Nesting

I realised, just the other day, that I haven't really entered into a crazy nesting phase this pregnancy.  Last pregnancy, I spent much of the third trimester engaging in that typical, hormone-fueled - and often dangerous - cleaning and rearranging malarkey.  I say dangerous because, in hindsight, some of the things I did were just plain crazy and stupid - moving incredibly heavy furniture on my own (can't wait a few more hours until I have some help!), and balancing on a chair balanced on top of the bed, to scrub the top fittings of blinds with a toothbrush and antiseptic.  I can honestly say that, at the time, it seemed completely reasonable.  Did I mention this was at around 2am, when I was already a few days overdue?!

So, keeping in mind my risky behaviour from last time, I'm sure The Daddy is breathing a sigh of relief that my cleaning nesting drive hasn't kicked in this time!  I think there are three reasons why I'm more laid-back this time.

Firstly, we are in a brand new house, so there are no grimy corners, windowsills or light fittings to scrub.  Everything is freshly painted and clean, and I've spent the past few months airing out the house, clearing out any residual chemical fumes from the build and painting.

Secondly, my back is so bad - even with weekly chiro and weekly remedial massage - that I just physically can't do much cleaning.  Even a quick vacuum and mop can be enough to have me sobbing on the floor.  Thankfully we have a weekly cleaner who performs a 4-hour miracle every Wednesday - she is brilliant, she even polishes my beloved stainless steel bird whistle kettle to a high shine!  Even though I take things very easy, and avoid lifting Tabitha too much, I have to ice my back a couple of times a day, and have been told not to exercise - even walks - by my GP, chiro and midwives.  So crazy ladder scrubbing adventures are pretty much out!

Finally, with the benefit of hindsight, I am much more prepared for, and realistic about, the challenges of having a newborn.  Sparkling light fittings may be nice, but in the early weeks - and months - of having a new baby, eating and sleeping are the real priorities.  So, with this in mind, I am trying to get as much rest as possible (napping when Tabitha does, nice long baths with Tabby in the afternoons etc) and I am also cooking up a storm.  

Now, this is perhaps where the crazy hormonal nesting has come into play...  I have purchased a 389 litre vertical freezer, and am in the process of filling it with (hopefully) 90 prepared meals.  That is, with each meal including enough food for The Daddy, myself and Tabitha.  So around 270 servings.  Yes, it's ambitious, but I've only had the freezer for a few weeks and I'm already half-way there!  I'm freezing a mixture of homemade heat-and-go meals (e.g. tuna and veggie pasta bake, sausage rolls with organic pork mince and grated veggies, paprika chicken, casseroles etc), as well as marinated meats (e.g. I've marinated dozens of chicken drumsticks, pork fillets etc), and finally some bought items, such as yummy frozen prawn dumplings, a few family sized pies and the like.  I have some friends and family contributing a few dishes as well, bless them.

Anyway, I will write a post with more detail about this epic cooking and freezing adventure soon - I'll try and take a photo once it's all done! - but basically, the aim is to have enough meals so that I won't have to cook for three whole months.  Once the baby is a few months old, things should have calmed down a little, and I'll probably be itching to get back into the kitchen.  But until then, we have plenty of nutritious, delicious meals to keep us going.

Ahh, who knows, I still have 3.5 weeks to go until the estimated due date (so probably somewhere between 1.5 - 5.5 weeks until he arrives), there is still time for a cleaning frenzy.  But to be honest, I'm pretty happy to skip it this time.  Although I might just toddle off and clean out the cupboard under the laundry sink for now...