On the eve of a blessed event...

I'm just sitting here, and to be honest, it's a little surreal.

I went into work yesterday for the last time and wrapped up 99.9% of the tasks I had set out to complete before I left on maternity leave. When I left I got pretty emotional. Sort of like 9 months of anticipation/reality/fear released itself at that one moment. I've been so preoccupied with work, being a mother to my other two children and other life events that this pregnancy has sort of been put on the back burner more often than not. But when I left that office I realized the only thing I had left to do was prepare for the baby to arrive.

Last night was the office March 15th party and, given the timing of everything, we thought it would be best if Dustin stayed with the kids and I would attend alone. Everyone was having a great time but I was ready to leave shortly after the meal - between being tired, missing my kids and my inability to join in the festivities. By the time I got up and everyone gave their well wishes I was all emotional again. Another dose of reality, I guess.

I have had some pretty strong contractions throughout the day so it is obvious my body is ready for what's going to happen tomorrow...but I'm not quite sure I can get my head wrapped around it.

This morning we got up and went to church, went out for breakfast and ran over to the hospital for my pre-surgery lab work. You'd think it would be old hat by number three but it seems just the opposite. As I sat at the hospital today I just kind of looked around and got very nervous. Maybe it's because I've done this twice before and I know what's all going to happen tomorrow, maybe it's because I'm about to receive the honor of becoming another little child's mother tomorrow and from experience I understand all the responsibilities that come along with that, maybe it's because even though I've done this twice before every birth is different, maybe it's because I'm forgetting something...or maybe it's just because I'm having surgery tomorrow. No matter what the reason...it made me emotional.

So here I sit with the constant nagging realization that in less than 24 hours we will be a family of five. Five! This is totally uncharted waters for us!! No matter how nervous/scared I am, I'm beyond ecstatic to meet this little person. I can't believe that only a few short months ago we had no idea what God had planned for us and now here we are...on the eve of a blessed event.

Prayers are welcomed and genuinely appreciated. I will try and post as soon as possible with pictures and information. Because, honestly, the hospital will be the easiest place for me to blog. I have a feeling that once there are three kids screaming for my attention, time to myself will pretty much be non-existent.