With both of my pregnancies, I was very sick for the first 24 weeks or so, experiencing terrible nausea and vomiting and losing 15+ lbs. Thank goodness for the wonder-drug that is Zofran, or I'd probably be a lot worse off. Even after 24 weeks, about the time when I managed to wean myself off Zofran, I still had occasional bouts of the same symptoms, as well as fatigue. I consider myself one of the least productive pregnant women around- I just don't have the energy to do much, even when it involves baby-related things.
Lucy's Clemson tutu, still in progress.
So you can imagine my surprise when I was about 30 weeks pregnant with Lucy and discovered my "nesting" instincts. I woke up one morning and went from feeling really crappy and wanting to lay in bed all day to wanting to clean the grout in the bathroom with a toothbrush (not an exaggeration, by the way). No, not wanting, NEEDING to clean the grout.
Shirt for Lucy- I had to buy an iron-on, because they don't make "big sister" shirts for babies!
The smallest size I could find was 2T...so I whipped up one for her.
Up until that point, I had always thought that nesting was a cutesy term for mamas getting ready for birth, more of an overall desire to get things ready for baby than a mental state. It wasn't until I experienced it myself that I recognized that, for me anyway, nesting should be classified as a legitimate medical condition.
The first knitting project I've stuck with- it's starting to come a little easier, though.
Last week (again, around 30 weeks), the nesting craziness began again. It started Friday night, when I laid in bed, daydreaming about all of the things I could be doing instead of sleeping. Cleaning, baking, and reorganizing the garage all came to mind. When I woke up Saturday morning at about 5:30, I got to work. By the time the weekend was over, in addition to my normal chores, I had managed to cook up 2 gallons of chicken soup, bake 4 dozen pumpkin-chocolate chip cookies, sew a pillowcase dress for Lucy, nearly complete her tutu and a smaller version of it (for who, I didn't stop to consider- it was just cute!), scrapbook several pages for Lucy's book.......During the week, I spent a lot of time knitting, scoping out gender-neutral baby clothing (as if I don't have enough from when Lucy was born), and continuing a long list of chores I'd come up with.
Pumpkin cheesecake- observe the beautiful layers. Delicious- and hey, you gotta feed the nester!
Finally, last night, Brett and I accomplished one of my major nesting goals, one that paves the way for future nesting activities: we re-arranged the nursery to squeeze in an extra crib and dresser. Now that we've figured that out, I can nest to my heart's delight, moving Lucy's clothes to the bigger dresser, sorting through newborn clothes to go in the old one, putting the crib padding and accessories on the new crib (which is pretty ridiculous, since Lucy didn't sleep in a crib until she was over a year old- but I like to use the crib for changing baby's clothes, a place to play while I'm putting clothes away, etc), and decorating. It was hard to sleep last night, thinking of all the possibilities!
Second attempt at a pillowcase dress- peanut butter jelly time!
Of course, it didn't help matters that I bought some half-and-half yesterday at the grocery store that has an expiration date AFTER my due date (yes, it was ultra-pasteurized, but still!)
My mama is crazyyy!
4 comments:
I seriously doubt you are "one of the least productive pregnant women around" even on off days. You nest hardcore. I am nesting right now too and just looking at your list of accomplishments makes me tired! I am going to have to make those cookies though. We just need to go shopping and get the stuff.
I should clarify- I meant I am terribly unproductive BEFORE nesting kicks in. Once it does, I go nuts!
Oh, and just a hint- since that recipe makes about a million cookies, I highly recommend freezing the dough. I use a small ice cream scoop to drop dough onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper, then freeze. Once the cookies are frozen, you can dump them in a ziploc or plastic container. Voila- you can then bake as many cookies as you want whever.
Otherwise, you may end up like me eating a million cookies a day to finish them before they go stale.
I know! Nesting is really something. I think it hits me around the same time, too. I don't want to start things TOO early, but I don't want to wait too long, either.
I'm hoping to do most of my freezer cooking in the first week of November. Maybe carrying over into the second week, too. I know that's kinda late, but oh well.
And I'm getting rid of more junk and organizing stuff and cleaning and it feels good!
I had CRAZY energy about 30 weeks. That I was in grad school, I was the anal one on our team, getting things done the first day of class. Not to mention working on the house, getting everything organized, and PAINTING (with mucho breaks). I think you're doing just great lady!
That Rowan and Lucy are the same age... I just don't know where you find the time to be productive with her around tho. Super Kudos. (and hugs) to you!
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