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Nesting

Posted on 2/24/2009 by Denise

It won’t be long now!  I’ve begun nesting.  Nesting is something all mothers-to-be in the animal kingdom do, it’s a primal instinct.  It is the uncontrollable urge to clean and organize at home and to finish projects at home or work to tie up loose ends.  It can actually be quite entertaining for those who are looking on.  I’ve heard stories of women who clean their house armed with a toothbrush!

Although I haven’t done anything quite as entertaining as this, I have been keeping my husband busy!  We both cleaned the house top to bottom last weekend.  I had been planning it all week while at work.  I knew that if I didn’t do anything else, the house would be spotless.  It made so much sense to me.  I know the baby will be here soon and with that I’ll have family and friends stopping by to help out and wish us well.  I couldn’t have my family seeing my dirty house!   As a matter of fact, I began having my first mild contractions following my marathon house cleaning event on Saturday.

In addition, I have washed all the baby’s clothes and organized them by size (which I hear is a common theme for nesters) in his closet.  I finally got around to unpacking all the wonderful shower gifts and helped my husband put all the new toys and gear together.

My friends at work have been fussing at me for weeks to get my bag packed and get the car seat in the car.  Well, they’ll be glad to know that I finally did both of those things this weekend.  I am all set.

There’s just one more thing on my to-do list.  I have been frantically trying to tie up loose ends at work, including writing my sub plans in detailed format for three weeks along with copies.  This is so that my substitute teacher will have it easy for a while as she gets used to the class, the curriculum, and the students.  I am almost finished.  I just need one more afternoon to get it all done.  Hopefully, as you are reading this all of this has been completed!

Nesting has been exhausting but it feels good to accomplish so many things and to feel “ready” for my baby boy’s arrival.  I’ve been trying to not overdo it.  The next thing on my to-do list is … SLEEP, while I still can!  I’ve heard I won’t be getting much of this once the baby arrives. 

Comments
36 Comments
  • I LOVED my son's swing the most - he had really bad acid reflux so when he couldn't sleep in the crib (even inclined) it was wonderful!!!

    Richardzmom on 3/1/2009 at 4:16 PM
  • Recently, I've been stockpiling on diapers, my daughter is due to arrive in 3 weeks. Diapers.com has diapers on sale for 20% off and if you used the code MEKA5811 you can take an extra $10 off your order.

    Jameka on 3/1/2009 at 8:55 AM
  • I like your idea of a price book.

    Janet F on 2/28/2009 at 9:01 PM
  • Looks like you've been planning well, best of wishes.

    Vickie Bartlett on 2/28/2009 at 3:00 PM
  • that is great - i wish you could come clean my house too :) i'm sure it feels great for you to have all that done. congrats!

    mary on 2/27/2009 at 9:57 PM
  • Nesting comes to get things done. Great that you went with the flow of things and used time wisely. The new baby will be a new experience. You will not believe that you can love a baby in a second. You will have a flood of emoitions, some so joyful and some trying as you find your way. Some time you will wonder am I doing it right ... that is normal. You are made by God to adjust and you will find your way in this motherhood role. You sound like you are enjoying this time and are so excited about this baby. Keep the excitement and turn it into love for the little one. Ask questions and seek education for what you are not sure with. Moms, grandmothers, internet are some of the solutions to the unknown questions.You can take opinions and decide on what is best for you and your baby. Just like Nesting comes and goes let youself get connected with other moms, groups, blogs, so you can be the best mom you want to be. Being a mom is an ever learning task and the more you know and put into your experience the better it will be. So then Nest with education next.

    Diane N. on 2/27/2009 at 3:45 PM
  • Reading your article reminded me of my childbirthing days about a decade ago. Blessings on this fabulous time of life and congradulations

    Kathy Rambousek on 2/27/2009 at 11:21 AM
  • It is amazing how God gives us the energy to get everything done before the baby arrives. You are right spend sometime resting while you can.

    Beth on 2/27/2009 at 8:08 AM
  • I was luckily enough to be able to stay home with both my girls. I had lots of family help. Any time that you can stay at home even if it's part-time is great!

    Alexis on 2/26/2009 at 9:00 PM
  • I can TOTALLY relate! I am 37 weeks pregnant and have been driving my boyfriend CrAzY with my nesting. I have kept him VERY busy putting together cribs and shelves and helping me clean. He keeps telling me that I am like one of those birds on the Discovery channel going through the nest making sure everything is in its place... he didn't know what nesting was... but now he knows!!

