Help me, have four weeks to get house organised before DD is born

[bigeyes]

Introduction

I am 35 weeks pg, I need to:

Declutter
Decorate some small areas
Finish nursery, still some shopping to do for blankets and wall decal
Spring clean

Stock cupboards freezer
Some household administration to take care of.

In the past I have suffered from some sort of domestic bipola disorder either perfect or slides in to KAOS (yes I'm down with the fat fairy). I have in the past been on the fly fledglings thread, which is excellent btw, but feel I'm on serious countdown and need to post huge lists/rants updates so as nice as they are I don't want to clutter their thread.

Please feel free to jump in and suggest, advise, tell me off where you see fit. This house is the only thing that's bothering me at moment.

I feel what I need to do is beyond normal nesting, last time I did spring cleaning and cooking, this time ive started later (scared re earlier pg issues) and seem to have more to do.

Bloody ipad

ive done

ds w, d, b school run
laundry in
shops, my local boots had nothing left in 75% sale nothing but got pure white fine knitted all in one used points

going for last lunch date with my new hair and nails (happens once in a blue moon i get them done properly at salon)

cooking roast med veg for
ds reading and writing
ds wii
me mn
then soaps/bed

soo not doinguch today, gonna have a good go at it all tomorrow no appts etc.

happy nesting flying

I'm having today off.

Well as much as that means, dc's w, d, b and school run.
Football and tennis after school.

Up until after 1am, feel washed out. More BH last night I think.

Hope you ok notso

Hi bigeyes
Had a crap day yesterday, DS2 screamed most of the day or slept on my uncomfortably on my bump. Did F.A even went to Morrisons cafe for tea.

He is much better today, and has gone to PIL until after school pick up.
Done;
Tidied our bedroom though have left a few things on Dh's side I'm not his mother!,
washing and drying, two loads done more ongoing,
old clothes in clothing bank,
hoovered downstairs,
undercoated bare wood on various door frames upstairs,
sorted baby sitter for next weekend and booked retaurant,

Having a brew now then need to;
sort out tea, really not hungry so have zero inspiration,
hoover upstairs,
post birthday card,
move random junk of the dining table.

Hope you enjoy your day off. How many weeks are you now?

My goodness you are steaming ahead! I hope to get stuff done tomorrow.

Glad you've had a break today from dc's, least I know once school run is done I can rest if needed. Not for much longer cs three weeks come Tuesday.

In fact ive been asleep most of morning. Off for a shower now get ready a bit as having food out with DH who is finishing early today after school pickup

I can only take inspiration from you list for tomorrow. Know what you mean re appetite n cooking, I ate baked pots a lot about then and so did they! My tables full of craft stuff still n piles of clean crumpled wishing, least I've caught up on that.

I ate dc's chocolate Santa that he's forgot about earlier, now feel v guilty and sickly.

Morning notso, hope you not doing too much today as you've done so much during the week and I'm assuming you have all dcs home.

Well been awake most of night, plain insomnia, I'm going to push on otherwise the same will happen tonight. I'm just in bed at moment visually planning what jobs to do, determined to break the storage/clutter impass.

DH is out for a couple of hours but I've been drip feeding him about how I really need to get done, fgs it's three weeks I'm getting a bit scared section and having a newborn again, so when he's back he's getting a list.

DS on wii, lost for hours, im leaving him to it he's done plenty of sports and think we going for meal out later then cinema, we can regroup then. Just doing soup n sandwiches for lunch so meals are sorted.

So here is my last - main objective to sort master bedroom.

First put second coat on accessible part of nursery
After drying, DH to move furniture
Do second coat on new accessible wall

Store toiletries- shove in hat boxes
Store clothes currently piled in two baskets - need to sort through drawers meh to doing this
DH to do his drawers
High level dust plus skirting boards
Damp wipe doors and skirtings
Clean windows

Usual dust and polish of drawers and sils
Hoover
Change bedding
Wash used bedding
Vax carpet DH to do is too heavy for me now!

Clean high level tiles in bathroom
Damp Wipe paint work
Clean windows and mirror
Usual clean of fittings
Mop floor

I suspect I may need to goto Asda and buy storage boxes with lids to stack in wardrobe. I would love to get curtain pole, but this migh freak DH out too far, may need to get him to do this and put crib together tomorrow, on account that I could have our dd anytime!

Oh must pack hospital bag! That reminds me paper knickers.

