Baby Prep

The weather here is getting nicer, the sun is out, and the forecast looks promising. A good Newfoundland windy spring (summer, almost) day is perfect for hanging laundry out. So, I've been spring cleaning these days. Washing all sorts of things from bathmats and pillows to curtains and blinds. And then I'll be washing new cloth diapers and miscellaneous newborn baby items.

Some might call this nesting, but I think it's a bit too early for that.
I'm just taking advantage of only having one child to get as much done around the house when I can. It's not always easy to do housework with a toddler (she doesn't realize that freshly mopped floors are very slippery.. and likes to bring me her toys to help clean the bathroom. or feel the toilet water)-- but I figure it's a lot easier than doing housework with a toddler and a newborn.

I am trying to get a lot done with vinegar, dish soap and baking soda and it's been working well so far. It just feels a little better not to be breathing in too much from the cleaning stuff... plus Bronwen has always got her little paws in whatever I am cleaning and I don't care if she licks the freshly scrubbed tub if it's only got vinegar on it.

My spring cleaning list is almost done- just a few things left that I need Brian's help with (such as cleaning our windows from the outside... not about to get up on a ladder and the front ones are very high up). And move the fridge to clean behind it. Things like that.
Then it's onto the 'baby list' which is infinitely more fun- things like getting out the little newborn clothes again, and setting up the crib. And setting up Bronwen's new room (a cozy nook in our guest room/office).
Putting the infant car seat back in the car- this will be a good experiment in how a 2 door Yaris hatchback will hold 2 tall-ish adults and 2 rear-facing carseats. Let's hope it works fine because a new vehicle is not in the works for a while yet!.. oh Rubee, you continue to faithfully serve us.

I am going to try and make some meals for the freezer... does anyone have any ideas for summer-type freezer meals? So far I have 1 meal in there... black bean enchiladas. Side note.. if you are looking to help out any families with new babies... one of the BEST things you can do, in my opinion, is to bring food! I still will not forget when Bronwen was born and our friends Alex and Adrienne showed up with a big container of chili, and homemade bagels. They didn't stay for hours, they just said hi... and left us a wonderful gift. I'm sure there were other people who brought us food, but that's what stands out in my head the most.

looking back.. some of our friends at the hospital... they arrived en masse.

Bronwen, 1 week old. Maybe an August baby won't have to wear a toque 24/7! (she literally wore one to sleep every night for the first few months).