down day

bedrest isn't fun... plain and simple. I think reality is setting in and the house is losing shape and my mind is getting board. Hubby is home and that is wonderful..... but he's dad... he's a guy... he isn't a mommy replacement and he doesn't notice the overflowing trash can or the crumbs on the floor. Don't get me wrong... he's helping. It's just a little chaotic right now. The clutter spreads in seconds and you don't realize how much you do until you can't do it anymore. I feel like giving everything away so nothing can be a mess. ha! So...it's my blog and i'll whine if I want to. *grin* I know it will get easier... we'll adjust and we'll find a routine that works. But until then i'll have to figure out how to deal with crumbs on the floor, over flowing trash can, baskets of folded laundry needing a ride upstairs, cereal canisters in their new location... the counter, craft trash spread across the table and floor, and everything else.

anyone have any tips or ideas of how to keep up on the house while sitting on the couch? Ha!

35 comments:

  1. Do you have any friends/relatives nearby who can come help out with things like folding laundry every now and again? That might help even though it's sucky to ask a friend to help with something like that . . . I'm sure they'd do it for you.

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  2. Ask for help, ask for help, and ask again! People would be more than willing to help given the reasons why you are on bed rest! I'm sure the hubby won't mind it either... having extra hands to clean! Just don't be shy! Spread the word and people will crawl out of the wood work to help if they knew you needed it!

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  3. That was my thought tranny head. If I was closer I would totally come and help you! If your friend or someone can come and help you.....I would totally be stressed too....hard to sit and not do anything and watch your house go to shambles. I don't have any other ideas then that...Good Luck....it will be okay...just keep remembering it is all for the good. HUGS

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  4. They make these wonderful eye spa covers... then you can't see the mess! Seriously, I think I would go INSANE! SO I will for sure be praying for you! This too shall pass, its the figuring out the NOW that gets a little sticky... I mean tricky! :)

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  5. Try to get some family to help out or mabye some maid service. I know how you feel as you watch your house turn in a huge mess. I like the eye cover idea. HA HA!!

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  6. The older boys can definitely help out with things like crumbs and general pick-up. And the littler ones can maybe be your gophers. Getting you little things you need.
    The rest your hubby can get, and what he can't will just have to fall to the wayside. I know, easier said than done. But all that small stuff isn't really that important right now.
    Still, I don't know how I would manage it either. I'm always the one doing everything and it would drive me nuts to have to sit and watch.
    Prayers for you!!!

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  7. try this.....for each"chore" the boys can do for you(sort socks, sweep floor, whatever) give them 25cents. at the end of the week- daddy can take them and their dollars earned to the dollar store. or..... since it's hot out, you could use ice cream as an incentive! hee hee
    It will be ok, don't worry! most importantly, keep encourageing that man of yours that he's doing a fantastic job ( even if he does miss the HUGE pile of crumbs under his chair!)

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  8. What if you were to asign chores. I don't know if they boys do any yet, but just something as simple as sweeping up, that way they learn, and you don't have to stress about the mess.

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  9. Dads try so hard, but they certainly are not mom!!

    Make those older boys do some work!! I guess all you can do is be the dictator, from the couch. :(

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  10. I KNOW how you feel! When I was on bedrest, it was really a struggle! But, you know that these babies need you NOW!!! And that is okay!

    My kids love to "race", I will set a timer, to have them race to put away their clean socks..then the shirts, then pants...THEY LOVE THIS! Ready, set, go....and they are OFF! Oz probably can't do this by himself, but your loving boys I am sure would be his helper! They could love that responsibility too!

    We also have a handheld broom/dustpan, so the kids LOVE to use this to clean up any messes! I agree about the incentive...then some nice dad time to get some ice cream...and bring something home for mom!
    We are all here for you in blogland, please reach out to friends, and relatives that are willing to help!
    Keep taking care of you, and the babies!! :)
    IT is OKAY to whine here...that is what we are here for!
    Prayers being sent your way!

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  11. since school is out now maybe you could find a high school or college kid to help with some of the work..make a list of things you want done. Even if it is just to take the kids outside or to the park. just a suggestion...good luck!!

