Why can't I still be in denial?

I have been pregnant now for 37 weeks. You would think that this whole time I would have been expecting a baby at the end of the pregnancy but I don't think I have been. I have been completely in denial! The denial is starting to wear off however with the bruised ribs, vastly decreased bladder capacity, fatigue and now with the intermittent contractions. You would think that those symptoms alone would be enough, but now there is suddenly a crib set up in my computer room and miniature clothes all over the place! Something strange is going on here and I feel out of the loop! Could it really be that one of these days Mitchell and I are going to leave our house the 2 of us and come home the 3 of us?!!? Whoa! I'm NOT READY!! It's so silly to feel like this is sneaking up on me now after 8 months of pregnancy but like I said, I have been in denial. I am now soliciting help and advice. What are the necessary items we will need to be...gulp, parents...and take care of a..uh...wow, our own baby? We are set for at least the next 6 months or so on clothes and since we are going to use cloth diapers we are set there too. So now what? I get really overwhelmed in Babies R Us seeing as how it is an entire store dedicated to gadgets and toys and furniture and fire-proof pajamas that they make you feel are all absolutely necessary to care for a baby! Could it really be that complicated? I really hope not! What are the must haves that I can't live without? Or even just the stuff that makes life easier? I would really appreciate the guidance here, I'm planning an exodus to the afore mentioned warehouse this Friday and I want to have a well formulated list in advance so I don't end up cowering in fetal position in the back of the large and ominous store!

I forgot to mention that thanks to Jessinna's genius and the creativity of family and friends I am well stocked on bows and flowers for our little girl's head. :)

Pictures of my 8 months pregnant belly

Recently several people have requested that I post pictures of my pregnant tummy. I don't know that there's anything all that spectacular about it besides the fact that it's round and contains my precious daughter. Mitchell and I are getting so excited for her to come! 4 and a half weeks sounds so close!