A tour of the place where you'll be born

As part of last night's birthing class, Scott and I took a tour of the maternity wing and a labor/delivery room at the hospital. It was probably the part of the class we had most looked forward to just to get a visualization of where all this "fun" would take place. Barring any surprise deliveries at home or in a taxicab (OK, our town doesn't even have a taxi), you'll be born at this hospital in Roaring Spring, in a room very similar to the one we saw last night.

It was so strange, and yet perhaps so fitting, to see the fold-apart bed, the baby warming station, some of the tubes and tools that will be used.

Hospitals are a terrifying place to me and, believe it or not, so are most doctors. They mean well and they save lives and do miraculous things, but as soon as I step inside the doors of a hospital, I'm back to the 10-year-old girl who lost her mom in one of those buildings. I'm old and wise enough to know that was a completely different set of circumstances and that this is just a silly fear. (And I really did feel like this part of the hospital was a "happy" place).

Standing in that room, however, I almost immediately felt like I was on the starting line of a huge race back in my competitive running days. I knew the hardest part would be stepping foot off that line, all nerves and shaky feet and doubts and fears, and that soon enough, I'd be in that incredible runner's high, passing girls, doing my best, trucking up a massive hill when that was the last things my legs -- or mind -- wanted to do.

I'm not quite on the starting line yet, but I think I'm definitely warming up, getting mind and body ready for what's to come and telling myself over and over again how much I've put into this moment and how brave I can be when I want something so badly.

And I can only imagine that 'mother's high' of welcoming our son into the world and watching his daddy hold him in his arms.

I've got a great coach, a wonderful support system of friends and family and I know I'm ready for the fight that comes in these mauve rooms with bright lights.

Doctor's appointment today -- fingers crossed for some progress and more good health news!