The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I have been sick for almost two weeks with a wicked cold/bird flu. I am finally starting to feel a bit better, though I'm not 100 percent yet. This, combined with a pile of freelance work, has kept my head down. When I am not sleeping, I am working. But here's the good news: I have almost finished the freelance jobs on my desk and should be done by Monday, and I am feeling better. But I am seriously behind in e-mail, so if I owe anyone a response, my apologies (and excuses).

On Monday, we begin our birth classes. We are now at 32 weeks, which means only eight weeks to go. How did the time pass so quickly? I'm trying to get ready and buy the things we need. Breast pump, diapers, etc. just to make sure we are ready to go. You never know. She may decide to show up early. I am an impatient person and it wouldn't surprise me if she is, too.

Still working on the nursery. Family visits and illness slowed us down, but we are very close to finished. I'm sure Nate will post pictures on his Flickr soon.

In gardening news, we cleared out one bed and planted three rose bushes and several herbs. I also included a strawberry plant I grabbed by mistake (I thought it was thyme; yes, I know, they look nothing alike but I'm telling you, my mind has not been totally present lately). We also had some wildflower seeds we purchased from Native American Seed. We are waiting to see if they sprout. This year, I decided to try to plant some veggies. So far, my cucumbers and Roma tomatoes have sprouted and are ready to go into the ground. I'm waiting on my tomatillos and peppers. And when it gets a little warmer, we may plant corn and sunflowers.

Still to come in the garden: possibly native grass in the back yard. We have a large patch of dirt and I hate wasting money (and water!) on watering so I don't want to use St. Augustine or any equivalent. We may get some the Native Sun Turfgrass mix from Native American Seed. It’s a combination of Blue Gama and Buffalograss. After it’s established, it should require no water or fertilization. That would leave only one bed in our yard that hasn't been addressed. We've talked about possibly doing a tropical bed: palms, banana trees, that kind of thing. After two years in our house we will have replaced all of the bare and/or dying things, which feels pretty nice. And here's the thing: it's now or never. After the bebe makes her appearance, I seriously doubt we'll be able to do more than maintenance in the yard. At least until she's a little older.

So we have had a ton of expenses lately, which we expected. Paying the doctor for the delivery (in advance of course), hospital fees (to come after she is born), spring planting, getting the house ready, all the assorted paraphernalia associated with bebes (the already mentioned diapers, etc.). And, oh yes, taxes. Luckily this year we were more prepared so our bill was much lower than last year. It was just a lot of expenses in a short amount of time. And here is my final big expense, I think. I am seriously considering charging a computer. I have done a ton of freelance work this past year, but I always use Nate's computer. I haven't bought my own new computer in almost seven years. Insane, with the amount of work I'm doing at home. Also, I would like a laptop for the mobility (Nate has a desktop and it's in the same room as his X-Box, which can be problematic at times). I've been trying to limit charging things but I think this purchase might be worth it. (All of my freelance money—and then some—has been going to some of the other expenses I've mentioned. But maybe we're getting close to the end of some of these big cash outlays. Ha! I know all new parents out there are shaking their heads sadly at my naivete.)

So I'll leave you with this thought. I get a weekly e-newsletter from my old writing program, and this quote was included in this week's missive:

"... And you know, you don't have to, like, beg or pray in a church—with Satan, you just tell him what you want and YOU GET IT."

—The Electric Hellfire Club, "Psychedelic Sacrifice"

Our weirdo cat

I know that many cats like leather shoes and will roll all over their people's shoes and stick their heads in sandals, loafers, etc. to get a whiff of that oh-so-seductive aroma of foot sweat. Our cat Roscoe does this, but he also likes to lick and bite the outside of leather shoes and purses (which presumably have no sweat). Yesterday, I left the boots I tried to wear (and failed!) on my bedroom floor. I'd left them there in disgust when I couldn't finish zipping them up over my bloated, pregnant calves. When I got home, Roscoe was licking and nibbling on them. I have little teeth marks on my boots, other leather shoes and bags, but I always get freaked out the most when he's licking my boots. He makes this funny heavy breathing/chewing/almost-purring noise when he's doing it, which makes me think my cat has a weird leather boot fetish, and that is definitely not the most pleasant thought to have about your pet.

Another odd thing: I left my robe on the bed the other day. I noticed when I got home that it was spread out across Walker's dog bed, quite neatly, like it had been placed there intentionally. I have no idea which animal took my robe in its mouth, moved it across the room, and then slept on it for most of the day. You might think it was Walker (the evidence being on his bed and all), but there's no telling. The dogs sleep on each other's beds and frequently Roscoe will kick them off and sleep there as well. I should examine the forensic evidence more closely (which fur was left on the robe).

We are surrounded by strange creatures.

The Not-So-Great

I've gained about 25 pounds so far. I'm in the last trimester (six and a half months) and I wonder how much more I'll gain.

My fingers appear to be swelling a bit. My wedding band still fits fine but my engagement ring is a little tight lately. I may have to stop wearing both because I don’t want to have to cut them off. Cutting them off would probably give Nate a heart attack.

This morning I tried putting on my boots and couldn’t zip up the top half-inch or so on my right (larger) calf. Depressing. I’m wearing ballet flats.

I’ve gone up a bra size. Previously I had to wear two sports bras when jogging, so going up a size is not a positive thing for me.

I think I'm developing a waddle.

Tired

Maybe it’s all coincidence, but almost immediately after beginning the third trimester, I have been exhausted again. The last two days I’ve been really tired at work, especially at the end of the day, and I’ve taken naps when I've gotten home. I have zero energy to work out. Last night I napped from 6 until 9 p.m., woke up to eat and watched TV for an hour or so, and was in bed again by 10:30 and slept until 7 a.m. Normal? I have no idea. All I know is that I’m tiiiiiiired. And my back hurts. Nate thinks I should get a massage. I think I’ll let myself get talked into it.