    Karmen Kiler on 2/26/2009 at 8:39 PM
  • I am 10 weeks behind you (28 weeks preggers) and I'm already doing all sorts of WEIRD nesting stuff!! :O I can totally relate.

    Kimberly on 2/26/2009 at 4:25 PM
  • Nesting must be a secret blessing. LOL Somehow we know that we better do it now because it sure isn't going to get done once the baby is here! :)

    Lori A. on 2/26/2009 at 4:20 PM
  • I am a newbie to your site! I wish you the best of luck with your new family member. I have been a stay at home mom for years and I wouldn't change a thing. Cindi

    Cindi on 2/26/2009 at 3:03 PM
  • I didn't nest for either of my pregnancies. But the day I came home from the hospital with my 1st baby - I had just had a c-section, mind you - I started acting like I was nesting! I started cleaning and organizing and washing dishes, laundry, etc. My husband had to tell me to SIT and STAY, hee hee! :)

    Melinda on 2/26/2009 at 1:41 PM
  • Yes nesting, I remember it well... I am a CLEAN freak anyway, but I just had to work work work like a dog to have everything just right for those babies when they came home! Yes it is really the nesting INSTINCT! Isn't it amazing!!!?? Gosh I wish I had some of those baby days back.... I loved them! MY babies are 18 and 22! Leslie

    Leslie M. on 2/26/2009 at 12:26 PM
  • I can relate because I went though that everytime with each of my four children. It was like I turned into some mad cleaning lady.

    Tamara B. on 2/25/2009 at 6:08 PM
  • I am excited for you and the adventures you will endure with your child. Deciding to be a stay at home mother was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is also one of the hardest jobs you will ever do. I think that working part time if you are able will be great. I know alot of women including myself who feel as though they lose part of their self when their whole day is spent takng care of a little one.

    Amanda Musselwhite on 2/25/2009 at 4:55 PM
  • I completely understand the nesting part. I gave birth to boy/girl twins in Sept. I was on my hands and knees cleaning everything. I was so scared that I wouldnt be organized. I even made a trip to Walmart before going in for my c-section to make sure I had covered all my bases. Good luck with your pregnancy. I will be praying for a healthy baby and mommy.

    Amanda Musselwhite on 2/25/2009 at 4:50 PM
  • Ahh, nesting... I got my daughter's room painted because of nesting. I just couldn't wait for my husband to do it on a weekend (amongst the other things I wanted him to do) so I picked out the paint, got the brushes and went to it. Luckily the house is open, as is the girls' room and I had all doors and windows open. Make sure you and hubby have a 'date night' before you have the baby. There's just something about that last 'two of us' dinner before baby arrives. Best of luck! ~CtgirlinKs

    CarolH on 2/25/2009 at 3:44 PM
  • I love this site and wondered if it would be okay to have you invite my daughter-in-law(dil, from now on)to this 'niche', if you will. I am kinda more of a planner...having been there and done that sorta thing! But rather than come off more uhm, what do I say, well, smothering, can you send her an email to invite her? Dil is just 13 weeks along, but I SEEM to think she is wasting time(lol), and would like to have sites like yours to encourage her, give her knowledge, and, hearing it from some one 'else' may give her/dil the permission that she seems to need to understand that it is OK to prepare!? Arg!~I gave birth to 3 sons, 5 other grandkids(2 bio, but still my grandkids) Could you kindly return this post so I can HOOK her/dil up before I lose it with dil?? yes...I realize that I meddle, and have been working on that issue (LOL)

    Lisa Draper on 2/25/2009 at 3:33 PM
  • My daughter is having a baby. I am just checking things out

    patricia on 2/25/2009 at 1:58 PM
  • Wow! Sounds like you have been busy! Good luck finishing up everything and getting some rest!!

    Jenn on 2/25/2009 at 1:53 PM
  • It won't be long. Good Luck!

    Debi Gilbert on 2/25/2009 at 1:39 PM
  • Sounds like you're all ready for baby! Try to enjoy these last moments of being pregnant because the exciting journey is about to switch gears. Thinking of you as you prepare for your new little one. Thanks for the advice about the Pizza Hut lasagna...I've been thinking about trying that for a while. Now, maybe we'll get to try it for FREE! :)

    jenn on 2/25/2009 at 1:29 PM
  • Bring snacks to snack on, even though the hospital has a few snacks to munch on between meals, I was always starving for food. I believe it was because I breastfed. I had to call my husband to ask him to bring more food. And don't forget the baby car seat and a few outfits for him.

