Most of my pregnancy has been smooth sailing. I have remained active, going to the gym to walk at least twice a week and then staying on my feet a lot with work. (They don’t call it “Out and About” for nothing!)

With my iron levels in check, I hadn’t even been feeling that pregnant lately. Then, I got to month eight.

I slowly felt my energy fading as I entered this month. It would be 10 p.m. and my husband would find me nodding off on the couch next to him. I used to work night shifts at WRAL, so 10 p.m. is much earlier than I used to go to bed.

When I get to bed, I don’t always get a good night’s sleep either. My restless leg syndrome has gotten significantly worse this final trimester and when I am not up with that I am up hitting the bathroom.

For the most part, my baby boy has maintained a good sleep pattern. When I am asleep, he rests in my belly. But one night after one of my many bathroom trips, he decided it was time to get up and started having a dance party in my belly. That went on intermittently for about two hours. I couldn’t help but laugh. He was already keeping me awake during the night. Good training for parenthood!

In addition to my odd nights, I have also been battling terrible acid reflux.

So, in short, I finally feel pregnant! And I’ve only got a little more than a month before my due date.

With my body now reminding me constantly that I am pregnant, my mind has finally started to catch on.

It was one Sunday afternoon that I came to the realization that we are having a baby. Yes, I’ve known for quite some time. But it all sunk in about two weeks ago when we moved the bassinet into the bedroom.

Seeing this little bassinet sitting next to our bed just freaked me out. I’m going to be someone’s mother. What the???

I had to take a moment to let it all sink in.

Would I be a good mom? I hope so.
Would I make some mistakes? No doubt.
Would I love this baby more than anything on the planet? Absolutely.

The good thing about my husband is that he freaks out at different times than I do. He had been concerned earlier that day about starting a college fund and helping our son pay for a car when he was 16. I calmed him and he calmed me.

The first of many freak-outs that will likely happen before we hit the delivery room.

So, was the eighth month difficult for any of you? How did you first-time parents deal with fears?

Kathy is editor of WRAL.com's Out & About section. Learn more about Kathy on her website. Last year, here on Go Ask Mom, Kathy chronicled her efforts to lose weight before she and her husband started a family. Now, due with her first baby this fall, she's writing about her pregnancy. Find her here on Wednesdays twice a month on Go Ask Mom.