I hate putting away holiday decorations. I postponed it as long as I could but even I have limits.
Luckily, Cooper helped me organize the ornaments. He seemed sad to see the tree going down too.
Now that we are in our own home, I’m trying to be as organized as possible. Plus, with the “office” turning into the nursery, I’d like to be as space savvy as possible. Love me some storage containers! Who else goes a little crazy for organization?
I’m a neat freak at heart, but not to the point of labeling everything and making my cupboards pretty. As long as it looks tidy on the outside, I’m good.
Any hooters. With babies, there seems to be an inordinate amount of “stuff” that this minimalist will have to get over. True story: I get anxious walking near the baby aisles in stores because there is SO MUCH! I have several friends who know they are on call to tell me what I really need.
My first born. Long time readers, know Cooper has been a fixture on this blog and my best buddy. So much so, that we brave the frigid temps for daily walks. Doesn’t bother him a bit.
Mom, this is SO not my best side.
The cold temps mean his energy level is higher, making him a great running buddy. Golden retrievers aren’t exactly distance running breeds, but our 3-5 mi runs are perfect for him (and me). For outdoor runs (which I’m really enjoying lately), I use my Polar HRM. Like I mentioned before, I get pissed at my slowing pace, so I don’t want that to be a factor. I just want to run.
My Mango
My friend Jess posted this picture on my facebook page and I think it’s perfect!
Our baby! [source??]
So, I downloaded this app for my iPhone: What to Expect When Expecting. You may have heard of the book.
Well, I usually have my phone handy (who doesn’t these days), so it’s pretty convenient to check this little app out, giving me insight to what’s going on in my belly.
I like to picture my mango doing Matrix-like burpees! 
Mangos are cute. Manageable. Just think when this mango turns into a watermelon. Yikes! During the 19th week, I’m also supposed to be able to feel movement, but I can’t tell so far…
With my skin inevitably stretching, I have been reading about stretch-mark prevention and moisturizing your skin is one of the best weapons. Plus, my hands are super dry in the winter.
This coconut body butter from Trader Joe’s smells amazing & is so luxurious. I tried using straight up coconut oil, but that tends to be pretty greasy.
Your turn!
1. Do you considered yourself organized? Any tips?
2. How do you combat dry skin?
I have eczema and stretch marks from being overweight when I was younger… so far I haven’t found a good moisturizer to help either! Dove intense moister body wash is probably the best body wash that I’ve tried to help dry skin.
I can’t wait to try those chocolate almond pudding pops! They look so easy to make!
I use that same body wash in the winter! HOping you like the puddin’ pops!
Yeah kids bring a lot of CRAP with them!!! I try to maximize space by being creative about their closets. They each have color coded baskets (pink for Em and purple for Aub). In each one is something different like changing pad covers, sheets, blankets. That way all that stuff is easy to grab. As for the toys…oh boy they just multiply before your very eyes! I have a rule with Em…once the toy box can’t close we have to donate until it does. She hated it at first but she is starting to get used to it!
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I love your idea Nancy!! A similar rule for things in our closets right? Get something new, donate another item!
I just have to say that ultra sound with the dumbbells made me actually lol! It’s SO cute! And I also love and cherish plastic storage bins
Isn’t it hilarious!! I was so glad she found it!
The ultrasound pic is the best! Made for you, for sure.
I am pretty organized, but I live with a husband who is not. It gets very frustrating sometimes–fighting an uphill battle!
Cocoa butter is the best. I had a bad scar on my leg years ago from 17 stitches. Way back then, the doc told me to use cocoa butter on it daily to help fade the scar. It never went away, of course, but it improved greatly from it.
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Oh that can be a battle! One organized–the other not so! Cocoa butter sounds like a winner too!
I used coco butter during my two pregnancies and never got one stretch mark. It’s good stuff! I still haven’t finished putting all my Christmas decorations away, ugh.
Kiley @ DailyVitaminF recently posted..I passed!! I’m officially official
Putting the decor away just sucks doesn’t it? And, thanks for the tip!!
Congrats on the Mango…if the doctor ever says banana, get a new doctor….that is all…:)
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Ha ha! You crack me up Ed!!
