I was just sitting here thinking about some of the things I need to do soon...hopefully before the baby comes. I'd love your opinion or any help you can give me on some of these (mostly pretty stupid) items!
1. I have the ugliest woodpecker living on my back deck. It poops all over and is disgusting. How do I get rid of it? I throw ice cubes at it (no, bird-lovers, I don't hit it---like I even have the right aim anyway!), but it still comes back.
2. I need to purchase a double stroller. I'd like something that is not too bulky, yet provides a place to store my "stuff." I'd also like something that I can take the kids walking in. So it needs to be durable and smooth-riding. Have you had luck with your strollers? Heard of a good one?
3. I'm turning into an insomniac. Probably because I am so HUGE and can't get comfortable enough to sleep for long, and wake up choking from the rotten heart burn I have anyway. So I am tired all the time, am grouchy as all heck, and can't seem to accomplish much of anything. Anybody else feel this way when you were pregnant? Any advice? Oh, and if you see my husband, you might want to tell him that I love him.
4. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to keep my house clean. It's not absolutely disgusting, but we are having clutter issues. I am so tired of cleaning the same things over and over. Derrick and I got into a nice groove at the beginning of the year. We would take a few minutes to pick up the house at night so that we would wake up with a clean house in the morning. This was great, because I could concentrate more on playing and teaching things to Cecily during the day instead of worrying about the house. But things have been crazy busy for Derrick the last month or so, and he totally crashes when he gets home, so I don't have a helper anymore (and I miss him for more reasons than that)! What do you do to motivate yourself to clean the house?
5. I used to be so good about leaving little notes and things like that to show Derrick that I love him, but I'm ready for some new ideas. So since the Valentine's "season" is here, let's hear what you do to show your love to your spouse (or significant other).
20 comments:
Jen, I hope that you did not post that at 12:14 am. You really are having sleep issues. I'm liking these herbal sleeping pills I've been taking. I didn't take one last night, and was a wreck. Only slept for 5 hours.
Oh Jen, I am sorry but I don't have any advice for the pregnancy non-sleep/grouchy issues. I just want you to know that I know how that feels. Just hang in there... and tell Derrick and I said to hang in there too and he'll get his wife back before he knows it.
ADVICE: Just hang in there. I was so uncomfortable, grouchy, and living in a mess for the last couple months of my pregnancy too. I finally just decided to live with it because feeling guilty about it only made me grumpier! I have no advice about woodpeckers- sorry! Love ya!
It is such a frustrating time! Hang in there. My only advice would be for the clean house thing - I got into a groove right before I had #3 and picked a closet or cupboard every few days to clean. I would do general pick up at night like you said and that helped. I was so anemic at the end of my pregnancy I thought I would die - but one cupboard every other day made a huge difference. I came home from the hospital and felt like my house was clean and in order. Other advice, if you can afford it, hire someone to come in the last two weeks before delivery to do the "deep cleaning". I threatened my husband with his life if he would not let this happen because I could not get down and scrub one more floor. We have not done that again (believe me it took a lot of convincing the first time) but it was so nice to know that the deep dirt was gone before I brought a new baby home. It cost me about $70/time and we did it twice but it was well worth it! Hang in there!!!!!!
DITTO!!!! My friend has a Phil and Ted's stroller - it looks pretty good. It is hard though to find something that's not bulky. How fun you went to Cancun! YOu look super cute!
Oh how I agree with Renee on someone to come and do your house cleaning!!! It's so worth it! Then you can relax! And then have her come then next week and then a couple weeks later:) At least right before the birth.
I'll ditto the Hang in there:) It will all end soon! By the way, you look great in those pics below! You may think differently, but I disagree! Beautiful!
Well when my house is messy and I can't get motivated to clean it I invite someone over for dinner and then it makes me do it.
With the heartburn at night, it helped to sleep with two pillows so I was more elevated.
Good luck!
How funny that I have NO advice for #5 and LOTS of advice for #4!
Maybe I should re-think my priorities, hmmmm?
So--especially being pregnant & due so soon, don't try to attack the clutter all at once. Pick ONE SPOT, like your kitchen counter, and spend 15 minutes on it. Then go play with Cec for 15 minutes. Then come back & declutter for 15 minutes, then go play for 15. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED AT HOW MUCH YOU GET DONE! More than a regular day! And...best part...you've also played with your girl. :)
Hang in there--this is the month of hell!
