Here I am in my 40th week of pregnancy and I cannot believe that at any moment now, my baby will make his way into the world!
In so many ways this journey has been the greatest joy I have ever known; having a new life grow inside me has renewed my sense of wonder about the universe, human existence and nature in general.
It has been a truly deepening experience and, though it hasn't always been easy, it has been incredible.
In particular, the build-up to the end of my pregnancy: winding everything down and preparing for a new arrival, has narrowed my focus to such a point that everything previously deemed important in life has been called into question. It's been a clarifying time.
The pre-labour cramps, unbelievable pelvic pressure and lack of sleep that has dominated the last two weeks, is only overpowered by the intense excitement that I feel toward meeting the little person that has made my body his home for most of the past year.
Being pregnant has shook me up in way that only being pregnant can.
As a pregnant woman my life changed considerably.
Then, as a new mother, my life will change once more.
This period of my life has been, and continues to be, one of immense transformation.
For me, it is like I'm waiting for the most precious gift I will ever receive, but I don't know when it will arrive. I have no idea about the time or place when the process will begin. All I know is that it will happen very soon.
I'm tired, I ache and I'm growing a little inpatient, so apologies for this rather short piece.
However, I'm mindful of this moment and how it feels to be powerless, and at the hands of Mother Nature. It's so beautiful! There aren't many times that we get to feel like this, away from all the predictability and control of the modern world.
All there is for me to do now is rest and conserve my energy, gently move to encourage my baby's natural descent and, above all, try to enjoy this uniquely special time. It sounds relatively straight forward, but unless you've been here, it's difficult to fully appreciate how tricky it is.
Things are definitely moving in the right direction, so I know my baby is on his way - it really is just a matter of time.
The last three months have been such a whirlwind; we moved house three times, finally got settled into our new home, but, luckily, we've also had some time to stop and be still, and we've been able to spoil ourselves, and our baby, after a year of saving up to do so.
NCT classes gave a great overview of everything to come, but more importantly, they introduced us to expectant couples, and provided me with a circle of empathetic fellow mums-to-be. Attending and finishing those is a sort of milestone itself.
Anyway, here I am; I know my birth-plan; my hospital bag is packed; and the baby's car seat is fitted. We've got a cot, a buggy and a stack of nappies...and everything else one could ever require.
There really is nothing left to do but wait.
However, I'm determined not just to wait and focus on the near future to the extent that I don't hold on to the preciousness of now.
So, on that note, I'm off to indulge in a bath, and while I'm there I'm going to sing to my bump and enjoy every little kick. I will make sure that I cherish the opportunity to savour this time.
What's next is going to be the ride of my life - and you know what? I'm ready!