You are so lucky to be able to conceive. That’s all my life has been dedicated to for the last year+. It’s painful. And long. And supersedes everything else.

We had no idea what our baby’s name was going to be 2.5 months before he was born. We had a short list in the last couple weeks of pregnancy, but we didn’t finally decide until 3 days after he was born. It was hard!

When I was nesting, I didn’t have the luxury to change anything about our apartment (it’s a furnished, no-paint-or-holes apartment), so I measured the entire place (every little bit, even inside closets) and made a to-scale floor plan in Adobe Illustrator with to-scale furniture drawings (simplified to general shapes, but still accurately sized). That way I could try different layouts on my computer before asking my husband to shove furniture around.

Even then I could tell I was crazy, but it’s come in handy several times since then, so I’m glad I did it. Took about a week from start to finish (measuring to designing).

PS: I found this site helpful for names since it tells you the meaning of a name, some user-submitted facts, suggestions for sibling names, and has a chart for popularity level.

http://www.babynamewizard.com/
http://www.babynamewizard.com/name-voyager#ms=false&exact=false

Oh I’m so happy you had a chance for a little R&R. Myself, I could use a break from R&R I’ve been on bedrest for going on 6 weeks, I’m very familiar with my ceiling and my project minded self is roaring to paint something! ;) Thanks for sharing your projects a long the way they are keeping me entertained and inspired!

cheers!

I’m mostly reading blogs while feeding a baby (three weeks old today). I wanted to recommend the book, Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel. I read it while I was pregnant and it was a great resource. Also, I’m a bit obsessed with baby names and my favorite name blog is http://www.youcantcallitit.com/. Maybe you’ll find some ideas there.

Hope you are feeling well!

I used hypnobabies with both of my girls. It worked really well for me. You can order the books or try to find a class in your area. Good luck!

i am reading sewing books.

I really liked Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. It’s pretty crazy but it makes you think about things differently and I loved reading the inspiring birth stories. My favorite thing I took away from it about natural childbirth was two things are for sure: it’s going to hurt and you can do it!

I noticed your ‘Small Spaces’ book. I’ve always felt that a great way of making the most out of small spaces is by the addition of mezzanine flooring. A friend of mine recently put one in and the difference is astonishing.

I love it. I am currently pregnant with twins (our first and second) and I only have a few weeks left… I am totally nesting. In fact, rather than working this morning, I am making a list of all the things I need to get done before the babies arrive. You will have to let us know what good tips you find in those books :)

Those look like great reads! I’ve been reading a lot of Diane Chamberlain lately. And trying to stay on track with my Bible reading plan for the year. That alone keeps me busy and off the streets. :)

Tami, my heart goes out to you. I know your pain, all too well. The moment we can let go and be happy for others’ joy in pregnancy, the healing begins. Best of luck.

I’m glad you’re a library girl! I’m a librarian at a public library and the amount of random books I end up bringing home every day is just ridiculous! I’ve been sucked into books like “The Hip Girls Guide to Homemaking” lately…Well, that and Gone With The Wind…yikes! there goes my spare time!

Have you read Hunger Games? So nice to have a good firm belly to prop your book on (:

Right now I’m reading a really cool book called Matched. It’s all about how in the future we are “matched” with the person we are going to marry instead of picking our own love. It’s kind of sci-fi mixed with romance. An easy read and a clean book.
We are done having babies, so no more baby books for me. Happy and sad at the same time. (I could seriously spend hours kissing babies and playing with their toes). Congrats on your pregnancy and thanks for writing such an awesome blog!

You picked great names for your boys. I’m sure you and HH will find a great name for the new baby. I’m 24 weeks pregnant. We know that we’re having a girl, but no name picked out yet.

We always waited until the 11th hour to pick our baby names, but I spent the full 9 months compiling possibilities. For some reason the names just fell into place right before the kids came. I have a scrapbook with my daughter’s name written out in my wobbly, drugged-up, transitional labor script.

Luckily my family has a tradition of two middle names, so no favorite names got left behind. We have an Ian Nicolaas Christopher, and an Evelyn Emma Arianna. Much nicer, I think, than my poor brother who got stuck with Whitney van Zjjyll Griffitts. (Or something like that, I can’t even spell it. Crazy Welsh/Dutch parents…) I LOVE your boy’s names — can’t wait to see what you choose for baby #3.

I am currently on a architectural coffee table book binge. Just read The Not So Big House and trying to get my hands on a copy of Nice House by Samuel White. I dream of someday having an Underdog to call my own!

yay! nesting is fun.. I’m about to start Saving CeeCee Honeycutt… it’s supposed to be an easy, light, fun read. We’ll see!

I love books about small space living! They are so inspirational and give me new ideas. In our old apartment with the two kids in just two bedrooms, I would have to remember all those small space books I read about NYC families with three or four kids in an apartment smaller than mine. Not to mention families I’ve stayed with in India or South American countries.

Anyway.

I’m reading “Organized Simplicity” now and thinking of writing a family purpose statement.

Happy nesting!

As soon as I get some time on my hands, I’m finally going to finish re-reading Pride and Prejudice, which (I’m ashamed to admit) I started before Christmas. Then it’s on to The Hunger Games. I’ve heard it’s a must-read no matter how old you are!

Tami – I’m so sorry you are having trouble conceiving. I hope you don’t find my posts about pregnancy/babies too annoying. I always feel guilty when I hear about women who have trouble conceiving. I know we are very lucky to have this surprise in our lives. There are many days I get very scared about the idea of #3 {especially on days when my boys are being less than cooperative} but then I remind myself that there are many women who would give anything to have a # anything on the way and that inspires me to look at things differently…as a true miracle. Lots of hugs your way… xo.

For baby names take a look at the book Bring Back Beatrice. It has some really cute and unique names in it and is fun to read. My friend who didn’t even need baby name ideas loved it.

I am hooked on that section of the library, I’ve memorized the call numbers. Lucky 747.

While it is not book about preparing for childbirth, the book Waiting for Birdy is a beautifully written book that chronicles one woman’s few remaining days with her firstborn before the arrival of his sister. I know you are past this actual scenario and are now expecting your third little one but if you haven’t already read it this book is so heartfelt and honest. It truly taps into the emotional preparation women go through as they await the birth of their little nestling:) Happy Nesting!

Kristin

I also loved Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. I recommend it to all of my friends and it really gets your mind where it needs to be to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
It was my go-to book during both my pregnancies.

I guess we all have those laundry moments sometimes. : ) Hang in there!