Prepping the "nest"

I have some friends who have been pregnant in the past, they would talk about nesting and I would laugh, literally laugh. I'm sorry guys, I understand where you are coming from now. Have you ever woken up at 3 a.m. and sat in bed wide awake needing to vacuum the cat? No? Well then I guess I'm on my own with that. 

However, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that one way to make room for baby is to make room in your house, whether that be decluttering you closet, or organizing the nursery twice a week. Me? I'm guilty of both. If you've ever known me in the past, you know that I've never been the OCD clean freak who makes you take off your shoes when you walk in the door...yet for some reason now I find myself vacuuming every day and making sure the kitchen is spotless at ALL times. I know that chances of that remaining routine once baby P is here are slim to none but I'm going to soak up all the cleaning and organizing I can WHILE I can and maybe when he gets here I wont be so nervous to let him play on the floor. 

So Payge, how do you (a person who has NEVER enjoyed nor been very great at cleaning, scheduling, and organization) get a routine going where it's not completely overwhelming? LOOK NO FURTHER MY FRIENDS I've compiled a schedule that is tried and true to keep your house clean, AND have weekends free to play with your kids. Too good to be true? Nope! So without further ado, here's my take on a schedule to "Prep the nest."

MONDAY- KITCHEN:

Clean fridge out

Wipe down counters and appliances

Sweep and swiffer/mop floors

Take trash out to curb

LAUNDRY: WHITES

TUESDAY-BATHROOMS:

Clean toilets

Wipe down counters 

Clean mirrors

Sweep and swiffer/mop floors

LAUNDRY: TOWELS & WASH RAGS

WEDNESDAY-BEDROOMS:

Dust surface areas

Vacuum floors

Change sheets/bedding

LAUNDRY: SHEETS

THURSDAY-LIVING ROOM:

Dust surface areas

Vacuum floors

Straighten up any  clutter

LAUNDRY: DARKS

FRIDAY-MISC:

Clean windows

Wipe down doors and baseboards

LAUNDRY: COLORS

So that's my weekly schedule, I've been doing it for about 3 weeks now and it seems to really work! Obviously you'll probably want to tweak it to fit your lifestyle and your household (our trash man comes on Tuesdays so that's why I clean out my fridge on Monday) and there are those daily chores that you just do as they come like making the bed in the morning and doing the dishes. It keeps down the clutter and dust, and overall just makes me feel better to wake up with a plan but still have time to rest when I feel like my feet are starting to get a little sausage looking. It's really nice for my 3 a.m. urges and I can give into the "nesting" without feeling overwhelmed and break down in tears. I hope this is helpful as your prepare for a new life to enter your family, or just help keep your house clean for yourself!