10 Things I am looking forward to experiencing with #3

My due date is 19 days away. I was sure I would be early but now I am not so sure. I slept so well last night that I think there must be more days of discomfort in store of me before this wee belly tenant is evicted.

I am excited. It comes and goes. Very often the worry overtakes the excitement. But have no doubt that I am excited.

I remember when I was pregnant the first time that women who were mothers kept telling me their birth stories. Birth stories with details about the drugs they took and the stitches they got... I like to listen so I listened to their stories but I wondered why they were telling them to me. In such detail... so many years later in some cases.

Then I had Quinn and his birth, though hard, was so exciting. Probably the most exciting 22 hours of my life. And afterward I wanted to share my exciting story too. The story of how I became a mother... the story of how my body did something amazing... the story of how I met the small boy who would become one of the great loves of my life. Giving birth and meeting your child is one of life's greatest joys and excitements.

So here are ten things I am looking forward to re: Baby #3

1) Of course, the excitement of knowing, finally, that it is going to happen today after so many weeks of waiting.

2) Seeing the baby's face for the first time and thinking about who he looks like.

3) Knowing he is ok. This should be number 2...

4) Learning all the vital stats.... the size and length and hair quantity....

5) Picking the name and then introducing Mr.? to the world by that name.

6) Kissing the small hands and feet. Nibbling the ear lobes. Nuzzling the baby-smelling neck.

7) Breast-feeding. I pray it goes as well as it did with Quinn and Evan. Evan was so easy to feed - despite the birth trauma.

8) Swaddling baby and cuddling it to sleep.

9) Writing the birth announcement.

10) Falling in love.

I am also looking forward to not sharing my abdomen with another human being. My bladder will be so happy not to have someone doing a headstand on it 24/7.