post-partum doula to help us out, and we're planning to have Beck stay at Fritz and Theresa's for a day or two, so hopefully we'll have a nice little bonding period with the new baby.

I'm still feeling pretty good. It is getting a lot more difficult for me to get around when Beck is along with me, though. It's tough to carry him, and I usually get Braxton Hicks contractions when I do carry him. On Tuesday morning, we went to REI and the library, and our outing ended with me exhausted, sobbing to Paul on the phone because I got my THIRD PARKING TICKET in the last two months. Long story, but I only think one of the tickets was legit, and I got that one because my meter ran out by a few minutes (I'm BIG and PREGNANT and SLOW and have a TODDLER - give me a break!).

Beck arrived 4 days early, and I'd be happy with a similar timeframe this time. That would give me another 2 weeks to prepare, and I don't think I will yet have entered the "I'm so done with this pregnancy" phase.

We're going to have a new baby in 2011! Happy New Year, everyone!