The Beginning of the Beginning...

Well, we're finally here. The final trimester. The last three months. The beginning of the end. Or is the beginning of the beginning?

Because that's what pregnancy is, really. The beginning of a beginning. Giving birth is by far NOT the end of this. I had this very same thought when I got married--everyone puts so much stock in weddings, and they are such a big deal, that people don't stop to think about what happens after the wedding. And trust me, people--that's the part you should be thinking about.

These days, it is more and more easy to think about what happens after the big delivery day. Sure, I spend a lot of time thinking about that (despite my promise to myself that I wouldn't until the childbirth education class), but with an active little boy constantly reminding me of his growing presence (no pun intended), my mind wanders past the whole hospital stay, and what life will be like once we bring him home.

We will be tired. Tired beyond our wildest dreams. I am trying to prepare for this, telling myself every morning when I have to drag myself out of bed after a night of tossing and turning that it is only going to get worse. Or better--because I'll be dragging myself out of bed to take care of what I am sure is going to be the cutest little man ever.

We will be responsible for a person. A person who depends completely on us and is affected by our choices. Our high maintenance cat is nothing compared to what a baby will be like.

It will be hard. Already the choices we are making are centered around our little guy--much more thought goes into scheduling work, trips, even holidays that are far down the road.

It will be fun. I can't wait for all the big moments--the first smiles, steps, vacations, days of school. But even more I can't wait for the little moments--the little rituals we will start as a family that can't be planned, what his favorite color and food will be, what music he likes. Who he will turn out to be.

Here is to the beginning of the beginning.