Bump and Ready

Braxton Hicks, Big Babies, and the Urge to Purge

Well, we’ve officially made it to Week 2 of my 6 Weeks of Nesting — and let me tell you, this week came with a few surprises… and a lot of heavy lifting (metaphorically and literally!).

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How I’m Feeling at 32 Weeks Pregnant

This week was a real turning point physically — and a reminder that if you’re planning to tackle any labor-intensive nesting projects, do it EARLY. I started having Braxton Hicks contractions, which I didn’t experience with my first pregnancy. While I knew what they were, I wasn’t expecting just how intense they would feel.

What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions?

Braxton Hicks are your body’s way of practicing for labor — often called “false labor” or “practice contractions.” They feel like a tightening or cramping in the abdomen, and in my case, came with a lot of pressure and a belly that suddenly turned rock hard. My doctor confirmed at my appointment that yep, these were the real (fake) deal!

If you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks, here’s how you can tell:

• They’re irregular and don’t get closer together
• They usually go away when you move, hydrate, or rest
• They can be uncomfortable but aren’t typically painful

If you have concerns, or are not sure though, definitely consult your provider.

Between that and finding out my daughter is measuring in the 98th percentile (she’s already nearly 6 lbs!), my petite 5’2″ frame is struggling. My husband, who is a full foot taller than me, is definitely getting the side-eye this week… Our son was on the bigger side too, but in the high 70s percentile — this baby is next-level!

Week 2 Nesting Wins 🎉

Despite the physical challenges, I still managed to check off a ton this week (with help from my amazing husband and a little outsourcing magic). Here’s what I tackled:

✅ Cleared Out the Guest Room for My Son

We officially emptied the guest room, which is becoming my son’s new space. I discovered the closet had become a graveyard of clutter over the past 5 years. Cleaning it out was easily the most labor-intensive task of the week.

I used a service called Mattress Disposal+, and it was incredible. I’m not affiliated with them, but I want to share in case you’re in a similar nesting boat:

• I scheduled online and selected exactly what needed hauling (king bed, box spring, dresser, broken TV)
• I got a guaranteed quote upfront — $250, which was totally fair considering they did all the heavy lifting
• Their website said they try to donate or recycle usable items, which made me feel good since some pieces were still in decent shape

If you’re prepping for a second+ baby and doing a major room shuffle, this kind of service can be a lifesaver.

✅ Started Filling Our Dumpster Bag

I also used one of those big Waste Management dumpster bags to toss anything not fit for donation or pickup. We’ll be using this over the next 2 weeks as we purge the rest of the house — because yes, this trimester has turned me into a one-woman fire sale, just like when I was pregnant with my son.

✅ Ordered Nursery and Toddler Room Items

My daughter will be moving into what’s currently my son’s nursery (which is closer to our bedroom), so I’ve been transitioning both spaces:

• Ordered all new nursery decor — pinks replacing the current blues/greens
• Bought new crib, dresser, toy storage, and instead of another rocker, I went with a daybed that doubles as guest sleeping space and a future toddler bed for what is becoming my son’s room.
• Hit Amazon Prime Day HARD (see below!)

✅ Amazon Prime Day Haul 🛍

Here’s what I stocked up on for baby #2:

1. Diaper Genie
2. Nanit Baby Monitor  (We have the Owlet currently and love it but unfortunately it does not have a monitor that comes with it and cannot connect to an Amazon Echo. Using my phone was perfectly fine when our son was so close to our room. Would monitor him on our phone anytime we were not close by, but I don’t want to have the app open on my phone all night to listen to him and would prefer another device for this monitoring now that he is moving further away in the house. The Nanit was on sale and can be connected to an Amazon show.)
3. Amazon Echo Show (to use as a monitor for our son’s new room)
4. Dual Camera Car Monitor (one for each car to monitor both kids)
5. Convertible Car Seat
6. Washable Rug for the new nursery
7. Clothes & Toys for both kids

➡️ Need a full checklist of what to buy for baby #2?
Check out my Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist — and stay tuned for my Second-Time Parent Nesting Checklist, coming soon!

✅ Leave Plan Finalized!

I also wrapped up my maternity leave documentation at work — just in time, since next week is my final full week before leave officially begins. ✅✅✅

❌ Name Still TBD

We didn’t finalize baby girl’s name this week… but we did narrow down our list. I’ll be sharing a post soon with 25+ baby girl names I love for 2025 in case you’re also on the hunt!

Nesting Priorities for Week 3

This coming week, I’m focusing on:

1. Finish cleaning out our storage closets
   • Organizing bins, tossing junk, making space
2. Deep clean my son’s new room
   • Baseboards, floors, built-in closet shelves, windows — the full pre-move-in scrub. I’ll be deep cleaning what will be my daughter’s room after we move my son.
3. Get a carpet estimate
   • The current flooring in my son’s new room isn’t my fave. Carpet may be in our future.
4. Order my cord tissue banking kit

Is Cord Blood Banking Worth It?

Cord blood and tissue banking isn’t for everyone, but it’s something we chose to do with our son and plan to do again. It can be used in certain medical treatments and may offer peace of mind for some families.

Pros:

• Potential use for future medical therapies
• Preserves genetic material
• Some options allow for sibling usage

Cons:

• It can be expensive
• May never be used
• Not all providers or hospitals accommodate it

We used MiracleCord last time — affordable, fast shipping, and easy to use. Again, not sponsored. Just sharing if it helps other moms.

⚠️ Tip: If you’re thinking about it, start researching at least 6 weeks before your due date to give time to ship a collection kit. If you opt for this option you will need to pack this in your hospital bag and bring with you for the delivery.

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That’s a Wrap on Week 2!

Even with the belly cramps, contractions, and big baby body strain, I’m proud of what we accomplished this week. I’ll be slowing things down a bit next week, since work will be busy, but hoping to keep the momentum going!

Have any baby name suggestions? Drop them in the comments — we need help! 👶💕

🍼 Stay tuned for Week 3 — and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social for real-time updates and to be notified when my complete 6 week nesting guide is available.