Ooooh, am I allowed to put in my two cents? I just had our baby three weeks ago, so I can still FEEL exactly how you're feeling. I had the cyatic nerve crud going on so my legs would kill me whenever I got up, and I had to pee every five minutes, even at night. So, no sleep here either. Oh, and a messy house too... um, pray for a sudden burst of energy? Or, as Incarnacion says, "This too shall pass..." I don't think there's any way to get comfortable when you have this full-grown human being in your belly. But, a fun thing I started doing with my hubby is I write on the wipe-off board a note every day, but it has to be lyrics to a song. (usually a cheesy love song.) You know, like, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" or "You're my cherry pie... you put a smile on my face ten miles wide." dorky stuff... but it's fun. Oh, and about the woodpecker... I just asked my husband, "What would you do to get rid of a woodpecker living on your deck?" and he looked at me like I was not-so-bright and said, "Uh, shoot it." There you go. Sorry this is so long!!!
I don't have a ton of advice. With being sick I am struggling to keep my house clean. So good luck.
As for the sleeping... you can use unisom. My doctor said I could use it everyday of my pregnancy and she said she was ok with it. Brooke would use Benedryl sometimes. Sorry they are drugs but hey it is any option.
Did I tell you that my woodpecker is BACK!? It comes on the warmer days about 5:00 in the evening and stays until about 5:00 in the morning. Then he goes away. He isn't really that ugly, but I don't want him here. I just want him to go away - and stay away! He hides under the patio. I don't like him!
Even if you don't want to - or feel like it - just pick things up about the house at night, empty the dishwasher if it's full, and straighten the family room, kitchen, and bathrooms. I know that sounds like a lot, but you'll be so much happier if you do.
Make sure that Cecily is helping put away her toys before she goes to bed - even if she doesn't want to. That should be her job. Perhaps you should start "rewarding" her for doing her "job". I know some people would not agree with me on that, but it always worked with my kids. You know - remember the 3 pennies you would get for a job? With inflation, maybe you should offer her 5 cents!
Just keep hanging in there - and be patient with yourself. XOxo
I am a little concerned I have any knowledge about woodpeckers. And my advice isn't for the bird lovers. We had woodpeckers up at the cabins in Star Valley. Ry took a shot at them with a bebe gun.(not sure how to spell that)Let's just say they didn't return! Turn Derrick loose on them!
The stroller... I got a double jogger from costco online. I really like it. It is big, but folds and is really easy to run or walk with. Actually easier than my old single jogger. My advice is if you are getting a double jogger to get one that has a swivel front wheel. Mine doesn't and I wish that it did.
No sleeping... My sis-in-law uses unisom. Says is works like a charm and not bad for the baby!
Funny, I am not pregnant but I weigh the same as I did when I gave birth to all three of my babies...so I can give advice right? I just had a sleeping problem and I didn't fight it..I just stayed up and got in tune with the home and garden channel and now I have great ideas for my house. I hate feeling behind and like my house is a mess. And there is nothing like being uncomfortable when you are pregnant. With my last baby I was sure my crotch would fall out at any minute..and he came at 32 weeks so I can't even imagine if I had to continue further than that!! Hang in there and just do what you can. As stupid as it sounds..just enjoy being pregnant because one day you will look back and miss the good parts of pregnancy....those small parts..but you will miss it I promise!! If you want I will come down and clean your house for you!!! Anything for you!!!
Sorry to hear about the sleep issues. I've heard niquil works great, but that won't help you now. :) My mom always told me if I couldn't sleep to work out in the mornings and by the end of the day your body is ready for to go to bed (not that I ever take that advice because I wish I walked or worked out in the mornings). (Do you have a body pillow?) And do you know what people in Vernal Utah do about woodpeckers? Yep, a 22 gun should do it. haha j/k Sorry this is so long, but I know exactly what you mean about the house thing! I used to be good about cleaning, but our bathroom is so gross and has been for weeks. Sorry to keep talking about my mom, but she does like bathrooms one day, kitchen and floors the next, vacuum the next and I think I am going to try to get into that routine. It's too exhausting to do it all on the same night or a Saturday. Anyway, good luck with everything, I hope you get some good rest! Miss ya! (If I were there I would come help you clean your house!!!!!!)
