Less Than Three Weeks Til Baby

I can’t even tell you how nice the last three weeks of my Mom Sabbatical have been. While I haven’t exactly been lounging poolside and eating bonbons the whole time, I have enjoyed more “me time” than I’ve had since my single years. Hours at home, by myself, to get things done, take a nap when I need to, go out shopping, catch up on my soap, etc.

And still, lots more leisure time with my girl, just the two of us. We are rarely rushed, so we can feel free to hang out in one of her beloved indoor tents, sing verse after verse of “This Old Man” and play at the park. No deadline or timeclock to worry me. The only thing holding me back is this giant belly I’m carrying around (and the ungodly heat, which fortunately let up this week!)

I doubt most men would understand this, but I know plenty of women do: I feel better mentally now that my house is getting in order. It was such a disaster before my Mom Sabbatical, because I had neglected it for so long, barely keeping my head above water between work and parenthood. Seeing my home in the state it was in became a constant source of stress for me. Finally, it’s starting to become the house I want. Orderly closets. Steam-cleaned carpets. A yard I can be proud of (the landscapers arrived for their first day of work yesterday). Unwanted things on their way to Salvation Army.

Give me another couple of weeks (please, Baby Boy!) and I think I can really have this place in good enough shape to give you a virtual tour. I want it to look and feel nice when we get home from the hospital with our son. Then I can spend the remainder of my leave caring for him and Cassie, enjoying our expanded family.

P.S. If you’re not a regular viewer of Clean House on the Style Network, you might want to tune in Wednesday at 9 p.m. for a two-hour “Messiest Home in the Country” special. Featuring a home from our very own Cincinnati! Sounds like it’ll be a real doozy of an episode (and definitely will make me feel better about my own house — it’s not that bad!)