There’s SO much to do!

[tired206]

I’ve had a few days off work and have spent it cleaning the ground floor of my house and ordering lots of things to prepare for Christmas. I’ve been buying stuff like new rugs, a doormat and scented candles just to make the house look nicer and more comfortable. I still have so much to do but am 19 weeks pregnant and am feeling so rundown and exhausted. On my list:

• Vacuum and mop all floors (did this two days ago but they’re messy again)
• Clean out fridge and do online food shop
• Book dentist for me and DH (it’s been years since our last appointment)
• Finish buying Christmas presents for family from local shops
• Buy new glassware
• Clean bathroom
• Get a couple of paintings framed and hung
• Look into different types of cat food and order (fussy cat has gone off usual brand)
• Collect new glasses from optician
• Dress house for Christmas - including buying tree and more baubles
• Look at how best to hang new Christmas lights in window
• Generally ensure house stays tidy and clean on a day-to-day basis
• Buy and send Christmas cards to friends who’ve sent them to us - maybe don’t send to those who haven’t!
• Wrap presents for family
• Buy new clothes (hardly any of my old stuff fits me now I’m 19 weeks)
• Clear out airing cupboard on landing which is currently full of old tile samples, paint and lots of other junk
• Do ruthless declutter of other rooms that need it
• Source and bug pretty vintage fruit bowl for kitchen table to store loose fruit
• Hold down day job in the meantime (am back to work on Tuesday afternoon)

AIBU to feel totally overwhelmed by all this? Will my house ever be organised and “done”? It just feels never ending!

you can clearly afford baubles, new glassware and pretty vintage fruit bowls

Oh for goodness sakes. I’ve worked my butt off all year and have scrimped and saved hard to be able to host my family at Christmas. I’m perfectly entitled to spend a bit on making my house look nice for when they’re here thank you very much! If someone splashing a bit of cash on a few baubles and a fruit bowl offends you then you must take umbrage at hundreds of posts on MN. Quite amusing really

I am a list person myself.

Oh yes, me too - I love a list!

And I’m happy to report that the fruit bowl has now been “sourced”!

@DontTouchTheMoustache oh my goodness. Good luck!!

I would make the most of this Christmas OP and not overdo it because children are a game changer for this time of year. Also second PP who said keep some purchases and "grown up" jobs for after baby is here, to keep you sane! You will possibly experience nesting towards the end too, so you will power through quite a few jobs then.

For perspective, my list (with 3 children) in the run up to Christmas is:

1-Remain employed to avoid certain bankruptcy given the little darlings Christmas lists

2-Complete train commute without bashing festively merry co-travellers over the head with my umbrella for making the journey completely unbearable

3-Ask DH to do food shop. Despair when he buys whiskey and minced pies and fuck all else. Mutter "for fucks sake" under my breath at least 10 times before fighting my way through supermarket for actual food we can all, you know, eat.

4-Bollock the cat for trying to violate the Turkey mid roast

5-Vow to wrap all presents beautifully in paper matching the Christmas Tree decs. Abandon plan and chuck presents in gift bags.

6-Declutter/tidy by ramming everything into cupboards

7-Buy batteries. Many batteries. ALL the batteries. (And still not have the right ones on Christmas Day in any case).

I am not even sorry

Thing is having a newborn is a bit boring. You’ll spend a long time on a sofa under a sleeping baby so sourcing stuff is a good “keep you sane” project. Keep the fruit bowl for then ( I planned a whole kitchen remodel)
Not all babies are as accomodating.

I feel your pain. Also pregnant and wading my way through a sea of jobs when all I want to do is nap.

For the fussy cat I would really recommend chicken and tuna flavours of Thrive. Yet to find a cat than can resist them. Not the cheapest but it is pure meat so they don't need as much. I get mine from Zooplus, but Amazon sells it too if you want to get a few to try first.

I understand you wanting the house to look nice for Christmas but I honestly think you'll look back at this post in a years time and marvel at the stuff you used to get worked up about. Once your baby is here you will long for the days when you considered choosing a new cat food and shopping for a fruitbowl "stressful" and "exhausting". Sack off anything non-essential and take every opportunity to rest, catch up with friends or do things for YOU while you can.