First put second coat on accessible part of nursery done
After drying, DH to move furniture done
Do second coat on new accessible wall done

Additional jobs in nursery, hoovering inc edges, damp wiped all paint work, windows. Have washed curtains.

DH has put crib together

Store toiletries- shove in hat boxes
Store clothes currently piled in two baskets - need to sort through drawers meh to doing this
DH to do his drawers done
High level dust plus skirting boards done by DH
Damp wipe doors and skirtings
Clean windows
Usual dust and polish of drawers and sils
Hoover
Change bedding
Wash used bedding
Vax carpet DH to do is too heavy for me now!

Clean high level tiles in bathroom
Damp Wipe paint work
Clean windows and mirror
Usual clean of fittings
Mop floor

So nursery is decorated, no more moving furniture etc. To do:

Spot clean carpet/vax
Buy curtain pole
Hang curtain pole and curtains. Shopping tomorrow (get paper knickers)
Buy mattress and blankets
Buy bedding for crib

Master bedroom is clear, spring cleaning jobs done, so mostly done

Store toiletries- shove in ha boxes
Store clothes currently/ sort out for charity, these are out of sight now
Usual dust and polish of drawers
Hoover edges
Vax carpet DH to do is too heavy for me now!

All bathroom jobs still to do but no tidying so won't take long tomorrow

Clean high level tiles in bathroom
Damp Wipe paint work
Clean windows and mirror
Usual clean of fittings
Mop floor

I am tired but pleased with what we did get done. Off for bath, then watching sky movie, knocked cinema on head, pizza in oven popcorn ready for microwave. Think dc's has been assimilated into a skylander, he did tell me off for working daddy too much with too many jobs

Hi bigeyes, had a day off yesterday, just did basics,
washed uniforms,
cooked tea (well heated up an M&S pie and mash),
washed pots and had a quick wipe down in the kitchen.

DS2 has been having some terrible nappies, I think brought on by teething/MMR or both so he has created a bit of a washing backlog which I need to catch up on today.

DH and DS1 at rubgy, DD and DS2 have gone to church with MIL. I really need to tear myself off Mumsnet and away from Something For The Weekend and endless cups of tea and use this time to do;
washing/drying/ironing,
Change bedding and towels,
hoover downstairs,
clean shower room,

By March I want to have;
decluttered all kitchen cupboards,
decluttered utility room,
defrosted freezer ready to stock up for early baby days,
decluttered sideboard in dining room,
cleaned front room carpet,
decluttered draws in front room,
Maybe re-paint kitchen,
Upstairs;
little ones room;
replastered chimney breast,
decorated,
DS2 sleeping in it,
bathroom;
repainted,
shelves up,
toilet roll holder on the wall,
DS1 room;
new door on airing cupboard;
shelves up,
new shelves in wardrobe,
glass replaced above door,
DD's room
pictures and last few bits of decor up,
hem voiles,
our room
finish painting woodwork,
get little cot up and ready,
put pictures up,
find blinds for velux windows

Phew! that seems like a lot. hope I can do it all, would make a big difference.
Little ones room is a major concern. I really want DS2 out of our room well before DC4 comes. I don't want him to feel the baby is kicking him out of our room.
I also have a Skylander for a son, I also have an Ipod for a daughter!
Hope you have a rest today after all your hard work, you have done really well. Hope I can stay as motivated in those last few difficult weeks.

Afternoon, just a quickie, off out shopping but must say

Arrgghh blooming heck at 'plastering fire breast'

One week in....dd due to arrive 3weeks tomorrow.

So yesterday I went shopping, got bedding, curtain poles, sticky stuff remover, and stain remover plus a little food shopping.

Today

DS w&d brk, s.run
Car load to tip
Collected mattress from other branch of mothercare
Paper knickers from Boots
2hrs in costa
Asda shop - jars of cooking sauce and ready prepped veg are my new best friends
S.run

Decluttered from downstairs (kitchen & lounge and understair cupboard) to an extent have 2 bags of rubbish, 2 charity, one recycling and one for the craft women.

So made a bit of a dint, still have to organise remaining stuff into storage, put stuff away from keep piles/boxes.

But my major pita is piles of paperwork, still planning bonfire, even have fire lighters.

Kitchen I have cleared out main food cupboard dry goods out of date, decluttered work surfaces, not long to spring clean now. Put away tons of cleaning products ( how many bottles of spray flash I have is nobodies business) back under sink.

