The race is on

We got the keys to our new house on Sunday- yippee! Our initial euphoria was short-lived, however, as we discovered that it needs quite a bit more doing to it than we had originally anticipated- that is, there is no carpet, no floor covering, no tiles, bare bulbs everywhere and no decorating apart from stark white walls.  The acoustics when the dog barks are quite ear shattering.  I guess in reality we knew we would have to do all this, but we were simply in denial.   

We spent most of the week not to mention the entire weekend traipsing around the shops trying to organise all of the interior decorating in one fell swoop. We can't really move in properly until we get something down on the floor, so for the time being we are still camped out in the rental flat.  Fortunately both E. and I are capable of being ruthlessly decisive about purchasing fixtures and fittings, but it's frankly exhausting, not to mention eye watering expensive at times, since we don't have the luxury of time to do a lot of price checking and shopping around.  I feel like the clock is tick, tick, ticking on to my due date- now only about 8 weeks away. Aieee.

Plus, all of this scurrying about like decapitated chickens is just to accomplish basic home furnishing, which means I have yet to acquire any baby items whatsoever.  We keep driving by the big baby gubbins supply store- the dog and I eagerly hang our heads out the window, panting and drooling (albeit for different reasons). And then instead I find myself in the the paint aisle of the DIY store arguing about the respective merits of natural calico versus natural hessian. Or possibly natural wicker. 

Given that we both feel like we are in never-ending blue-arse fly mode, the decision was taken to proceed with bumping my maternity leave up a bit- so I have just two more weeks of work. This is probably just as well, since people are beginning to giggle when they see me coming down the corridor.  Even if it means a bit less time at the end, I'm hugely relieved to be going which to me suggests it's probably the right thing to do.   

Now if I could just get something as simple as a phone line connected.  Anticipated hook-up date is THREE weeks from now, plus another week to ten days to get internet service. A bit aggravating since I think for the phone, all they reallyhave to do is flick a switch at the exchange down the road.  But there is not much I can do, except gnash my tiny teeth and soldier on.

   

Comments

[DebbieS]

Wow, what a race to the finish line! Are you registered anywhere, and does the baby store deliver? (I'm trying to picture how many trips it would take you in a car that will only fit a pram if you are a Tetris champion!)

Good for you leaving work a bit early. IMHO you'll enjoy even a shorter leave more because you will feel more rested. I'm sure you've heard this a trillion times already, but, enjoy it while you can!

Congrats on the new digs =)

[Pamplemousse]

8 weeks!!! Gah! I am insane for you. Start counting down those 10 days ;)

[Northwoods Baby]

Fastest. Pregnancy. EVER.

How does that happen, man? Mine seemed to drag on
f o r e v e r.

Congratulations on the flat, though. Even stark naked, it has to be a lurvely sight.

PS, hessian, if only to be able to tell people, "Oh, that? Natural hessian. We thought about faux hessian but that's more a renter color don't you think?"

[Jill]

You must have been, what, 5 months along when you shared your pregnancy news with us? Because surely it has only been a few months since we celebrated your surprise.

No stress about the house- baby won't care. But I know that doesn't make it any easier.

[carosgram]

gnashing and soldiering! I love it. Hope all starts to fall in place. Enjoy what you can and f*** the rest.

[Chili]

Can't believe you're down to 8 weeks already! Eeek! Good for you taking your mat leave a little early - I'm sure that will ease some of the stress for you. Good luck with the continuing renos!

[cooler*doula]

Oh. Good call on taking some extra time off on the front end of the maternity leave. Just make sure you spend some of it lying around doing nothing.