Baby Shower

My great friends Kellie and Elaina threw me a baby shower last week, and it was so much fun! They made a delicious lunch of BBQ Chicken Salad, rolls, and chips and guacamole. There were chocolate cupcakes and cute mason jars filled with sherbet, ginger-ale, and a lemon slice. We held it at the clubhouse and I am so grateful for all who came!

We played 3 games of guessing how many candies filled a baby bottle, how many headbands it would take to wrap around my belly twice (apparently, it's 18!) , and how to say "baby" in multiple languages.

My spoils of war! I loved it!

I am so grateful to have the greatest friends! I love all of my gifts!

Things I Want to Remember

Having James as a son brings a lot of laughter into my life. Here are a few things I don't want to forget.

I discovered what James does in his bed when he's supposed to be napping. For a few days I was so confused when I'd get him out because there would be little white specks on his mouth and shirt. I figured he just had a little spit-up or something and didn't think much about it. The other day I caught him in the act, and my questions were answered. Apparently, James is part termite. He has been gnawing on the side of the crib I don't typically see. There is about a dime-sized chunk that is now missing, and there are teeth-marks surrounding the entire area. What I thought was spit-up was actually white paint specks. He must have FINALLY realized the crib doesn't taste as good as it looks because he appears to have stopped. For now. I now have Poison Control on my speed dial, however.

James has an aversion to all things vegetable. I have tried over and over, and have finally succumbed to hiding pureed veggies in his applesauce. Of course, all it takes is Chris coming around, calling our broccoli "trees", for James to gobble up about 10 spears. Go figure. I guess I need to start thinking like a boy.

James has discovered the "fun" of throwing things in the garbage. He is so proud of himself when he cleans up garbage and puts it away. In fact, he likes it so much he's resorted to ripping the pages and flaps out of all of his books to have more "garbage material." I always know when it's time to play Book Doctor when I open the trash cupboard and have page pieces falling on the floor.

Gotta love him.

Nesting: A Cry For Help

I have always considered myself to be a very organized person. Perhaps slightly OCD, but who doesn't love a clean house? When I was pregnant with James, I was horrified to discover the nesting curse that effects pregnant women. Fortunately, I was too busy with teaching and preparing sub plans to let it take its full effect. With this pregnancy, I no longer have that excuse. I am chagrined to admit the level I have taken nesting too. This is not a boastful post to brag about how freakishly clean my house is. Take this as a cry for help.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Pinterest for fueling this obsession with all of their ingenious cleaning tips and products. Without that website, this list would have been cut in half. (No worries, Pinterest is now banned in this household for that very reason).

The last few weeks have found my very pregnant body in some interesting positions. I've FINALLY dusted the side/top/back part of the fridge. Who knew that attaching Bounce sheets to poles was so effective at collecting dust? My fascination with Bounce sheets didn't end as I went throughout the house using them to clean all baseboards and blinds. Apparently they will help repel dust in the future. The jury is still out on that one for me.

I attached bags filled with vinegar to every single sink and tub fixture in my house to let soak overnight. PURE MAGIC I tell you. I no longer have a single calcium deposit left!

Carpets have been spot-treated and then shampooed.

Ceiling fans are dust free.

Vents were cleaned and replaced.

Every time I looked at my tub and jets, I was personally offended. It became my mission to find something that worked at removing mold and grime because I thought I had tried everything. After raiding Home Depot for industrial strength products, I discovered Zep and a Pumie Stone (not to be mistaken for a pumice stone). Thank you Home Depot! I now can take a bath without feeling like mildew is enjoying it with me.

The magic eraser is my best friend. I went through the house and removed every black mark I could find. It's amazing how just one toddler can create such destruction. He sure loves to ram his cars into my wall.

All rooms have had paint touch-ups.

Cabinets and banisters have been polished.

I even went so far as to clean all interior parts of my vacuum. I am sickened by what was hanging around in my carpets now that my vacuum works correctly.

All of these tasks were done in addition to my normal weekly regiment of cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, dusting, etc. Oh, and taking care of my very active 2 year old who loved to follow me around chanting "clean, clean, clean..." Have I created a monster?

I have literally forced myself to quit thinking of things to clean now and just live with the insane nesting urge. I need tunnel vision so I can just make it to the end of this pregnancy! Maybe James will let me borrow his arm restraints for a few weeks...