Spring cleaning {organizing a bathroom cabinet}

 I'm going to try doing a "Spring Cleaning' series on here for you all. So far I have done one project and am currently working on two more. Cleaning out and organizing our upstairs bathroom was first on my list.

It was a hot mess!

 Checking off this task was a major feat for me. I have been procrastinating on cleaning and organizing under the sink since before we moved in seven months ago! So to be able to finally mark this as 'done' is a pretty nice accomplishment on my part. It also really puts me in the spring cleaning mood.

 There was a bunch of random stuff in there and some things I didn't even know I had tucked away in the back (like a brand new bag of cotton balls and some night time eye cream!)

   A little arctic critter even decided to call this space home : p

How a toy penguin got under my bathroom sink is beyond me but one thing was for sure, the little dud had to go.

   Here is a view of the other side before organizing it... you know, just in case the right side didn't make you cry.

After clearing it all out, sorting everything into piles of what went with what and what needed to be thrown out or moved; and of course a quick run to the dollar store for some cheap organizing stuff, this is what I ended up with.

This is the right side. I even put a nail head that was under there to good use by using it to hang a back scratchier (which was to long to fit in the proper box) on.

In the front (1-3) I used smaller containers that can be staked to store like items together that are used the most often. Because I can stack them and they are smaller I can get to them easier and not have to pull out a big heavy bin. After all, the whole point of organization is to make life easier right.

1. Face wash and night creams

2. Feminine products

3. Hair supplies

 In the back I used two larger bins for more general items. This one is for 'spa' supplies (lotions, foot massage, eye masks, etc.) This way I can store larger items (like my waxing kit) in an area with items I might use at the same time without have 100 little boxes of overly specific items and having to get out three or four little boxes. Remember, it should make life easier not harder and more complicated.

 In this one I put all our medical supplies. We do have a medicine cabinet but I like to use it for more frequently used medication such as tums and daily used things that are ugly left out (like tooth brushes and mouth wash). In this bin I put all the medical supplies that are used less often and/or are too bulky to fit in the medicine cabinet.

 On the left is Hubbies shaving basket, because if I put it in a bin he would never find it, (got to make organizing easy for every one :D) along with a nice little toilet paper basket. We order things like toilet paper in bulk because 1. It’s cheaper and 2. I don't like buying things like toilet paper and tampons at the store. Yep, totally one of those weirdoes. The only down side is I have to find a place to put like 20 rolls of toilet paper until it’s mostly used up. Having a cute basket like this that I can stake them in is a big help!

The blob behind the basket is our old shower curtain. We currently only have one shower so it’s being stored under here until we move and have more than one full bath.

 So there you have it. A spiffy, clean, organized cabinet under the sink!

Here is the cost break down:

Three small (brown) close-able containers - $1

One small, open container (for easier access) - $1

Two large bins- $2

One large basket (for toilet paper)-$1

One small, easy to access, open basket (for Hubby's stuff)-$1

Total: $6!

Who said you have to spend big bucks on fancy organizing gadgets to get life in order?! Certainly not this cheap thrifty gal!

 Oh, and just in case you forgot... this is what it looked like before.

Eww! Yeah, so happy that's done!

So, what have you guys been up to this spring? Any spring cleaners? how about gardeners? Or do you have a method to you madness?

Button's One Month Photo Shoot

It was so much fun doing this shoot. I hope to be able to do a photo shoot for Button each month. I have seen a lot of people doing one week photo shoots but honestly, that is asking a lot of me right now. Juggling the house, garden, pets, Button and photo shoots might push me over the sleep deprived/ sanity edge. So, I'm going to strive for something I know I can stick to and that's one session a month. I'm not sure about how I'm going to tie them together, or if I will even bother but for now I like the idea of just doing a fun session with my little man each month. May that be in his room, at the park, or around the house, I just want to capture the things that change as he grows, like his smiles, sitting up, crawling, and walking. It will be nice to focus more on Button and his life in each shoot rather than the props, set up, and backgrounds like most children photo sessions seem to do. Well, here is all the eye candy I know you wanna see. <3

Sprouts

Spring is in the air! It's finally here. Watching these little sprouts grow is quickly becoming my favorite pass time.

Well, apart from snuggling with my darling Button.

Happy Wednesday all! <3

Birth Story Part Four

I was trusting complete strangers with my life, with my Button's life and my husband's life!

