March 7th is in 5 days.

I obviously have not had a baby yet or I wouldn't be sitting here typing another blog entry. We're saving Andrew's big foray into the blogging world for that initial "we've had a baby message." Andrew thinks I should type the script mad lib style and he can just fill in the missing information.

It could read something like:

We would like to welcome _____ _____ Telep into the World! ____ arrived at __ o'clock _m. ___ weighs ___ lbs and ___ oz and measures ___ inches. Dana was ____ during labour and Andrew did ____.

So there's the basic script. I feel confident that he can rise to the occasion and think of those details himself. Meanwhile, we're just here hanging out passing the time. According to our latest midwife's appointment, we're still proceeding normally, baby and I are healthy and my cervix is just waiting for some contractions to kick the whole thing into gear.

This is truly a challenging time. I would love to tell you that I'm an incredibly patient person who is savoring as instructed these "last" moments of time alone, or with just Andrew. I have had lots of well-meaning people remind me that I will look back upon this time and wish I had relished it or not wanted to rush past it. And yes I probably will, but if I'm honest with myself, I just might remember what it really felt like to be here.

It's a nice enough time, don't get me wrong. I have the gift of being able to take my time. I don't have to be anxious about preparations or a short maternity leave. I am grateful to Andrew for taking up the difficult task of providing the income for our single income family. I have the "nest" fairly prepared as well - you could always do more, but things are looking good around here. Andrew has also played a large role in refinishing furniture, repairing broken things and lending a decorating opinion or two. I guess what I'm saying is Andrew has been a great husband, caring father and overall good guy.

But often I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff. I know that I will be jumping from the cliff shortly and I've been given all sorts of advice about it. Most of the advice involves how I cannot imagine all that the cliff has to offer and that I cannot do enough to prepare for the experience. So, I'm looking over the edge and thinking, "If we're going to do this; let's jump already."

We'll keep you posted.