Hey Jakey,

Shoo-a shoo-a shoo-a shoo-a shoo-a shoo-a... That's the sound of your baby sibling's heartbeat. 138 beats a minute.

Had a doctor appt today and had to take a glucose test, cuz my sugar numbers (or whatever...) were kinda high with my last blood test. Also, Dr. K says my thyroid numbers are "out of whack." Both of these developments are expected, as they happened when I was pregnant with you.

Here's the breakdown:

Vials of blood drawn: 4
Number of pounds gained in last six weeks: 5
Blood pressure: 136/60
Time doctor saw me for a 1:40 pm appointment: 2:30 pm

All in all, not too bad. I thought perhaps I had gained 40 pounds, so I'll gladly take 5. I thought my BP would be through the roof, as I had a stressful morning, had *just* sat down from a dash from the parking lot to the restroom (had been nursing my inevitable "urine sample" for about an hour and a half) and was nervous about my BP in the first place. And a 40-minute wait to see Dr. K wasn't bad, considering every mom-to-be in SLT seemed to be clamoring at the doors, in some kind of urgent distress.

I do hate having my blood drawn, though. I've been lucky, for the most part, and seem to usually get sympathetic and gentle nurses.

I didn't take any pix today at the doctor's office, so I'm posting a picture of my newest CD. It's the new Cracker album, Greenland. I'm letting it grow on me. I don't fall in instant love with albums anymore, like I did when I was younger.

It's a little darker than their normal fare. Sweet and sad and sentimental in places, and prog-rawkish, ala Pink Floyd in other places. My favorite song so far is "Fluffy Lucy." I like it now, I will love it in a couple of weeks.

Remember, Jake? You "saw" Cracker live, when I was seven months pregnant with you. Johnny waved at us. And this new baby, similarly "saw" Camper van Beethoven live when I was maybe a month or less pregnant. You're both very, very lucky children.

All right. Time for bed. Love you, and scoot yo ass over.