It is so cold and dry in Northern Canada! I use vaseline and wear little cotton gloves a couple nights a week. This helps with sore cracking knuckles
I also love body butter from The Body Shop on the rest of my body.
That is a GREAT idea to protect your hands–I’m beginning to think I need to do that too. Body butter is simply amazing!~
I bet your mango is already doing burpee pushups.
ha ha! I love it Rachel–my mango should step it up a notch with burpee-push-ups! See you soon!
We sound very similar when it comes to organization and being minimalist. I can’t stand having stuff around the house that doesn’t get used. I got a headache looking at baby stuff the other day, there is just so much to get, and so many options of each thing! I mean, how many different bottles does there really need to be?! My mind often wonders how I will organize the house for baby, I don’t need to start yet but it consumes me more than I like to admit. I like Bath & Body Works body butter to stay moisturized and I am currently using Palmer’s Coco Body Butter to combat stretching skin and stretch marks. I have gotten to where I really enjoy lathering up with it. Makes me feel like I am massaging my baby!
Rosi Reeves recently posted..What My ‘Mango’ Is Doing
Oh gosh! We are the same!! I hate clutter!
I think I will be in the same place with my wheels spinning constantly on how to best organize!
I bought some bio-oil to use for stretch mark prevention, but I mostly use it on my legs because I get crazy dry skin in the winter… plus, the pregnancy has made my skin more itch-prone, so if I don’t moisturize well I end up clawing off two layers of skin at night lol
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Oooo, that sounds helpful! I keep hearing we are going to get itchy!
I will always recommend Becky Higgins product line Project Life. Here is really nice video of how she saves all of the TREASURES kids bring home. http://youtu.be/JvFjiDcbpXg
Start the process now! Use the Baby Core Kit to document the process. Pick another core kit and keep a family year book, Becky makes the process so easy!
Since I live in Northern Michigan and the weather is going crazy 34 degrees one day and then 11 degrees the next! So I know something about dry skin… My mom makes a miracal lotion. 1 bottle Baby Lotion (lavender or regular… it doesn’t matter), 1 jar Vitamin E Cream, 1/2 bottle Aloe Vera Lotion, 1 cup of melted coconut oil. Mix it together and lotion up!
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Wow that lotion recipe sounds amazing!! Thanks for sharing Bev!! And, it guess it’s not too early to start planning!
I love this: “I picture my little mango doing burpees.” That made me smile. I am so so happy for you. And, I know some people don’t like belly pics, but I like to see how you are coming along…maybe in the same shirt every week or something? It’s fun to watch your bump grow!!
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Thanks Corey! And, you’re right! I’ll start sharing more belly pics–it’s growing that’s for sure!!
I have an organization system known as the “Heather System” but I’m pretty sure no one else can follow it
Curious as to how Cooper will be with the little one!
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Ha ha! And, one of my priorities is to make sure Cooper is kept a priority–even during the big transition! He is my first baby!!
Aw – I bet your little mango is so cute! I love the weekly fruit/veggie comparisons
I have terribly dry skin (in cold Chicago) and one of the only things that seem to work is Aveeno Skin Relief – Overnight Cream (formerly Intense Relief).
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter gets applied 2x’s a day as well. Knock on wood I haven’t had any pregnancy stretch marks yet. But everyone is so different with them!
You’ll have to see what works best for you down the road when your belly starts to really expand and might become itchy! Not to mention, feeling like a human rubberband
At least that’s how I feel! ha!
Your Chi town temps are similar to Omaha! Brr! I love the human rubberband comparison! Wishing you the best throughout your pregnancy too!!
Give in. Surrender now. Your baby will take over your house. It isn’t so much what YOU buy, but what other people will buy you. You will be surrounded by everything and anything… but it’s good. You’ll use most of it, even if you don’t need it. One thing I suggest is if people ask what they can buy you, say diapers. You’ll get ton’s of clothes and toys and blankets, but diapers are always needed and always various sizes. Don’t get a bunch of newborns because they go through those quickly. Don’t open them either. Most places (Target, Babies R Us) will gladly exchange without a receipt for a larger size.
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Thanks for the tips! I know I must relent–I can already tell we are going to get too many clothes! Diapers, diapers and more diapers!!
