Nesty Nesting

I have gotten pretty "nesty" at the end of my other pregnancies, and this time is no different.  Of particular concern to me is that we will be moving several months after the baby is born (same was the case with Owen) so I feel the urgency to have everything clean, organized, and easy to pack.  With the boys, I turned into a "cleaning machine" towards the end... this time around the desire is still there, but I've had a lot of foot swelling, ligament pain, and other hip/pelvis aches and pains that are preventing me from getting things as clean as I'd like.... thankfully Brad "ok'd" a temporary paid cleaning helper!  She's come twice and I've put her to work on all the bigger jobs (ie. all appliances inside and out and even BEHIND, bathroom light fixtures etc etc, lol).  Here's my sad fatty foot... it's much grosser in person. 

The funny thing is, seeing her clean doesn't really help me sit back and relax... it motivates me to push myself and get all the other little things that I can now manage since she's tackled the harder jobs.  Logical sense tells me I should just hang on a few more months and do most of this closer to moving time, but I really can't help it.  And yes, honey, the back porch DOES need to be clean before the baby arrives, lol.  Brad's a good sport and he's been helping as much as he can when he's home.  I'm pretty sure if I ask him to get something out/put something in the attic one more time, he might run away from home, haha.  Anyway, since my fam isn't out here for me to show off all my "baby prep" I thought I'd post a few pictures of how things are coming....

We don't have a "nursery" but I managed to get our co-sleeper set up and refinish a dresser to use as a changing table in our room.

 

Eli and Owen are both so excited they can hardly stand it.  Eli asks me everyday, "How many more days now? Is she coming after tomorrow???"  They love to pretend they are babies and I even had to bust out their old newborn blankets for them.... amazingly they can stuff themselves into the infant carseat and the Papasan seat... 

They were also FASCINATED by the birth books I was brushing up on.... especially all the graphic pictures in the Bradley Method book, haha.  It really is neat at this age because they are not shocked at all by the birth process... to them it's just "oh that's how a baby comes out, that's neat."  They encourage me all the time that I'm going to be strong and squeeze this baby out! They LOVE to poke at my tummy, make fun of my belly button, and talk to the baby.  They both regularly ask for the "baby to come out safely" when they are saying their prayers... I just love their interest and excitement about it. 

I've had  a ton of ligament/ab pain this pregnancy, and recently felt like the baby had dropped so low I was having a hard time standing up straight because of the pressure!  I tried a belly support band that was utterly uncomfortable, then had the idea to use one of my baby wraps and it worked!  So every once in a while I tie one on and lift that big ol' belly up for some relief!

Now for some really cute stuff.  I found some free crochet flower patterns online and busted out my old crochet needles... I haven't done it since high school but thankfully the patterns used basic stitches that I still remember how to do!  And of course online tutorials are lifesavers in these crafty situations, haha. 

 

Owen has been a very willing model for anything baby.  He LOVES going through the baby's drawers and looking at her clothes - he really wants to try them all on and is frustrated that his big head won't go through the tops, lol.  So he was pretty excited when I let him try out the headband tonight... 

This darling hat and diaper cover were crocheted by my super talented SISTER!  Thanks Aubrey!  I can't wait to put it on our baby girl!

Some chic binky clips I made:

Super soft swirly chenille boppy cover (I didn't make it but got it online from a mom who makes them):

The "station" on top of the changing table with my beloved 7th Generation disposable dipes, compostable baby wipes, and of course the cloth wipes (made of bamboo velour - SO SOFT!) and diaper pins. 

I've had fun collecting a little newborn cloth diaper stash this time around.  I have plenty in the bigger sizes, but was able to get a few things for the early days, and some girly one-size diaper covers to use.  Here are my favorite "old school" type diapers that need waterproof diaper covers.  The top two are both "flats" (huge squares that have to be folded up).  Top left is Birdseye Cotton and top right is Muslin Cotton.  Both can be used forever because when the baby gets too big for them to fit well in the folded manner, they can just be folded in thirds and placed inside a diaper cover... or used as burp cloths, changing pads, cleaning rags etc.  The bottom middle diaper is a "fitted" so it has snaps and will only fit a newborn - it is SUPER SOFT cotton velour.  I actually have these from Owen's newborn days... they still look new.  The other bottom two are "prefolds" (still need to be folded, but have some absorbancy sewn in the middle so they are smaller squares than the "flats").  The left one is Sherpa Cotton (fuzzy woolish looking fabric) and the right one is a basic newborn size pre-fold.  The white "strap" is a Snappi - it holds the diaper in place instead of a pin. 

Here are the waterproof covers that go over the above diapers.  All but the white one are "one sized" meaning they adjust from small to large and will fit the baby forever... saves $$$ on buying sizes as they grown. 

And something new I'm trying this time around are one-size "pocket" diapers.  The waterproof cover is built right in with the absorbant layer being added into a pocket opening inside the diaper.  Makes it quick and easy to put on, and the fact that that is one-size ROCKS!  They are scrunched down so tiny right now with the internal adjustable elastic... but when fully extended will almost still fit Owen (at least the Brown one did when he was 2 1/2 as I had that one with him). 

And last but definitely not least, the Ring Slings I've made for this little one... usually the ones I make and give as gifts are from linen fabric (a great fabric for slings) but these are actually made from woven wraps (made specifically for wrapping babies!).  Left one is a hemp/cotton blend (Anthracite Hemp Indio), middle is a linen/cotton blend (Natural Linen Indio), and right one is cotton (Girasol #35). 

And here is the "wrap stash"... can't wait to get some action shots with a newborn wrapped up in them soon!!!! Wrapping up a baby on my chest has got to be one of my favorite things about mothering ... it really is handy too =). 

 

Even the big boys still love to be cuddled in a wrap when I can manage it (kind of hard around the belly at the moment, but Brad will oblige and makes a handsome wrapping Daddy!)

Well, the hospital bags are packed, the birth plan is written, the babysitter is lined up with an extra house key, the pantry and freezer are stocked with kid food ... all we need is a baby!  Sometime in the next two-ish weeks I would suppose (I'm 38 weeks now).  Wish us luck!!! =)