Edited version: Thanks to those of you who have noticed I've been silent here. I hope to be back soon. I appreciate your prayers and kind emails. Nothing terrible is happening here. Just lots and lots of little details. I've made great progress on my list (though I admit I probably need new list for things that have crept up since;-) . I'm updating here today, but refraining from adding all the new things because, quite frankly, for one day, I'd like to hold onto the illusion of forward progress;-)
What is it about me that makes me think I need to have my house perfectly in order to have a baby? Partly, it's history. The times when I've left an ordered house at home and gone to deliver have been my best labors and deliveries. Coincidence? Maybe. But after eight such experiences, I'll take it as science around here. And then there's the postpartum period. The more organized I am, the better things go. Absolutely. When one flirts with postpartum depression every time and has met it on occasion, this is a big, big incentive to get one's act together. This time, the threat of bedrest has accelerated the nesting stage.
Fortunately, last winter, I thought we were moving. So, I did some major de-cluttering and organizing. We were in pretty good shape. For about three weeks. And then, I was pregnant. I spent the first nineteen weeks of this pregnancy in the throes of severe nausea and vomiting. I didn't move much. I didn't clean as well as I would like; didn't supervise as much as needed. I did, however, devote a great deal of time to things I could do while sitting very, very still. I planned most of my lessons in great detail and I reorganized my home notebook. Then, I lost the notebook files in the lightning strike. I'm slowly reworking them on the new computer. Now, I have seven weeks to kick it all into gear and put the plans in motion. Then, if bedrest isn't necessary, I could be in very good shape moving into the third trimester. And if it is necessary, we'll do just fine. So, here, for accountability and curiosity purposes is the list;chances are it will get longer before it gets shorter:
bedroom switch: girlsbedroom switch: boysshop for Michael's dormhelp Michael with menus and groceriesget Michael off to schoolreorganize picture booksclean out bookbagsre-stock bookbagsreplenish school supplies (tax free weekend Aug 1-3)completely de-clutter learning room(Did this but it needs doing again already.)reorganize DVD/video closetclean out refrigerator top to bottom; disinfectclean out indoor freezerdefrost deep freezestock freezerclean out pantriesre-stock pantriesclean mudroomlaundry caught up- clean out closets
- wash baby clothes and fill drawers
order more diapers- new changing table pad
- shop and wrap Christmas presents
- wipe out inside of all kitchen cabinets
paint kitchen- paint trim in sunroom
- paint sunroom?
paint basement- basement trim
- family room trim
craft/storage room organizedtoys organized in the basementnew ballet schedule/teachernew soccer teamsorganize sports driving schedule- update religious exemption filing
all kids to dentistall kids to orthodontist- find a new pediatrician
dog to the vet(We did this but he needs a re-check. Not sure when I'll get to that since Michael was doing the vet visits and he's not due back until Thanksgiving;-)- finish lesson plans through January
- write columns ahead of deadlines
clean out the garage- add new lasagna layer to front bed (Waiting for the weather to cool a bit and I'll combine this with fall planting.)
- add new lasagna layer to roses