Laundry x 2 loads put away to correct rooms (not ironed)
Washed and hung two loads
Pasta baked cooked.
Dishwasher emptied and reloaded

Feel bad dc's was on skylanders again but did help me put his craft stuff away and carry other stuff upstairs. Need to plan a special slot to do some cooking or painting together.

Plans for Tuesday

Sort through my clothes again fill bags for charity, be brave and part with dresses not worn ever or for a couple of years.
Go through books on living room unit
Fill car with charity stuff, drop off
Do tip run if possible - take microwave

laundry washed x2
Laundry put away x2
Put DIY tools etc into storage box
Sort n store crafting tools
Sort n store Easter decorations

Rest
S.run
DS reading and homework
DS swimming

Yuk, awful weather....no bonfire today then.

DS has tummy ache, he is at school as no sickness or the other, w&d, b, s.run DONE

So....I'm just having breakfast, wondering whether notso is ok. I think I'm going to have a slow start today. Anyway my maternity jeans fell down undercoat and I had to hold them up, do cant do any going outside jobs until ,y leggings dry, all five pairs in dark wash,on dryer.

I better go and actually chat on another thread now...as opposed top myself.

Morning bigeyes sorry for not dropping in had another crap day with DS2 yesterday and his diahorrea (sp). He did have a good sleep so I managed to get a bit done. You are storming through by the sound of it, glad you had 2 hours in costa though.

Pregnancy insommnia has set in so am lying awake at night wondering if I will get everything done, why the hell does this happen, is it to prepare you for the night feeds??

DC washed, dressed and fed, big ones at school on time with packed lunch and all needed equipment,
have splodged oven cleaner around the oven, this is one of my most hated jobs. I always burn or gas myself, need to buy some ovenpride for the shelves etc.
one load washing done and drying, one load in the washer,
ordered new flute book for DD,
paid NEXT bill,
reminded DH to buy himself some bootlaces,

Need to;
do pots from breakfast, and empty dishwasher,
clean fishtank- yuck,
hoover downstairs,
sort out 1 cupboard in the kitchen,
sort out 1 drawer in the living room,
dust living room.

Am having a rubbish crisis, our wheelie bin is full to the brim and I still have loads of stuff to throw out.

notso Oh hope your DS2 gets better soon, must be a seasonal bug, as when I mentioned DS feeling poorly with tummy ache, the TA said they had been a bug with a spate of children off. I still sent him as he didn't have any sickness or diahorea (sp?) and he's eaten all his food. I think we might give swimming a miss, not that I go I with him anyway.

Yes notso I really do believe the insomnia thing is linked to growing baby patterns, annoying as it is, I try to tell myself it's my body helping me prepare. I was up three times but got back to sleep ok. I'm getting a bit nervous of having newborn again, it's been 6years and DS was 'good' baby.

I felt like I did do lots, but I'm really hard on myself it never seems enough! That's why I write the affirmation lists so I can see it, learnt this off other thread.

oven cleaning my oven stopped working and thought it was cos I hadn't cleaned it, but it was element. I would strongly recommend DR Power oven cleaner, where you put the oven shelves etc inside a big bag with cleaner inside, leave for 24 hrs or longer, they will come out sparkly new, I was v impressed. I used a regular oven cleaner inside with a lot of scrubbing which was ok, but do plan to use dr power again on inside, havnt done downstairs list yet.

I would also recommend dr power magic eraser thing, wet a bit and it gets scuff marks off etc, going to use this on my stairs.

Glad it's not just me that has pay next bill as a to do! It's just to easy to order stuff isn't it!

I don't know whether to order a changing table with bath inside for downstairs, it's £100? I'm thinking it would be v useful when I'm home from having section so I don't have Tom e up n down stairs and being over to do cleaning and bathing, but wonder if I can justify for 6 to 10 weeks really? We have a chaing table upstairs in nursery.

I must make a start, though cot bedding has arrived and would like to go and put that together, but might wait and do curtains etc all in one go, saving the 'nice bits'

Right clothes into charity bags.....

bigeyes I have 6 years between my 2nd and 3rd DCs, and was also worried about having a newborn again. It was a bit of a shock to my system I will be honest but equally it was nice that I could take the older ones to school and then have time at home just me and the baby. I won't have that luxury this time, I am a little worried about having a 1yo baby and a newborn baby at home together!

