Ready?

Well, the bun is done. As of today, I am 37 weeks pregnant, which is considered "full-term." Any time that Squishy wants to show up from here on out would be fine with the medical establishment. The cooking is done, now he's just glazing.

People have been asking me a lot lately if we're "ready" for Squishy to be here. And I'm never quite sure how to answer the question.

We've got all the gear (and then some): crib, mattress, sheets, dresser, changing pad, stroller, car seat, bouncy chair, activity mat, playpen, diapers, wipes, onesies, bibs, hats, socks, sleep sacks, swaddle wraps, rattles, bottles, teethers, toys...

We've taken classes and know how to change a diaper, bathe a baby, and check for jaundice...

I've read a bunch of books on birth and know the stages of labor, when to call my doctor, and the pros and cons of various medical interventions...

But I would describe all of that as being "prepared." I'm not sure you can ever really be ready for your first child.

Can you really be ready for the sheer intensity of birth? Can you really be ready for the weight of responsibility that comes with the arrival of a teeny creature utterly dependent on you? Can you really be ready to have your entire world restructured because this new little being is at its center? Can you really be ready to love something that much?

Am I ready? I have no idea. But I am EXCITED!