Becoming pregnant has changed me in so many ways — mostly good ones. Even though I’m tired, sore, and busier than ever, I’ve also become the most productive version of myself. Nesting is no joke. It’s good because I’m getting so much done before the baby arrives. It’s bad because I rarely relax, and when I do sit down with a book or a movie, my mind races with the million tasks still on my list. Add in a full-time career, and what you’ve got is one anxious lady. I know I should slow down before the newborn chaos begins, but for now… I’m running on nesting energy.
At home, I’ve felt a strong pull to tackle as many house projects as possible before Caleb makes his big debut. We dream of a remodeled kitchen and new flooring to replace the worn carpet, but those are long-term goals. For now, I’m proud of the smaller upgrades we’ve managed: new mason-jar lights in the foyer (with matching ones planned for the kitchen and dining room), and a growing list of affordable fixes that make the house feel ready for our growing family.
Nesting has shown up in other ways, too. I’ve become obsessive about cleaning and organizing, making sure everything has a place. Weekends find me cooking in my two crockpots (thanks, Mom!), tidying, and — shocker — even doing dishes. I used to leave those for Jerry, but now I want everything in order. Cooking isn’t my passion, but I’ve been surprisingly proud of the meals I’ve managed. It feels like I’m growing into my roles as wife and soon-to-be mother, and I know Jerry appreciates the effort.
I’ve also become more invested in our finances. We live on a strict budget, but we still try to put a little into savings each week for maternity leave and emergencies — even $10 or $20 adds up. I check our retirement funds more often than I should (yes, I’m only 25, but I’m a planner) and we’ve been chipping away at debts. Beyond the usual mortgage, car, and student loans, there’s also that Lowe’s bill from the fridge replacement. Thankfully, we’ve got 18 months of interest-free financing, but we’re working to pay it off early. We even toss in a little extra on our mortgage each month, hoping to shave years off the loan.
Speaking of saving, I’ve started couponing! When my hours were cut at work, I dove right in — and I roped in my sister-in-law so we could start together. I’m no extreme couponer, but most weeks I grab the Sunday paper, clip my coupons, and match them up with the ads. I follow deal pages on Facebook, though a lot of those posts are still too complicated for me. Even so, I’ve already built small stockpiles of essentials — laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and razors. My proudest haul so far? Six bottles of Pantene for just $3 total.
And, of course, I’ve been preparing for the star of the show: little Caleb himself. His clothes are already washed and sorted by size. Thanks to couponing, we’ve got a nice stash of diapers and wipes waiting for him, too.
Now we wait. There’s still plenty to do around the house, and Caleb still has growing to do, but I’m finding joy in this season of transformation. I may be restless, but I’m also grateful — for the chance to prepare, to dream, and to nest.
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| His baby clothes, all ready to go! |
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