I'm on my way. Just have a Costa vida salad ready for me!!! By the way, you should look into buying a scarewoodpecker! Okay, I know that was dumb but I just loaded up on the caffeine and I am pretty much peeing my pants!!! Love it when I crack myself up!!
1. Get a gun.
2. Good Luck. I could never find one that I liked. Sorry no help!
3. I am a total grouch all the time and I have to excuse! So enjoy it!! Derrick loves you no matter what! Who can't help but just adore you! DON'T WORRY!! Drink some Nyquil.
4. Hire someone! Just until you have the baby. I have lady come to my house once a week. It is the best money I have ever spent. My relationship with the boys is awesome. I hope that doesn't sound like I am a snot. If you were closer, you better believe I would be there with Becky and help!
5. Derrick loves you! I don't know him THAT well, but I can guarantee that he loves you with out the notes and all!
1. At our local car wash there is a recording of a hawk attacking pigeons to keep birds away. Perhaps you should record a fit of cecily's and hit repeat...
2.I have a sit and ride double stroller and LOVE it because it is not bulky at all, the older child can sit or stand in the back and we even fit 2 toddlers on back with the baby in front. A little tricky with the storage, but worth it b/c it's so light and easy to get in/out of my car. Sooo handy for walks and errands. Not so great for a jogging stroller, but I do like my double jogging stroller/bike stroller.
3. Know how you feel- I just hope the newborn lets you sleep!!!
4. Music. I tend to be more motivated when I'm listening and working to music (did 7 little whisteling men just come into your mind?) I also make piles. don't know if you're in a 2 story, but I put things that need to go upstairs on the stairs in a pile, so I'm not constantly going up and down.
5.hmmm good one. Let me know what you come up with. Somehow we've gotten into a sneaky phase lately... Jim put some cheerios into my ice cream the other night, then under my chicken... I returned it with some in a smoothy and baked into his piece of pizza. Just keeps us smiling with one another and reminds me it's not always all about the kids- we gotta have fun together, too (yeah, we're nerds- that's considered fun around here!)
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyBaby_Expecting.asp
Have you heard of the FLYLADY? She has a page of advice for how to "fly" when you're pregnant. I love this woman. She helps you organize your life and home without getting overwhelmed. I don't know if the link will go through... maybe if you copy and paste it.
1.definitely get a gun. I need one for all the squirrels in my yard, but I think my neighbor's would turn me in.
2.I've tried the Baby Trend double jogger, and I didn't like it because it was big and heavy and the front wheel didn't swivel. So I got rid of it. Then I got the Sit and Stand one. Liked it for a while, but my toddler wouldn't stay in it, and I would find myself just pushing this super long stroller all by herself. So I sold that, and got a fantastic SINGLE stroller. I'm over the double stuff, too bulky, etc. etc. My advice, try it out before you buy it.
3. Have you tried Ambien? I took Unisom most of my pregnancies, but I spent one night in the hospital before I had Holly, and they gave me an Ambien...best sleep I've EVER had pregnant.
4. Hire someone...definitely. Don't feel guilty, just do it. I fully plan on taking that advice next time around, and probably before that for that matter! I'm so over cleaning the bathroom.
5.I got nothin'
Good luck!
Oh my goodness...it is so good to hear from you! The funny things is that I was snooping around and read your blog a couple of times. I saw the picture of your family and thought 'Wow! that girl looks familiar (and so beautiful!)' I even squinted and leaned in real close to my screen. Duh! of course it is YOU! If only your blog had a recording of your amazing laugh I would have known right away.
Along with an 'amen' to all the other advise...I would say to rub that beautiful belly and enjoy feeling your baby inside you. I know it is unimaginable, but you WILL miss it. I think that the Lord knew we would have to get to a point where we would GLADLY take on labor just to have an end to pregnancy.
Love your sweet husband and adorable little girl, everything else will work out. Your house will be clean again someday. You are truly living a miracle...a miracle some don't appreciate and others will never be able to experience. You are amazing! Good luck and make time to enjoy!
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