Monday 13 October 2014

MicroBlog Monday: Kinda Sorta Almost


Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. Among the many, many things Mr. Turtle and I have to be thankful for: an extra day off to work on our many tasks around the house.

Today he....

  • finished putting in baseboards and putting up the curtain rod
  • built the crib
  • unpacked and installed car seat
  • made breakfast and dinner
  • inflated my ball chair
  • carried various things up and down the stairs, on request
....I hope I'm not forgetting anything as he does read this sometimes LOL.

Today I....
  • built an IKEA drawer thingy for the closet
  • organized the closet
  • washed cloth diapers (we bought 6 BumGenius All-in-Ones with the notion of seeing how well they work)
  • put away a few Tupperwares of various items that had been hanging around en route to their eventual destination
  • futzed around the baby's room so that it looks tidy
The baby's room is kinda sorta almost ready. At least, it's functional. Having it "perfect" is not a necessity, since she won't even be sleeping there for a few months, but having it clean and organized is still a good feeling - so much better than having baby articles in piles on the floor or thrown in boxes!  There's still a lot we could do to make it "pretty": things like curtains, artwork etc. But I figure those details can be added in the next few months - even years.

It's pretty impossible to get a photo of the whole room as it's quite small and I can't find a camera angle that shows everything. But these give you an idea:

Crib and recliner

Change table / diaper pail


Really like this woven leaf hanging that we found in Pier 1 imports.


The closet that I put together today. Can you spot the turtles?

I appreciate how clean and comfortable the room feels. However, the less rational part of me feels almost dismayed at how....uncomplicated it looks now. It's as if the order I've imposed hides the messiness of the journey to get here, and I feel ambiguous about that. Oh well, I suppose the arrival of a baby will put plenty of messiness back into the picture.

The next big job that really should have been done yesterday/last week: packing the hospital bags. I have the lists; I have the bags; I even think I have most of the stuff. I think it's among the last of the necessary tasks that is intimidating me a little. Even though I've packed for trips many many times, without much grief, this particular trip feels bigger than any other one.

Ember continues to appear happy and comfortable in situ. Last Thursday the doctor attempted to check my cervix. I was curious what was going on up there but once the actual inspection started I was less than enthusiastic about it. Apparently my cervix is high and tilted toward the back, which makes it harder to feel and quite uncomfortable for me. No evidence of dilation yet, or even effacement. This fits with my sense that Ember is going to stay in side for a least a few more days, even weeks, although the doctor was careful to point out that a thick cervix in no way guaranteed that labour wasn't about to start. As long as she's healthy then I am in no hurry. Although I strongly dislike the idea of being induced and it is my wish  that things progress naturally.

So it continues. Kinda sorta almost.

15 comments:

  1. See, you even have wall art! And a crib, recliner and changing table! We have temporarily suspended further furniture assembly due to work-related deadlines, but honestly, even though it can all be done after they arrive, I'd rather then take the time and snuggle ;) Nothing to get stressed about though. Glad that Ember is still happy inside!

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    1. Yes exactly, who wants to be building furniture when there's a baby around? it can all be done pretty fast though. No stressing needed! Ember and I are enjoying being home.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving! Sound like you have a very helpful husband. Lucky lady :)

    It's funny you mentioned the neat and tidy nursery made you feel funny, because I felt the same way. As you said, once the baby gets in there it doesn't stay clean for long! Your recliner looks really comfy, I bet you will spend many hours in there. Do you have a breastfeeding pillow?

    Glad ember is healthy and you are too :)

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    1. heh, glad I'm not the only one with weird thoughts :-) Looking forward to baby mess! lol The chair is nice; I think I sat in about 20 to find the one that fit my body best. I don't have a pillow; wasn't sure how necessary that was. But if recommended I will put on the list of things to pick up!

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  3. Congratulations on getting the room in order (and happy Thanksgiving!). I love how the colour of the room matches your blog theme :-) It's all very cheery.

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    1. thank you! tee hee, I'm glad someone noticed the room and the blog match. :-D

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  4. Yay, wonderful progress! The nursery looks awesome. And happy Thanksgiving! I hope you get to savor these last few weeks (or days!) of pregnancy. And I hope Ember decides to come on her own. But if you have to be induced, it's not as bad as all the natural childbirth sources make it out to be. I had to be induced at 40 weeks 3 days since my little guy was not so little anymore (almost 9 lbs, yikes), and everything went smoothly. None of the awful things I read about happened and I still managed to a vaginal delivery. I'll be thinking of you and looking forward to your post that she has arrived! :)

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    1. Thanks! and it's good to hear induction can go smoothly. I've just heard so many scary stories about it.

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  5. Yay, you have a nursery. I love the art and I love the simplicity of it. Did you read this NY Times article that was in this Sunday's paper: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/upshot/heavier-babies-do-better-in-school.html?rref=upshot. It's essentially about why it's better to let your baby keep growing as long as possible.

    Happy Thanksgiving and wow, you guys accomplished a lot.

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    1. Glad you like our "design!" My only "theme" was autumn and it worked out well because both Mr. Turtle and I like orange. We also didn't want an overly "babyish" room (although as we add things it might get more playful.) I really like the idea of leaf and autumn inspired art. Thank you for the article; very interesting!

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  6. Beautiful nursery! And don't worry - it is soon to be filled with toys and other gear...

    Good luck in the upcoming weeks.

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    1. Thank you for the comment and good wishes! Yes I'm not worried about the nursery getting decorated - even if we are too sleepy and/or baby occupied to care, we have some very artistic friends and relatives who will come up with many ideas!

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  7. Oh I really like that wall hanging, too! I think it's interesting how a clean room makes you think that the messiness of history is invisible. I'll have to think on that one.

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    1. I really liked how the leaves and branches were set of by the bright wall. I'd originally pictured neutral walls and bright accents, but I think it's fun to reverse that idea and have bright walls and dark or neutral accents and furniture.

      As for messes, they do tell a story! but I know that my story is told on the blog and acknowledged by the readers, so that helps. Every time we change or alter something in the house though, I do have a reaction. Usually it's a pretty short lived reaction, but I always get thoughts running through my head.

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  8. The room looks great and congratulations on checking all of that stuff off your to-do list. I'm envious of your productivity.

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