juthwara

We went out last night and spent a slightly appalling amount of money on moulding for our bedrooms and bathrooms. I say slightly because the amount we spent was the low-end-optimistic estimate when I was trying to figure out how much it would cost. But this will be the last big project and make a huge difference in how the rooms look, which in turn will make a big difference when the house goes on the market. I just have to keep reminding myself that we'll get the money back when the house sells.

I came to the startling realization while we were in the store that we may be quite close to buying our last buckets of paint. It almost makes me giddy. Although I'm kind of glad to have a nice sit-down painting project like painting moulding before it's installed. I really need sit-down projects at the moment - when things like vacuuming can make me feel like I've run a marathon, I'm really not up to the high-energy projects any more.

I had a high blood pressure reading yesterday at the doctor's office. They made me lie down for five minutes and took it again and it had gone down to normal, from 144/90 to 128/80 and my urine didn't have any protein in it (high blood pressure and protein in the urine being a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is big worry time), so there's nothing to worry about. But now I get to start going to the doctor every week because of it. I actually don't mind that too much, since it appeals to my inner neurotic who really likes to be assured on a regular basis that the baby's heart is still beating. No matter how much movement I feel, it doesn't seem quite as real as actually being able to hear the heartbeat.

Speaking of movement, my stomach has been pulsating in the oddest ways tonight. I'm used to seeing my stomach jump with kicks, but tonight, large round lumps have been rising and then going back down, like a whale surfacing to breathe. It's cute in a slightly freaky sort of way.

It's hard to believe that we only have a little over six weeks until my due date. We're starting to feel more prepared - we've finally managed to start childbirth classes and we've begun the process of acquiring Stuff. We had a baby shower at

longstrider's work yesterday and a bigger shower for friends and family is planned for Saturday. And things have started arriving in the mail which is exciting for everyone in the house - for us because we get cool stuff, and for the cats because they get both an opportunity to dash outside when we bring the box in _and_ the empty box that they get to explore afterwards. Of course, our baby stuff is a bit spotty. We have a Snugli, a diaper pail, a stroller, two sets of baby grooming stuff (neither of which I plan to use for the first couple of months because they smell too perfumey) and a set of five onesies (so tiny!). Clearly we have a ways to go yet before we're really well-stocked, although I suppose all we really _need_ are some diapers and a carseat. But there are plenty of other things that would make life a lot easier. But who needs things like a crib or diapers when we have the absolutely essential baby items: musical stuffed animals. We have two so far, and I'm sure more are to come.