Preparing the nest.

I only deep clean the house twice a year...once in April (Laura's birthday) and once in September (Garrett). And that involves everything from dusting to windexing the windows and doors to wiping down the baseboards (at least the really dusty ones).

My NORMAL cleaning schedule is more like run the dishwasher before we're out of spoons, keep the laundry going when the underwear starts to run out, and sweep when we can't walk through the crumbs any longer. You are disgusted by me now, aren't you?

So, needless to say, the "nesting" phenomenon of late pregnancy is bewildering to me. I, a woman who can barely see the TV screen for the streaks of dust, cannot stop cleaning. And organizing, of course.

When I was teaching, my nesting took place in my classroom. Eight weeks of reading logs paper-clipped in order? Check. Eight weeks of math activities, lined up in order on a shelf? Check. Detailed notes about what to expect from all 23 students at any given moment of the day? Check!

My house was an entirely different matter. The one bit of nesting I remember doing at HOME was when I was pregnant with Garrett. After staying at school until 11:00 preparing information for my substitute, I came home, cleaned the bathroom, and went into labor pretty much after I'd put the Windex away.

This time, it's a whole new world to me. It started about two weeks ago.

"I've got to run to Walmart for milk and stuff...should be under $50 bucks!" I yell to my husband.

I come home with a $140 bill, and purchases including new travel size toiletries for the hospital, a new nightgown, robe, and slippers, a pack of diapers, gifts for Garrett and Laura's "hospital" bag (so they will know I still love them, of course), Tucks pads, baby Tylenol, and a sleeper for the baby. And milk. I did get the milk.

Then there was the Glamour Shots debacle. $400 dollars later. MUST HAVE BELLY PICTURES.

Then, came the packing. I CANNOT GO INTO LABOR WITHOUT MY BAGS PACKED. Actually, four bags - one for labor, one for the hospital stay, a bag for Garrett, and a bag for Laura. All with notes taped on so my husband will know what to throw in at the big moment. It is imperative that he get the BROWN hairbrush, and the comfy pink underwear. My labor depends on it.

OMG, WAIT - is my crazy showing?

Next, there was the organizing. Kids closets? Impeccable. Kitchen cabinets? The soup cans are all facing out. Baby clothes, blankets, shoes, supplies? Ready, ready, READY!

Then the crafts. I have scrapbooked a blank page on which to put baby's first photos from the hospital. I have refinished a picture frame to match the other children's "bathtub" photos that hang in our bathroom. I have made a little book to document Delaney's first year (I take a picture of the kids with their teddy bear once a month until they turn one).

And now, I am cleaning. People, it's almost shameful to admit this, but I was up until midnight last night cleaning every last corner of this house, including VACUUMING THE RETURN AIR VENTS WITH THE HOSE ATTACHMENT. And then I cleaned the vacuum. Okay, I'm kidding about that last part, but now that it's been mentioned...

I'm also doing out of character things like HAVING A HOT DINNER ON THE TABLE EVERY NIGHT FOR FIVE NIGHTS IN A ROW, and I MADE HOMEMADE WAFFLES FOR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING. Wild.

In the last week, Seth and I have also managed to teach Garrett to take showers, and wash all by himself. We have Laura washing her hair and body, we just have to help her rinse. Both children are now in booster seats and they have learned to buckle their own seatbelts. And although this is very embarrassing, Garrett fixed his own lunch yesterday because I was really consumed with scrubbing the back of the kitchen faucet with Ajax and a toothbrush.

So, the closets are ready.

The nursery is ready.

The kids are as independent as they can be at this point.

The house is ready.

I, however am NOT ready to care for a new baby.

But, I AM ready to meet my newest baby daughter.

Daddy is ready to hold her tiny little fingers.

And Garrett and Laura are ready, too.