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  12. I will pray that God will give you the grace to get through this. I would highly recommend structured down times for your boys where they have sessions of "Power cleaning" Set the timer and have them pick up 25 items (Or whatever you think is appropriate)and put them away. My kids LOVE my label maker. If you have one, get them involved in labeling toy storage, etc; Then it will be easier for them, and any other help you recruit.

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  13. Oh, and something else that helped me anytime I was on my back with babies: Sit in the room that is the easiest to keep clean and calm. Then, while you are sitting in that clean room pray that you won't think about what the rest of the house looks like:)!

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  14. If you are anything like me...I had the hardest time asking for help. (Ahh..I can't stand that about me.) I just figured, we'd figure it out and I'd be able to take care of it.

    I guess I don't really have any advice. Except, I think I would try to keep them outside as much as possible..while you sit and watch. It is summer. The weather is working in your favor.

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  15. I did 8 weeks of at home bedrest, before finishing up the last 6 weeks in the hospital, ugh! As bad as I am sure you hate it, LET FRIENDS HELP! It made me feel better in the end knowing that I could "make it up to" people later by doing stuff for them. Kinda like paying it forward, in one way or another. Since you will have a houseful, babysitting for friends will be hard, but you could always get them gift cards to movies, share scrap booking supplies, or stuff like that. Hang in there! I know it's terrible!!!!

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  16. I did a Bible study a few years ago on parenting and the lady suggested that when asking kids for help make it fun. For example the craft supplies and mess. Tell your older boys, Ask if they want to be secret agents? Then say after they say yes, Mommy has a mission for you. Do you think he can complete this mission. And give them the task you want them to do. And to report back to you when the mission is finished. You're creative and I'm sure you will think of ways to make it fun for them.

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  17. I say that all of the time...LET ME JUST GET RID OF EVERYTHING, then I have nothing to keep together! =)

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  18. Brittany, I have developed a sort of cleaning roster, it's for 'me' but also for my children and husband to see what chores get done on what day.
    I had cleaners come in once a week for a while after I had my last two babies but it seemed an unnecessary expense when I felt I could be back on top of it all. But I did enjoy having them come, you knew it was all clean on ONE day!
    My roster of jobs goes a little like this
    "Wednesday...change Lachlan's bedding, wash, iron, vacuum car,
    Thursday, clean children's bathrooms, wash towels, sponge sofa covers, wash clothes, vacuum house". It sounds VERY structured and I suppose it is but it also gives you a sense of it NOT getting overwhelming. Getting a little done each day rather than trying to get a whole house tidy and clean is too hard...especially from where you are. Your husband may like to feel he is in charge of deciding what gets done what days...then the 'power' goes back to him rather than you feeling like you are 'telling' him what to do all the time.
    I would find this VERY hard but if you communicate well you'll figure it out. Another option is to just think you will pay someone to come in maybe as the babies are born and you are in the hospital...It can be money very well spent!

    :)

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  19. oh btw, my cleaning is sometimes far more thorough than other times...sometimes it is a wipedown...other times its better...don't think I'm a cleaning freak I just like a tidy house...and I was an icu nurse...it's hard to let things get unordered and dirty!!!!

    I have been known to drive my family nuts

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  20. Let it go. Thats my best advice. When I was inpatient and then once I was home it was rough to have the Hub running the show. I like things done my way but you just have to remember that eventually it will get done. Blinders are probably a good idea. *wink
    Focus on the twins and remember that your on bedrest for them to get them bigger and stronger! The house might be messy for a while but that's the great thing about a house- it can be cleaned again! No one will even look twice at a mess when they know you have four boys running around AND your pregnant with twins! Keep your chin up and remember that while it might be messy the boys will remember having a good time with daddy when Mom was in bed not that your house was a sty! Ya know? Ok I am so I'll close for now! Wish I was closer to help you out!

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  21. When I was 10 my mom was pregnant and on bedrest for 21 weeks with my sister! She did a lot of praying, reading, and praying and reading some more! To keep up with the house she gave all of us kids chores. We all knew we were helping the baby by helping her. She made it fun and we all did different things. Even the two year old picked things up and carried things to my mom. Hang in there it will get easier.

