32 weeks: Major appliances and minor inconveniences
Posted by: lisa / Category: Uncategorized“Cleaning your house while kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk while it’s still snowing.” –Phyllis Diller
I lived in Moscow, Russia for a year. We had no hot water for two months while the city’s boilers were being cleaned. I walked to four different kiosks to buy bread, eggs, juice and fruit. Each one was a half-mile from any of the others. And, least of my concerns, there was no dishwasher in my kitchen. This all took place B.C. (Before Children)
Now, I know there are some heroic moms out there that still have no dishwasher, line dry their clothing and grind their own wheat for homemade bread. These women, in my opinion, are rock stars. I, however, am not. I like being able to put dirty things in a metal box, wait an hour, and have them come out clean and fresh. Call me pampered. Actually, call me tired. Dirty dishes and cups procreate faster than rabbits in my house.
This week, our dishwasher died. It’s no wonder; the nice man who delivered the new one said, “Lady, I’ve never even SEEN a model this old!” I was hoping he wasn’t talking about my pregnant body. Turns out, our dishwasher was almost as old as I am. No wonder the ol’ gal gave up the ghost. After washing the millionth juice cup and cereal bowl, I’d call it a day as well.
But, worse than having a dead dishwasher, was the task of purchasing a NEW one. I first made the grave mistake of suggesting we go shopping for one as a family. Two of my kids were using the aisles as a ‘Heely’ skate park, my daughter kept asking me how to pronounce words in her My Little Pony book and my other son needed to go to the bathroom. Needless to say, the outing lasted exactly seven minutes when my husband asked, “Whose crazy idea was this anyway?”
So, the next trip, I went solo (after losing ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ to my husband). My next mistake was asking the nice salesperson to explain the various features of the 382,000 display models in front of me. We are apparently a country that really, really likes to wash dishes!
Here’s what I needed:
A dishwasher.
One that cleans dishes.
And lasts a long, long time without ever breaking.
And costs less than an automobile.
Apparently, this is a tall order.
But, I did find one. It doesn’t steam, sauna or give a mani/pedi to the fine china, but it does the job of swishing hot water and soap around so that I don’t have to. Called Travis to check on the purchase and he said, “Yes. Wonderful. Get it. Now come home; the kids are going nuts.”
Handy husband that he is, he removed the old washer and installed the new one. Works like a charm. Now I’m praying that the 40-year-old washing machine and refrigerator like their job security well enough to forego retirement for several more years.
What’s happening to baby this week?
*Baby now weighs approximately four pounds.
*The baby has predictable wake/sleep cycles now. This is guaranteed to change once baby is born.
*YOUR wake/sleep cycles may be anything but predictable. Sleeping may be difficult and uncomfortable and you may have to use the bathroom many times during the night.
What’s happening with ME this week?
*Even though I’ve had four babies, I’m having crazy, disturbing dreams about the health and safety of this baby (very normal I’m told).
*Naps are my friend.
*I’m getting weary of taking my prenatals…but I’m taking them nonetheless.
You won’t sacrifice any luxuries during your Community hospital stay. Click here to view pictures and learn more about our maternity suites.
Let’s hear from you!
What is your ‘luxury item’ you couldn’t live without during pregnancy?