I had to, there was no other choice. But, I had faith. Faith that God would pull us though this, that the doctors would know what to do and take care of us. Faith that I would pull though this and see my son and that all would be well. That is what I could hold on to, if nothing else, there were still my faith and the sheer, stubborn desire to see my son and make it through this!

I could no longer feel my legs. I started to have the strongest urge to move my legs but I could not. It was as if I knew they were there but they were as heavy as stone and could not be moved no matter what.  The two nurses that were left in the room assisted me onto the operating table and helped me lay down. "If you feel nausea just let me know" said the sweet tan nurse. I nodded and tried to hold down a feeling of panic. My breathing became heavy and I felt like a ten pound weight was on my chest. "It’s hard to breath, is that normal?" I asked her. "Yes, that means the spinal block is working" she said calmly as she tucked some loose hair behind my ear. "We are going to put up the screen now and let your husband in okay" she said. I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to calm my nerves and remind myself that everything was going to be alright and that soon my son would be in my arms.

Hubby came in and sat down next to me right as the nausea set in. "I'm not feeling so good" I coughed out between gags. The nurse then put a mask over my face “just breathe easy and it will go away in a little bit" she told me. Hubby looked down at me though concerning eyes. I could see it in him, fear, and comfort all in one. "You'll be alright sweetie" he assured me as he tucked a bit of hair behind my ear. "I'm nervous" I told him. He gave me a concerned smile and helps my head "you’re doing great".

The Doctor came in and informed me he was going to start the procedure. "Are you ready?" he asked. "I guess I have to be" I replied. He smiled at me and nodded to a nurse to begin the cutting.

I couldn't feel anything. I tried but there was nothing. As they continued cutting I began to relax, things were going to be alright. I breathed easy and let the calm flow over me as I reached out and listened, waiting to hear my son's first breath.

That wait seemed to take forever. 'What would he sound like?', 'what would he look like?’; 'will I feel like I know him right away?' I thought to myself as the doctor conversed with his colleague.

I felt a strong pressure as the doctor informed me that he broke the amniotic sack. "Is he here, can I see him?" I begged looking at Hubby and then to the nurse by my side. “They have to wipe him off first" she said. I heard him cry as the doctor announced “a healthy boy!" and handed him to the other nurse that was standing by. I could see him; I reached out to him with both arms “I want to hold him" I said. I could feel an overwhelming desire to hold him, to be near him. I hadn't even seen his face yet but I could hear him and see him waving his arms. I wanted to rock him, to comfort him but I couldn't. I was being stitched up. I was numb from my chest down. I felt so incapable, so lonely without him in my arms. Tiers ran down my face as I reached my arms out to him. It was all I could do. Hubby comforted me and wiped my tiers away. "Can you bring him to me?" I asked my Hubby “I want to hold him; I want to hold my son". My darling got up from my side and went to Button. He picked him up and held him, bringing him close to my side. "I want to hold him" I repeated. I knew I couldn't hold him the way I wanted. I was too restricted, to medicated and numb but I wanted to have him near me. Hubby laid him on my chest and I began to cry again. "He's beautiful" I stammered as I pet his little head of brown hair "He looks like you", I said looking up to Hubby with a tearful smile. Hubby pet Buttons little head and held his finger. "He does" he replied.

We were a family. I made it, though all the struggles and trials, I made it; we made it. I became a mother and nothing in the world mattered anymore. I, at last, had my son!

Birth Story Part Three

My C-section was scheduled for nine that morning but I was going to take it all in. I just had to get up right then and start my day. The day I would have my son. The day my life would change forever.

I got out of bed and took the longest shower I had taken in a long time, breathing in the steam deeply and assuming a mountain pose, relaxing myself, and thinking of my son before the long, long days ahead.

Once dressed, I woke up Hubby, again, for him to get up and get ready. A flood of light poured in from the window as I opened the blinds to let in the day. It was so white! Snow blanketed everything in fluffy white. I looked to Hubby "this should be fun" I said sarcastically, looking out the widow and down at the two inches of snow covering the stairs that lead up a hill from our home.

"Are you sure we should be driving a rental car in this"? I ask My Darling. "Well we don't have much of a choice do we", he replied. So, we packed the rental car (because our car died, completely, two days before and we had yet to get a new car) with the three bags, my boppy, the car seat, and stroller and were ready to head out to the hospital.