Aww, little mango! I am 21 weeks and just started to feel what I assume are baby movements last week (I say assume but am not sure why I am still uncertain about it ….since I have no idea why because what else I would be feeling in there??;). I have the same app and also the my pregnancy and baby bump apps, I like switching around to see some different info, and some have videos, etc.
Also, at our gender sonogram the doctor said our baby looked like she was doing push-ups! My sister said “of course your baby would be doing pushups in the womb!” Hahaha:) I bet yours IS doing burpees in there!:)
And I just tried to start my registry last night and omgggggggg there is SO much stuff and for almost every item there are so many factors to consider (ie, strollers…there are running strollers, strollers for the car seat, regular strollers, multifunctional strollers, lightweight strollers….then you add in brands/models/colors…ahhh!). This minimalist was/is panicking….!!
Erin, first off congrats on your baby girl!!! Downloaded those apps too–I like the picture comparisons!
Oh gosh, the registry! Wasn’t the wedding one stressful enough?! 
A running stroller is BIG on my list though!!
Love that coconut body butter!!! I even bought it for gifts at Christmas time!
Great idea! I love it so much!
Awww … cute ultrasound pic! And girl … I cannot emphasize the amount of nervous breakdowns I have each week over the myriad of Legos, Monster High, Barbies, Squinkies … every minute tiny piece of toy. I buy new containers to store each “series” of toy and these containers are stacked in our family room. No true “shelving system” really works, they only look good on pictures on Pinterest. In reality, parents now live with plastic containers everywhere. *sigh* ha ha ha I am a neat freak and I have to often breathe deep and look the other way. Perhaps create yourself a little room/space somewhere that will be “your zone”.
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I know I will be looking to mom’s like you for guidance! So much “stuff”!! And, too funny about the reality of shelving systems!
LOL! I think the ultra sound needs a pair of Reebok shoes too! and love that coop, so sweet
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Yes! Lil nanos! And, our fur babies will never be neglected!!
Oh Jess! The baby with the dumbells is hysterical! Love it! Congrats by the way!
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Thank you Lyn!! Isn’t that pic hilarious?!!
I organize everything and then when I use something I take the time to put it back in it’s place. I know people who organize then never put the things back and everything just gets cluttered again or lost. I also do labeling and color coding things but not to the extent of being crazy with it
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I love it Danielle! I can see myself following suit–I just operate better when things are in their respective places–though I know this may be a challenge!!
Make sure your showers aren’t too hot that will help with stretchmarks
as well as moisturizing after every shower 
2 times a day
Thanks Caitlin! I better turn down the heat!
The movement may feel like a butterfly kiss from the inside. If your placenta is anterior, it is harder to feel the baby’s movement. That was always my most favorite part of pregnancy.
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Oh I can’t wait! I’ll have to ask on our next ultrasound how likely I am to feel something.
I am a neat freak and it drives my husband crazy, haha.
I used the Palmers stretch mark cream during both of my pregnancies. I didn’t get any stretch marks. I want to say it is hereditary though.
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Thanks for the tip! My mom didn’t get stretch marks with me or my brother, so I hope to have that in my favor!!
I’m still putting the last of my Christmas away…the house looks a bit stark and sad….I’ve been dusting! lol
Love your baby updates…super exciting time…..enjoy..its special~
I’ll never forget that first feeling of the baby moving…laying in bed still….and a little sweet flutter…like baby butterflies….saying…Hello I’m here…. :c)
Hugs….
Oh thank you Melissa! I don’t want to overload readers with all things baby!
I can’t wait for that first flutter!
With kids, it’s almost impossible to be clutter free. We have a toy storage area in each living room and one in the bedroom. We go through the toys about once or twice a year and donate toys they no longer use. I hear you on the dry skin. We were in Chicago last week and my hands and feet were like alligator skin!!
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I hear ya! The Midwest winter can dehydrate your skin like no other!
i try and be organized-it’s actually my goal next week to clean out all the closets since i am between jobs. i’m very anal about the christmas ornaments-i have an ornament box (with the dividers) for them! my new job will supply me with all the lotion i need-can’t wait
Congrats on baby! I am due May 21st and with a 11 month old I am having trouble continuing a workout schedule! Only about 3 days per week right now but I figure something is better than nothing.