I don't know how big your kitchen is but I found it easy to put the baby bath on the kitchen worktop, and bath them in there. If you have a baby bath with a plug then you can do it right near the sink and just push it across for emptying. I put the changing mat on the kitchen table.

Where do you buy the magic eraser from?
I would save all the nice bits too, then you can do it all at once and feel more satisfied that way.

do pots from breakfast, and empty dishwasher,done
clean fishtank- yuck,
hoover downstairs,
sort out 1 cupboard in the kitchen,done
sort out 1 drawer in the living room,
dust living room,
Lunch done
sort out tea

Hmm notso I am worried about having a shock, but I'm a saha this time round and I don't haven't worry about work, was v stressed about this last time. 8 just keep thinking we can't be lucky twice and get an 'easy baby' however I do think DH and I should take some credit. Plus I'm morenheared up for bf this time. Still feels strange that I'm having a girl, I'm so used to a boy. DS has been great and can't wait for the moment he meets his baby sister.

1yr old and a newborn, I'll just have to call yesso as in superman

I gues your sensible alternative is the right option really, tbh I think I just wanted one, all the little storage compartments etc. I wouldn't budge bugaboo, even though I knew I could have trimmed a few hundred off that purchase! You've helped me make my mind up, I can buy those things for a lot less £15ish and keep and money for postnatal wardrobe!

The DR Power things are I. Bright pink and green packaging and can be bought at Asda.

Just having a break/late lunch and not moving til s.run now.

I have a bag of clothes including five dresses. I bag of rubbish mainly scatty underwear and socks. I have been through wardrobe, baskets x2 and a set of drawers. So hardly a dint in list but I know it took DH well over an hour to do his at weekend.

My wardrobe looks v boring daywear, then v nice dresses that I hardly have opportunity to wear anymore even if I could fit in them, and that's not just because I'm pregnant!

I still have toiletries and cosmetics to go through. And the dreaded jewellery compartment, it's all knotted thus never wear much of it, babies grab at it anyway....

I think I'll just load car up ready for in the morning after school drop off, pick DS up see how he is (I just rung school to check I hadn't missed a call) and do:

Cook sausage casserole
Store toiletries
Books off unit in lounge
Store random things from cupboard

Honestly I'm happy to clean I find it quite satisfying when I'm I the mood I'll do lots, but this decluttering, tidying, giving things a home, storage is never ending.

I really hope be by the weekend:

Decluttered
Bonfire of paperwork
DIY, shelves, curtain poles x2

By next Wednesday:

Spring clean remaining areas inc fax carpets
Shoppingntonstock cupboards
Cook some meals for freezer
Tidy front door clean etc/side of house
Get car valeted I'm paying for this to b e done!

Ponders on booking cleaner.

Ha! Sop much for the above, I've ground to halt!

I've ds s.run
Cooked chilli instead as quicker
Emptied dishwasher
Hung second load of washing.

Just me, ds, sofa, disney cinemagic.. And I ain't moving, my legs feel puffy.mgues I did a fair whack yesterday, shall have to see what I can do tomorrow....feel like I'm running out of time, I really wanted the last two weeks just resting peacefully.

back in costa, third piece if coffee n walnut cake in 7 days!

i have done rubbish tip run and drop off at charity shop, not my usual one - thort they wete quite misetable.

so porch is clear of bags for second time this week.

think ill just press ahead with decluttering mainly paperwork, might get to lite bonfire?

ds had asked if he can have a friend round ive said no,house not suitable and cba with playdates unless at a venue, plus its a new friend not sure about, still asked and asked grttr but the best thing was he said i would need to hoover if we do have guests i feel bad for saying no, but i know some people who just dont do playdates fullstop.

Yum to coffee and walnut cake! Also YANBU re:playdates, DC have a select few friends I will tolerate, but loads of others who are too bloody fussy and lippy for frequent invites. There is one who's Dad always asks if he can come as well
Have been rolling out the decorating excuse for ages.

Crap night again, literally! Had to get up at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:30, to shower poor DS2 and strip his bed as he was covered in poo

Am washing and drying like mad today, but am going to have a nap because I am knackered.

PIL picking DD and DS1 up and giving them tea, and DH bringing in a take away for us.

Thankfully I had an energy spurt last night and
sorted out three kitchen cupboards,
washed all the cupboard doors and the kickboard,
cleaned hob and hot plate,
mopped kitchen floor,
sorted out the Wii drawer,
and went through the washing basket and chucked out some of the stuff which has been lingering in there for so long it doesn't fit anymore.

