What I know now

I'm anxious to meet my little girl, but now I know...

"Inside babies" are much easier to take care of than outside ones.

These last few hours and days with just my treasured Alyssa are very precious.

The unknown (about labor, about the health of the baby, about who this new little person is) is scary, but it's also a gift.

Most women are much more uncomfortable than I am this late in the game. So thankful to not be dealing with gestational diabetes or PUPPS or anything like that.

Stretch marks do fade and they are not a big deal to me anyway. Really.

I am tired, but it's really nothing compared to the fatigue I will be feeling soon.

I can give birth naturally. I am strong enough physically and emotionally. I've done it before, and I believe I can do it again.

I'm proud of myself that I can still bend over and give Alyssa baths...I can still reach the kitchen sink and do the dishes around my belly...I am staying on top of the laundry and ironing and shopping and cleaning and (usually) cooking...I can even do Alyssa's beginning ballet video with her (minus the jumping!).

Pregnancy is almost over. (Two and a half weeks at the longest, really. I don't want to go to the hospital or to be induced, but I would be doing both at 42 weeks probably.)

And when the going gets tough (before and after the new baby arrives)--this too shall pass.