Nesting dilemma

I am a huge "nester" when it comes to pregnancy.  I think the normal nesting instinct combined with my extreme need/desire to plan ahead (like waaaay ahead) pushes me to nest like a crazy woman while I'm pregnant.  A big part of my nesting is doing the nursery and getting clothes etc ready.  I've done a different nursery for each of my babies - some people probably think that is silly and unnecessary, especially since I have all girls, but it was important to me.  It's my way to make sure that each of them is seen as special.  It's also a bonding experience and a way for me to mentally prepare for their arrival.  I love the whole process of planning the room, sewing, monogramming things, all the little touches!

My dilemma this time is that there is no "nursery" to do since we'll be a family of 6 in a 3 bedroom house=) and with 3 big sisters she really won't need any clothes.  My whole routine is thrown off.  I don't know what to do to mentally prepare for this sweet girl.   She'll be living in our bedroom/den in the bassinet and then possibly sharing a room with Selma Grace until we move next summer when she's 8 months old.  We might put another crib in the room with SG, but I hate to commit to that if they don't sleep well together.  The baby clothes never got put away, so they're out and clean.  There's not much I need to buy, although I do want to get a few things - baby gear has come a LONG way since I had Sophie!  I might smock something for her and if we ever pick out a name I'll get her some bloomers monogrammed, but other than that I'm at a loss.  Let me know if you have any ideas...

As far as things I want to get before she arrives
1. double stroller  - we got the city select, i just have to get the second seat kit
2. aden and anais bamboo blanket - i have the regular ones, but the bamboo ones are soooooo soft!
3. ergo baby carrier - love a sling for newborns and comfort of the moby but i want the convenience of buckle straps this time
4.  possibly a snapngo stroller for times (if there are any) when i'm running errands with just her, i'm not sure if i'll ever have just her with me, hehe

 1 girl

2 girls

3 girls

4 girls!

Cloth update...

I ventured out of the house with Selah in a cloth diaper on Saturday.  We went to picnic in Wilsonville.  It didn't go very well.  The first one she leaked through in a very short amount of time while at the picnic.  I think this has to do with me not having the right inserts.  Somehow it got all wadded up inside the cover.  Then I changed her into a new cloth diaper and shortly after, she pooped in the car on the way home.  Since I only have 2 diaper covers we had to put her in a regular diaper as we changed her on the trunk of our car on the side of the road in Wilsonville.  That went relatively smoothly.  After that fiasco, I took a 2 day break and she is in cloth again this morning.  We'll see how it goes...

gDiaper Success=)

We got our gdiapers yesterday and Selah was so excited to test them out, she decided to IMMEDIATELY poop in the first one.  Hmmm... I had hoped to do a wet one first, but we dove in head first with the poopy.  Actually it wasn't too bad.  I do see the need for a "system" though.  I wasn't sure where to put my dirty wipes (thankfully I had an empty box i was about to throw away sitting nearby so I used that).  Then, it was kinda hard to get the poop off the insert simply by dunking it in the toilet, I think I need to get the sprayer thing?  I threw it immediately in the washer because I don't have a designated trash can for diapers yet, but I will need to get one soon I am sure.  One with a lid I might add.  The best part so far though is that she slept in oneall night and it didn't leak at all!  I was very happy about that. 
I am about to order the gDiaper cloth inserts (I got the bum genius inserts from diapers.com because they were cheaper but they don't fit perfectly in the gdiaper cover, not that  i can complain because no leaks so far!)  However, Courtney says the gdiaper inserts fit/work better, so I am going to get some of those.  I also think I am still going to use regular diapers when I am out running errands, at least until I get comfortable at home with them, and then we'll see...  All in all, So far so good=)

gDiapers

I ordered some cloth diapers last night, Yikes!  I promise I am not turning into a hippie tree hugger=)  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  As a matter of fact, I think we could all be a little more natural minded! 
I have never considered cloth diapers because of a bad experience I had while babysitting.  However, "modern" cloth diapers, are not nearly as scary.  My reasons for trying it:
1.  Selah has oh so sensitive skin and we are always dealing with a diaper rash of some kind
2.  I like the thought of putting something more natural and less chemical on her bum
3.  They are super cute!  I know... that's not a good reason, but it's still true

I ordered some gDiapers from diapers.com.  I only ordered two diaper covers and 6 cloth inserts because I am not even sure I can do it.  Trey agreed to let me order a few and just see how it goes.  They should get here Wednesday, so I'll let you know if I have any success!  I am excited!

More booster info..

I found some more info on carseat law and thought i'd pass it along, mostly because I didn't know any of this a few weeks ago. And my pediatricians office did NOT tell me the Alabama Car seat law of 5 years old and/or 40 lbs when I called and asked about putting Sophie in a booster at 36 pounds, they just told me to go by what is on the box...

So, I have been considering getting Sophie a booster seat because she is 36 pounds and some of them start at 30 pounds as the minimum weight. I've been thinking about it and going back and forth for a few months about it. I just keep thinking "how can a booster seat be as safe as a carseat?" I have no experience with all of this and haven't heard from many other moms who've made the transition to booster seats, so I just have been researching things on my own. I even called the pediatrician and they basically told me to go by what is on the box of the carseat. So, since it's Sophie's bday, we were going to take her to Target and get her a booster seat.
However, right before we are about to walk out the door and, I came across this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
So as for me, I think we'll be stickin with a carseat for a while longer....I am glad I came across this information when I did because this information was convincing enough for me to change my mind and get another 5 pt harness carseat.
Here is another similar video made by parents urging others to leave their children in a 5 pt harness as long as possible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04&feature=fvw

Here is some info I found on http://www.about.com/ about alabama carseat laws...

Alabama Car Seat Law Changes
Friday November 3, 2006
I've had a few questions lately about car seat laws in Alabama. The state law changed in July 2006 to require forward-facing car seats until age 5 or 40 pounds, and to require booster seat use until age 6. Alabama is one of many U.S. states to make car seat law changes in recent years. Federal guidelines now suggest that children are safest when they stay in a harnessed car seat as long as possible, and then use a booster seat until they are at least 4'9" tall or weigh at least 80 pounds. Often the height and weight recommendations are met around age 8. Several states, including Kansas, have changed their car seat laws to reflect these federal guidelines.

It's a Britax...

A Britax Boulevard that is...(and it's pink!)
Thanks to everyone who pointed me in the right direction as far as finding a "good deal" on a carseat. This is what I've finally settled on. If I like it I may order another one so that we can put the other carseat in Trey's car. I am super excited to have something pink since we usually order gender neutral for things like carseats! I found it on albeebaby.com for 189.99 no tax and free shipping! Woohoo! Happy Thursday!