D Day, final edition....

So this is my last due date.

I think we are ready.... we have car seat, snap and go stroller, bigger stroller, double stroller, swoopy bouncy-chair for sleeping beside my bed, playpen for sleeping in big sibs' room once we have him down through the night, I have wraps for wearing and swaddling and clothes and a hospital bag all ready that even includes some things for me... although I didn't think of a change of real clothes, I should pack that. And a toothbrush.  Oops. maybe shampoo? so not quite ready...

I have a team of people on standby to step in and cover my littles while I'm in the hospital, and I even have up to two sisters and a friend willing to come and keep me company during labour, depending on the timing of everything. I can crack lame jokes at them between vomiting, it'll be like a party!

I'm doing this for the last time, and it feels as good as it does sad. My emotions occasionally well up in my throat, but I just remind myself that I'm not going to be waddling again, or violently turning from smells and food, or wincing as I get out of a car and get back into a car, or sit or stand or walk... It's nice that at this highly hormonal time, the worst aspects are the freshest, so I'm not so easily upset over my truly final trimester of pregnancy.

And while there are many things I won't miss, I know of the things I will miss, and I've been doing my best to cherish them. kicks and wiggles, but also the smiles of other people when I go out... the world is such a friendly place when you are an obviously pregnant woman. People hold doors readily, and offer to carry things, smile in sympathy when your 2yr old outruns you, rather than frowning with concern. They smile all the time, in fact. Every time someone catches your eye, they smile, acknowledging the "glow" that generally manifests in aches and pains, but we need to celebrate it somehow! I like that smile. I'll miss this friendly world, although having a tiny infant with me will extend many of those smiles for a good long time.

Today's quest: Take the kids for a good long walk/bike ride, tidy the house, finish packing my hospital bag apparently, and write out simple bedtime routine for sitters. I have a few worksheets to finish with Rosie, but other than that we've done our homeschooling things already :) tutoring tonight... a regular day, which seems dissonant when I think of how long I've been anticipating this specific date. It's finally October 6th. Wow.