My birthday’s a marker of a kind, one that impels me to stop for a moment and marvel at where I am right now, where I’ve been, and the exciting conclusion that there’s no telling where it’s all going. This year, as I look forward, there is one, huge, bigger-than-ever thought, and moment, before me. It stops me in my tracks.

Oh my God. I am going to be someone’s mom.

We’re beginning to wonder aloud: how will our cats cope with the baby? We’ve put a net on the crib, and are secretly planning to kick them out of the bedroom altogether… this will definitely disrupt Zen’s hard-set cuddling routine. We’re not sure how she’ll react. We have friends whose cat became so depressed upon the arrival of a baby that it lost enough weight to land itself in the hospital with an IV drip. Another rebelled by pooping all over its owners’ rugs. This leads to our other lurking question, as-yet-unspoken but undoubtedly there: once the baby’s born, as much as we love our cats, how will we cope with them?

Did you think it was awfully suspicious how, seemingly moments after conceiving, piles of junk mail from Babies R Us and Wal Mart and every other major retailer arrived at your door? Are the digital pregnancy tests rigged up with GPS trackers now or what? We are going to need to be outfitted with the necessary items to keep our baby clothed, clean, fed, and healthy, but while I’m pretty sure I don’t need a (seriously unattractive) matching glider, ottoman, and crib skirt, I’m not entirely sure of which items I really do need within easy reach.

I’ve eaten seafood without knowing the source (I don’t overdo it), soft cheeses in moderation (and enjoyed them!), and one really good steak (juicy, but not rare). I haven’t had any alcoholic drinks, but I’ve met a number of women who have had a glass of wine here and there -- often citing French women, or their grandmothers' generation. I’ve placed an official request with my husband for sushi and champagne at the ready as soon as our baby is born. How strict have you been about all of the pregnancy rules? I’m curious.

We realized that we needed to get serious about our budget, both due to the economic situation and to the fact that our pregnancy was a surprise -- we weren’t planning to pay for diapers in the immediate future, let alone establish a college fund. My husband’s work also slowed way down after our honeymoon, and we had to re-evaluate a bit. But there is a bright side to all of this.