    Renita Hegner on 2/25/2009 at 12:35 PM
  • That is how I knew the babies were coming soon. Cleaning the house with a frenzy. Now go take a nap the baby will be here soon. Good luck!

    judy brittle on 2/25/2009 at 11:09 AM
  • Nesting hasn't quite set in full force since I am due in May, but I did get some clothes out of the chidlren's closet this morning that are too small, trying to make room for baby stuff. I would like to get some walls painted and the children's room all cleaned (we will have 4 children in one small room), so that may take some weeding out of unessential items. I am looking forward to doing all this whent he weather starts really warming up and feeling like spring.

    Christi Bovee on 2/25/2009 at 10:43 AM
  • Make sure not to overwork, unless you want to go into early labor. That is what I did on my first, and I had her 4 weeks early. Hope all goes well with labor and delivery. Sarah

    Sarah J on 2/25/2009 at 10:23 AM
  • You are right... get your sleep now! I know some ladies have babies that sleep through the night at 3 weeks, but I never did and it is exhausting. I'd also advise you to sleep while the baby sleeps once he gets here. It's hard to just ignore the dirty dishes and piles of laundry, but do it! It's one of the blessings of being home with your baby and one of the blessings of a first baby... you never have that luxury again of curling up with him and sleeping or watching him sleep! Good luck!

    Lindsay Webb on 2/25/2009 at 8:51 AM
  • It won't be long now. I think the best thing about nesting is having a spotless house for a few days. It doesn't last long enough, but knowing that there is NOTHING that needs your immediate attention is so nice. And here is a little advice: When the baby comes and things start to get a little messy again; let it go. DO NOT sacrifice a nap to fold laundry to put away dishes. Sleep at every opportunity and DO NOT feel guilty about it! Good luck!!

    Brooke @ Q-pon Mommy on 2/25/2009 at 7:41 AM
  • Just realize that there's not too much you can do wrong. A little dirt won't hurt, neither will a tear (yours or theirs). A hug and a kiss is the best medicine. Keep it relaxed, laugh, live and enjoy.

    Leslie on 2/25/2009 at 1:20 AM
  • I'm sure you're very excited right now! Take care and congrats :)

    Lorri S on 2/25/2009 at 12:03 AM
  • These are great ideas

    jostlen on 2/24/2009 at 11:15 PM
  • Congrats! I have to say that after a month you won't remember where you put the babies burb cloth last. So all that folding is really just pretending and fantasizing about what the little one will look like in his new things. he he

    Liz L. on 2/24/2009 at 9:43 PM
  • wow! sounds like ya have been super busy! Hope the baby is a restful one so ya can get some rest also! God Bless ya Karo a former teacher

    Karo on 2/24/2009 at 8:45 PM
  • How wonderful that you have the option to work part-time -- you are so smart to do that! I have a 3 (almost 4) year old and a 1 year old, and I also work part-time (in the IT industry) 3 afternoons a week. I have been on a reduced work schedule since my first child was born, and I find it is the perfect balance for all of us. We have a wonderful sitter who comes to the house (she has no kids of her own yet and really loves them like they were her own), and my husband flexes his work hours as well so that the time with the sitter is minimal (only 15 hrs a week even though I work 25 hrs). I find that I can spend my work-day mornings playing with the kids, taking them to preschool/music class/etc., and prepping a nutritious dinner so all hubby has to do is stick it in the oven or pull it out of the crock pot when he gets home (which is a couple of hours before I do). I find I actually appreciate my kids a little bit more on the days that I DO go to work, because I can get away for some "adult time" and then come home and see the smiling faces I missed so much all day long! Anyway you are right that the change in income is a sacrifice and adjustment, and there never seems to be enough time to "get it all done," but with the right mindset (who cares if the vacuuming doesn't happen like clockwork every week?), a dual committment to frugal living, and a little creative thinking it is definitely possible! Thanks so much for this terrific blog -- I'm a new "centsible sawyer" addict! Wishing you all the best during this exciting time as you embark on this wonderful adventure!

    Amy on 2/24/2009 at 8:16 PM
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