Just having a and a , while the fourth load of washing finishes then off to bed for an hour.

Hi bigeyes hope all well with you today.
DS2 still ill, and dumbass neighbours were making a right racket last night so am having another zombie day.

Older DC in school with everything,
Still doing washing/drying/ironing/putting away- will it ever end? Ans:No!
Sorted out a load more clothes for charity,
mopped/hoovered hall floor,
dishwasher unloaded/reloaded,
oven prided the bottom of the oven again, first lot didn't get it all off.
Will buy a liner if it ever gets clean
cleaned bathrooms,
sorted out toy chest in front room, given surplus to MIL,
brought bins back round- hooray for an empty bin again,
cleaned out cupboard under the sink- found loads of stuff I didn't know I had, really must check before I shop in the future.

Oh just come back on and found your post notso..I'm in bed watchin cbb, having day off.

Oh no ds2 still poorly? Do hope he gets better soon. Oven liner, now that's a good idea, I can remember grandma always used tin foil. Honestly dr power oven cleaner for your oven, it will do job, but you can't use oven for 24 hrs so meal plan around it.

The laundry the laundry I got to the bottom of my washing basket, but by this am there was two small loads again day clothes x2 and gym clothes x2 and 3xclothes from me - tmi scenario has increased my clothing changes .

Yes re under sink, my stockpile is flash spray and furniture polish, it's them blooming cleaning events Asda have!

You are doing marvellous steaming through jobs, I had quite a productive day yesterday:

Rubbish tip
Charity shop, not my usual they were quit miserable
Costa just for one hour today!
Spent two hours organising clutter in kitchen/lounge:
Several piles of paperwork sorted into two 'burn bags'
One bag of paper to recycle
Keep paperwork pile
Keep odds n sods pile, quie big have no where to put this
Storage sorted for blessed toiletries also stock piled from Asda health n beauty events!

Shoved sausage casserole in, did school run, tennis lesson, corner shop and back home. Then I did the most furtive burst of cleaning I've done for months!

Hoovered throughout
Flash wiped all sanitary ware upstairs/down
Mopped kitchen, bathroom, toilet
Polished quickly bedside drawers, lounge
Fed ds
Laundry x2 put away
Laundry x 1 hung, other in for today.

So moving closer. But when I was in costa the spa rang that dh booked me into said I'd missed appt pg brain! They said it was fine to rebook.

I have some blinds on order, they are v late, company not responded to my MSG, they won't take calls, I've googled them and found they are appalling, feel v silly should have checked the reviews first. Fingers crossed.

Getting v nervous to get this lo here safely.

Will def try Dr Power, it's only that I unearthed half a bottle of Oven Pride from the cupboard under the sink so thought I might as well slap it on!

Make sure you get your spa, you desreve it after all your work.

Morning not so how is ds2? Are you pleased its the weekend? I'm notnsonsure sometimes, as having DH/ds home inhibits progress?? but then he does help, but can grumble.

I'm feeling all sorts of things now, and can't believe how quick the time is going, last time it seemed to go v slowly = panicky, scared and vulnerable? !!

Ive woke at 430 v hungry and had cereal, the starving by 830 again!

Ds w, d, b plus football bag, hmk done
S.run done
Sorted two more pile of paperwork - narrowly avoided putting car log book on burn pile!
Tea and toast - just finished my rest now,
Checked all bank accounts/cards and bills plus budget done for next month.

Im sat looking at these keep boxes of randomly mixed stuff I don't know where I'm going to put it.

Nearly at point where I can spring clean kitchen cupboards.

Hi bigeyes, also mixed about weekend. I really want to go to Ikea on Saturday, if we do that I will be pleased but it depends if DH is up for it. Judging by his mood so far this week he will just want to lounge around in my way!
Older DC staying at my parents tonight, DS2 was going to stay too but although he is a bit better (thanks) heis still not right and I don't want to inflict a sleepless night on my Mum and Dad.

Not sure what to do today, am going out this afternoon with my Mum.
Feel like crawling back to bed. No tea to prepare tonight, DH is sorting it. I really hope it's not Pizza again, I am totally going off 'bad' food and the heartburn is off-putting.

You have done so much, I bet you can really see a difference. Is it nice to have a set date for DD's arrival? I am aiming to be sorted by 37 weeks as that is when DS2 arrived, but I do keep thinking I could really have another five weeks after that if I go overdue.