Preparing for Parenthood

Mom and Dad gave me “Parenting Isn’t For Cowards” and “The Strong Willed Child” for my birthday. My doula recommended “The Happiest Baby On The Block” for newborn care information. I just finished "Good Nights", about the pros, cons, and safety tips for allowing the baby to sleep in your bed. (I think it will be easier while I'm breastfeeding, or I won't get any sleep!) I've spent so much time reading and preparing for labor, birth, breastfeeding, infant care and parenting, but it still hasn't sunk in that we're going to be parents. Even when we went to register at Babies R Us, playing with different strollers and car seats to see what we liked, it almost seemed like we were shopping for someone else. I just can't picture myself needing these things so soon. I don't ooh and aah over cute baby clothes in the store because it doesn't seem real yet. It's one of the reasons I'd like to get the baby's room finished. As soon as Dave gets done scraping and re-texturing the ceiling in there, I want to start setting up the baby furniture. I remember having vivid dreams of motherhood when my little sister and brother were born, back in high school. But now that I'm pregnant, I'm disappointed that I haven't had any of the typical baby dreams. Weird dreams, of course, but none about little Eva. It kinda bums me out.