The New Normal

I know our life will change drastically when baby makes three, but I didn't know how much life would change before our little guy arrived. Here are some of the little ways life is different 10 weeks before baby's expected arrival date:

• When I say, "do you want to know about this week?" to my husband, he knows I don't mean what my plans are for the week. He knows I am about to read out loud to him about baby's development for that particular week.
• I am so used to our little man's acrobatics, kerthunks and kicks that I wake up startled when I don't feel him, as opposed to being woken up by his movements. His movements are so big that husband feels them even when he's not trying, and gets distracted when he can't feel them.
• There are already baby supplies everywhere. We've had one of our baby showers already (more about that soon!) but the nursery is still full of grown up stuff we still have to sort through, so there is a boxed crib leaning up against the wall in our living room, and kits with teeny tiny fingernail clippers and hair brushes piled in the guest bathroom that need to be put away. I consider this practice for when we are ankle deep in baby toys and excersaucers.
• We are getting serious about home improvement. Although there is only so much one can do in an apartment, we have a list of things that we want to get done before the baby comes. Most of these things would have been overlooked if it were going to be the two of us, but suddenly replacing vents and finding the perfect paint color is extremely important.
• My list-making has reached epic proportions. I have always been a little OCD, but now I have a list for everything: the ongoing list on my blackberry for groceries, a list of things to pack for the hospital, food to make and freeze for the weeks following baby's arrival. Pregnancy is sooo good for my anal-retentive tendencies.
• I have spent more time researching stroller/car seat travel systems than I did studying for my SATs. After receiving a diploma from a fairly prestigious university, I think choosing the correct travel system is far more important.
• I spend a lot of time in bed and on the couch, but not a lot of time sleeping. Sleeping is not the easiest thing to do anymore, and sometimes it's boring waiting the night out. I assume I'll sleep even less when the baby arrives, but at least I'll have a baby to play with during those sleepless nights.

The moral of the story? A baby changes everything. Long before it arrives.