Nesting instincts
January 28, 2010 by Shannon
You know how everybody always says every pregnancy is different? I think in many cases that’s true, but there’s one thing that my first and second pregnancies share: the nesting instinct. I nested the crap out of the place when I was pregnant with Kellan. For a month straight, I cooked a series of freezable meals. I cleaned out, reorganized and labeled our linen closet. I even spent my one allowed personal day of the year (I was still employed at the time) baking four kinds of cookies. This is all in addition to the nursery prep. I was quite the Happy Homemaker.
However, I’m finding it nearly impossible to nest properly this time around due to the presence of a certain little person around here. Oh, and there is plenty to do. I must be pregnant, because all the disorganization and piles of paper around here leave me consumed with the urge to track down some storage bins, organizational drawer trays and my label maker.
An example of the mess around here: I am currently looking at a tiered metal stand that is supposed to hold fruit in our kitchen. However, ever since Kellan arrived, the only fruit it holds is bananas — and only in the very top tier.
- Tier one: Bananas on top of two washcloths that should be in a laundry hamper.
- Tier two: One of Kellan’s large paintings from preschool (folded up), two of Michael’s hats, a notification from my insurance company, and two Scholastic Books order forms.
- Tier three: A Christmas stocking and a Ziploc full of handmade Christmas ornaments that never got painted.
Now, if you can imagine this kind of organizational chaos — multiplied by ten — at my computer desk, on our fridge, on countertops and inside drawers. Even the linen cabinet that I once organized within an inch of its life is now a total disaster. All of this is totally abhorrent to me at the moment. Tiny messes I was able to overlook for months now drive me mad.
However, there’s only so much a person can tackle when there are dishes to be done, meals to be cooked, laundry to be washed, writing deadlines to be met, playdates to be kept, doctors appointments to be made, and oh yeah….I guess sleep should fit in there somewhere.
Comments (2)
I hear ya! As a fellow organization lover and label maker obsessor, I have come up with somewhat of a solution to dealing with the mess: When life (and my house) get out of control, but I still want to relax, I give myself 30 mins to run around and pick things up, put them away or atleast get stuff sorted into neater piles. Then when my time is up, regardless of the outcome, I can relax. Now granted, I’m not always that good and continue clean, but still. That being said, last weekend I bought three showbox sized tubs to organize my bathroom stuff. When I finally got finished with my errands, I was too freakin’ tired to do anymore cleaning, organizing so I simply threw them under the bathroom sink with the mess and shut the cabinet doors. Wanna take a bet as to how long I’ll just leave them there?
When kids come along you have to forgive yourself a little disorganization from time to time. You are after all only human. Though I’ve always thought you to be an amazing lady Shanny, keep up the good work.