almost there!

Today I am 34 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Its very weird and surreal to me for a variety of reasons. Most of all, because I remember how i felt when i first found out that i was pregnant. We knew pretty immediately, (@ 5 weeks). At that time, it felt like being full-tern was eons away. Now its only 1 week and 2 days away. Granted, that doesn't mean that my due date is 1 week and 2 days away, but still, it means that he COULD be born as soon as 1 week and 2 days.
So anyway, on our way home from the Birthing Center yesterday (yes, we are having our baby at a free-standing birthing center, not a traditional hospital - www.brooklynbirthingcenter.com for more info, its so COOL!!) Tyler and I were talking and it's just been hitting me the past few days that in a few weeks we're actually going to have a baby! EEK! It's really exciting, and yet terrifying at the same time. You spend all this time - months (...10 to be exact) anticipating the arrival of this little baby, and then its happening, and all the sudden it feels like you're not ready at all. Until i started showing, and feeling him move (around 21 weeks or so) it kind of felt like being pregnant was something that was happening independent of me. I didn't really have symptoms at all, no nausea, no crazy cravings, or hunger (i still don't really). So i knew intellectually that i was pregnant, but didn't really feel pregnant otherwise. Now, i'm clearly showing, eating more, and can feel him move around, kick, punch and somersault all the time. So it feels more real, and yet i think when he's actually born, i will be surprised...shocked.
Tyler and I started to get ready last night, sorting his clothes that need to be washed (did you know you're supposed to wash all baby clothes before they are worn for the first time? I didn't), and packing our bags (just in case!) We bought some last minute items we needed, and at this point, pretty much have everything that we are going to need. We're practicing our relaxation exercises (per The Bradley Method) and focusing on the actual labor and delivery part of this whole birth process. Its really exciting, but it will still be shocking when it first happens. They say you can never be too prepared, which is probably true, but how about feeling even a little prepared? Here's to trying at least. CHEERS!