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  22. Hi There...my name is Lyndsay and I'm a mom of two boys. I just had my second son Jackson on Thursday via C-section. I found your blog through another blog I read. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your wonderful family. I know what you mean about going crazy with not being able to do what you used to. Since I had a C-section I need to take it easy and according to the doctors I can't lift anything heavier than Jack for 6 weeks!!! Yeah like that's going to happen when I also have a 17 month old. Luckily my husband is home this whole week and I'm going to have some help from other family members next week, but I have no idea how I'm going to keep this up for 6 whole weeks. Good luck with not going crazy sitting there. I guess the only consolation is knowing that you are going to get two adorable presents at the end! Congrats!

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  23. there are some really great ideas here, and at the end of the day... as you've said before... the babies are what is most important and if things get messy and the house turms upside down at least you are in bed - even if you are bored out of your mind - good luck!

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  24. Looks like we were both having a down day yesterday! Hang in there...I know, easier said than done, but you can do this!
    Basically, you just have to accept the fact that your house won't look like you want it to at the current moment...and ask, beg and pleed for help from friends/family. You have to figure out what is top priority (crumbs) and what is not (things not in their correct home) and go with that! :)
    As far as giving everything away, I contemplate that daily! :)

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  25. Oh my. Sounds like a fun time.
    Just a sliver in time though, right? Like morning sickness - the pains of birthing it'll all fade away soon enough! Until then hang in there!
    Have you seen those little robots that go around the floor and sweep & mop? I think you need one of those ; )

    Take care,
    Aleah

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  26. keep a laundry basket at the bottom of the stairs to collect everything throughout the day that needs to go up. At bedtime Dad can carry it up and the boys can put the stuff away. Put hte empty basket back at the bottom for tomorrow.

    Give each boy a sock on his hand for dusting. Set the timer and make it a race - whoever has the dirtiest sock wins.

    Get a dust-buster. When my sister and I were little we loved to use it and hunted all over for any little thing on the floor that should be vacuumed up.

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  27. A watergun. Everytime you want someone to do something or clean up a mess... squirt 'em! :)

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  28. Oh, no advice, just a big ol' HUG and if I were anywhere near, I would totally help too!

    It is really hard to let go and let people help...just trust that any offers you get are genuine and know that often, letting people help gives them a good feeling too, so it can be a wonderful thing for all involved. =)

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  29. Bedrest is really hard...I did it with both of my pregnancies.Praying that everything works out ok..As for cleaning your house while on the couch I closed my eyes and pretended that it was clean...lol

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  30. Oh girl...hang in there. I was on bedrest with my first and I thought that was bad...with NO ONE to clean up after.

    My children LOVE the dustbuster to help out with. But really I think the job at hand is more for you...and that means letting it go and asking for help. You're never going to see results like you are used to getting...but something is better than nothing =). I'm sure friends and family would be happy to help if they knew you needed it. But if you're anything like me this may take some prayer...so it's coming your way. I will pray that you can be content in asking for help. Is that ok?

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  31. OH Girl! You gotta ask for help. Personally, I am a control freak when it comes to my house and I would have trouble relinquishing control, but in this situation you gotta do it. Neighbors, friends, relatives... I am sure all would be willing to pitch in somewhere. Oh and Grayson and Vance and even Gavin can help with some stuff. Get 'em workin'! ; ) And try not to think about those crumbs too much!

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  32. Ok, Britt- looks like everyone is telling you what I"ve been telling you...LET ME HELP!!!!!!!!!! *grin*
    I also love the comment about the water gun!

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  33. It looks like everyone gave some pretty good advice (mostly - ask for help!) It's difficult when you're used to doing it all and feeling accomplished, but sometimes we all need a little help. And, if anyone had the right to complain or whine right now- it's you! I like the sock idea, and you certainly have friends that care for you and will help if you ask. :)

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  34. Is there a lady's group/bible study at your church? Perhaps askt he chairperson if anyonewould be interested in rotating a day or 2 a week to come and help youout with the little things men don't see. OR hire a cleaning service or a nanny.

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  35. Roomba perhaps? Or maybe put double sided tape on the bottom of the kids' feet so that they're picking up crumbs as they walk around.

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Thank you for blessing me with your words!

Brittany