ready or not...

The big question lately (besides "You're still pregnant?!") is "Are you ready?"  That's a toughie.  Here's a list of reasons why I'm NOT ready:

• Don't have a name picked out.  However, this is not unusual for us... Adeline's name wasn't even on our "list."  We thought of it when I was at the hospital in labor.
• There are still purple flowers on the nursery walls that need blue polka dots painted over them.  I'm making that my weekend project.  It'll probably take less than a few hours, but it's the whole idea of just getting the paint out that exhausts me.
• Haven't brought up the old baby items (swing, car seat, bassinet, etc) and washed them down yet.  They probably have "basement funk" all over them.
• Haven't gotten "caught up" in my scrapbooks.  I'm over a year behind on our family albums and still haven't done Millie's baby album.  My goal was to be completely caught up before this baby came.  I'm not very good at setting realistic goals.
• Not packed for the hospital.  Seriously, how can I actually have my "bags packed" when I still need to use everything I'm bringing to the hospital?  Not to mention that the girls will need their bags packed too if this baby comes in the night and they have to be hauled off somewhere.
• I'll miss my "shelf."  This bump has been really handy for keeping my dip on when enjoying my favorite snack - chips and dip.  It also works well for setting drinks on when I need a free hand.  Actually, it's been quite nice for setting most anything on, including Millie when she constantly wants to be held.
• I'll miss the kicking.  Believe it or not, even though this little boy has gotten extremely active, likes to kick my bladder, push up against my lungs and barely seems to sleep anymore, I know I'll miss those odd little (and big) movements in my tummy.
• Not sure I want to have this baby at home.  Seriously.  Last time we barely made it to the hospital in time, and now we live 20 minutes farther away.  That's why they want to induce me at 39 weeks.  But what happens if my water breaks at home?  With Millie, she was out just a few minutes after that.  Kinda scary.  Chad better start researching how to do a home birth. 
• I'm starting to get nervous when I remember how much pain is actually involved in childbirth.  I have yet to feel the benefits of an epidural.  My only hope this time is to be induced and I'm not sure I'm going to make it that long.  Yikes.  I think the stress of remembering the pain just gave me a contraction.  I'd better move on...

Now for the list of reasons why I AM ready:

• I want to sleep.  Yes, I know when the baby comes I'll be up all hours of the night feeding him, but I guarantee I will get more sleep then than I am now.  Did you notice what time I'm blogging this?  (I think my timer is off - it's actually 1:39 a.m.)  I'm tired of "sleeping" in the recliner.  But I can't sleep in bed anymore because my hips can't take all my weight lying on my side.  Plus, I miss falling asleep with Chad.
• My skin is no longer as stretchy as I thought.  I noticed my first stretch mark this morning.  And here I was getting all cocky thinking I could make it through 3 babies without any marks.  (Yes, I know all of you stretch-marked moms are boo-hooing for me.)
• So I can walk around without feeling like a sideshow.  My own brother told me the other night that I looked "hilarious."  Isn't that what every woman wants to hear?  I'm sure he meant it in a good way.  Wait, that was from Trent... yeah, probably not.
• I can't wait to hold this baby in my arms.  Those first moments are so precious.  Here are a few good memories from the last two:

Adeline

Emilia

The end result makes it all worth it.  I guess that's why I'm on number 3!  Please don't take my above list as complaining.  I'm just merely stating the facts of my life at the moment.  I am blessed beyond reason that God has allowed us to have two healthy babies and, Lord willing, a third.  I would put up with all of the discomfort again for these babies.  But I do mean, just these 3 babies.  We're definitely done after this one!  ;)

Tomorrow afternoon is my ultrasound and doctor's appointment.  I'll try to keep y'all posted!