Nothing but Nesting

 

After thoroughly scouring the web {Pinterest being the most helpful source} for tips

 on how to best prepare for the postpartum recovery process,

I came up with a list of items to have ready to go

for when I come home from the hospital.

 

Alex and I spent a large portion of a Saturday

walking through aisles in Target I hadn't previously known existed.

It was much more daunting than I had mentally prepared for.

In fact, there may have been a moment of miscommunication

in the breastfeeding aisle and I may have nearly started crying

and I may have told Alex to not look at the aisle behind us because I really needed him. 

It was like I became emotionally and physically paralyzed over disposable breast pads.

Surely it was not the breast pads' fault but

this particular Target shopping trip made everything seem so real.

It was overwhelming to say the least but also super helpful in the end.

Now that everything is nicely organized in a basket in our bathroom,

I can rest easy knowing I have everything {or nearly everything}

I will need for a healthy recovery

when I come home with our bundle of joy.

 

Here is the list:

 

-Two packs of 6 Hanes cotton undies

{that I can throw away if necessary}

 

-Always extra-absorbent pads

 

-Tucks wipes

 

-Dermoplast

 

-Colace

 

-Witch Hazel

 

-Nursing bra

 

-Nursing tank

 

-Disposable breast pads

 

-Reusable/washable breat pads

 

-Nipple shield

 

-Nipple cream

 

-Infant formula

{just in case the breastfeeding gig doesn't work out}

 

-A pair of fuzzy slippers

 

-Sitz bath

{I actually found this at CVS}

 

 

 

I have obviously never recovered from birthing a child before,

so I am hoping this list is sufficient.

 

Moms, got any other suggestions for me?

Anything I left off the list?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing but Nesting

I know it's been a while since I've posted about my little nesting frenzy,

but don't worry she hasn't gone anywhere.

She did take a back seat to my exhaustion for a while

but now that she has returned in full force I am faced with the daily battle

of giving in to sleep or organizing/cleaning.

Sleep still wins on most occasions

but once I get rolling on the nesting train,

there is little that can stop me! 

Despite my failure to document the following accomplished tasks,

I thought I would still share with you

my progress on the original nesting list:

Basement

-Rearrange furniture

-Make guest bed

-Deep clean bathroom

-Organize clutter in unfinished section

-Organize desk to file important documents

^^^ The basement is the biggest pain in our rear! ^^^

 We have SO much to organize that it feels WAY overwhelming.

We have decided that if we get to it before GG arrives, great!

But if we don't, it won't be the end of the world either.

Downstairs Closet

-Organize & de-clutter

Kitchen

-Organize platter cabinet

-Deep clean refrigerator & freezer

-Organize & toss expired products in pantry

-Find art for main wall

Family Room

-Art & baskets to make room cozier

^^^ Still looking for some large scale art. ^^^

I don't want to rush this decision and

I guess GG won't really care whether there is art in our family room or not.

Stairs

-Order basket for daily junk

G's Room

-Deep clean

-Wash sheets, burp cloths, bibs, etc.

-Hang artwork

-Organize bookshelf

-Organize closet

^^^ This is our top priortiy! ^^^

Now that I have had my last shower,

we can really tackle the finishing touches on GG's nursery.

I didn't want to wash things too early

because knowing my neurotic self

I would feel the need to wash them again right before she arrives.

We did purchase detergent safe to use on GG's clothes and sheets

and plan to wash things over Spring Break {which is next week -- woo woo!}

We are also taking a day trip to Cinci soon and

 plan to hit up IKEA for some much needed furniture

and while there will also pick up some white picture frames for GG's nursery art.

Then we can hang all of her artwork!

I have just been lazy on the bookshelf.

Got to get a move on it though --

this little lady will be here before you know it!

Guest Room

-Organize closet

-Toss unwanted items (books, frames, etc) from bookshelf

^^^ Eh!? Not sure when I will get around to this one! ^^^

Upstairs Bathroom

-Organize closet & toss unwanted products

-Deep clean cabinet drawers

^^^ Definitely want to deep clean before GG's arrival. ^^^

Master Bedroom

-Go through clothes/jewelry/accessories & donate unwanted items

-Utilize under bed storage

-Wash quilt & pillow shams

^^^ This is the tricky spot. ^^^

We are hoping to get a new bed before GG arrives

{upgrade to KING baby!!}

and, therefore, I have felt completely unmotivated to organize anything in our bedroom.

I know that doesn't really make sense but it will be a big change in our room

and I guess I have been avoiding cleaning it up knowing that change is still to come.

Also, going through clothes while pregnant is a joke!

I don't know what I want to keep/toss/donate right now!!!

Don't make me decide!

Silly, silly me!

Maybe next year when my body has adjusted

to not having a human growing inside of it for a while.

I did, however, sort through my jewelry and discarded all my unwanted pieces.

And, now ... the new list!

Haha!

This one has a little more perspective

and focus on the princess that will be arriving shortly!

1. Finish writing all thank you notes for GG's gifts

2. Pack hospital bag

3. Install car seat in both cars & have them inspected at local fire station

4. Pack diaper bag -- not sure if I need to do this now but it would make me feel better

5. Finish GG's nursery

6. Prep for at-home recovery

7. Deep clean entire house

8. Make prepared meals ahead of time to keep in freezer
9. Set up rock 'n play in bedroom
10. Get hair cut & colored

Moms, anything I am leaving out?

I am such a rookie,

I could use any and all advice you are willing to share!

4.5 more weeks until GG's DUE DATE!