After an hour we finally got the car out of the snow ridden parking lot. The white roads were packed with snow and all but for a few brave drivers and a hand full of maintenance trucks, they were completely empty. "What a day to have our son, hu" I said to Hubby as he dodged a fallen tree. “he must be some kind of epic if he’s been though all this" He replied.

On the way there we received a call from the hospital. "hello, Ms. Bethany?", "this is she", "yes, I wanted to see where you guys were, the doctor is having trouble with the snow, her driveway is blocked by a fallen tree and said that she will be about an hour late if she gets in at all". Me, "oh wow! Well we are running a bit late too because of the snow, will they still do the procedure if she can't make it?"

The lady on the other line replied, "Of course but it will be with a different doctor if that is alright with you", "I guess it has to be", "and well we will see you soon then". Click.

Once at the hospital Hubby and I settled into the room we would be staying in for the next couple of days. I was so looking forward to a room with the mountain views the nurse had shown us on our tour of the ward. But, the nursing and maternity ward was unusually full and, of course, we ended up with the views of the parking garage and other side of the hospital. I sighed, shrugged it off, and tried to focus on all the mass of information being given to me by nurse after nurse.

Midway through a talk with one of the many nurses, the lights went out. "Oh, that has been happening on and off all day, it will be dim most of the time because of the power outage" she informed me. "Does that mean they will have to delay the procedure?" I asked worriedly.

"No, there is a backup generator that runs things during an outage. That's why there are still lights in the hall, just not as many". 'Wow, that's comforting to know' I though sarcastically.

Anther nurse walked in. “Doctor P. isn't going to make it in. We are going to have doctor T. preform the C-section".

I almost cried. Right then, cried like a big baby in front of my Hubby and two nurses but I bit my tongue.

Why would God do this to me? Why would he put me through all of this? The list of things going wrong just never seemed to end. No birthing center birth, no home birth, a breech, a C-section, a snow storm, no car, no views, a power outage, and now, I would have to have a different doctor to deliver my little one, one that I had only met, briefly, once. I reached out to think of the positive. There must be a reason for all of this! I would have my son today. I will, finally, after tying for ten long months and nine months of pregnancy, have my son no matter the struggles.

A tan skinned, kind eyed nurse walked in. She was the one who was going to give me my spinal block. I was so relived.  "Are you ready sweetie?” she asked "I'm nervous" I replied. She was so sweet. It was such a relief to have something good happen in all the manic ordeals.

The walk to the surgical room and meeting with two other nurses that would help with the procedure seemed to fly by. Then, just like that I was sitting on the operating table and things began to slow down. Time seemed to stop for a while as I looked around the room, taking it all in. This is where my son would be born. The first place he would see. It was sterile, cold, and very white.

Bending over, I braced myself on one of the nurses as I prepared for the spinal block. Breathing in deep and slow I closed my eyes as tried my best not to pull away in pain as a sharp, stinging, numbness flowed down my back. I began to shack; partly in fear and partly in pain. "I need you to not pull away now" the nurse informed me. I wanted to so bad, it was instinct, but I resisted as a tier rolled down my cheek.

Another nurse came in the room "there's an emergency with another mother in room ___ do you want to move this one to another room?" she asked the women I was bracing myself on “no" she looked at the other nurse in the room “you go and help, we'll stay here". ‘Great’ I thought ' an emergency with a C-section'. That's when it hit me. That could be me. That could be my C-section and my baby.

Right then I prayed for that mother, I prayed for her little one, I prayed for my little one. I was never so frightened in my life. I was trusting complete strangers with my life, with my Buttons life and my husband’s life!

I had to, there was no other choice. But, I had faith. Faith that God would pull us though this, that the doctors would know what to do, and take care of us. Faith that I would pull though this and see my son and that all would be well. That is what I could hold to, if nothing else, there were still my faith and the sheer, stubborn desire to see my son and make it through this!

Buttons Debut (a photo dump)

Over the holiday weekend, my amazing sister did a photo shoot for our new little family. Hope you’ll are ready for a mass photo dump cuz here it is! :D

Thanks, sissy for the wonderful time and for making us look so lovely. 

Hope you all enjoyed Buttons debut and thank you for stopping by and sharing this time of our life with us. <3