Nesting!

[Csara]

I think I have finally hit the "nesting" stage of pregnancy. I can't seem to get in enough cleaning today!! Hopefully it is just the beginning and this will continue and not just be a one-day thing.

Today I tackled our master bathroom and bedroom. I bleached and scrubbed every corner of the bathroom floor, baseboards, shower, bath-tub and toilet. I cleaned the floormats and windows already and plan to re-organize my medicine cabinet and the cabinets under our sinks when all of the surface area is clean. Next comes the mirror, sinks and countertops.

I also vacuumed every corner of the bedroom, cleaned our area rug and dusted all the furniture. New blinds/window treatments were ordered the other day and are currently on the way. We went through the closet last weekend and got rid of a ton of DH's stuff. We also did his drawers. Next comes my drawers. Everything needs to be taken out, sorted through and either given away or put back neatly.

Baby's room is clean and ready for a fresh paint job. I think I picked the color I want so now it's just a matter of getting it done.

What are some other things around the house I should be doing as far as cleaning and organizing before my little boy gets here??? What kind of things did you do when "nesting" that aren't part of the normal cleaning routine?

[Margarita]

Wow, you got lots done, C! Some of it is stuff I've NEVER done in my life. :lol:

I didn't nest a whole lot while I was pg, but one thing I did that I was so glad about later on was babyproofing the kitchen. We didn't want to put cabinet locks and such in creating permanent holes, so I reorganized, putting any glass, sharp, or otherwise dangerous stuff up high. It doesn't have to be done for several months, but it was so nice to have one less area to babyproof when the time came. It's much easier to accomplish that sort of thing before baby arrives, too.

[Trina]

I totally agree with Margs on babyproofing before baby comes. We started trying to do this once Aidan started crawling, but we literally have been so busy chasing babies around since then, that we blew off doing the rest.

It would be simple to do if you start before baby comes, though. This may sound like an odd thing to do, but trust me--it works. Just get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. Look for things that you think a baby may be interested in grabbing from this height... because they WILL! Especially little boys... I honestly don't think most little girls have quite the "sticky fingers" that little boys have. LOL I never had to worry about leaving nearly as much out on shelves and such when my daughter was a baby.

Our actual baby-proofing items we bought were 2 baby gates, a bunch of outlet covers, and the cabinet locks for the cabinets under each sink (where we keep all the cleaning products and other dangerous chemicals). So far, we haven't had to use them on any other cabinets. That doesn't mean they don't get into the cabinets and pull out all the Tupperware items and pots and pans and collanders and stuff... it just doesn't really bother me too much. I remember getting into stuff like that as a baby--I think a bit of curosity and getting into kitchen cabinets is quite enriching for little minds! :)

One thing I really wish that I would have considered and done before either of the boys was born is to create a "safe area" to put them while I cleaned the house, took a shower, or whatever. Instead, I always have to listen with my second set of Mommy-ears whenever I do these things. When they get too quiet, it can mean they're totally digging a TV show that's on or just playing quietly by themselves (or together), but it can also mean that they're tearing the wallpaper border off their walls (which they have done TWICE now), playing with a marker they just found on the counter, tinkering with Mommy's camcorder, or tearing up some important mortgage documents. LOL It's just kind of frustrating to have to stop every couple of minutes while cleaning the house to check on them. Sure would have been nice to get housework done in an hour instead of three!

[Csara]

good idea, Margs! This morning DH says to me "let's bleach the kitchen floor" and I said "I'm not getting out of bed today!!" :lol: I really must have overdone it b/c I feel really bad today. I have a headache, my lower back, hips and neck hurt, I'm stuffy and I am more tired than I have been in a very long time. Maybe I'm coming down with something, but I think I just need to catch up on sleep. Back to nesting another day..........LOL

[Csara]

hey trina, thanks for the tips! I won't be getting on my hands and knees crawling around the house today, but that's a great idea and I will do that when I'm feeling better. I like the idea of the "safe area" too.

[Margarita]

:nono: You rest up good today, then. That's another thing you need to keep in mind. Spread out the nesting over several days so you don't get as tired.

[Csara]

Back to cleaning it's been for me, but I am totally doing it slowly now.

The easy part is done. Basically my house is super duper clean on the surface. Now comes the tough part. DH asked me what I'd like to do first - the garage or the kitchen. Well, if you saw our garage, that is a very daunting task. I don't know if I'll EVER be up for that. :lol: The kitchen, on the other hand, seems easy to do. I just want to get some drawer separators and organizers and make things neater.

Yesterday I emptied out the entire fridge and freezer, scrubbed down both until they were spotless, threw away old condiments and crap at the back of the freezer and fridge we didn't even realize we had and restocked everything neatly. It looks awesome!

I also finally got around to REALLY cleaning the floor.

I am so excited. I have gotten to the point where I love cleaning and once things are neat and clean, I really have an obsession with keeping them that way. :)

[Neneuu]

Wow, I just have to comment on this. C, you sound JUST like me. A couple weeks ago I did a major overhaul cleaning on our master bdrm/bath and closet. Swept, mopped, dusted, vacuumed (3 times), organized closets etc... took me 5 hours! I was so sore the next day that I felt like I had done an intense weight lifting workout pre pg! Since then I've been taking it a bit easier on the nesting bit - but like you I've been keeping everything super nice and clean. Kinda weird... I'm in overdrive... hence the reason I'm up at 2am!

Also, I was wondering about baby proofing, y'alls tips are very helpful, THANKS! :)

[andrea]

um yeah next time your in the cleaning mood.. feel free to come on up lol

[empty nester]

Just noticed it is Naomi's big first birthday. Happy Birthday to her! :elephant: