The big, final push

No, I'm not in labor, we are attempting to get our lives (and home) in order and ready as we enter the homestretch of this pregnancy!

We are now on the eve of 36 weeks into this journey and what used to plod along at a slowish pace now seems to be flying past!  The baby and belly continue to grow, sleep gets less restful (for both Andrew & me) and the reality that any day between now and the end of the year could be "the day" is kinda freaky.

Everyone says -- and I keep reading -- that women are more likely to be a week late than a week early with their first labor & delivery, but I'm not taking any chances!  I want to be ready before this babe is!  Plus, I'm an eternal optimist and just can't believe that my baby wants a birthday close to Christmas and therefore will decide to enter the outside world early (or at least on time).

At my last appointment our Dr. said that baby is head down and that I've dropped a bit.  This gives me hope that early is possible and keeps me motivated to stay on task!

Here's what we've been up to:

• The nursery is functional and ready if need be.  It's not quite how I want it to be, but it's baby ready (just not photo ready).  And everyone keeps telling me our baby really won't care, but I do.  I have a few finishing touches in mind.
• Neutral baby clothes are washed and a stash of diapers is ready to go.  Gender-specific attire is on hand and ready to be washed once our little he/she is revealed.  
• The guest room is underway.  We're on track to have it ready in time for overnight guests post-birth so they won't have to sleep in our room or the nursery.  Don't worry, we'd vacate the rooms, so you'd have privacy. :)
• Basement/garage/storage areas pretty much organized so our "storage stuff" is no longer take up nursery & guest room space. 
• And I've been nesting...working to organize and clean to be ready.  
• Oh, and our birth plan is done!

We've made good progress and feel good about where we are.  BUT, we still have to pack a bag and make sure we have our contact list completed prior to departing for the hospital.  Plus lots of other stuff, I just don't know what they are yet, or can't remember!

Anyway, we could be in worse shape, so we're content with our progress for now. 

PS-Today is the 17th, exactly one month before my due date!