It’s Sunday, and the first day that we haven’t had plans in months. We’ve finished pretty much all of the home improvement projects we had set out to do. We still have to stain, varnish, and install our new bedroom doors, but I think we’ll hold off on that and do it after the baby gets here. Yesterday we finished shortening the new wood blinds we installed in the kitchen, and gave the whole house a thorough cleaning. It’s so nice to have everything back to normal after having construction mess for the last few months. We’ve made several trips to the thrift store and recycle center, getting rid of stuff. I was inspired by this post from Being Frugal, and have just felt like clearing stuff out lately. We gave my sister several pieces of furniture, which has made the house feel bigger. And the built-in storage that my parents helped us make for our bedroom has helped a ton. I’ve also been trying to adhere to the “if you haven’t used it in a year” rule, and have been getting rid of stuff that I don’t need anymore. I’ll admit that my frugal nature tends to resist getting rid of stuff. Not because I spent a lot of money on it (generally I didn’t, because I don’t tend to spend a lot of money on things), but because I tell myself that I might need it someday. Yes, sometimes things do come in handy down the road, but it’s probably more likely that we’ll forget we have the stuff, or something else will work better at the time. And since I feel happier in an uncluttered space, I’m working hard to overcome my hoarder instincts. Adding a new family member and staying in our smallish house is a big incentive to pare down – otherwise I could see us being overrun by “stuff.” We’ve already got more baby stuff than we need, thanks to generous friends and family members passing along their baby things. One friend gave us a couple swings and a bouncy chair, but I’m debating whether I want to keep them, since we’re now planning to use a sling and practice “babywearing” most of the time. Maybe we’ll keep them for a while and see if we end up wanting to use them, although they’re taking up valuable real estate in the garage right now…
Mrs. Accountability says
Ah, the nesting urge kicks in. I don’t think I remember you mentioning it, but I hope you will also be practicing the family bed. It is the natural extension of all that you are doing so far, with your home birth and babywearing. It makes nighttime feeding a total breeze. I would latch my baby on and go right back to sleep. I had two coworkers that had babies at the same time and they were falling asleep at their terminals, but I was wide awake because we had a family bed.
Ashley says
I never allowed a swing or bouncy seat into my house but a few of my friends swore that they were necessities. I just think it depends on the infant.
I instead would use a boppy pillow and a blanket on the floor when I had to run to the bathroom, take a shower, cook dinner, etc. All within sight of course.
Babywearing rocks. Can I suggest an Ergo carrier for when the babe is bigger and you are back to hiking outdoors? A sling might not be as comfortable for longer periods with a heavier child. Just my experience. thebabywearer.com has a FSOT if the cost is an issue. You can usually find one used for much less than new.
I couldn’t survive without the Ergo.
Cheers!
Kelly from My Small Cents says
It does feel nice having a clean house and uncluttering stuff, doesn’t it! Just a thought though- finish whatever projects you have left to finish *before* baby gets here. Otherwise you’re going to be staring at those doors when baby number two is on its way…
I found a bouncy chair to be very useful for a few months in the beginning, especially when cooking and doing things that you don’t want the baby to be in the sling for. I never used a swing, but I have a friend who had a colicky baby and she swore by it.
Frugal Trenches says
Ooh I tend to clean on a Sunday too! I’m new to your blog and really enoying it, especially your wholistic attitude to life and parenting.
Re bouncy seats, I know some of them (the ones that hang from the ceiling) aren’t recommended. I know a few friends of mine who do attachment parenting do have 1 safe place they can put the baby that they can use when they get a shower etc, like a small baby seat!
Thanks for the link to the cloth diapers/nappies, I’m thinking of making some for friends who are expecting and adopting!