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We're down to our last month.

My husband, John, and I discovered in April that — if all goes well — we would have a child by Thanksgiving. We had not planned on having children. What's more, we figured after 17 years of being together, it would have happened long before now.

It took us a couple of months to adjust to the news. We would look at each other and think, "How did this happen?"

And, "Why now?"

We knew that our lives would change. We knew we'd have less leisure time. Less money. Less energy.

And as the mom carrying the baby, it amazed me that, although I was just a couple months along, I was breathless from just walking up the street. I never took naps — until I became pregnant. I worried about excessive weight gain, swelling and the emotional highs and lows that come with pregnancy.

I also worried about the Big Day: his arrival. Would I be able to withstand what could be 30 hours of labor pains and discomfort? And from what I've heard, your body is never the same afterward.

It can be very stressful to learn you're having a baby, especially when you weren't planning to have a baby.

John and I have spent countless hours worrying about how we would rearrange our home, our work schedules and our finances to accommodate him. There have been times when I've been completely overwhelmed by the pending responsibility of being someone's mother.

But there have been many incredible moments, too. Like hearing his fast little heartbeat for the first time, and seeing his development through ultrasounds.

One of my favorite things to do is to lie down and feel him moving around — little hands and feet kicking, rolling and pushing against me. I have even come to embrace the belly, once it went from looking like I'd been skipping the gym to resembling more of a baby bump.

But the most incredible thing has been the way that other people have responded to our news. Our co-workers, friends, family, even complete strangers have shown us nothing but support, love and encouragement.

Although we rarely see them, some of my husband's high school classmates from 30 years ago threw us a surprise baby shower.

My co-workers have been extremely supportive, not just throwing me a baby shower, but also asking me almost daily how I feel.

Even the staff at restaurants we frequent want updates on how things are progressing.

Complete strangers seem to have more confidence in our ability to be good parents than we've ever felt. We have been told to trust our instincts, and that this is going to be the best thing that's ever happened to us.

There are times when we are extremely skeptical. What if our son, like his father, doesn't sleep through the night until he's 4? Who's to say he won't be a delinquent and neighborhood terror? I'm sure other well-meaning parents didn't think their sweet, little babies could be such troubled teens and adults.

But the amazing thing is this: Just when I feel myself completely overwhelmed by the unknown, just when I've broken down from the weight of so much that could go wrong — someone comes along and gives me a boost of faith and hope.

I have literally left restrooms, eyes still puffy and red from sobbing, to run right into someone who says they're thrilled for us. That we're going to be good parents. That things will work out. That they can't wait to see our baby. That they'd like to help us.

These encounters have been priceless.

I think back to all of the times when I've been just as genuinely happy for my friends who became pregnant. I loved seeing their bellies grow. I was happy for them because they wanted to become parents, and I knew they'd be good mothers.

But I never considered that, despite their certainty that they wanted children, they also felt a certain amount of stress, uncertainty and worry. I never considered that they might have doubts and trepidations. I regret I never asked them how they felt. I know such encouragement and support has lifted me just when I've needed it most.

So, while I'm still a bit nervous about the big day, I'm comforted with the knowledge that so many people are thinking of us and have even said they'd be willing to help if we needed it.

Contact Tina Firesheets at 373-3498 or tina.firesheets@news-record.com