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A friend (who went through the same "oops" last year resulting in a sweet baby girl who came last May) dropped off a HUGE box of clothes.  And the really NICE stuff, too, that I won't even bother to buy on clearance--like some Gymboree and Calvin Klein (really, I didn't even know CK MADE onesies!) and BabyGap.  Some of the stuff I won't be able to use since her baby was wearing a lot of 0-3 summer stuff, but the REST!  Oh!  It's just lovely!

...And I got permission from an online baby site to start washing the baby clothes NOW.  That's the only excuse I need, so it's ON!  But I guess I'll have to store the stuff in some plastic bins until the storage question is answered?

Speaking of, the hubs took me around the house last night to show me HIS ideas for how we can rearrange the house and make room for the baby.  Some of it is a bit weird (master bedroom in the DEN?), but I understand where's he's coming from.  What I KNOW about my husband--and me--is that these grandiose schemes will probably NEVER happen.  What he wants to do encompasses a LOT of work, and frankly, we're both the worst procrastinators around (hence the reason why the main hallway, which was stripped of wallpaper almost two years ago, has still not been painted, let alone the wallpaper glue washed off!).  I think we should just start simple and work up the proposed nursery--and THEN maybe work on cleaning out the basement, moving the playarea down to the basement, moving the master bedroom to the den, and moving child #1 into the former master bedroom (meanwhile setting up a nursery in the SAME room *I* was intending).  Start simple should really be our motto--especially since we've only got about 6-7 weeks until this baby gets here.

I did spend most of yesterday going through and cleaning out some of the toys out of the den/playarea.  I threw away a whole bag of toys/trash.  And I have another box that needs to be passed on or somehow donated.  IF ONLY the kids would keep the den clean now that I've gone through it.  I used to be so good about getting them to pick up after themselves, but now that the toys are not in the same room that DH and I sit/watch TV, it just gets completely forgotten by me.  

I've been utilizing the "Expectant Mother" parking spot at the store more often--and trying not to feel guilty about it.  Why is it there if not to use?  But I always feel as if I'm cheating some grandma--or maybe a nine months gone lady with three toddlers--their rightful spot.  Interestingly, many times I can find a good non-expectant spot if I go at the right times--so I don't use it ALL the time.  Cashiers are starting to ask me if I want the drive-up service to pick up my paid groceries.  I haven't used that yet as I still feel perfectly capable of hauling my cart out to my "special" spot and emptying the groceries myself.  I mean, I have to lug them out of the car when I get home anyway, so it's really no big deal.  But the one cashier, when I said I didn't really need it said, "Just keep in mind that we've got it--you might want to use it, especially after the baby gets here."  Hmmm....now THAT I think is a good idea!

I am getting pressure more often now when I walk, and I still sometimes hurt in my hips, but it's not every day or all the time, but it does make me not feel so weird about using that Expectant Mom's parking spot.  And I'm starting to notice the start of the "little black down" down my belly.  And my belly button is mostly flat.  And my stretch marks around my belly button are making a more visible appearance again. 

33 weeks!!!  SOON!!