Nothing but Nesting: Day 4

Lessons Learned....

The microwave "steam clean" floating around Pinterest works!

1 cup vinegar + 1 cup water

Microwave 10 minutes

The solution steam cleans the inside of the microwave,

making it very easy to wipe away crust and gunk.

However, let me serve as your model of what NOT to do.

If you use a glass measuring cup like me,

don't go grabbing the GLASS handle with your BARE hands.

DUH!?!?!

This should have been obvious but I burned the buh-gee-bees out of my hand!

Also, start wiping from the top, then the sides, and then the bottom. 

This is another obvious DOY!?! tip,

but I started at the bottom and then had to rewipe it

after gross gunks fell down while cleaning the top.

 
Shelf risers make all the difference.

We got a set from Walmart for about $10

and have now maximized the storage space in our kitchen cabinets.

 

This was especially helpful considering

we do not have an official pantry,

and have designated the two cabinets in the first photo as our "pantry".

With the addition of our shelf risers, we can really pack a lot in there.

Another Pinterest recipe success!

Alex and I put this homemade grout cleaner to the test!

Well, let me clarify...

Alex put this homemade grout cleaner to the test!

I just shared the recipe with him. ;)

Our results were not as dramatic as the Pinterest picture

but were good nonetheless.

After cleaning the grout,

Alex then sealed it using a pre-made solution

that was easy to swipe and wipe.

I am hoping this will prevent spills from staining our grout

especially as G grows into a toddler.

Nothing but Nesting: Day 3

First victim of my nesting craze...

the freezer...

at 5 AM.

{I woke up because I had to pee,

and couldn't fall back asleep because I felt the need to clean.}

The freezer was the perfect fix.

It was short and sweet

but left me feeling accomplished for the rest of the day!

Our freezer is a large drawer at the bottom of our refrigerator.

I love the extra space it leaves for the fridge

but the freezer itself can be really awkward.

Since it is just a huge drawer, 

it is WAY too easy to just throw things in there,

on on top of the other, 

and then forget about them.

My plan of attack was simple.

Take everything out.

Check for expiration dates.

Discard all expired/undesired products.

Sort by food type.

*While everything was out of the freezer,

I did spray disinfectant on the inside.

You got to be quick when cleaning the freezer,

the disinfectant will just freeze on you in a sec.

Next time, I will probably use disinfecting wipes.*

Most of the food had not expired,

but I did notice that we have a pattern of eating ice cream

just until there is about half a serving left.

Then no one will touch it.

Put back in the freezer with other like items.

I put lunch/dinner foods on one side,

side items in the middle,

and dessert on the other side.

Now, I just need to figure out a place for that breast milk...

Any tips?

Nothing but Nesting: Day 2

Now that we have our overwhelming list,

I decided to make another one.

This time I listed out all the organization and cleaning supplies

needed to purchase in order to get our nest in tip top shape.

I won't bore you with our list this time,

but I do want to share some stellar organizational finds.

Not sure if we will actually need all of the following,

but while I was purusing the internet

I stumbled upon the following:

Urban Outfitters -- $44

{To help with our bathroom clutter --

I am trying to decide if this will just add more busyness or order}

Urban outfitters -- $50

{I love this reclaimed wood chalk board but I have no where for it to go. Sad Face.}

Urban Outfitters -- $64

{Maybe bathroom? It looks a little more kitcheny to me though.}

Urban Outfitters -- $140

{Probably my favorite item overall!!}

Ikea Spice Racks

{Thinking above the sink in bathroom or

above the changing table in G's nursery.}

Lucky Clover Trading Co. -- $2.50

{Yup! You read that right! TWO FIDDY!

We are planning on ordering baskets from here

but need to do some measuring first to see what we really need.}



I also stumbled upon this land mine of storage ideas:
75 Great Bathroom Storage Solutions

***Sorry the Urban photos are so tiny.

I couldn't figure out how to make them larger

without messing with the picture resolution.***

Nothing but Nesting: Day 1

Nesting is no joke.

I have felt this very strong compulsion to clean and organize

 like nobody's beez-nees

now that I am late in the 2nd trimester.

{I am officially in the 3rd trimester today, actually!}

The amount of tasks I want to accomplish 

before G makes her debut

is just a tab bit overwhelming.

Inspired by Apartment Therapy's January Cure Series,

I thought I would start chronicling my nesting experience 

to let you in on the craziness that has overcome my brain

and to help keep me focused and on track.

The first order of business...

Making a list.

Basement 

 -Rearrange furniture

-Make guest bed

-Deep clean bathroom

-Organize clutter in unfinished section

-Organize desk to file important documents

Downstairs Closet

-Organize & de-clutter

Kitchen

-Organize platter cabinet

-Deep clean refrigerator & freezer

-Organize & toss expired products in pantry

-Find art for main wall

Family Room

-Art & baskets to make room cozier

Stairs

-Order basket for daily junk

G's Room

-Deep clean

-Wash sheets, burp cloths, bibs, etc.

-Hang artwork

-Organize bookshelf 

-Organize closet

Guest Room

-Organize closet

-Toss unwanted items (books, frames, etc) from bookshelf

Upstairs Bathroom

-Organize closet & toss unwanted products

-Deep clean cabinet drawers

Master Bedroom

-Go through clothes/jewelry/accessories & donate unwanted items

-Utilize under bed storage

-Wash quilt & pillow shams

Oy! 

I am tired just looking at my list.

I kept each room to 5 tasks or less.

I want to tackle 9 rooms in 12 weeks.

Wish me luck and please send any helpful advice my way!