"Anxiously" Waiting

  Those that know me know that I'm not typically an anxious, nervous, or easily shaken up kind of person. However, the closer we get to Declan being born, the more of all three of those things I become. I worry about everything! Not so much about once he's here, I know Valerie and I will figure our way through parenthood just as everyone does. I worry about something happening before he's born. Car accidents, work accidents, illness, Valerie being alone, etc.
  A couple of weeks ago I was literally terrified at the thought of death, and leaving Valerie and Declan alone. So much that I had what I guess was an anxiety attack(never experienced one before). I went to bed that night, fully expecting to never wake, gave Valerie a kiss, and said sorry if I didn't. Valerie normally being the anxious one, just gives me a hug and says something to the effect of "oh babe, you're not dying. Go to sleep." When I awoke the next morning, I honestly had to convince myself that I wasn't a spirit trapped in some unknown realm.
  Until I met Valerie, I never really felt like I had anything to lose. Now, with Declan almost here, I have even more. Life has always seemed like something we go through to get to the next day, and repeat. Now, every single day is new! It may be selfish, but I'd hate to miss any of it. I'd hate to not be there for Valerie and our son.
  This may seem a bit excessive to some, and I may be inclined to agree. What I am most curious about is have any parents felt or experienced anything similar? Is it common to become so concerned about everything? Does it go away? How do you deal with it?